Square dance Square dance A square dance is a dance for four couples (eight dancers in total) arranged in a square, with one couple on each side, facing the middle of the square. Square dances were first documented in 16th-century England but were also quite common in France and throughout Europe. They came to North America with the European settlers and have undergone considerable development there. In some countries and regions, through preservation and repetition, square dances have attained the status of a folk dance. The Western American square dance may be the most widely known form worldwide, possibly due to its
Contra dance the traditionally male-role dancers would wear armbands and be called "armbands" or just "bands," and the traditionally female-role dancers would be called "bare arms" or just "bares." In the past few years, the terms "larks" (person on the left) and "ravens" (person on the right) have become the predominant gender-free role terms, and are being used at an increasing number of dances (especially in urban areas). This trend has been widely embraced by many dancers (especially youth), but it has also sparked controversy among traditionalists. Unless explicitly labeled otherwise, contra dance events are open to all, regardless of experience. They