Modern Square Dancing
on Chicago's North Shore
Offering Square Dancing in Chicago's North Suburbs:
Evanston, Kenilworth, and Wilmette
Curt began dancing in
1972 and didn’t catch
the calling bug until
1985. Once he started,
it didn’t take long
before his calling took off. A dancer once said about Curt - “He takes the same old call and makes it look different while keeping a smooth flowing dance”, That’s one of the best compliments I’ve ever received said Curt who always strives to give the dancers a challenge, yet let the dancers enjoy the “dance”.
Don't miss Curt Brafett on May 11th!
Sandie started dancing as a young girl under the mentorship of Swersie Norris. After college she started back dancing, and after starting as a beginner danced through level C4 in one year. Calling naturally came next! Sandie is an accomplished international caller. She always entertains and has fun choreography that keeps you engaged. You do not want to miss her at our December dance!
Tom Manning
Tom has been around square dancing all of his life. His parents, instead of getting a babysitter, brought Tom along to dances. Ater learning how to dance, at the age of 12, he started calling and has been in the square dance activity ever since.
Tom called full time for about 15 years and traveled extensively from California to Florida doing dances, weekend and festivals. Tom has called in approximately 40 states, including Hawaii and his travels have also taken him to Canada and Mexico. He now tries to stay closer to home as his family has become his number one priority.
Tom owns and produces Solid Gold Records and is partner with Bob Asp in Solid Gold Sound, providing sound for State Conventions and area festivals. He is a member of CALLERLAB and the Southeast Iowa Callers Association having held every office.
You will not want to miss this special treat of Tom at the mic for our November dance.
Jack Pladdys
In 1982, while serving as a member of the US Air Force stationed at Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan, Jack launched his calling career in his off-duty time with two local clubs. Upon moving to Dayton, Ohio in 1983, he called regularly for an Advanced and three Plus clubs.
Jack is an active member of CALLERLAB where he serves on the Board of Governors, is the Chairman of the Marketing Committee, and an Accredited Caller Coach. Jack has traveled and called extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Japan, the Middle East, and Europe. He has been a featured caller for numerous state conventions, festivals, and square dance resorts throughout the US and abroad and is currently on staff at Pride Resort in North Carolina. Jack currently records square dance music with Royal Records. He has previously recorded with Chicago Country Records, Desert Recordings, ESP Records, and Gold Rush Records.
Ted Lizotte, National Caller of M.I.T. Tech Squares will be making his Chicago area debut by calling for North Shore Squares. This is a specially added dance on May 26th. You will not want to miss this rare opportunity to dance to this caller!
Tickets available online and will be held at will call: $15
Dance will alternate Club 50 / Plus
(This special event dance is outside our regular season dance schedule and all dancers will be required to purchase a ticket.)
Jason Raleigh
"Good callers don't yodel. Great callers do."
Jason Raleigh
- Square Dance Entertainer
Jason will be making his North Shore Squares debut in September. He is a yodeling nationally known certified caller and instructor, through the American Callers Association with over 25 years of experience. He will bring great choreography to the floor to keep you dancing all night. A dance that you will not want to miss!
Sandie Bryant
A born and bred Chicagoan! Sandie started square dancing as a young girl in scouts. After a hiatus, she started a beginner class and after a year was not only through the mainstream and plus call lists, but she had called her first national convention. She is a club caller for Chi-Town Squares. She has a beautiful, harmonious voice that you will not want to miss!
Tom Manning
Tom has been around square dancing all of his life. As he grew up, instead of getting a babysitter, Tom went along to the dances and sat on the sidelines just watching everyone else dance. One night at the Circle Square B Square Dance Club in Burlington they were starting a beginners’ class. After learning to dance, the calling bug hit. By the spring of 1975 and at the age of twelve Tom was calling guest tips around Southeast Iowa.
Tom started calling full time in 1984. He traveled extensively from California to Florida doing dances, weekend and festivals. Tom owns and produces Solid Gold Records.
