On any given Saturday night in Segundo, fiddle music spills from the Segundo Community Hall, drawing dancers in boots and prairie skirts through the front doors. Inside, caller John "Twirls" Anderson lifts his microphone and leads four couples through a swirl of allemandes, promenades, and do-si-dos while laughter bounces off the wooden floorboards.
This is square dancing in Segundo—not a relic, but a living tradition. Whether you're a complete beginner trying to tell your left from your right, a parent searching for an after-school activity, or an experienced dancer hunting for your next festival, here's how to find your place in the circle.
For Beginners: Segundo Square Dance Club
The basics: Established in 1985, the Segundo Square Dance Club remains the beating heart of local square dance culture. Weekly sessions run every Saturday from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Segundo Community Hall, 412 Main Street.
Why go: Anderson, who has called dances for four decades, mixes traditional patter calls with modern singing calls backed by bluegrass and country-western bands. Newcomers are genuinely welcome—free introductory lessons happen the first Saturday of each month, starting at 6 p.m. No partner or special attire required; just show up in comfortable shoes with smooth soles.
Insider tip: Arrive by 6:45 p.m. on lesson nights. The club's experienced dancers line up early to greet newcomers and walk them through the first few moves before Anderson takes the microphone.
For Serious Students: The Roundhouse Square Dance Academy
The basics: Located at 88 Railroad Avenue, the academy offers a structured curriculum that takes students from basic allemandes to advanced singing-call choreography over twelve-week terms. Classes meet Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
Why go: Director Maria Chen, a former competitive square dancer from Denver, emphasizes precision and musicality. The academy's annual spring showcase draws crowds from across the region, with students performing complex choreographies that incorporate clogging and Appalachian flatfooting.
Who it's for: Dancers who want measurable progress. The academy divides students into five skill levels, and each term ends with an assessment to advance—or refine—your placement.
For Families: Segundo Youth Square Dance League
The basics: Open to children aged 6 through 16, the league meets Thursday afternoons at 4 p.m. in the Segundo Recreation Center gymnasium, 150 Park Road. Annual membership runs $45 per child; scholarships are available.
Why go: The league treats square dancing as social glue. In addition to weekly practices, it organizes a summer camp in July and a friendly competition each March that pits Segundo teams against youth clubs from Pueblo and Colorado Springs.
In their words: "My daughter was shy about team sports, but here she learned to listen, lead, and laugh—all while holding hands with kids she'd never met," says parent volunteer Derek Holloway. "Now she teaches me the calls at home."
For Everyone: Segundo Square Dance Festival
The basics: The town's biggest square dance event returns September 19–21, 2025, at the Segundo County Fairgrounds, with workshops, live performances, and a grand dance-off on Saturday night.
Why go: Last year's festival drew more than 400 dancers from Colorado, New Mexico, and Kansas. The highlight? A sunset "barn dance" in the fairgrounds' historic red barn, where three callers traded the microphone while a five-piece band played under strings of Edison bulbs.
Plan ahead: Weekend passes cost $35 in advance or $45 at the gate; day passes are $20. The festival partners with three downtown Segundo restaurants for discounted group dinners, and a block of rooms is reserved at the Prairie Inn (call 719-555-0142 and mention "square dance").
How to Stay Connected
Beyond the dance floor, the Segundo square dance community stays active online. The Segundo Square Dance Facebook Group (nearly 900 members) is the best place to find last-minute schedule changes, carpool arrangements to out-of-town festivals, and video clips of Anderson's latest calls.
Find Your Square
| If you want to... | Start here |
|---|---|
| Try square dancing for free | Segundo Square Dance Club, first Saturday, 6 p.m. |
| Build skills with structured instruction | The Roundhouse Square Dance Academy |
| Get your kids involved | Segundo Youth Square Dance League |
| Experience the region's best dancing | Segundo Square Dance Festival, September 19–21, 2025 |
Your first lesson is free this Saturday. Wear comfortable shoes and arrive by 6:45 p.m. The circle has room for you.
