History and Mission

Mission and Organization

The Dare to be Square mission is to promote and preserve traditional square dancing.

The D2BS-W Event is a weekend of square dance calling & music workshops, dancing, jamming, and tons of fun! This event has brought forth many new dance callers & musicians, spreading the square dance fever!

Get Involved

This event is for everyone. Callers, old-time musicians, dancers, & community organizers should come out for this fantastic & fun event.

* Be an active bearer of tradition

* Work on your calling & learn new dances

* Learn about playing old-time music for dances

* Meet friends in the west coast trad. square dance community

* Enjoy hands-on opportunities to call & play music for dances

* Jam with friends & Party, party, PARTY!

History

D2BS was founded in 2003 by Phil Jamison & Nancy Mamlin at Warren Wilson Collegein Swannanoa, NC. Phil & Nancy continued to organize the event annually through 2006, and continue to be involved as guest teachers.

In 2007, a West-coast version of the event was hosted by the Portland old time music community (AKA Bubbaville). The effort was headed by Maggie Brunjes Lind & Caroline Oakley, who were inspired after attending Dare to Be Square in Swannanoa. They were assisted and encouraged by the late & great Bill Martin. The Bubbaville Community's hard work resulted in a very successful 2007 & subsequent 2008 event!

In 2009 & 2010, D2BS travelled north to Seattle, where Charmaine Slaven & Tony Mates, along with the Seattle Subversive Square Dance Society, presented a very successful SOLD OUT event. After a 2 year hiatus, in 2013, Kelly Marie Martin, Amy Hofer, & Charmaine Slaven revived the event in Los Angeles with great success. 2014 found the event in Oakland, CA, where Jordan Ruyle, Evie Ladin, and Erik Hoffman lead the charge. 2015 saw the event go international, as Paul Silveria hosted a successful event in Vancouver, BC. In 2016, Seattle hosted and in 2017 and 2018 Portland hosted.

The Chimacum and Port Townsend community are looking forward to hosting in 2019!

We value diversity and inclusion in our community of dancers, musicians, and curious friends we haven't met. As a community, we are on a journey to learn the historical context of our music and dances and to ensure that our current community is welcoming to all. We welcome community members of all ages, abilities, cultural backgrounds, races, genders, and gender presentations. Come dance with us!