Mike started calling square dances in 1976. Like every other caller, he started by calling for local clubs in the Omaha area. He and Denise became club caller for the Boots & Belles team club, the UNO Square Mavericks and the Merry Mixers. He and Denise started a Plus club called Diamond Squares which existed for 14 years. When Merry Mixers and Swinging Squares merged to form the Amazing 8's, he shared the club caller duties with Lanny Weaklend. Through the years, Mike has traveled extensively around the United States calling dances and festivals, as his work schedule would allow.
Kevin Bersing
"I can truly tell you that today’s modern square dance music and dress are totally casual & different than in the past, offer great physical exercise, mental stimulation and an enjoyable way to meet new friends and have great fun! I use a laptop or my phone to play my music at dances, festivals & parties and includes artists such as Lady A & Lady Gaga, George Strait and Bruno Mars, Michael Jackson & Bruce Springsteen just to name a few!
Noah Siegmann
You will not want to miss this March dance featuring Noah Siegmann. The quality of his voice and the interesting chorerography will keep you delighted all night long. Calling since 2001, Noah states, "I believe that by the end of a dance, you should feel terrific because the choreography was smooth, the variety and quality of music was excellent, and the dancing experience was FUN. That is what I strive to deliver."
Mike Hogan
Mike is an entertainer who combines smooth and interesting choreography, with outstanding vocal talents. Mike was one of five finalists in 2012 for CALLERLAB'S Ozzie Award for most entertaining caller. Whether it's calling a dance, teaching new dancers, caller/leader education, or promoting square dancing, Mike believes he has a responsibility to be the best entertainer, educator and leader he can be.
Noah Siegmann
You will not want to miss this March dance featuring Noah Siegmann. The quality of his voice and the interesting chorerography will keep you delighted all night long. Calling since 2001, Noah states, "I believe that by the end of a dance, you should feel terrific because the choreography was smooth, the variety and quality of music was excellent, and the dancing experience was FUN. That is what I strive to deliver."
CLASSES
What is Modern Square Dancing?
It's teamwork. You're working a real-time puzzle with seven other people. And when you nail the outcome, it's really quite exhilarating.
Skip the barbecue and come dance!
picnic dinner
will be served.
Ted Lizotte Dance:
May 26th 7-9:15 pm
Kenilworth Assembly Hall,
410 Kenilworth Ave, Kenilworth, IL
Toyland Dance
The Book Market
2651 Navy Blvd.,
Glenview
7-9 PM
Caller: Barry Johnson
November Toys for Tots Drive
During the month of November, North Shore Squares will collect toys on behalf of MCASD and will donate the toys to the Marines in December. Your donation is greatly appreciated and will greatly benefit a family in need! Please bring a toy to any class or the Toyland Dance on November 22nd!
NSS Community Events:
Winnetka Pioneer Day
Sunday, September 22nd, 1-2 pm
Schmidt-Burnam Log House,
1140 Willow Road, Winnetka
Join North Shore Squares as we demo and answer questions about square dancing. The event runs from 10 am -3pm and includes fun family themed events.
Classes start inJanuary
LEARN TO
SQUARE DANCE
Interested in a new activity? New classes will be starting in August
Looking for a new hobby?
Looking to meet a great
group of friends?
Try Square Dancing!
- Walking to music
- No partner necessary
- Dress in comfortable clothing
- All kinds of music
Questions?
Email: Northshoresquares@gmail.com
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Still time
to register!
New Class Starting Soon!
Gear Sales are under way till February 23rd!
Get your swag to support North Shore Squares and promote square dancing at the same time!
4TH SATURDAY
CLUB 50 DANCE
Sunday, January 26
Winter Warmup
North Shore Squares members are invited for a Winter Warm Up - Square Dance and Chili Supper on January 26th. Check your inbox for an email from our membership chair. So get your snow shoes, cross country skis, or dog sled - whatever it takes - hope you'll be there to share the warmth of North Shore Squares fellowship!
