Photograph by Robert Scheer
Caller Scott Slocum, an engineer by day, works out complicated dance moves on a computer.
By Cristy Shauck
Change is afoot at the Sunnyvale Singles Squares club, an organization that since 1957 has provided area singles with a place to dance, eat and socialize.
The city-sponsored club recently welcomed a new caller, the person who yells out square-dance steps and, in doing so, gives the group its pace and reputation.
By day, Scott Slocum works as a computer software-engineering manager. On Thursday evenings, he drives from his home in San Ramon to the Murphy Park Clubhouse at California and Sunnyvale avenues, where he rattles off scores of steps, from the basic to the very sophisticated.
Slocum replaced Gary Carnes, who had called for the club for 18 years.
"I'd been calling five or six nights a week for 21 years; it was time for a change. My wife and I enjoy visiting them," said the gravelly-voiced Carnes.
"I had some of the funnest times with that group," Carnes added. Carnes still calls for the Outlaws, a club he started a few years ago.
According to Sunnyvale Singles Squares president Carol Christofferson, the club worried about replacing Carnes, whom she described as a "dynamic" caller.
But, she said, "choosing Scott as our new caller was a unanimous decision. He'll energize and challenge us."
Slocum said he's thrilled to call for the club, which he said has welcomed him with open arms. Taking advantage of his technological prowess, he works out complicated dance movements on a computer.
"He can really dream up some doozies," club member Carol Doody said.
During the 29 years of its existence, hundreds of couples have met, fallen in love, married and left the club, Christofferson said. Members, who currently number 130, are exclusively single.
"They are welcome to visit, but they may not join the club," she said.
To show there are no hard feelings, the club holds a Sweethearts Dance each year and invites former members to return and renew old friendships. One hundred and eleven invitations went out to former members for the last dance, which was held Feb. 8.
Jim Lohmann thought square dancing was corny and didn't want to go at first. "After a few nights, I discovered it was fun," he said.
"I come for the exercise and friendship," said Martie La Rouche, a member of Sunnyvale Singles for six years.
"We're an enthusiastic, friendly singles club," Christofferson said. "Once a month the club sponsors a group activity. There was a car rally last summer, a beach party in October, and we attended a performance of the Sunnyvale Community Players."
"We also go camping and bowling and take trips to Tahoe," member Wayne Page added.
Club dancers range in age from 30 to 70 and up, Christofferson said.
The music and calls of modern western square-dancing have changed considerably. In addition to traditional folk music, strains of modern country music or rock & roll greet the ears of toe-tapping dancers.
In elementary school, children learn "do-si-do," "Allemand left" and "promenade." Those are only three of the 53 calls someone must learn in order to dance at the beginner's level, which is called mainstream. In Silicon Valley, most clubs dance at the plus level, which includes 141 increasingly complex calls with names like "ping pong circulate" and "relay the deucey."
Those who love working a good jigsaw puzzle may want to try advanced and challenge levels.
"It's good mental as well as physical exercise," Christofferson said. "It's not repetitive like line dancing, and it requires teamwork. I get a charge out of having to pay attention."
Dress requirements are also changing. The traditional square dance skirt billows out waist-high as partners twirl the ladies around the square, revealing flounced petticoats and today's version of bloomers, colorful frilly panties, which come in different lengths and are meant to be seen. Now women may wear Western-style skirts and men may wear boots and Western shirts.
"Most women still wear traditional skirts," dancer Sandi Schmitt said. "It's easier to wear petticoats and do styling."
During a promenade, women grasp a handful of skirt hem and petticoat, lifting it to reveal a cascade of color. As they perform other movements, they may swish or flip a bit of skirt. This is known as styling.
Members say the club is a safe, fun place to meet people.
"I've been dancing 13 years," visitor John Prickett said. "Several people from work joined the same beginners' class with me. I'm a 'retread.' I got married, left square dancing, came back, and married again."
Pete Beatty has been dancing for six years. "At first I thought it was for hicks, but I was wrong. It's the best thing I ever did."
"A hoedown is a great first date," adds Christofferson, referring to the almost-weekly square dance events offered in this area.
The doors open for Sunnyvale Singles Squares at 7:30 p.m. every Thursday with round dancing, a couples dance similar to ballroom dancing and performed in a circle. Craig Rice, the cuer, calls out the movements to background music.
Square dancing begins at 8 p.m. Six or seven squares usually form. The caller directs two dances per tip, then everyone offers hugs and thank-yous to people in their square before partaking of refreshments and socializing for a few minutes. Round dances alternate with square dance tips until 10 p.m.
Once a month the club has a party night, and members bring plenty of food. Alcohol is taboo; individuals are not supposed to imbibe before attending a dance.
Slocum, a member of Callerlab (a professional organization for callers) for 20 years, plans to "slowly but surely introduce all-position dancing."
The two dancing positions are the "belle" and the "beau." Usually--but not always--the woman takes the belle's position and the man takes the beau's position. A dancer must know both positions in order to prevent a square from breaking down if a caller decides to be creative. Some calls have variations, and all position dancing teaching helps dancers feel comfortable in these less-often-used positions.
Calls are standardized now, and square dance clubs are scattered throughout the country. "It's a portable skill," Christofferson said. "You can always look up a club and go dance."
The club's next square-dance class, called by Ken Carroll, begins Sept. 10. "The first three Tuesdays are free, and you can enroll on any of those days," Christofferson explained. Class members will graduate sometime in May.
Doody said visitors are welcome to drop by the Murphy Park location and say, "Howdy." Admission is $10 per month for members and $4 at the door for visitors.
For more information, call 997-8816.
This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, March 13, 1996.
©1996 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.