Morgantown is a great place to cut a rug—you can try square dancing once a month at The Encore.
Written by Christy Perry Tuohey
Back in the day, physical education teachers across the nation set up record or tape players in gyms and had students do-si-do to “Turkey In the Straw” and skip through the Virginia Reel on a regular basis. Now we have groups like the Morgantown Friends of Old-Time Music and Dance (FOOTMAD) to thank for keeping square dancing current in Morgantown.
Friends of Old-Time Music was organized in the late 1970s, when a movement was afoot to bring back traditional Appalachian music, art, and crafts. “We thought we would start organizing these square dances that were of the traditional type—not something you had to take lessons with and had to join a group, but you could just show up anytime and come to dance,” says group founder Taylor Runner.
The original dances were held at WVU’s Mountainlair and drew lots of campus folks. Nowadays, FOOTMAD’s home base is The Encore, a music venue with a stage for musicians and a rustic, welcoming feel. “It’s a really neat, open space that is really conducive to doing the kind of dancing that we do,” Runner says, “and there’s usually a live band and a caller.”
The group’s Fall Square Dance in September featured Niko Kreider and Friends on banjo, guitar, and fiddle and caller Matt Kupstas from Elkins. Dancers came from farther away, though—one all the way from Germany. Square dancers include everyone from children and college students to parents, young professionals, and seniors. You can watch videos of the Fall Dance on FOOTMAD’s Facebook page.
FOOTMAD typically holds monthly dances at The Encore, and the dates are listed on the venue’s website. The group also joins in with other dance events in the region, including historic Arthurdale’s Harvest Hoedown.
Dance Card
When Monthly—check the schedule on The Encore’s website
Cost $10 donation, $5 for students with ID
Attire Comfy, casual clothes and shoes. At the Fall Dance, we saw sneakers, a couple of pairs of strapped sandals, and some ankle boots.
Pro tips There’s ample free parking beside the venue. If you want to brush up on basic square dance steps before you go, check out the helpful videos on Circle ’n Squares’ website.
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