IN-PERSON dances are CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

Please check back or call ahead.

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Our club's annual meeting is scheduled for Sat. evening May 8th

Being that the weather is getting nicer, people are getting vaccinated, and some might be doing more in-person activity. 

It will then be decided if there is enough interest to continue virtually.

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Through the courtesy of Vince Treague caller and cuer, Kettle Squares has switched to these virtual dances during the pandemic.

 

If you are not too familiar with using Zoom, please join at least 10 or 15 minutes early, to get familiar with the technology, and to see that your volume is set loud enough to hear well. (Various instructions on this type of dancing are also included below.)

 

HERE IS YOUR INVITATION TO ATTEND, if/when virtual dancing resumes:

The following is the Zoom link that should take you directly to our dances (or number to call in). If it says to wait, wait a bit and Vince should let you in. 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7378831455?pwd=QzZ4T0ZPYUR1ZEdlYm5BdEVISndrUT09

In case you may need to enter it, the passcode is 12345

 

Meeting ID: 737 883 1455

Passcode: 12345

One tap mobile

+13017158592,,7378831455#,,,,,,0#,,12345# US (Germantown)

 

Or dial using any phone: 1 301 715 8592

Meeting ID: 737 883 1455

Passcode: 12345

 

Virtual Dancing: Kettle Squares virtual dances are Mainstream, using about 30 of the easier figures. We also alternate tips with 1 or 2 Phase I & II rounds.

 

What Vince Treague calls virtually is basically designed for 1 couple, but can be done by a solo dancer. Even with normal 4 couple squares, many square dance moves (Right and left thru, Pass the Ocean, Star Thru, etc…) involve only two couples. These are the moves commonly used in this Virtual Square Dancing. The only difficulty comes from not having the other dancers to provide a boundary for the square.

 

Some calls require you to pretend there is another couple. As an example, a Right and Left Thru is done like you would normally do it but there is no couple to “Pull By”. There may be some short periods where you will be separated from your partner but these will be limited to no more than 1 or 2 calls before you are reunited. So the norm during Covid is for one couple to dance this, but if you are dancing solo, you also can participate!!! (If you just happen to have two “couples” in your household, you would have it made! That 2nd couple would take the Number One position.)

 

Where are the Phantom Dancers? The home position of the “Live” couple (or individual) is the Number Three position (facing the Caller). The home position of the imaginary “Phantom” Couple is the Number One position.

The “Live” couple has the challenge of dancing their own moves, and visualizing where the Phantom dancers are located in the group of four.

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Access to the Zoom is possible with any device with a modern web browser or with a phone. You can participate even if you do not have a camera or microphone, because the main thing is that you can hear the caller. In any case, you can always turn off your video transmission in the Zoom conference if you don't want to be seen (but then the caller can’t see how you are doing either, unless your camera is on and pointed in your direction.) Or you can just watch. We do some socializing in between, which is especially nice since we don’t get to “see each other in person.”

If you list your participant name(s), then we can “see” who is with us. (While viewing the Participants side screen, the RENAME command is listed under “More>” when you hover over your line and click that button.)

 

The important thing is that you can hear the caller well. Your basic device (laptop, etc.) might work fine, but you might improve it if you have the possibility  to connect the computer to the TV or stereo. Or you can use a (Bluetooth) headset. It is easy to connect and gives good results. Make sure to have your volume set appropriately, at about half way usually works pretty well, and please minimize background noises. To make Zoom work the best, the caller (host) will mute everyone at the start of each tip. To talk during the social times, participants will need to unmute themselves.

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Hope you can make some room in front of your computer, Smart TV or other device, and join us!