First Congregational Church
1125 Wilmette Ave, Wilmette, IL 60091
1:30 - 5:00 pm
WILMETTE- weekly
Community Recreation Center
3000 Glenview Road, Wilmette
Begins Monday, January 13th
7:30 - 9:30 PM
Registration begins:
Residents: December 4th
Non Residents: December 11th
Activity number 323238
Click on "Modern Square Dance" above, copy activity number and paste into the activity number field in the activity search box. You will need to register with the park district for a household account. Questions?
Email:
WILMETTE- weekly beginning class
Community Recreation Center
3000 Glenview Road, Wilmette
Begins Monday, October 21st
7:30 - 9:30 PM
4th Saturday Club 50 Dance:
Fifty and Fabulous!
AN ALL CLUB 50 DANCE!
Tired of sitting around and only dancing every other tip? We have a solution! An entire evening in which EVERY tip is at the Club 50 level! Plus dancers are encouraged to join us too and help lend your expertise and floor craft.
WHO: Bruce Holmes will be calling!
WHERE: St. Mark's, 1509 Ridge, Evanston
WHEN: Saturday, November 23, 7:00-9:15 pm
HOW MUCH: Just $5!
Consider bringing a non perishable food donation for the Wilmette food pantry!
WILMETTE- weekly beginning class
Community Recreation Center
3000 Glenview Road, Wilmette
Begins Monday, January 13th
7:30 - 9:30 PM
Activity number 323238
Questions?
Email:
SQUARE DANCE
PLUS CLASS
Winter / Spring 2022
This class will teach mainstream and plus calls. Proficiency of all club 50 calls required. Completion of this class will be approximately Spring 2022. Final class date will be set after all the calls have been taught.
Instructor approval required.
Questions?
Email:
SQUARE DANCE INTROS
Thursday, April 25th
Highland Park Public Library
494 Laurel Avenue
Highland Park, IL 60035,
6:30 - 8 pm
Saturday, April 27th
First Presbyterian Church of Deerfield
824 Waukegan Rd
Deerfield, IL 60015
2 - 3:30 pm
Questions?
Email:
Member Picnic
Sunday, August 13, 1-3 pm
Lovelace Park
Gross Point Road and Thayer St, Evanston
HIGHLAND PARK CLASS
Highland Park Public Library
494 Laurel Ave, Highland Park
Begins Thursday, May 2nd
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Registration begins January 7th and will close when the class is filled. If you have questions, please contact the Administration office by calling 847-432-0216 ext. 120.
Questions?
Email:
EVANSTON- weekly beginning class
Immanuel Lutheran Church
616 Lake St, Evanston
Begins Tuesday, August 27th
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Questions?
Email:
WILMETTE- weekly beginning class
Community Recreation Center
3000 Glenview Road, Wilmette
Begins Monday, August 26th
7:30 - 9:30 PM
Classes starting in August:
Ted calling for MIT Tech Squares
February 8, 15, 22, and 29, 2020
If you have been interested in square dancing, but just can’t seem to find the time during your busy weekdays? Perhaps you are taking square dance classes now but feel that it would be great to get more floor time to learn the calls better. Or maybe you have not danced in a while and want to brush up your skills for this fun and healthy activity.
We have the solution! North Shores Squares will be offering a Square Dance Boot Camp for Club 50 calls over the course of four Saturdays. We take all the instruction that typically happens over 18 or more weeks and teach it in four extended all-day sessions!
Camp runs from 9 am-4:30 pm
First Congregational Church of Wilmette
1125 Wilmette Ave, Wilmette
LEARN TO SQUARE DANCE
SQUARE DANCE INTRO
Monday, August 19th
Community Recreation Center
3000 Glenview Road, Wilmette
7:30 - 9:00 PM
Questions?
Email:
SQUARE DANCE INTRO
Tuesday, August 20th
Immanuel Lutheran Church
616 Lake St, Evanston
7:30 - 9:00 PM
Questions?
Email:
WILMETTE- weekly beginning class
Community Recreation Center
3000 Glenview Road, Wilmette
Begins Monday, August 26th
7:30 - 9:30 PM
Questions?
