Intro

Our American Square Dance club is called "Pieces of 8". We got our name from a friend who said that being near the coast we should have a name with a "seafaring theme". He came up with Pieces of 8 from the book "Treasure Island" by Robert Louis Stevenson. As there are 8 in a square it fits pretty well.

The club meets on Monday, Wednesday and alternate Sundays evenings . Our membership stands at about 90 or so dancers and our main aim is to have fun. And for those that don't know what Square Dancing is, its walking to music which is why I can do it.

As a club we have traveled to Europe on several occasions for long weekends. When we are there we have always danced for one evening with a local club. So far we have been to France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. Who knows where we will end up next.

This year 2005/6 over Christmas we where in Australia were we danced and I called. The club was in Adelaide, the Adelaide Outlaws, and they made us very welcome.

Technical Bit!!

Square dancing is a mixture of all the folk dances that came to the USA during its early years and in its modern form the dance has been separated into programmes. The first program being Mainstream, next is Plus then Advanced which is broken down into Advanced 1 and Advanced 2. Our club dances all of these programmes, with me calling, hence the different nights. There are higher programmes called Challenge, but I don't call them. 

Additional clubs called for:

I also call for 2 additional clubs in the local area and on the national circuit on Saturday nights and whole weekends.

Texas Swing

Meets on a Friday and is located in Dibden-Purlieu in Hampshire.

Southampton Squares

Meets on Tuesday and is located in Southampton near the university again in Hampshire.

Making a dance booking or visiting the club

For information on making a dance night/weekend booking or one of our club venues and timings Click here.

National Club Memberships:

Member of the British Association of Square Dance Clubs.
At this site you will find lots of information and club contacts if you want to have a go and learn how to dance.

Member of the Callers Club of Great Britain.
This club meets quarterly and provides advice and training to all levels of caller. For more information please contact me directly.

Further Information:

A treasure trove of information on American Square Dancing can be found at www.dosado.com or you could contact us.