Arkansas State Square Dance Federation
Arkansas State Square Dance Federation, Inc.
Welcome
To get to the previous page, press the BACK BUTTON on your web browser.
Welcome to the new homepage for the Arkansas State Square Dance Federation (ASSDF), Inc.; last updated
Feb. 8, 2010. You're visitor number
since Oct. 26, 2009....when the new domain was obtained.
While it's currently
Central Time, on
in Arkansas...it's always a good time to think of square and round dancing...no matter where you are!!
First, a bit of history. The original ASSDF webmaster, Joyce Taylor, died several years ago. As a result,
the ORIGINAL ASSDF website that was at squaredancing.com, had
OUTDATED INFORMATION for quite awhile. After several attempts in recent weeks, I finally got in contact with their \
webmaster, and that data should have now been removed.
In late 2007, I set up a page for the ASSDF as a separate section off of my
personal homepage. Then, on Oct. 26, 2009, I was able to obtain the new domain of
assdf.com for the website, and everything has been moved to the new domain. So, please update your web browsers
accordingly. Both sites are hosted by
.
While this site looks similar to the original one (I patterned the design after it), the current site has more
information.
Much of the information on the ASSDF Website is taken from The Modern Square, Arkansas' monthly
publication of square and round dancing.
By choosing the desired links, you'll get a glimpse of who, and what we are. We hope that you enjoy your visit, and will
come back often to keep up with the happenings of our federation clubs, callers and cuers, etc. We invite you to come
see that both square dancing and round dancing are Friendship Set To Music.
The ASSDF is the official organization of Arkansas Square Dancers. Within the ASSDF are the active
organizations of the Northwest District, the Camper Dancers, and the Arkansas Square Dance Convention,
Incorporated (ASDCI). While mentioning square dancing, we also welcome and promote round dancing as well...and, a
Fall Festival is held in a different Arkansas city each October.
Also on this page are links to the callers and cuers, the
clubs and organizations, The Modern Square (the monthly magazine of the ASSDF),
a list of the current ASSDF officers, and other square dance links for your enjoyment.
If you have any questions, or if you have any square or round dance related links...you first need to have
Javascript enabled in your web browser, to see these 
links, and for them to work. Then,
you can either:
, or
, respectively...with either your questions or square/round dance related links.
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In Memoriam
I have created a page, In Memoriam...to the Arkansas callers, cuers (and
their taws (spouses)), and dancers, who have passed away over the years. I will need your help in letting me know the
names of these individuals who are gone, but not forgotten...as the list is obviously rather small at the moment.
I don't need the names of the clubs they danced with, dates of death, etc...just the names of these individuals, and
whether they were a caller, cuer, spouse of the caller or cuer, or dancer. Your help in preserving the legacy of these
individuals will be greatly appreciated.
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Callers And Cuers
There are several callers and cuers across Arkansas. While most of the callers call Basic, Mainstream, and
Plus level square dancing, some callers also call Advanced, and Challenge level square dancing.
Round Dance Cuers cue Phases 2-6, and some callers and cuers are available for
Special Dances. For a detailed list of callers and cuers,
click here.
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Clubs and Organizations
There are several clubs and organizations across Arkansas for your dancing pleasure. For a list of Arkansas' Square and
Round Dance Clubs and Organizations, click here. Also, be sure to note the
Changes and Cancellations section here.
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Special Dances
In the past, special dances (dances held at a time other than the clubs regularly scheduled dance) were NOT listed
on the ASSDF website, to give people an incentive to subscribe to
The Modern Square. However, Changes And Cancellations
of these dances are listed.
I recently submitted a proposal to the ASSDF Officers on possibly adding a
section for these Special Dances to the website...where a dance would be listed ONLY IF the club purchased
an ad for the dance in an issue of The Modern Square. Note that a listing
ONLY in the Special Dances column in The Modern Square
would NOT qualify.
However, exact details on this proposal are still to be finalized, voted on, and approved, by the
ASSDF Officers.
But, in the interim, as a THANK YOU to the clubs who purchase an ad for their special dance, I am going to go ahead,
and list these dances here.
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Changes and Cancellations
Unfortunately, last minute changes to scheduled dances do sometime occur. That's why no matter whether you dance to a
local club, or travel a good distance to a dance, it is STRONGLY ENCOURAGED that you contact the person listed
BEFORE TRAVELING to a dance. Clubs sometimes CHANGE their location, or CANCEL their dance that day,
for various reasons (weather, etc.), hall conflicts, holidays, or for other clubs Special Dances.
It can be VERY FRUSTRATING after driving a long distance to find that a club is ''dark'' (not dancing)...
especially with the price of gasoline nowadays!! These changes can also OCCUR AT THE LAST MINUTE...and it's
better to be safe than sorry, by calling ahead before you travel. This is especially true when stormy weather
(thunderstorms, tornadoes, flooding, snow, ice, etc.) affects an area. A list of these changes and cancellations
can be found here.
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Square And Round Dance Lessons
Square and Round Dance Lessons. Whatever your introduction was, it was the start of an incredible journey.
The thought may stir memories of dancing with the same sex in elementary school, doing a swing your partner, do-si-do,
etc. You may recall the first night of class, when a friend invited you to learn square or round dancing. You might have
been at a ''one night stand demonstration'', put on by a church or other group. Or maybe you are curious as to
what the wonderful world of square and round dancing is about.
From a personal standpoint, I remember the first night of class in 1985, as all of these women I didn't even know were
giving me hugs (yellowrocks), and I thought to myself ''What have I gotten myself into??''. After graduation, it was
like waiting in line for hugs, and saying ''Next!!'' (grin!).
