Welcome to SEMA -- the Southeastern Michigan Square and Round Dance Association!
We've all heard of square dancing. Many of us may have square danced in grade school, junior, middle, or high school. But did you know there are from 130,000 to 200,000 square dancers worldwide, and that square dancing has existed for 400 years?
Square dancing is the closest the United States has to a national folk dance, and 24 states have made square dancing their official state folk dance! In addition, square dancing exists in over 30 other countries, from the Americas to Europe, Russia and even Japan. Square dancing is truly an international activity.
Anyone can square dance. There are even square dance clubs for the blind and for people in wheelchairs! Square dancing is a fun, recreational activity, and is good physical and mental exercise. Beginners classes exist across the United States. Please click here for a list of upcoming beginners classes in the Southeast Michigan area.
There are two main types of square dances
Traditional: Traditional square dance structure varies by region, but usually consists of a limited number of calls occurring in a set order. Dancers usually do not need any experience or training to attend a traditional square dance, since the caller will teach you everything you need to know at each event. Traditional square dance is frequently presented in alternation with contra dances, or with other types of dance styles such as line or couple dances.
Modern Western Dance: Modern western square dance moves have been standardized, so once you learn how to dance the moves, you will be able to go anywhere across the country and around the world and be able to dance. No matter which country you are in, the calling is done in English. This makes square dancing truly the universal participatory activity!
Click here for a history of square dancing.
Square dancing is the closest the United States has to a national folk dance, and 24 states have made square dancing their official state folk dance! In addition, square dancing exists in over 30 other countries, from the Americas to Europe, Russia and even Japan. Square dancing is truly an international activity.
Anyone can square dance. There are even square dance clubs for the blind and for people in wheelchairs! Square dancing is a fun, recreational activity, and is good physical and mental exercise. Beginners classes exist across the United States. Please click here for a list of upcoming beginners classes in the Southeast Michigan area.
There are two main types of square dances
Traditional: Traditional square dance structure varies by region, but usually consists of a limited number of calls occurring in a set order. Dancers usually do not need any experience or training to attend a traditional square dance, since the caller will teach you everything you need to know at each event. Traditional square dance is frequently presented in alternation with contra dances, or with other types of dance styles such as line or couple dances.
Modern Western Dance: Modern western square dance moves have been standardized, so once you learn how to dance the moves, you will be able to go anywhere across the country and around the world and be able to dance. No matter which country you are in, the calling is done in English. This makes square dancing truly the universal participatory activity!
Click here for a history of square dancing.
