Square dancing: Healthy, wholesome fun that exercises your mind and body

Swing your partner. Do-si-do. Allemande left and around you go.

Square dancing is uniquely American, having grown out of a combination of ethnic folk dances mostly in and around the New England area at first, but spreading west as the nation did.

But you can go to almost any country in the world and find square dancing — and not only find it but join in, says square dance aficionado Bill Green.

"All the calls are done in English, so once you learn the basic figures, you can dance anywhere. We've had people from England, France, Japan, Germany, about half of the 50 states and other places dance with us here. It's a good way to meet friends. We like to say square dancing is friendship set to music."

Bill and his wife Sandra dance weekly with a club called the Rocketeers. "It was started in 1962 by employees of Thekla Air Space in Magna. That's where the name comes from." But they get couples from all over the valley who come to dance on Saturday nights.

"We have about 120 members and dance about six to eight squares on any given night," says Green.

The Rocketeers is just one of many clubs throughout the valley and the state. "Ours is a club for couples," says Eileen Huber. "But you can find clubs for singles, for youth, for teens, for anyone."

She and her husband have been dancing for about 30 years. "Now we have two sons and their wives who dance, so it has become a family thing. I have grandchildren who can't wait until they are old enough to dance. I just absolutely love it. It's healthy, wholesome fun that exercises your mind and your body."

Her husband, Paul, is the "Sheriff" for the group, which means he's in charge of telling funny jokes and collecting donations.

"The first half of the year, the money goes to a charity. The last half, the money we raise goes to defray our expenses and for a big party," he says.

People are generous, says Eileen. "This is like a big extended family. Square dancing gives you a common bond with people everywhere."

The square dance is the official folk dance of the United States, designated as such by President Ronald Reagan. It is also the official folk dance of the state of Utah.

A lot of people have a vague idea of what it entails, have heard about the do-si-do, maybe seen square dancers in western movies. What many don't realize, says Green, is that there are 69 basic figures. "But once you learn those, you can dance anywhere."