30 Oct

National Card & Letter Writing Week

There are some singing call records that involve letters: “The Letter” (I use it for patter), “In a Letter to You,” “Sealed with a Kiss, ” “Love Letters in the Sand,” “Return to Sender”

Relevant Records

  • The Letter (Rhythm 191)
  • In A Letter To You (Eureka 1203)
18 Oct

Dance Marathon Day

The first dance marathon in the United States was held in New York City in 1923. Alma Cummings set the first record by dancing 27 hours.

You could try a marathon tip…obviously not 27 hours, but maybe keep it going for 30 minutes or so.

See this page for info about a teen dancer square dance marathon that lasted for 18 hours.

18 Oct

Disco Day

In 1963, the first real American discotheque, Whiskey-A-Go-Go, opened on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, California.

Disco makes good square dance music, and there are several disco-based singing calls, including I’m So Excited, Newtron Dance, and New Attitude.

Relevant Records

  • You Keep Me Hangin’ On (Disco Mix) (LP 2)
  • I’m So Excited (Chaparral 214)
  • Copa Ca Patter (Blue Star 2391B)
  • Newtron Dance (Chaparral 321)
  • Macho Man (Lou-Mac 212)
  • Y.M.C.A. (Lou Mac 206)
  • Rhythm Is Gonna Get You (ESP 710)
  • She Works Hard for the Money (Hi Hat 5209)
  • Walking on Sunshine (Ocean Wave )
  • New Attitude (Rhythm 198)
18 Oct

National Polka Month

There are lots of polka tunes out there. I like to use polka music for patter…”heads polka up to the middle and back!”

Relevant Records

  • Pennsylvania Polka (Silver Sounds 175)
  • Just Another Polka (HiHat 5115)
  • Hoop de Doo (TNT 233)
  • Beer Barrel Polka (Blue Star 2298)