Cane Country Squares

The 6th of December was our last dance for the year. The evening was enjoyed by our regular Friday night dancers and learners from our Tuesday night group. Pam Garson was surprised when she was awarded Life Member of Cane Country Squares. Shirley presented Pam with a plaque and spoke about some of Pam's history with the club. The award is not handed out lightly, being ten years since a life membership has been awarded.  Matt also received a presentation as thanks for his year of calling for our club. We hope everyone enjoys the Christmas break and look forward to dancing together again in the first week of February 2020.

Our free Christmas Dance on Saturday 16th November was well attended with some extra visitors from the Rocky Twirlers Club. Thanks Matt, everyone really enjoyed the dancing. We had three squares on the floor when Matt called at a level to include our new learners. It was great to see so many people dressed up for the night, most in Christmas theme. This was the first night some of the ladies from our learners group wore square dance skirts and petticoats and they all looked fantastic. The hall was covered with Christmas decorations, including lights and a small tree light. Thanks go to those who came in early to set up. Thanks also to all who bought along a plate for supper. We had plenty of Christmas treats to choose from. More entertainment on the night came from Sandy, reading us a humorous Christmas poem and bringing along a large doll she had made, called Dolly. Dolly featured in a fun square dance display with Matt calling to help Dolly learn the ba

Cane Country Squares annual Free Christmas Dance will be happening on Saturday 16th of November. Dress in Christmas theme if you wish. Christmas raffles on the night. $1 per ticket. Funds raised will be given to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Bundaberg. Mainstream dancing starts at 6:30pm Mainstream Learners and New Learners welcome. Levels called to suit all attending.

The Cane Country Squares dance on the 26th and 27th of October 2019 was enjoyed by local and visiting dancers. This was also the first dance event for some of our learners. Thanks go to Nev and Bev Mclachlan as our guest square dance caller and round dance cuer. On Saturday afternoon, Nev ran a session for Plus and Leaner Plus. We had a good turn out of dancers, keen to experience another caller and give Matt a chance to dance with us. Saturday Evening was our main event, starting with round dancing cued by Bev.  Nev continued the night with dancing for Mainstream and Learner Mainstream.  We had three squares on the floor for leaner mainstream. The evening also included supper, a raffle, lucky number and door prize. Sunday morning a dance was held for our new learners. As well as calling the movements they had learnt so far, Nev introduced our learners to the Grand Slide and work shopped some Star movements.  The afternoon continued with

Nev and Bev McLachlan will be at Cane Country Squares this weekend, 26th - 27th of October. Rum City Band Hall, 89 Targo St. Bundaberg Saturday afternoon from 2pm - 4pm Nev will be calling Plus and Learner Plus levels. Saturday Evening from 6:30pm - 7pm Bev will cue Round Dancing Nev will continue the evening dance, calling Mainstream and Learner Mainstream. Sunday Morning from 9:30am - 11:30am Nev will be calling to suit our New Learners Sunday Afternoon from 1pm - 3pm Bev will cue Round Dancing Admission $5 per session Raffle tickets $1 each

Cane Country Squares performed a Modern Square Dance demonstration at the Yandaran State School centenary on Saturday 5th October 2019. Although the day was a little hot and windy at times, Yandaran is a nice little country town to visit and great to support as part of their school centenary. We had a square plus a few extras to dance if needed or just to watch. It was appreciated that the organisers had provided a portable wooden floor. The floor was a little slippery so we could not really swing or twirl as some of us would have liked but much better than trying to dance on grass. Matthew Mills explained the basics of Modern Square Dance to the spectators and then called a hoe down and a singing call.

Cane Country Squares Black and Gold theme night, on Friday 13th of September was very well attended with a number of visitors and some of our mainstream learners. We had two squares of easy mainstream, two for learner Plus and one square on the floor for the full Plus program. Lots of laughs were had with some rapid sex changes. Some of the ladies changed sides from one dance to the next and then forgot who was swinging or promenading who. Alan made it look easy when he put on a pink sash and danced as a lady without any mistakes. The night was also a farewell for Katherine and Eric who will be moving back home to America. They have been dancing with our club for almost two years, attending most of the learner classes and Friday night dances. Katherine also took on the role of Publicity Officer last year. The couple were presented with Australian themed pins as a reminder of their time with us.

