Like finding gold at the end of the rainbow!
We have many clubs to explore. Start you journey in Billing and then zip on down to Dillon. Meanadering up the state you stop off at Butte, then Helena, our Capital, and finally Great Falls. Moving to center off Missoula you have Lolo and Hamilton to the south and Plains to the north before you head into Idaho. No matter where you go good Square Dancing is available.
So what are you waiting for? Scroll on down or choose a club from the menu and see whats happening in an area near you!
Billings, MT
Dancing is on the upswing in Billings. Visit their website, www.SquareDanceMontana.com to see all the changes.
Greetings from Billings!
First of all we want to say great job on your first issue of the Big Sky News, Jim! Thank you for taking this on. It’s so valuable to us on this side of the state as a means of keeping up with dance activity elsewhere in Montana.
The Checkerboard Squares new dancer program registration and introductory dance evenings were scheduled for January 11 and 18. We ended up adding a third week to attract those who might have been discouraged by the frigid temperatures the first two weeks. We didn’t end up with the huge numbers we got last year, but we’re certainly not going to complain about the 18 new dancers we signed up. We saw from the first that they’re a great group. The sub-zero temperatures (yes, in Billings it’s a big deal) the first two weeks were also the weeks with the most registrations. Now we have broken pipes in Cedar Hall, meaning porta-potty time and cases of bottled water instead of faucets. Not only did we have 5 squares, we also had our January/February birthday party. So it looks like we won the new dancer lottery again. The Checkerboards dance on Thursdays in Cedar Hall from 6:30-9 p.m. on Thursdays.
Lynn Strobel, Bob Hogemark and Hunter Keller are keeping the Plus dancers happy on Saturdays from 7-9 p.m. Plus numbers are down since the Snowbirds left, but many of our dancers from the “Class of ’23” are looking forward to advancing. So Lynn will probably include instruction in Plus in his program when dancing resumes in the fall.
On the fourth Saturday of each month, 7-9 p.m., Hunter calls the “Fourth Saturday Frolics.” Once the beginner program starts, the full Mainstream dancers are busy being angels and get little chance to dance full Mainstream. The Frolics dances are our solution, and a great one it is. Hunter’s a master at introducing Mainstream from different angles (literally!) and makes us all think a bit more.
The Silhouettes round dancers are also suffering the effects of the disappearing Snowbirds, but Hunter keeps toes tapping for those who remain. They dance on Mondays, also in Cedar Hall, from 7-9 p.m.
On the calendar are the Spring Dance with Lynn Strobel and the Beginner Hoedown with Bob Hogemark. And you know we’re going to mention the State Festival on Memorial Day weekend, May 24-27. We’ve been busy cooking up plans, so we hope you’re all registered!
If you happen to be in Billings when any of the above dancing’s going on, remember, you’re always welcome! Visit our website, squaredancemontana.com and our Yellowstone Square Dance Council Facebook page, too.
Ann Hindley, reporter
Checkerboard Squares
Basic/Mainstream
Billings Plus
Butte
New club in Butte.
At this time we are offering lessons in Butte Tuesday evening.
Butte club info can be found on the Facebook "Mining City Square Dance Club"
People should contact me at 208-503-0551 before traveling to club lessons/functions as we only have a square sometimes or less, POC Butch Sutty, (208) 503-0551
Dillon
The Beaverhead Boot Scooters
In Dillon Mt we started a new club and Butch Suttey is our caller and instructor. We finished our first lessons and started new lessons in Sept. 10th. We dance at the Senior Center in Dillon Mt. Info can be found on the Facebook group "Beaverhead Boot Scooters Square Dance Club" .
People should contact me at 208-503-0551 before traveling to club lessons/functions as we only have a square sometimes or less. -- Butch Suttey
Great Falls, MT
Dude's 'n' Dolls Square Dance Club
------------------NEWS NEWS NEWS ------------------
We Dance at the Sons of Norway Hall at 1314 7th St S Great Falls, MT 59405. Wooden floors! So get your dance shoes and come join us.
