Each year the Village Squares sponsors at least one beginning class for couples that wish to learn more about square dancing. These classes generally start in late September or early October and continue until the mainstream program is mastered. This is a very traditional instructional format. The fundamental goal of this approach is to give the class members time to become very comfortable with their movements within the square. Classes are always preceded by one or more open house nights when interested couples are introduced to the dance format, are walked through two or three "intro" tips, and are treated to a get acquainted party.

Classes are held in conjunction with the weekly Club dances. The instructional tips are conducted within the normal breaks between the regular Club tips. This alternating format benefits the caller, the class and the Club by allowing for a better use of time and resources, a more rapid socialization of class members and an opportunity for more Club members to angel for the class.

Classes are open for all couples. The class fees are $25 per month per couple (these dues are the same as those for Club members). Class members may become Club members upon their graduation.

The INTERNET has numerous sites that offer the descriptions of all of the calls used in square dancing. For the beginning dancer, the best of these instructional tutorials comes from Noriko Takahashi, a Japanese square dancer who has animated the complete list of basic and mainstream calls. Noriko's site provides both a narrative description and a positional graphic that shows how each active member of the figure moves through the call. This site is an invaluable resource for the beginning dancer. The U.S. based mirror site is given at:

http://members.tripod.com/~noriks/ENGLISH/English-Index3.html