The Bows and Beaus Singles and Couples Square Dance Club of the Mountain View / Los Altos area of California is a member of the Santa Clara Valley Square Dancers Association (SCVSDA), and is one of the longest operating and most respected square dance clubs in the Santa Clara Valley. Our caller, Keith Ferguson, has been calling for the club since 1987. He has been voted one of the Top Ten callers by members of the SCVSDA and especially enjoys teaching newer dancers.

Square dancing is lots of fun, a great way to meet people, and provides enjoyable exercise for both the mind and body! Once you have learned the basics (which for us means up through the internationally recognized Plus program), you can dance almost every night of the week, if you wish! There are often dances (called Hoedowns) on weekends, with even larger events at various times throughout the year.

Our next class is planned to begin in January 2014. The location and time will be announced as soon as they are known. If you'd like further information, please send us a message telling how to contact you! Both singles and couples are welcome, and you may attend either with or without a partner!

Both the class and club dance at:

Loyola Elementary School

770 Berry Avenue
Los Altos, CA
Click for map.

See Dance Schedule, below, for any temporary changes to this location!

Our mailing address is:

Bows and Beaus
PO Box 1107
Mountain View, CA 94042
 

Our e-mail address is:

contact@bowsandbeaus.org

Bows & Beaus began dancing in 1963 at an apartment house in Mountain View, and remained in that city for many years. After a brief time in Palo Alto, we moved to Los Altos in 2006. Today our dancers come from throughout the South San Francisco Bay region: Redwood City, Menlo Park, Stanford, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Campbell, Los Gatos, San Jose, Santa Cruz, Fremont, and Milpitas! We've also welcomed visitors from throughout the United States and from other countries!

If you would like more information please send us a message.

Wednesday, May 29 -- Fifth Wednesday Party in San Jose

On Wednesday, May 29, Bows & Beaus will attend a Fifth Wednesday Party hosted by the Rockin' Jokers. Dancing will be from 7:30 to 9:45 p.m. at the Cambrian Park United Methodist Church, 1919 Gunston Way, in San Jose. Please bring finger food to share! 7:00 to 7:30: Round Dance Workshop
7:30 to 9:45: Plus Squares with Rounds
Hot Hash Star Tip
Map
 

Ice Cream Fling Thing, June 1

It's almost here! The 2013 ICFT with caller Jet Roberts and cuer Sue Harris. All club members are needed at John Muir at 6:30 p.m. to help set up. Likewise, all members are needed to help with clean up at 10:30 p.m. Thanks!
 

DBD Plus Workshop

This "Dancing by Definition" (DBD) workshop is conducted during the second and third tips of most club dance nights.
 

Keep Your Membership Status Up-To-Date!

Obtain forms for requesting a Leave of Absence (2 to 6 months) or for a change of address, telephone, e-mail, or emergency contact information.

Memorial Day, May 27:

On Monday, May 27, the class will not dance, in observance of Memorial Day.
 

Looking Ahead

The following is a sample of calls expected to be taught in the near future. Remember to bring your questions on previously taught calls to the 7:00 p.m. review sessions.

• Box Circulate (21-e)
• Split Circulate (21-e)
• Allemande Thar (32-a,b)
• Shoot the Star (34)
• Anything and Roll (P)

In preparation for learning Split Circulate, please review the following (which has already been taught):

• All 8 Circulate (21-c)
  
   

What's been taught?

An updated list of the calls that have been taught is posted each week. This list includes links to various online learning resources, including animations, definitions, and videos. Just click on the button below to start exploring these resources.

Save the Dates!

The following Saturday evening newer dancer hoedowns are being planned by various groups at just the right level for our class. Save these dates and plan to attend! We will provide more information later.
 

• Saturday, June 15, 2013:, sponsored by Castaways. Callers: Roger Smith & Keith Ferguson.
• Saturday, July 27, 2013:, at the Ben Lomond Slab (outdoors). Sponsored by Lucky Steppers.
• (Of course the above information is subject to change, so check back later!)

Club Dance Schedule

• Every Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., at Loyola School, except as noted below.
• Wednesday, May 29: Fifth Wednesday Party at Cambrian Park United Methodist Church. See Club News.
• Saturday, June 1: Ice Cream Fling Thing!
   

Class Dance Schedule

• Every Monday, 7:30 p.m., at Loyola School, except as noted below
  (review at 7:00 p.m., if school available).
• Monday, May 27, Memorial Day: No Dancing.

• Club & Class Listings and General Reference:
  • Santa Clara Valley Square Dancers Association (SCVSDA)
  • South Bay Area Square Dance Clubs
  • Western Square Dancing - DOSADO.COM
  • Club Database      (Our listing)
  • Event Database
• SCVSDA Jubilee:
  • 57th: September 13-15, 2013, San Jose, California (Gunderson High School)
    NOTE: The Jubilee is now in September!
• California State Square Dance Conventions:
  • 53rd: April 12 - 14, 2013, Victorville, California
• National Square Dance Conventions:
  • 62nd: June 26 - 29, 2013, Oklahoma City, OK
  • 63rd: June 25 - 28, 2014, Little Rock, AR
  • 64th: June 24 - 27, 2015, Springfield, MA
  • 65th: June 22 - 25, 2016, Des Moines, IA
• Dancer Organizations:
  • Santa Clara Valley Square Dancers Association (SCVSDA)
  • Northern California Square Dancers Association
  • California Square Dance Council
  • United Square Dancers of America
• Caller Organizations:
  • American Callers Association
  • Callerlab (International Association of Square Dance Callers)
  • Santa Clara Valley Callers Association, Inc.
• Caller & Cuer Listings:
  • Caller and Cuer Database
  • Square Dance Callers, Cuers, & Websites
• Definitions, Animations, and Videos
  • Callerlab Definitions:
    • Basic & Mainstream Abbreviated Definitions (PDF).
    • Basic & Mainstream Full Definitions (PDF).
    • Plus Definitions (PDF).
  • Animations & Videos:
    • TAMinations Animations
    • Takahashi Animations
    • Japan Square Dance Association Animations
             Basic & Mainstream    Plus
    • Saddlebrooke Squares Online Video Lessons