30 Years and Still Dancing
by Jan Snook
Square dancing in wheelchairs
has been a long-standing passion for many of us from the disability
community. Our club,“Perfect
Squares,” came about in 1975 when a caller started calling voluntarily
at a rehab care facility. Many local residents with physical disabilities came
to participate. However, they were pushed through the dance calls by abled-bodied
people. A couple of individuals felt they could maneuver their own wheelchairs
and launched Perfect Squares. A short time later, our newly formed club appeared
at a “Singles Convention” in downtown Minneapolis. The very first
national convention we attended was in Atlantic City!
Through the years, members
would leave and new dancers join. We traveled to some fantastic
places to participate in state and national square dance conventions.
The Hawaiian State Convention held in Honolulu back in 1983 will
truly remain our favorite. After we participated in their three-day
event, we all cruised around the islands for eight days on “The S.S. Constitution!” We
even square danced on the ship! We all have so many fond memories!
Warren Berquam was our
original caller and mentor until around the year of 2000, when
he became quite ill and passed away. Warren was very talented,
calling for many other square dance clubs as well. He also had
his own “Callers Lab,” where he taught others
to be callers. One of his students, Karen Novak, we chose as his
successor.
Our club has changed quite a bit over time. We no longer travel
to state conventions nor to any of the nationals. We do, however,
participate in local parades and at our own MN State Fair! We also
perform for numerous special events around the Twin Cities. (For
booking, use contacts below.)
You probably have seen
previous announcements from us in Access Press: Perfect Squares
is looking for adult wheelchair users to square dance. No experience?
We will teach you. Participants must be able to push (or control)
their own wheelchair – manual or power – safely.
Please see the schedule in the box (below) and join us. We also hope
you can catch our club performing sometime. Call Sheila to find out
the exact dates and times of our State Fair performances. Happy square
dancing! ![]()
Fall 2006 Square Dance Schedule
Perfect
Squares meet to square dance on the 1st and 3rd Mondays: Aug. 21,
Sept. 18, Oct. 2, 16, Nov. 6, 20, from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30
p.m. at 3030 E. 53rd St., Mpls. Join us to learn something new,
make new friends, and have fun.
Before you come on any date,
please double check if dancing is happening. Contact: Sheila Nelson,
612-379-4721 or Jan Snook jsnook1234@yahoo.com.
