Ribbons & Souls
Square Dance Club
RIBBONS & SOULS SQUARE DANCE CLUB WILL RESUME DANCING IN NOVEMBER 2021 UNDER COVID SAFE PROTOCOLS.
Please see announcements and details below for more details as we phase in different workshops, classes, and dances.
Social Square Dance Classes Starting January, May & September!!
Live Lively, Square Dance!
introducing social Square Dancing!
Square dancing is done to the same calls in English throughout the world. Our members tell stories of dancing in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Europe, Japan, China and elsewhere.
The Callerlab organization periodically will update and change the dance programs that have helped to standardize Square Dancing around the world. In an effort to focus more on danceability and accessibility for a new dancer, the Social Square Dance Program was developed in recent years.
In this program, a specific set of calls has been selected that will allow a new dancer to go from "never danced before" to "Saturday Night Dances, Here I Come!" within about 13 weeks of instruction. Further, in editing the call list to focus on body flow, actual dancing, and fun, we have seen successful completion of this program by new dancers in many areas that has created a revitalizing of our activity - one that is more welcoming and friendly to new dancers.
In the Greater Los Angeles Community, as well as Orange County and Ventura County, several clubs have chosen to switch over to Social Square Dancing.
We do note that right as these changes were starting to take place, the Covid-19 interruption in all Square Dance Activities happened - which has resulted in a slight staggering over this transition.
The Ribbons & Souls is just getting our Club Members back to dancing as of November 2021. We are delighted that we will begin our first Social Square Dance Class in January 2022. By April 2022, we will be hosting regular Social Square Dance Dances and we look forward to visitations to and from other clubs in the area who are also beginning classes in January 2022.
All classes are conducted on Wednesday evenings as described below. The first class is free for any new dancer!! After that, a donation of $10 per person is requested.
Social Square Dancing (SSD)
This class is conducted from 7:00 to 8:45 pm. Upon completion, students will be able to participate in SSD Dances held on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month.
WHEN?
Classes normally begin on the second Wednesday of every January, May, and September. However, we will be starting our first New Dancer Class on January 5, 2022. During the first two weeks of the class, the same material is taught.
WHERE?
Veterans Memorial Center, 4117 Overland Ave, Culver City, CA 90230. This is located at the corner of Overland and Culver Blvd. We will be in Multi-Purpose Room. The parking lot is accessible from Culver Blvd.
Please note: Square dancing is fun, but does take some commitment. Those with competing events on Wednesday nights, should not join. Okay to miss one from time to time, but we learn new calls nearly every week.
RIBBONS & SOULS
The Ribbons & Souls Square Dance Club dances in Culver City, at the corner of Overland and Culver Blvd in the Veteran's Memorial Center. We are an active club with 2-3 monthly dances, at least one visitation a month, and regular classes throughout the year.
We will resume holding regular dances on the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Saturdays of the month and classes every Wednesday with new classes starting every January, May, and September after a brief transition period in November and December 2021 as we return to dancing.
We will eventually be resuming Advanced Classes on Monday evenings rotating between A1 and A2 throughout the year as announced. However, our planned resumption on November 1, 2021, has been delayed.
We are delighted to announce that starting in January 2022, we will also be sponsoring a Round Dance Class on Sunday afternoons.
We are a member of Associated Square Dancers and schedule monthly visitations with preferences for clubs who have visited us, are also members of ASquareD, and those having anniversary dances.
In 2021:
Starting on November 3, 2021, we will resuming dancing with workshops on Wednesday Evenings with Bill Gipson. Workshops are designed for experienced, Plus level dancers who have likely not danced during the Covid hiatus. Workshops will be from 7:00 - 8:45 PM and any attending individual must be fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination each and every time they attend a workshop. Under the current requirements of Los Angeles County, masks are also required. The Requested Donation is $10 per person.
We will have a Plus Level Dance on Saturday, December 11, 2021 with Pat Carnathan. The Requested Donation will be $10 as our FIRST DANCE BACK SPECIAL!
In 2022:
Plus dances are on the 2nd, 4th & 5th Saturdays of the month for January, February, and March 2022. Pre-rounds are at 7pm, and squares and rounds are at 7:30-10:00pm. An Advanced Star Tip at the break. The requested donation is $12.
