Changes to the AASRDF Constitution were officially adopted during the monthly May 2018 Federation Meeting. The updated document can be found on the documents and forms page here. Please contact your Federation Representative if you have further questions.

Hello all, I recently received the following information via email for anyone interested in traveling across the border.

2018 Canadian Square and Round Dance Convention

New Dancers at the Convention

Are you a new, or first-year dancer?

   Have you thought about going to the National Convention in London, Ontario next July?

   Are you concerned that maybe you are not ready to dance on the world stage?

   Will there be a place for new or first-year dancers to dance at the convention?

   Do we have to wear square dance outfits?

   Where do we stay?

So many questions, and yet all very good questions that all need to be answered.

We, as hosts of the 2018 Canadian Square and Round Dance Convention are committed to making you feel warm and welcomed to London next July, regardless of your level of dance experience.  You will be amazed at the wonderful time you are sure to have, the many, many new friends and acquaintances you are sure to meet from all over the world.

And guess what? They are facing the same anxieties and questions that you are.

Of course, you can wear traditional square dance clothes if you so desire, and many, many other dancers will, but it is not necessary, nor mandatory in modern square dancing. Dress as you feel comfortable. This is not a fashion show, nor a dance competition.   We will all be there to have fun, meet up with old friends, make new friends and to build memories we will carry for the rest of our lives.

We have a specific room set aside especially for new and first-year dancers that you will fit into with ease and will be welcomed by friendly experienced dance callers as well as by other new or first-year dancers from all over.  Simply slip into a square, introduce yourself to your corner and others in the square and just like that, you have already met six new friends (or maybe seven if you are single) that may turn into life long friendships.

Your caller in this basic dance room knows you are new to square dancing and they anticipate that you may need some instruction and they will be happy to help you out as a group, not by singling you out, but by part of a floor of dancers.

All dancers, as well as new or “basic” dancers, are expected to remember square dance etiquette.

• Square up with the nearest square needing dancers.
• Introduce yourself to your corner and to the rest of the dancers in your square.
• Try to refrain from talking while dancing as it is important to hear the caller and their instructions.
• Never leave a square unless (of course) it is an emergency.
• When the tip is over, be sure to thank all the dancers in your square.
• Always smile, be cheerful and have fun. Overlook mistakes by others and laugh at your own mistakes. It is all part of the fun learning to square dance.

You will leave this convention a better dancer and with new enthusiasm towards improving your dancing skills when you return to your home club.

If you think you are ready to dance mainstream, you can sit in to watch or participate if you feel ready.

Worried about a place to stay?   Not a problem!

Visit our website at www.squaredance.ca/2018 and you will find hotel and campsite information. London is a city of almost 400,000 people and there are many, many more hotels and motels that are not on our website, but are easy to google if you so desire.  The city of London knows about this Convention as we are working closely with Tourism London and we will all be welcoming you with open arms and sharing huge, warm, cuddly and sincere yellowrocks when you arrive.

The goal of this convention is to help you have fun and enjoy square dancing as much as we do.

Start planning now to come dance with us this summer at your Canadian Square and Round Dance Convention in London, Ontario.

“Make the Scene in 2018”