Way Grand: Square Dancing, Traditional to Modern

The Beltrami County Historical Society is thrilled to announce an exciting event as part of our FREE Brown Bag History Series: "Way Grand: Square Dancing, Traditional to Modern," featuring renowned square dancer Carole Laitala and caller Roger Lueth from the First City Squares. This engaging program will take place on Thursday, June 20, at 12:00 PM at the Beltrami County History Center, located at 130 Minnesota Ave. SW, downtown Bemidji.

Square dancing, a lively and communal form of dance, has a storied history that spans continents and centuries. Originating from European folk dances, particularly those from England and France, square dancing made its way to America with early settlers. In the 19th century, it became a staple of social gatherings in frontier communities, evolving into a uniquely American tradition.

The tradition of the caller, a key element of modern square dancing, helps dancers navigate complex sequences of moves. This practice,…