8 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE SEPTEMBER 4, 1998

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Cleveland City Country Dancers launch new season

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The Cleveland City Country Dancers

by Bob Downing Cleveland-The Cleveland City Country Dancers have been an active part of the Cleveland gay scene for the past 11 years. Gay square dancing began in early 1980s

in South Florida and San Francisco. There are now at least 55 gay square-dance clubs in the U.S., Canada, one in Australia and one in Japan. Basic square-dancing began to be taught at the Cleveland Lesbian and Gay Center and Ohio City Oasis nightclub in 1987 by a square dancer who returned home to Cleveland from Denver. (Basic square dancing includes the calls most people are familiar with: allemande left, grand right and left, swing and do-si-do, etc.) The first years were slow and difficult, however, the numbers and the dance levels eventually increased.

You have probably seen our demonstrations at Gay Pride celebrations, in art galleries, and various bars. Our motto has been "Try Something New." We've even performed at the Ohio State Fair, and have been well received by straight clubs.

In 1992 there was a large influx of dancers so that some nights we had five squares. By this time, we were dancing in the Oasis, the basement of the bar and in the Gay Community Center next door and the basement there. It was decided we would move to the basement of the Archwood United. Church of Christ. Other major directions were taken at this time. We hired a professional caller to teach. We dance the standard 'Western Square Dance' program that is accepted the world over.

One of the real joys of square dancing in the "fly-ins." This is when a club invites other square dancers from around the country to spend a weekend square dancing. It is a fairly inexpensive weekend in another city, as visitors stay in the homes of local square dancers and get a taste of gay life in that city.

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In October 1990 we had our first fly-in. Fly-ins are named after square dance calls, and ours is "Load the Boat." This is a very popular event. We have a brunch on the Nautica Queen and a masquerade called the "Captain's Ball," with themes such as Disasters at Sea, Amelia Earhart and Pirates. (You should have seen the Queen of the Pirates!)

This year our fly in is October 9-12 and we have chosen the theme "A Titanic Affair." The Saturday masquerade in the "Nearer My God to Thee Ball" and promises to be the best ever. (Mollie Brown and John Jacob Astor are sure to be there!)

We presently have about 40 members and a great group dancing. We square dance on Wednesday nights, 7 to 9 p.m. to live callers at the Archwood United Church of Christ, on 2800 Archwood Ave. in Cleveland.

Our beginning square dance lessons start September 16 this year. The first three weeks are free. No special skills are needed—we even teach you which hand is your left! So please join us for something new.

✓

Bob Downing is a member of the Cleveland City Country Dancers.

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