The 38th Queensland State Convention was held in Rockhampton from the 6th to the 8th of September 2019. The Rocky Twirlers Square Dance Club hosted the event and did a great job of decorating the hall in the 'Stars Of The Big Screen' theme. Six Cane Country Squares dancers and three non-dancers travelled to Rocky for the 38th QLD State Convention. We all enjoyed the dancing and catching up with people from other clubs. Shirley Kelly had a nice surprise, when she was awarded a life membership from the Square Dancing Society of Queensland. It is always great to see Matt and Anita on the floor dancing with us when they don’t get much of a chance at our own club. The Saturday theme night dance saw some very recognisable movie stars and characters like Dorthy from the Wizard of Oz, Dolly Parton, Elvis, Carmen Miranda and Audrey Hepburn. There was more than one Mini Mouse and outfits with the Lion King theme. There was a number of characters from Grease,

Our Pirate theme night on Friday 16th August was a fun night with plenty of people dressed for the occasion. Two squares of pirates danced most of the evening. The hall and supper table were also decorated for the theme. This month we have had a number of travelling square dancers attending our Friday night dances. It was great to meet some new people and a few familiar faces that have travelled to Bundaberg before.

Our first of three come and try nights got off to a great start on Tuesday 20th August. We had a good turn out with a broad range of ages represented. Two more come and try nights are coming up before the 12 week learners program moves on, to get you dancing with us as soon as possible. Come and try nights are on the next two Tuesday nights  27th August & 3rd September 6:30pm - 8:30pm Rum City Band Hall, 89 Targo St. Bundaberg (opposite Dan Murpy's) Open from ages 8 to active 80s Come on your own or bring friends No special outfits needed, just comfortable shoes suitable for walking. Low cost at $5/ Adult, $10/Family with children (Ages 8+)  FIRST NIGHT IS FREE! Interview with Club Caller, Matthew Mills on ABC Wide Bay. Breakfast with David Dowsett . Used with Permission. Full episode of show available on link above.

Our Christmas in July theme night was held Friday 19th of July. The night was very well attended with two squares on the floor most of the evening. It was also good to see a few more of our new dancers enjoying the evening. The dancing levels alternated between “club 50”, full mainstream, leaner Plus and full Plus. It was great to see the Christmas theme decorations and outfits worn on the night. Eric expanded his once a year tradition of dancing the right hand / ladies side, to twice a year, for one set for the night. Inspired by the Christmas theme, supper consisted of a larger than usual number of sweet treats, including cupcakes and chocolate. Our next theme night will be – Pirates, on Friday 16th August. Our next beginner’s class begins on Tuesday 20th August.

Learn how to square dance with Cane Country Squares in a relaxed, informal environment with a range of music on offer. No partner is required, just turn up for an amazing evening of dancing fun! The very basics, walking in a circle First class is FREE!  Low cost at only $5 per night. 8 to Active 80 catered for. Get fit, have fun and learn to dance! No special equipment required! It's fun, gets the whole family involved - and it's a great aerobic activity. You don't need any special equipment or clothing to start, just comfortable shoes and a desire to learn. Our first learners class for 2019 started in February Dancing starts 6.30 pm, Friday 20th August at the Rum City Band Hall, 89 Targo St, Bundaberg (across from Dan Murphy's)

Come as a song Friday 7th June was our “Come as a song” night. While we had a number of members away, those of us in attendance had a great night. Some of the songs represented were, I Can Sing a Rainbow, Happy, In the Navy, Running Bear, Lady in Red, Puttin on the Ritz and Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah (Mister Bluebird's on my shoulder) With the assistance of Matthew Mills, caller in training, Rob Read called a new singing call for us “Don’t Worry Be Happy” Don't Worry, Be Happy Check out a video of Matthew calling on the night on our Video Library page . Mainstream and Plus dancing continues on Friday nights starting at 6:30pm, finishing at 9:30pm with a break for supper. Our next theme night will be - Christmas in July on Friday 19th July.

Cane Country Squares raised hundreds of dollars for local cardiac patients at their annual “Dance for Heart” celebration on Friday, 3 May 2019. Great dancing with many of our new learners joining in for their first “real” dance, plus raffles and games. Caller Matt Mills challenged our contestants, Ros, Karla and Gina, in a game of “Celebrity Heads.” Ros, Karla and Gina, in a game of “Celebrity Heads.”