Email:
EVANSTON- weekly beginning class
Immanuel Lutheran Church
616 Lake St, Evanston
Begins Tuesday, August 27th
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Questions?
Email:
EVANSTON-continuing square dance
Imanuel Lutheran Church
616 Lake St., Evanston
Begins Sunday, January 5th
3-5 PM
Activity number 323238-01
Questions?
Email:
Looking for a new hobby?
Looking to meet a great group of friends?
Try Square Dancing!
- Walking to music
- No partner necessary
- Dress in comfortable clothing
- Modern music
Questions?
Email:
Calendar / Highlights
Beginner Square Dance Class, Sundays, Fleetwood-Jourdain, 1655 Foster St, Evanston, 3:30-5:30 pm
Beginner Square Dance Class, Thursdays, Levy Center, 300 Dodge Ave, Evanston, 7-9 pm
Blue Ribbon Class, Tuesday, Levy Center, 300 Dodge Ave, Evanston, 7-9 pm
Board Meeting, April 30, Zoom, 7-8:30 pm
Monthly Dance, May 13, Sandie Bryant, St John's Church, 1235 Wilmette Ave, Wilmette, 7-9:15 pm
New Dancer Dance - Welcome our graduates! June 4, Craig Abercrombie, Fleetwood-Jourdain, 1655 Foster Street, Evanston, 2:30 - 4:30 pm
Tuesday Dancing in Kenilworth - starts June 6, 7-9 pm, 410 Kenilworth Ave, Kenilworth, IL 60043
Check back later for more beginner classes teaching square dancing
BLUE RIBBON CLASS
Tuesdays, starting March 28
Laura McDaniel, instructor
I’ve always felt that SSD could be more. More challenging, more surprising, even more fun perhaps! What does that mean? Well, it means doing the same old calls, but paying very close attention to the actual definition – which may be different or more complex than what you’ve been dancing. Perhaps it’s a sequence that’s exclusively left or begins from less familiar formations or has you half sashayed… I invite dancers to join me on the road to dancing by definition in Blue Ribbon SSD.
Levy Center
300 Dodge Ave, Evanston, IL
7:00 - 8:45 PM
Questions?
Email:
-January 21, 3:30-5:30 pm
Fleetwood-Jourdain Cenetr, 1655 Foster St, Evanston
-January 23, 7-9 pm
Levy Center, 300 Dodge Ave, Evanston
Looking for a new hobby?
Looking to meet a great group of friends?
Try Square Dancing!
- Walking to music
- No partner necessary
- Dress in comfortable clothing
- All kinds of music
Questions?
Email: Northshoresquares@gmail.com
Want to try
something new?
Learn to Square Dance
Classes starting now!
-
Active indoor activity in the winter months
-
Meet new people
-
Walk to choreographed music
-
Singles and couples welcome
Click Here For More Information!
Calendar / Highlights
Recurring Classes:
Plus Square Dance Class, Sundays, Immanuel Lutheran Church, 616 Lake Street, Evanston, 1 - 3 pm
Learn to Square Dance Class, Sundays, Fleetwood-Jourdain, 1655 Foster St, Evanston, 3:30-5:30 pm
Learn to Square Dance Class, Tuesdays, Levy Center, 300 Dodge Ave, Evanston, 7 - 9 pm
Monthly Activities:
2nd Saturday Dance, April 13, Don Seaman, St John's Church, 1235 Wilmette Ave, Wilmette, 7-9:15 pm
2nd Saturday Dance, May 11, Curt Braffet, St John's Church, 1235 Wilmette Ave, Wilmette, 7-9:15 pm
New Dancer Dance, Sunday June 9, Craig Abercrombie, Fleetwood-Jourdain, 1655 Foster St, Evanston, 2-4 pm
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Starting soon:
Time: 7:00 pm - 8:45 pm
Tuesday, January 28
Time: 7:00 pm - 8:45 pm
Wednesday, January 29
Time: 7:00 pm - 8:45 pm
Thursday, January 16
Time: 7:00 pm - 8:45 pm