Tartans & Kilts Dance

On Sunday November 23rd, The Swinging B’s Modern Square Dance Club held its Tartans & Kilts Dance at Knox St. Paul’s United Church. This annual event was made extra special due to the surprise celebration for Square Dance Caller, Don Moger, an international caller from Montreal, who was recognized for his 50th year of calling dances.

Don began his career as a caller for teen square dances in 1975 in the same year as he began dancing. Before long, he was hooked and went from calling one night a week to five nights. Thirteen years later, he opened a full time Square Dance Hall which he operated seven nights a week for many years, offering a different level of dance each night.

Retiring from his full-time job as a Technical Advisor for a lithography company allowed him to spend more time travelling and following his passion for calling. Over the years he has appeared on four different television shows to promote Square Dancing and has had calling engagements in the United States and throughout Europe.

The Tartans & Kilts Dance attracted dancers from other nearby municipalities, such as Ottawa and the floor was alive with dancers following the caller’s instructions to do such moves such as the “California Twirl,” the “Right-Hand Star,” and the “Ocean Wave.”

For those unfamiliar with this type of dance, a square dance is a dance for four couples, or eight dancers in total, arranged in a square, with one couple on each side, facing the middle of the square. Dancers are cued through sequential steps by a caller to the beat of the music. It is an excellent physical and cognitive exercise and is guaranteed to bring laughter.

The Swinging B’s currently have approximately 48 members. Dances are held in the basement hall of the Knox St. Paul’s United Church at 800 Twelfth Street East in Cornwall every Friday evening starting at 7 p.m. Lessons are Progressive and everyone is welcome. No dance partners are required, and no experience is necessary.

For more information email [email protected]