Hicks and Chicks Lessons

Several students become acquainted with the Hicks and Chicks members and the Sunny Acres Barn

Motto: Square Dancing is Fun and Friendship set to Music

Lessons are Sunday nights from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. during the winter months, holidays excepted.

Square Dance lessons began the second week of September, and the class will graduate around March. The first two weeks of square dance lessons are FREE. The last few weeks will be workshops for all members. Additional workshops will be held after graduation for all square dancers in DBD. There will be members (called Angels) at every lesson to help by being part of the square. There is always plenty of refreshments, which seems to be a big part of square dancing.

Mike Hall, the Hicks and Chicks Club instructor, will be calling the lessons, and he has plenty of good music and makes learning to square dance FUN. Mike also gives lessons for other clubs, so if you miss a lesson in Marion, you can make it up at one of the other places.

Round Dance lessons are given through the Fall and Winter months. Two levels are being planned for Thursday evenings during the fall and winter at the Mount Gilead Methodist Church, in Mt. Gilead, Ohio, and the advanced level also is given at the Mount Gilead Methodist Church on the same night. Phyllis Burdette will be cueing the round dance lessons for the Hicks and Chicks Club.

If you would like to be contacted when the next set of square dance and/or round dance lessons will begin held, or for more information about square danceing, contact any Officer as listed in the "Officers" web page or an e-mail to HicksAndChicks@aol.com or any member of the Hicks and Chicks Club.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

What is Western Square Dancing? There are two types of Square Dancing. Eastern, aka, Swap and Swing, Square Dancing is the type you most likely learned in High School. In this type of dancing, the 1^st couple does the figures then the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th. Eastern dancing is popular at community functions and pop-up dances. Western Square Dancing (this is what our club dances) features all couples moving at once in various patterns. There are many Western Square Dance calls; therefore lessons are needed in order to dance at dances featuring this type of dancing.

How long to lessons last? Beginning lessons for the Hicks and Chicks start in September and graduation is usually in March. We meet every Sunday evening currently at 6PM and go until 8PM. Lessons will take the student through basic, mainstream and plus calls.

How much do lessons cost? Cost depends on the number of students taking lessons. The first two lessons are free in order to give folks an idea of what Western Square Dancing is all about. After the 1^st two lessons, the cost will be between $3.00 and $4.00 per person per lesson.

What do you wear to lessons? Dress is casual. Jeans and shorts are OK. Wear comfortable shoes. After lessons have progressed you may want to look into leather bottom shoes to help with dancing on the various floor surfaces.

When do you attend dances and what do you wear? Dances that are structured for students start in December. However, you may wish to try a dance earlier. Your club can help you with that decision. Dress is casual for students. Jeans and a dress top will work for most dances. Once you graduate you will find there are more formal dances that require the ladies to wear long skirts or full western attire (the choice is yours) and the men to wear dress pants or jeans and western shirts. Guidance is given as you go through Square Dance Lessons.

Are there many clubs is this area? Currently, there are several local clubs. Longer travels to clubs in the Columbus, Cleveland, Toledo and Akron area are also planned by the Hicks and Chicks. Local clubs are in Upper Sandusky (Wyandot Squares), Tiffin (T-Squares), Mansfield (Johnny Appleseed Squares), Mt.Vernon (Dixie Squares) dancing in Fredericktown, Shelby (Cloverleafs) and Delaware (Lil’ Brown Jugs).

Have another question? Ask one of the club members. By the way, Club members that help with lessons are called Angels. Join us for a fun time and you will learn why.

First Two Lessons Free, and Much More

More free dancing after completing lessons: A student taking lessons will be invited to the Hicks and Chicks Christmas Dinner and Dance to get a first hand experience of a real western square dance. This will be called a Hi-Lo Square Dance, where every other tip will be called at the level for the student. This is the first opportunity for the student to dance in western wear, but it is not necessary. The dinner and dance will be free to the student. For the next three months, the first Saturday at the Hicks and Chicks will be Hi-Lo dances, and the student can dance at half price. Many other square dance clubs in Columbus and around the state have Hi-Lo dances.

By spring, you will be dancing at club level, and can join our Hicks and Chicks Club, or any other club you so wish. The important thing is, to get you dancing so you can have fun and enjoyment like we do.

After graduation, the 13 member clubs of the Central Ohio Council of Dance Clubs (COCDC), which the Hicks and Chicks Club is a member of, will give each graduating student a free pass to one dance at each of the member clubs, good for one year. This savings will exceed the cost of lessons, but, the important think is, it will have you traveling with the club to other square dances in the area.

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