Starting in April, Social Square Dance (SSD) Dances will be held on the 2nd & 4th Saturdays of the month, with Plus Dances on the 5th Saturday of the month. The Plus Dances will follow the same schedule as above. Social Square Dances will have 45 minutes of Pre-Rounds from 6:45 - 7:30 and then two round dances at the Break. SSD Tips throughout the evening, followed by an Advanced Star Tip at the end of the evening. The requested Donation is $12.
Social Square Dance Classes will begin for New Dancers on Wednesday, January 5, 2022. Classes will be from 7:00 - 8:45 PM and the requested donation $10 per person.
We have MOVED and our NEW DANCE HALL is the Veterans Memorial Center in Culver City located at the corner of Overland and Culver Blvd. 4117 Overland Ave, Culver City, CA 90230. The parking lot is accessible from Culver Blvd.
We will resume holding regular dances on the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Saturdays of the month and classes every Wednesday with new classes starting every January, May, and September after a brief transition period in November and December 2021 as we return to dancing.
We will eventually be resuming Advanced Classes on Monday evenings rotating between A1 and A2 throughout the year as announced. However, our planned resumption on November 1, 2021, has been delayed.
We are delighted to announce that starting in January 2022, we will also be sponsoring a Round Dance Class on Sunday afternoons.
We are a member of Associated Square Dancers and schedule monthly visitations with preferences for clubs who have visited us, are also members of ASquareD, and those having anniversary dances.
In 2021:
Starting on November 3, 2021, we will resuming dancing with workshops on Wednesday Evenings with Bill Gipson. Workshops are designed for experienced, Plus level dancers who have likely not danced during the Covid hiatus. Workshops will be from 7:00 - 8:45 PM and any attending individual must be fully vaccinated and show proof of vaccination each and every time they attend a workshop. Under the current requirements of Los Angeles County, masks are also required. The Requested Donation is $10 per person.
We will have a Plus Level Dance on Saturday, December 11, 2021 with Pat Carnathan. The Requested Donation will be $10 as our FIRST DANCE BACK SPECIAL!
In 2022:
Plus dances are on the 2nd, 4th & 5th Saturdays of the month for January, February, and March 2022. Pre-rounds are at 7pm, and squares and rounds are at 7:30-10:00pm. An Advanced Star Tip at the break. The requested donation is $12.
Starting in April, Social Square Dance (SSD) Dances will be held on the 2nd & 4th Saturdays of the month, with Plus Dances on the 5th Saturday of the month. The Plus Dances will follow the same schedule as above. Social Square Dances will have 45 minutes of Pre-Rounds from 6:45 - 7:30 and then two round dances at the Break. SSD Tips throughout the evening, followed by an Advanced Star Tip at the end of the evening. The requested Donation is $12.
Social Square Dance Classes will begin for New Dancers on Wednesday, January 5, 2022. Classes will be from 7:00 - 8:45 PM and the requested donation $10 per person.
We have MOVED and our NEW DANCE HALL is the Veterans Memorial Center in Culver City located at the corner of Overland and Culver Blvd. 4117 Overland Ave, Culver City, CA 90230. The parking lot is accessible from Culver Blvd.
