Square Dance Lessons
The Santa's Swingers are
only one of several clubs offering square dance classes in the Fairbanks area.
The following is quoted from the Santa's Swingers Web
Site:
"Many square dance clubs hold two hour classes once a week for up
to 30 weeks teaching beginners how to square dance. The Santa's Swingers have condensed
these hours of lessons into 16 hours of instruction and practice. Members of the club
attend with the beginners to assist them in learning the moves. The Club tries to have an
"angel" for each student and more if possible.
"For the last few years the Club has been holding these condensed
classes on four consecutive Saturdays from 10 AM to 2 PM. Caller/Instructor Grody Oseth gives clear directions,
has good timing and a great singing voice. The Santa's Swingers Square Dance Club is
fortunate that he is the Club Caller.
"The next series of Saturday classes is scheduled to be held in September
& October 1998 at the Alaskaland Dance Center. The dates for these classes are September
26th and October 3, 10, & 17, 1998. Students are asked to bring their lunch and a
short lunch break is given about noon. Kitchen facilities are available. Coffee and tea
are supplied free.
"After completing these four classes, new dancers, are
apprehensive about attending the club's regular dances, held on the second and fourth
Saturday each month. Club members know that new dancers need lots of practice to perfect
their skills.
"This is why, after students have completed the Saturday classes
and before they officially graduate, they are given an additional three months to attend
all club regular dances at a reduced rate. The Santa's Swingers dance from 8 to 10:30 PM
at the Alaskaland Dance Center on the 2nd and 4th Saturday evenings each month. New
dancers may attend these regular club dances at no extra charge for the next three months
(6 dances). Graduation will be held at the end of this three month period.
"Regular dances are more fun, more relaxed and really easier than
the classes. New dancers have been introduced to all the moves so all they need is 'floor
time'. At club dances, there are more good, experienced dancers to help a new dancer
remember the various moves introduced at the classes. All of us who square dance had to
learn sometime, and we all remember those days! Come join us--square dancing is friendship
set to music!
"Total cost for these four Saturdays and three months of dances is
$60 per person, $40 for the Saturday classes and $20 for three months of dances. This is a
real bargain when you consider you are getting 16 hours of dance instruction plus another
15 hours of dancing pleasure for about $2 per hour! And you are having fun and great
mental and physical exercise as well!"
