The Mountain Dance Trail preserves and promotes local West Virginia square dances from the Virginia l All of these issues are currently being addressed.
Retired Folk Arts Coordinator, Gerry Milnes and Events Coordinator Becky Hill at Augusta Heritage Center of Davis and Elkins College, are traveling through West Virginia from the Virginia Line to the Ohio Border documenting ten community square dances. The towns we are Franklin, Dunmore, Elkins, Helvetia, Ireland, Sutton, Glenville, Highland County, VA, Henderson. West Virginia is unique in having
maintained its traditional dances from the early 19th century to modern times. Some of these dances are in danger of dying for various reasons, irregular scheduling, availability of callers, musicians, and volunteers, aging populations and lack of youth involvement. This dance form has been passed down from generations to generations in kitchens, dance halls and porches and now we would like to pass it onto you. Each dance site we visit has its own varied customs and a West Virginia Humanities Council Mini-grant has made documentation possible. For instance in Helvetia, in addition to square dances, waltzes and the "Helvetia polka" are danced. In Henderson, there are "two steps" and "hoedowns" danced between squares. From Helvetia towards the east, "mountain" or "big circle" dances are traditional, whereas, from there to the west, four couple sets or squares are traditional. We are looking at step dance traditions commonly referred to as "flatfoot," "buck," "clog," "backstep," and "hoedown." We have also begun recording square dance callers in each community. The oral traditions of calling reflect rural Appalachian values. The rhyming patter used when calling square dances change from one community to the next, for example: "Swing the one that stole the sheep, Then the one that ate the meat, Then the one that gnawed the bone, Then the one who carried it home. "
These events are nurturing social centers and it is vital that the traditions are preserved before they are lost. "The Mountain Dance Trail" will be launched April 1st and run through November 30th. Keep your eyes and ears open for a "Mountain Dance Trail" brochure and website. We hope to see you on the dance floor!