RIBBONS & SOULS 2022 DANCE SCHEDULE
| DATE | CALLER | CUER | THEME |
| JANUARY | |||
| 1/8/2022 - PLUS | Johnny Preston | Joe Scarlatella | Anniversary Dance |
| 1/22/2022 - PLUS | Shauna Kaaria | Judy Keller | Starry Night |
| 1/29/2022 - PLUS | Paul Waters | Paul Straus | Sing-A-Long |
| FEBRUARY | |||
| 2/12/2022 - PLUS | Mike Sikorsky | Judy Keller | Romance Through the Ages |
| 2/26/2022 - PLUS | Darren Gallina | Jim Spence | Infamous Villains |
| MARCH | |||
| 3/12/2022 - PLUS | TBD | Joe Scarlatella | Shamrock Spring |
| 3/26/2022 - PLUS | Dale Hoppers | Judy Keller | Beatles Forever |
| APRIL | |||
| 4/9/2022 - SSD | David Mee | Dawn Mee | Red & Black Tax Dance |
| 4/23/2022 - SSD | Bill Gipson | Judy Keller | Elvis |
| 4/30/2022 - PLUS | Dan Preedy | Judy Keller | Celestial Bodies |
| MAY | |||
| 5/14/2022 - SSD | Mike Haworth | Judy Keller | Island Paradise |
| 5/28/2022 - SSD | Terri Sherrer | Judy Keller | Memorial Day Remembrance |
| JUNE | |||
| 6/11/2022 - SSD | Andy Allemao | Joe Scarlatella | Sand & Surf |
| 6/25/2022- SSD | Steve Woodward | Jim Spence | Superheroes |
| JULY | |||
| 7/9/2022 - SSD | Eric Henerlau | Wild Kingdom | |
| 7/23/2022 - SSD | Casey & Sharon Parker | Casey & Sharon Parker | Vacation Getaways! |
| 7/30/2022 - PLUS | Rod Shuping | Joe Scarlatella | County Chic |
| AUGUST | |||
| 8/13/2022 - SSD | Ken Bower | TBD | All That Jazz |
| 8/27/2022 - SSD | TBD | TBD | Disney Dance |
| SEPTEMBER | |||
| 9/10/2022 - SSD | TBD | Judy Keller | Celebrating the Small Screen |
| 9/24/2022 - SSD | Jim Smith | Judy Keller | Wild West |
| OCTOBER | |||
| 10/8/2022 - SSD | Mike Hogan | Joe Scarlatella | Fall Folies |
| 10/22/2022 - SSD | Scot Byars | Erin Byars | Broadway |
| 10/29/2022 - PLUS | Lawrence Johnstone | Jim Spence | Hollywood's Golden Era |
| NOVEMBER | |||
| 11/12/2022 - SSD | Dick Hodnefield | Jim Spence | Veterans Day |
| 11/26/2022 - SSD | James Tompson | Judy Keller | Thankful Heart |
| DECEMBER | |||
| 12/10/2022 - SSD | Pat Carnathan | Joe Scarlatella | Winter Wonderland |
History
The Heels & Souls (H&S) and Red Ribbons (RR) square dance clubs have merged into a stronger, better, and larger club. The merger was completed by December 31, 2018, and resulted in a new club named the Ribbons & Souls (R&S). Starting in January, 2019, the new club dances on the second and fourth Saturdays and the fifth Saturday on those months that have one. Our Mainstream and Plus classes are held on Wednesday and follow the 17-week program so that new students can join three times a year. There is an Advanced class on Mondays.
We are also considering a round dance class, if we can find a teacher.
Here is how we did it!! We have had a mutual support agreement for approximately 15 years and have been operating as sister clubs, supporting each others dances and activities including traveling and visitations. Independently, both clubs were discussing the benefits of a merger and when the subject came up between us, we were both already on board! And then the work began. Each club held detailed discussions with all members of their clubs for months before crucial general meeting votes. Discussions included financial issues, dance attendance, dance nights, class formats, hall locations, callers and cuers, badges and dangles, by-laws and taxes, kitchens, board meeting nights and venues, board and committee positions, cultures and modus operandi. We strived to keep every dancer informed, provide as much information as possible, and worked on the kinks (make lines!!). When the votes occurred at general meetings, both clubs voted unanimously for the merger. We are expecting one big happy square dance family. The hardest part was coming up with a name. There were loads of suggestions. In the final discussion, it seemed that for club recognition purposes it would be best to keep elements of both clubs names and from that came Ribbons & Souls.
We formed a merger committee made up of members of both clubs who worked on board and committee positions, bylaws, determining which hall to dance in among other issues.
On November 2, 2018, the Heels & Souls held their 59th and final anniversary dance with Mike Sikorsky calling and Zena Beaulieu cueing. They continued to dance on the 1st Friday of and third Fridays, through December 21st. On January 12, 2019, the Red Ribbons completed their reign as the oldest square dance club in California with a 68th and final anniversary dance with Mike Seastrom calling and Joe Scarlatella cueing. -- Fredi Levitt (slightly revised by Diane Isaacs)
Questions?
- Veterans Memorial Center, 4117 Overland Ave, Culver City, CA 90230.
- Free Parking accessible from Culver Blvd.