Square dancing has been part of the social fabric of the Ottawa Valley for well over a century. Long before community centres offered yoga classes and Zumba sessions, the local hall or church basement was the place where people gathered on a Saturday evening to dance, socialize, and enjoy their neighbours' company. That tradition continues today, carried forward by clubs and groups across the valley.
The Ottawa Valley's square dance heritage draws from the Scottish, Irish, and French-Canadian settlers who established communities along the Ottawa River and its tributaries in the nineteenth century. Each group brought its own dance traditions, and over time these blended into a regional style that is recognizably different from square dancing in other parts of the country.
How Square Dancing Works
For those unfamiliar with square dancing, the basic format involves four couples arranged in a square, moving through a series of figures directed by a caller. The caller speaks or sings the instructions over the music, telling the dancers which movements to execute. The result is a social, cooperative form of dance that requires no prior experience because the caller tells you what to do at every step.
Modern square dancing has evolved from the traditional or heritage style into a more standardized form, with defined calls and levels of difficulty. Most clubs offer beginner nights or introductory sessions where new dancers can learn the basic calls in a relaxed, supportive environment. It is normal for experienced dancers to help newcomers along, and the social atmosphere is generally warm and welcoming.
Square dancing is as much a social activity as a physical one. The community aspect keeps people coming back.
Square Dancing in the Petawawa and Pembroke Area
The Petawawa and Pembroke area has had active square dance clubs for decades. Get Up and Dance itself began as one of these clubs, organizing regular dance evenings and welcoming new members from the local community and the military base.
Square dance events in the area are typically held in community halls and church halls during the fall, winter, and spring seasons. They are social occasions as much as dance events, usually including refreshments and conversation time alongside the dancing. The cost is minimal, and no special clothing or equipment is required beyond comfortable shoes.
The military community at CFB Petawawa has historically been a source of new members for local square dance clubs. Families posted to Petawawa from other parts of the country often discover square dancing as a way to meet people and get involved in the community. This has given the local square dance scene a diversity and openness that is characteristic of military communities.
Beyond Square Dancing
For people who enjoy square dancing, the Ottawa Valley offers related activities including line dancing, round dancing, and contra dancing. These forms share the social, caller-directed character of square dancing while offering variety in style and music.
The broader fitness and movement community in the area also welcomes people who come to it through square dancing. Many of the same community centres that host dance nights offer yoga, tai chi, and other gentle exercise programs that appeal to the same population.