HISTORY/MEMORIAM

From Many > One
(E Pluribus Unum)

History of Southside Squares Chicago Square and Round Dance Club

The Southside Squares, Square and Round Dance Club, has a rich history that dates back more than 50 years. Square Dancing was introduced into the Black/African American Chicago community through such dynamic persons as Zenous Morgan, Swersie Dumetz Norris, Gordon Austin and others. Square dancing has been a viable social and recreational activity in the community at various schools, parks and community centers across the city for decades. In the early days, the activities of square dance clubs consisted of square, round and line dancing all in the same venue. In recent times with its expansion and overwhelming popularity, line dancing has been done separately.

At various times, there have been as many as 8 Black/African American square dance clubs who participated, as much as possible, in this activity in the Chicago area and across the country. Many of the dancers traveled across the country to participate in the Annual National Square Dance Conventions.

In 2007, as membership and numbers of dancers declined, a decision was made. The members of the Diamond Squares, T-Squares, and Chi-Horseshoe Squares came together and decided to join forces, and the Southside Squares was organized.

Since its inception, there has been a new interest in this fun filled activity. Thanks to our callers, Herschel Tolson, Sandie Bryant, and Jean Morris, we continue to experience interesting and challenging calling that keeps our minds and bodies active. And, let's not forget our Round Dancing feature, led by Larry Johnson.

Due to the dedication of several of our members, such as, Frankie Terry, we have become much more active in the Chicagoland Square and Round Dance community, taking part in visiting other clubs in the Chicagoland area, assisting with organizing the MCASD (Metropolitan Chicago Association of Square Dancers) functions, and giving much support to the Illinois State Conventions.

Southside Squares Articles of Incorporation

Southside Squares Articles of Incoprporation
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Meet the Founding Fathers of Southside Squares Chicago

Founding Officers - August 25, 2007

Henry Watson, Jr.
President

Jewel Armstrong,
Vice President

James Shaw,
Treasurer

Alton Battle,
Secretary

Link to a history of square dance in America
Click Here

About Square Dance History Project
An Overview
September, 2012

Square dancing has been an integral part of American social life for centuries. Traditional square dance was vital for generations of Americans, especially in rural communities; in the post-World War II era, modern square dance similarly enjoyed participants numbering in the millions.
Despite its popularity, the history of square dance has not been well documented. Scores of books explain specific figures and calls, but there is no current source that offers a detailed discussion of the development of this form of American social dance.
Furthermore, there is an inherent limitation in using words to describe an activity that is rooted in music and motion; few available films illustrate the different styles of dancing that have developed over time and in different locales. The irony is that this very popularity helps explain the dearth of film documentation. "It was just something we all did," said one active dancer. "Why would we take movies of something so ordinary?"
The Square Dance History Project addresses this situation with two broad goals:
First, we will assemble a collection of moving images that exemplify different forms of square dance in North America, from New England to the southern Appalachians, Newfoundland to the Rocky Mountains including traditional and modern square dance. A national effort will scour archives, libraries, and personal collections to locate outstanding examples of each dance style, using home movies, newsreels, television shows, and documentary footage. We will also shoot additional videos to illustrate contemporary dances in different locales.
These moving images will be supplemented by photographs and audio files illustrating different styles over time and in different regions, drawing from our own collection and from material already posted in disparate locations on the Internet. We will include articles and other text to provide background information about music and dance styles, social context, specific callers and musicians, and local dance customs. Finally, we will provide videotaped interviews with recognized authorities on different styles of dance.
A second goal is to illustrate the historical antecedents behind today’s squares. We cannot include moving images of dancers from centuries past, but we will present dancers who demonstrate such early styles, along with reliable information about the development of those earlier forms of squares.
From dance callers seeking information about particular calls to social dance historians, from casual viewers to dance enthusiasts, the Square Dance History Project serves many users. The rich story of North American square dance finally has a home in the digital age.