By Carla Roberts
Special to The PREVIEW
Start the new year with a Wild West Party featuring The Six Dollar String Band on Jan. 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the PLPOA Clubhouse.
This family-friendly Wild West Party includes demonstrations of modern western square dance with caller Carla Roberts of the Wild West Squares, refreshments and a community “barn” dance with live music for anyone who would like to try very simple and fun square dance activities. No partner is necessary.
The Six Dollar String Band captures the exuberant, communal and unifying spirit inherent in old-time music. In their hometown — the mountainous and musically diverse micropolitan of Durango — they are widely regarded for their tight, driving and passionate sound.
The Six Dollar String Band is Robin Davis, guitar; Jimi Giles, bass; Brendan Shafer, banjo; and Tony Holmquist, fiddle.
Square dance: The perfect exercise?
Dr. Arron Blackburn of the Mayo Clinic stated: “It’s clear that square dancing is the perfect exercise. It combines all positive aspects of intense physical exercise with none of the negative elements.”
Blackburn said square dancing is a low-impact activity requiring constant movement and quick directional changes that help keep the body in shape. The study was based on their physical examination which indicated that both female and male square dancers could expect to live well into their 80s. Square dance movements raise heart rates like many good aerobic exercises should. All the quick changes of direction loosen and tone up the muscles — but not so severely as to cause injury.
In square dancing, when you’re not moving, you’re clapping hands and tapping your feet, which all contributes to long term fitness.
“You don’t see a lot of 55-year-old basketball players, but that’s just the age when square dancers are hitting their peak,” Blackburn said.
Winter/spring beginner class starts January
Jan. 17 is also the kick-off night for a new 2018 square dance class. Come and meet the students and teaching “angels” of the Wild West Squares, who are part of an outstanding group of square dancers enjoying the camaraderie of learning and laughing together while dancing.
If you are interested in joining, new classes will continue enrollment through January 2018. Call 903-6478 to register by phone or register in person at the Wild West Party on Jan. 17.
With live old-time music, square dance demos and a community barn dance or general ruckus, the Wild West Party on Jan. 17 is a free evening of entertainment for the whole family to attend.
The PLPOA Clubhouse is located at 230 Port Ave. Doors open at 6 p.m. For more information, call Roberts at 903-6478.
