The Geneseo String band performed for students, faculty, staff and community members (pictured above) for the annual square-dancing night (Courtesy of Hannah McSorley).
Think back to elementary school when you first learned to square dance—a bunch of kids dancing around each other as plucky music plays in the background. It seems easy, right? Well, I am here to inform you that it is a lot harder than you remember.
On Saturday Feb. 1 the Geneseo String Band—conducted by lecturer of music James Kimball—hosted a square-dancing night on campus in the MacVittie College Union. Folks from near and far came together to do-si-do around the ballroom.
“This is a longstanding tradition here at Geneseo,” Kimball said. “We started having events like this in 1979 and host an event every semester.”
Square dancing is a style of dance originating in England around 1600, according to the History Channel website. However, the style became highly popular in the United States as it was introduced to southern states in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The night started out with a bang as guests began dancing to their hearts’ content while finding new friends in the community. People from the age of eight to 80 could be seen hitting the dance floor, coming together for the famous Hat Dance—in which a man or woman sits between two members of the opposite gender. They then place their hat on the person that will be choosing next as they dance their partner down to the end of the line. After that, the cycle begins again and again until the caller announces the end of the song.
For many these kinds of events are very important. Rochester Institute of Technology student Bobby Picciotti has been going to these events for years.
“It all started when [RIT’s] Christian fellowship began the tradition,” Picciotti said. “It has been a great way to come together with people you may not see on a normal basis.”
Other community members, such as Clarkie Jacobs, express the joy of the tradition. He has been dancing for more than 65 years.
“It’s a tradition that seems to be going away,” Jacobs said. “It’s an amazing way to spend the day with your friends and loved ones.”
During the night, I had the pleasure of dancing with some seasoned veterans in the crowd and was shocked to see how difficult it was at times. The steps, though simple at first, become complicated as you spin around the room.
Batavia Silver Stars member Leon Perry said that people don’t have to be a good dancer to enjoy square dancing.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re good at dancing,” Perry said. “As long as you have a good partner and a sense of rhythm you can square dance.”
These events are not only special for the guests, but also for the performers as well. Senior Leah Brooch is always excited for these events.
“I love these events because it’s a way to see everyone happy. It’s a good way to see everyone coming together and to be jamming out with my friends,” Brooch said. “Since I’ve been to college the string band has been like my second family”
If you are interested in seeing the string band live in concert this semester, the group will be hosting a free Saint Patrick’s Day concert this March alongside the Rochester Irish Step Dancers and different student groups on campus. Additionally, if you would like to learn how to square dance, you can find more information from the Batavia Silver Stars, a square-dancing group open to all students.