Did you know?
Modern square dancing was well-established in Arizona by the mid-20th century. The 1949 ‘Arizona Style of Modern Square Dancing’ booklet documents a thriving scene, with local clubs, callers, and guides. This set the stage for all-inclusive clubs like Desert Valley Squares to emerge decades later.
Who founded the club?
August of 1983 marked the inception of Desert Valley Squares (DVS). Founded by Dr. Ted Oakes and a small group of dancers in Phoenix Arizona, the club was envisioned as an inclusive, welcoming space for gay and lesbian dancers becoming one of the earliest such clubs in the U.S. Earlier that same year, the International Association of Gay Square Dance Clubs (IAGSDC) was formed by five clubs from California, Washington, Colorado, and Florida. Those groups had chosen Seattle Washington as the destination for their first official IAGSDC square dance convention to be held the following year in 1984.
How is Desert Valley Squares (DVS) associated with the International Association of Gay Square Dance Clubs (IAGSDC)?
Desert Valley Squares was recognized as one of ten founding Charter Member clubs of the IAGSDC at the convention in 1984 and was admitted as a Full-Member Club that same year. Joining the IAGSDC, as a full-member club, marked a major step in DVS’s club history and visibility, and we continue to be a proud club member of the IAGSDC today. This affiliation has connected us with a growing, vibrant community of LGBTQ+ dancers, both locally and abroad.
Where to find us?
Through the decades, Desert Valley Squares members have met nearly every week to dance and socialize. For the past 15+ years we have been dancing at Mount of Olives Lutheran Church fellowship hall in Central Phoenix. In previous years the club has danced at various locations and relocating as necessary to accommodate changing club membership size, and venue availability and affordability. We typically dance each Sunday evening and welcome dancers of all levels from beginners to advanced.
Who are we today?
Today, Desert Valley Squares (DVS) continues to thrive as a small but active club with around 30 members. We emphasize inclusivity and welcome singles and couples of all orientations making us Arizona’s leading LGBTQ+ square dance organization. With over 40 years of activity, DVS stands as a symbol of both tradition and progress in the square dance
community.
From our founding in 1983 to our role in the modern LGBTQ+ dance community, DVS has been a cornerstone of inclusive recreation and connection in Phoenix. Our continued activity demonstrates the enduring power of community dance to bring people together across generations.
Who are our Callers?
Our talented instructors, most often referred to as callers, include Linda Harry and Seth Levine. Linda primarily teaches our Advanced classes, while Seth specializes in guiding students through out introductory-level Mainstream classes, as well as the Plus and Advanced levels.
Who runs the club?
Desert Valley Squares has a board of directors that manages the operations of the organization. Currently, our board consists of the following people:
- President – Curtis Burns
- Vice President – Michael Wyss
- Secretary – James Burford
- Treasurer – Jon Sywassink
- Member at Large – Anna Alexander
- Member at Large – Rebekah Osborne
Desert Valley Squares welcomes you to join us for class or one of our special dance functions.