Square Dancing for Everyone at Island Party

“If you can walk and know your right from your left you’ll do fine,” stated Mike Grill about square dancing. Grill is president of The Door County Folk Alliance. He and 10 others will be traveling to Washington Island to play for the Island Party April 25 at Karly’s Bar and Cellar Restaurant. The alliance will travel to the island to play a variety of instruments and demonstrate the dancing moves. Island Party attendees will be encouraged to join in.

The Island Party is a Washington Island Community Center Committee (CCC) fundraiser. The CCC funds free Red Cross swimming lessons at the Island Rec Center pool, sponsors the summer Scandinavian Festival in the summer, and also supports improvements to the Community Center and other community-based projects.

Square dancing involves the young and the old, the beginners and experienced. Singles are welcomed. Typical instruments played can include violin, flute, penny whistle, piccolo, accordion, concertina, banjo, piano, guitar, string bass, and drums. A “caller” generally begins with basic step dances.

Anyone who has an interest in participating is encouraged to join. The Door County Folk Alliance began in 1995 under the leadership of Cy Rosenthal and is financed through voluntary contributions.