North Shore Squares Celebrates First Anniversary

North Shore Squares, a not for profit square dance club with members in many area communities will celebrate the first anniversary of its incorporation on August 2nd. The club, founded by caller and square dancer Bruce Holmes, began with 29 members and over its first year has doubled in size. The group holds monthly dances at St. Mark’s Church in Evanston and is committed to promoting the growth of this pastime. Holmes states, “I think this is a great activity. It gets you out of the house and interacting in a super fun way with other people. It’s good exercise for the body and the research shows it’s incredible for the brain. Plus, this is a really nice crowd of people to hang out with!”

Vice President Pam Berg notes that, “Although it is hard to overcome the stigma of junior high square dancing, once people come to an introductory lesson and realize how much fun they can have, they often sign up for classes. By the end of an evening, you feel like a team that has accomplished something. It is also great to be walking for an entire evening!” Former student and current club member Larry DeMar adds, “Forget about your visions of country music in a barn. It is fun, fast and the people in the club are so friendly and helpful. Don’t worry about needing to be able to dance. Square dancing is choreographed walking to the music. Our caller mixes in Pop with Country. Last night we danced to Call Me Maybe, Hit Me With Your Best Shot and Penny Lane. I highly recommend this as a great way to have fun, meet people and get some exercise.”

The club is pleased to announce that it will be offering square dance classes this fall on Monday nights through the Wilmette Park District beginning August 27th taught by Dave Mischler, and through the Skokie Park District on Wednesday nights beginning September 5th taught by Bruce Holmes. In addition, Bruce Holmes will be teaching square dancing for kids ages 8 to 12 on Sunday afternoons beginning September 9th. To give people a chance to try out square dancing, the group will offer free introductory lessons as follows:

• Wednesdays, August 1 and August 8 7:00-9:00 pm Oakton Community Center, 4701 Oakton St, Skokie
• Thursday, August 16 7:30-9:30 pm Evanston Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave, Evanston
• Sunday, August 19 2:00-4:00 pm First Congregational Church of Wilmette, 1125 Wilmette Ave
• Monday, August 20 7:30-9:30 pm Community Recreation Center, 3000 Glenview Rd, Wilmette

For more information: http://www.northshoresquares.com/