For a further overview of square and round dancing, as well as a list of upcoming square and round dance lessons in
Arkansas, click here. For a Square Dancers Bill Of Rights, as well
as a guide to a Square Dance Graduation Ceremony...along with The Square Dancers Pledge,
click here.
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Dance Admission Fees
Just like much of the country, most, but not all, of the square and round dance clubs charge a fee for visitors. This
is to help pay the caller/cuer fee, the hall rent, etc. Fees usually range from $3 to $5 per person (subject to change),
whether for a regular dance, or for a special, unless otherwise noted. Check the
ASSDF Clubs And Organizations listing for more details. A few of the clubs
do not charge for visitors...but that is the exception, rather than the rule.
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The Modern Square
The Modern Square is the ASSDF's monthly publication, containing reports from the various square and round dance
clubs and organizations across the state...as well as information on upcoming special dances across Arkansas.
Subscriptions are currently $15 per year. For a printable form, and a list of upcoming Subscription Dances...
where dancers can sign up for, or renew their subscription to The Modern Square,
click here. A subscription form is also in each issue of
The Modern Square publication itself. Note: I have not yet received my copy of the February, 2010 issue of
The Modern Square as of Feb. 6, 2010. And, with the winter storm on Jan. 28 and 29, 2010...with more winter weather
for portions of Arkansas this week, mail may be delayed for a few days.
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Officers
The ASSDF has several officers, both elected and appointed. For a list of these individuals, and a brief description of
their jobs, click here.
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Festival
The ASSDF has a yearly fall festival dance in a different Arkansas city each October...usually Columbus Day Weekend. The
Friday night dance features a National Caller for the Square Dancing...and Arkansas Cuers for the
Round Dancing. Saturday activities feature workshops, the ASSDF Membership Meeting (where bid presentations for
future dances are made, and other items are discussed), plus the evening dancing to
Arkansas Callers and Cuers.
The 2010 ASSDF Dance location will be at Eureka Springs, Arkansas...further details can be found
here.
Lastly, one of the affiliated organizations with the ASSDF, the Arkansas Square Dance Convention, Incorporated
(ASDCI), is planning to have Arkansas bid for the 2014
National Square Dance Convention, during the
59th National Square Dance Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, June 23-26, 2010.
Watch the website for updates.
Square and Round Dance Clubs, as well as individuals, are encouraged to prepare a letter to show their wanting to
have a National Square Dance Convention in Arkansas...addressing it to Sam and Linda Margheim, NEC Presidents...and send
it to Wayne and Lura Wade, 650 Oak Hill Loop, Batesville, AR 72501. The letter is NOT a commitment to serve, but
if Arkansas does get the bid, we will need all the workers we can get.
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ASSDF 60th Anniversary Cookbook
In celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the ASSDF, the ASSDF has prepared a cookbook, chock full of over 450 delicious
recipes from appetizers to desserts...provided by square and round dancers across Arkansas. Further information is
available here.
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ASSDF T-Shirts
Past ASSDF Presidents Art and Lou Watada, have prepared T-Shirts in various sizes to support the ASSDF. For
details, click here.
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History
The ASSDF was formed in 1949, by Otis A. Higgins, and Richard Dick. Max Smith was appointed in 1949 to plan and promote
the first Federation Dance, and he was elected as the first president in 1951.
The ASSDF is actually 2 years older than the
National Square Dance Convention (NSDC), which is overseen by the
National Executive Committee...composed of past NSDC chairpersons. The NSDC is held
the Wednesday through Saturday, up to and including, the last weekend of June each year, in a different U.S. city. It is
billed as ''The World's Greatest Square Dance Event''. For a list of past ASSDF Presidents, past National Square
Dance Conventions, as well as a poem I wrote for the 40th birthday of the ASSDF, and a tribute to one of the greatest
callers in Arkansas square dancing history, the late J.D. Kerr,
click here.
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Membership Meetings
The ASSDF has membership meetings; where the state square and round dance clubs send at least two (2) delegates to the
meeting, to discuss various issues related to square and round dancing, and with the ASSDF. The Fall meeting is on the
Saturday afternoon during the ASSDF Fall Festival, and other meetings
may be held at other times during the year.
While votes on issues may not always be unanimous, it is a chance for dancers to have their voices heard...and to
discuss how to keep the hobby of square and round dancing alive. Unfortunately, because of my involvement with
Amateur Radio License Exams on weekends in the
central Arkansas area, I likely will NOT be able to attend the weekend...sorry for any inconvenience.
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Square Dance Links
There are many square and round dance links for your enjoyment on the Internet. I've included some of the most popular
ones below, last updated Dec. 21, 2009.
If you note any bad links, or if you have one you'd like added, please
contact me.
Square Dancing Poem
Square Dancers Bill Of Rights/Graduations
Square Dances and Emergencies
Square Dance Attire/Commandments
Square Dancing In Hot Springs Village, Arkansas
Animated Square Dancing - Definitions And Diagrams
National/International Square and Round Dance Directory
(use 55-6677 as temporary logon code)
Square Dancing Today Magazine
National Square Dance Convention (NSDC)/National Executive Committee
Jamboree USA Square And Round Dance Weekend, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
2010 National Square Dance Convention, Louisville, Kentucky
2011 National Square Dance Convention, Detroit, Michigan
2012 National Square Dance Convention, Spokane, Washington
2013 National Square Dance Convention, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Single Square Dancers USA (SSDUSA)
2010 SSDUSA Dance-A-Rama, Alexandria, Virginia (Sep. 2-5, 2010)
Links For Single Square Dancers (courtesy of SSDUSA)
Texas Association Of Single Square Dancers (TASSD)
Heart Of America Single Square Dancers Association (HASSDA)
Western Square Dancing Homepage
United Square Dancers Of America
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