Modern Western Square Dancing is less about memorizing a choreographed routine and more about solving a physical puzzle in real-time. Instead of learning a specific dance start-to-finish, you learn a vocabulary of “calls” (like Allemande Left or Square Thru). The caller strings these together on the fly, and you and the other seven people in your square have to execute them smoothly.
Because the calls are standardized worldwide by an organization called CALLERLAB, once you learn the basics, you can walk into a square dance club anywhere in the world and join in, even if they speak a different language!
Here is the best way to get started:
Because the moves are standardized globally by an organization called CALLERLAB, you can’t just jump into a regular dance without knowing the vocabulary. Learning is broken down into specific levels:
Mainstream: Your starting point. You will learn the foundational 50+ calls (like Allemande Left, Do-Sa-Do, Promenade, and Right and Left Grand).
Plus, Advanced, and Challenge: Higher, faster-paced levels you can explore once you master Mainstream.
Clubs usually run on a seasonal schedule, launching new beginner sessions in July and January. They kick these off with free or low-cost “Fun Nights” or “Open Houses.” These are zero-pressure events where you can show up with no experience (and often no partner), and the caller will walk you through a few simple dances to see if you enjoy it.
If you like the intro night, you’ll join the club’s weekly class. Beginners started with a program called “Mainstream.”
Mainstream focuses on teaching you around 50 essential calls over 12-20 weeks.
The goal is to get you out on the floor and dancing confidently much faster than the older, longer curriculums.
If you like it, you sign up for their beginner class, which usually meets once a week for 12 to 20 weeks. In Montrose, your local club is the Black Canyon Twirlers (you can reach them at 970-316-5150 or bct@mikelee.dance). The Delta Hubwheelers just up the road in Delta are another active group that hosts regular beginner events.
While you wait for a class to start, it helps to understand the basic mechanics of how dancers move on the floor:
The Shuffle Step: Square dancing isn’t about jumping, skipping, or fancy footwork. You want to keep your weight slightly forward and take smooth, gliding steps to the beat of the music. A smooth dancer is always perfectly balanced.
The Handhold: When joining hands in a circle or passing another dancer, avoid gripping hard or interlacing fingers. The standard grip is palm-to-palm with thumbs crossed, keeping elbows slightly bent.
Trust the Caller (and the Square): The caller is the boss. You will constantly switch partners and positions during a sequence, which can feel disorienting at first. Don’t try to anticipate the next move or panic if you end up on the “wrong” side of the square — the caller can see you and will seamlessly guide the group back to their original partners by the end of the song.
While you might picture petticoats and matching western shirts, most modern clubs are very relaxed about dress codes for weekly classes—jeans and comfortable, smooth-soled shoes are perfectly fine. Traditional square dance attire is usually reserved for special weekend dances, conventions, or specific club party nights.
A quick tip: You don’t need to bring a partner to start. Most clubs assign “angels” (experienced club members) to fill in the squares and help guide beginners physically through the formations while they learn.