Challenges abound....
We've been down on our dance numbers for a while here. Lesson start in Oct did not go well and we've rested over the 2022 holidays. Time to get back to it. We have a dance scheduled for 20 Jan 2023. Come one come all, but please let us know you are coming. Nothing more emabarrasing that having a hall setup and only 1/2 of a square. Send Joann an email to say you'll be there.
Next Dance....
Dude's 'n' Dolls Dance Schedule
Dude's 'n' Dolls dance season starts typically in September and is full swing by October.
The season runs to the end of May (Memorial Day Weekend) when the Montana State Square and Round Dance festival occurs. Check it out - hope to see you in a square!
Hamilton, MT
Boots 'n' Calico
Per an E-Mail from Laurie Dunbar, the Boots ' n ' Calico club in Hamilton has disbanded.
Helena, MT
Last Chance Squares
Last Chance Squares is out of Helena MT, our States Capitol City! They have had a lot of new folks join in the last 2 years. They dance mainstream and plus with Rounds are cued between tips.
Our club has put in a request to hold the Montana State Square and Round Dance Festival in 2026!"
Virgil - President, Helena Last Chance Square Dance
Visit their Website
- Our Dance Location: Bill Hamilton Building, 98 West Custer Ave, Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds, Helena, MT
- Upcoming Dances: February 10, 24: March 9, 16: April 13, 27 All are at 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., and cost is $7 per person except for a special dance on March 16th that Lynn Strobel is calling and I'll attach a flyer for that one. Our club caller is Butch Suttey with Glen Tusler as the cuer. If you're in town, plan to join us!
Lolo, MT
Solo Stars
Set in the Bitteroot Valley we have leased the Lolo Community Center for 2023
Months: January thru May and September thru December
Please note we are no longer dancing on Wednesday's.
We are now dancing on the 2nd and 4th Friday's, of every month
POC Dee Casey 406-218-8677 for contact information on time and dates
Solo Stars are the sponsors of the summer program at the Yellowrock campground.
Plains, MT
Montana Mavericks
More dance fun in Plains!
The Mavericks are dancing in Plains Sat, Feb 3rd, 7pm for Plus, 7:30pm - 9:30 for Mainstream. Adam Christman is calling, Lorrie Lane is cueing. The theme is Dynamic Duo's - Batman & Robin, Sonny & Cher, etc.
AND, everyone is invited for a potluck at 5:30pm!
If the weather holds, let's join the fun at the Sr Center!
Our class is doing well, we started in November & they are thru the basic program. They will be attending our February dance. Theme will be dynamic duos. Should be a fun one also. We dance on first Saturdays (thru the dance season – October thru May) at the Sr. Ctr in Plains. It is directly behind the VFW & facing the same direction. We start with plus at 7 & go to Mainstream at 7:30 to 9:30. We also dance 2nd Saturday in September and June. We do NOT dance in July. In August we have our St. Regis Roundup at the St. Regis Community Center on 3rd weekend of August. We have also been having a special anniversary dance on 4th Sunday of September some place different. In 2024 it will again be at the Lonepine Hall in the afternoon.
Montana Mavericks had a potluck dinner on Saturday, February 3rd, followed by our first student dance of the season. Adam Christman called and Lorrie Lane cued. The theme was Dynamic Duos. Favorites included Peanut Butter and Jelly, and Pocohontas and John Rolfe. Adam used songs sung by duos all evening. The students did great. With the clubmembers, students, and out-of-town dancers, we had 4 squares the entire dance.
Our next dance is Saturday, March 2nd, Plus at 7 and Mainstream at 7:30. Adam calling and Lorrie cueing. Theme is Luau. Plains/Paradise Senior Center, 205 W Meany St, Plains.
Any questions Contact: Darlene Jolly or 406-826-8951