[Callers] Double Grand Square

[John Sweeney]

Hi all,

This post is all about Double Grand Squares.  But just to justify it being
on a contra dance forum, here are a couple of nice Four-Facing-Four contras
that incorporate Grand-Square-like figures, and call them "Double Grand
Squares":

https://grandsquare.dk/alle/index.php?menu=5
<https://grandsquare.dk/alle/index.php?menu=5&id=2045> &id=2045

http://www.grandsquare.dk/alle/index.php?menu=5
<http://www.grandsquare.dk/alle/index.php?menu=5&id=2108> &id=2108

 

              On with my query:

 

I've just seen the video of Seth calling a Double Grand Square (thanks Seth
- hope I can try it someday!):

https://www.facebook.com/seth.tepfer/videos/10204536010419503

 

Looks like the figure was created by Martha Edwards around 2009:

http://www.westendweb.com/doublegrandsquare/

http://dancecaller.blogspot.com/2009/06/more-on-double-grand-square.html

 

But I found a number of earlier references to "Double Grand Square".  Does
anyone know whether any other versions of a Double Grand Square exist?

 

Some of these may just be references to two sets doing Grand Square side by
side (maybe interlocked?), or to doing a Grand Square twice.

 

1955

https://newspaperarchive.com/bakersfield-californian-apr-13-1955-p-36/

"A double grand square, never before presented for a local audience, is
being prepared by B Squares under the direction of Bernice Braddon.
Precision timing is the keynote of the square..."

 

1959

http://www.folkdance.com/LDArchive/1959October.pdf

Exhibitions

Lariat Swingers

Director:   Ace Smith

Dance - DOUBLE GRAND SQUARE - American

 

1978

http://doczz.net/doc/577224/american-square-dance-marcy-1978

"Keith does a fine job on his side, but the dancers felt that a double grand
square in the opener, middle break and closer were too many. "

 

1979

American Square Dance Vol. 34 no. 3 (search for ""double grand square"
dance")

"Bob has used a grand parade in his opener, and a double grand square in his
closer."

Note: "grand square" is italicized, "double" is not. So it might just mean a
Grand Square twice.

 

2005

http://squaredancehumor.blogspot.com/

"This was one big double square with six side couples and two head couples.
The other and even more difficult thing was I could not use my hands. To me
square dancing is hands. Every since I started it was right hand this and
left hand that. I can't remember anyone mentioning anything about my feet.
Patty was picking everything up just fine while I was slowly starting to get
some if it with many gentle pushes and endless pointing by the other
Stumblers. And of course there was the caller Ivan patient as ever saying,
"George - to the right, the right, the other right . . . very good!" Bill,
an experienced dancer, explained carefully how I was to count my steps,
especially for the double grand square. Eight steps and turn, repeated eight
times, that was the secret for my position."

This one may not be serious! :-)

 

  Thanks,

 

            Happy dancing,                          

                   John                                   

                                    

John Sweeney, Dancer, England   john at modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802
940 574                          

http://contrafusion.co.uk/KentCeilidhs.html for Live Music Ceilidhs


http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent


http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive DVDs

 

 

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