Seth Allen is a square-dancing 12-year-old.
“Young guys, they don’t like it,” said Seth, a sixth-grader at North Middle School in Everett, “but this is how you get girls.”
Seth is definitely a sign that square-dancing is not just for squares.
In fact, whether you think this pastime is past its prime or seeing a resurgence, one thing is clear: Square-dancing never seems to go out of style.
On a recent Thursday night at the Hayloft RV Park, the Whirlybirds drew about 70 people for a hoot-and-a-holler of a good time. Some came for their first lesson. Others were veterans in their finest regalia with frilly skirts, collar tips and bolo ties. The club has members in their 80s, a couple in their 30s — and Seth.
“I thought it would be pretty boring when I came with my mom and now it’s one of my hobbies,” Seth said proudly.
His mom, Petra Leigh, 38, of Everett brought her boyfriend, Dennis Knutson, 40, of Snohomish. Leigh had completed lessons last year with another boyfriend. He left but she continued.
“I loved dancing even without him,” she said.
As the lesson was about to start, the 1,800-square-foot Hayloft hall rang with a cacophony of music and talking and dancers shuffling to take their places on the shiny wood floor. The buttery voice of caller Dave Harry sounded over the microphone.
“We’ll keep it a nice dancing mood for right now,” Harry said smoothly.
Then came the instructions to doe-si-doe, allemande left and face your corner.
Oren and Mary Lang-Furr are 31 and 30 respectively. They live in Ballard and joined the Whirlybirds after attending a square dance at the Tractor Tavern, which holds dances every other Monday to packed houses.
Oren said square dancing makes him smile. Mary, a psychiatric resident at the University of Washington, is due any day now with the couple’s first child.
“There’s a lot of stuff I can’t do with pregnancy,” Mary said. “But I can do this.”
Then, caller Harry gathered everyone in a huge circle for a mixer. The dancers filled the place, wall to wall.
Harry took a newcomer by the hand to help her, all the while singing and calling the steps. Harry, 59, is a master multitasker, but he’s been at this awhile — since he was 13. Dave and his wife, Bonnie, 52, met square dancing.
In a phone call after the dance, Bonnie said people love square dancing because of the people you meet.
She said: “It’s a social-network way of life once you get into it.”
Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424, goffredo@heraldnet.com.
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Whirlybirds Square Dance Club in Lynnwood, 425-398-9011
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