By Mary Albrecht
Westport Squares

Square dancing is friendship set to music with some exercise tossed in for good measure. If you can walk, you can learn to square dance. You will make new friends, have fun, and forget your troubles. Modern Western Square Dancing may be just the activity you have been missing.

Westport Squares is a square dance club that has been around for 68 years. We begin our square dance lessons every September, and our open houses will be Sundays, Sept. 10 and Sept. 17,  6:30–8:30 pm. The first two lessons are free. We usually meet on the Northside, but we are holding our open house/square dance lessons at the Middleton-Ionic Masonic Lodge, 2030 Middleton St., Middleton.

Our instructor is a Square Dance caller, and he is fantastic. His patience and teaching skills are top-notch. Each week he plays music and calls out instructions for the dancers to follow, reviewing square dance moves we learned the previous weeks. Our square dance lessons are open to most everyone: couples, singles and families. Children must be 10 years or older with a genuine interest in learning to square dance.

By the time lessons are over, and with some time and practice, you will be able to dance anywhere in the world. Whether it’s a dance, workshop or class, square dancing provides excellent mental and physical exercise, and will add years of fun to your life.

Many folks have commented how square dancing has opened a whole new life for them: new acquaintances, exercise and enjoyment. You might even connect with people who have similar hobbies, like camping, crafting, fishing and more.

We hope you will join us Sept. 10 and Sept. 17 at 6:30 pm. For more information, contact Virginia at 608-535-9461 or visit our website westportsquares.com.