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Marty Northrup takes advantage of Tumblr to spread the word about square dancing.

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Old Joe

Joe and Dottie Todd were loyal and faithful dancers in the Catskill Mountain Squares, a square dance club in Arkville, NY. Although Joe had all appearances of being a little frail and hunched over, I clearly recall him jumping up with both feet in the air along with Seager “Sig” Fairbairn. Dottie was a very mild-mannered lady. She continued to dance even though she had a stroke. It was a pleasure to have them attend my dances.

If you've ever danced to me, you've probably realized that I enjoy talking with the dancers. Sometimes, it's a difficult task to talk with everyone at each dance. The Catskill Mountain Squares danced at the Arkville Fire Hall in Arkville, NY. The hall had a stage at its far end and chairs formed a horseshoe shape around the exterior.

Joe Todd was sitting at the first available chair near the stage. During the first break, I looked at Joe and said, “Joe how are you doing?' He replied, “OK”. I proceed around towards the back and talked to some other dancers, and I returned to the stage to do the next tip.

Once I completed that tip, Joe once again was seated in the same seat as before. I again acknowledged Joe's presence, and I talked to others in the hall. As the break ended, I went back to the stage. This scenario was repeated several times during the dance.

The dance ended, and I went home with my family as usual.

The next Friday evening, we had the Catskill Mountain Squares dance once again. The crowd again had our friends Joe and Dottie. As usual, Joe was seated in the first seat near the stage. After the first tip, I proceeded to walk and talk to the crowd. I looked at Joe and started to ask him, “How ...”

Joe stopped me from completing the sentence.

I waited to see what was going on. Joe responded with the following,”I know you were going to ask me how I am.” He told me that I asked him about 8 times the week before, and he went to look in the mirror figuring I might have seen a health issue he didn't know about.  He didn't have any health issues, so he figured I was just being awkward.  I was.

We both had a chuckle and the dance went on. From that point forward I made a concentrated effort to have a full conversation with Joe early each evening.

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Schoharie Valley Hay Shakers (in Middleburgh, NY)

In my trip to NY, I actually got to dance with the Schoharie Valley Hay Shakers.  It was such a great time, and they dance at such a high level.  Ray Taylor did a great job calling (I knew he would...  We went to caller's school together in 1976), and I recommend anyone dance to him.

If you're ever near Albany, NY or south of there, take a short trip on out to the Hay Shakers.

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Unnamed Dancer, Grateful

As many of my stories contain names of the people involved, the loyal dancer in this story will go unnamed as it is sensitive in nature.

My loyal dancer was having some difficulties in life including loss of some close family members in a short period of time. As I recall it was over approximately a six month period or so. I do not remember details or much else about the circumstances—the number of people at the dance, how much money I had made, or even the month or year.

I do remember this dancer telling me a therapist classified her recently as near a breaking point, potentially nearing a nervous breakdown. The therapist asked what support this local dancer had and what social activities the dancer was a part of. The dancer told the therapist that she was part of a local square dance club. The therapist honestly stated that the professional opinion that square dancing actually prevented the nervous breakdown. This dancer with tears and a big hug thanked me for being their and making square dancing fun for the community.

This is totally a true story and has been a motivation for to continue. I hope this is a single, isolated incident. But in the case that it isn't, I sincerely hope that I can provide support to whoever needs it. am glad that I have, in at least one case, brought comfort and joy to those in need.

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Pisgah Promenaders Chocolate Dance

This coming Saturday (May 26), the Pisgah Promenaders are having a chocolate dance.  I've got a couple surprises up my sleeve for the Chocolate Dance with the Pisgah Promenaders in Waynesville.  Come on out, there will be chocolate!

www.martynorthrup.com

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Peach Blossoms

I'll be calling for the Peach Blossoms in Inman, SC on May 25.  If you're free that evening, feel free to come on out to Inman.  I'm so excited to work with the Peach Blossoms, filling in for Tom Pustinger.

Come on south of the border to this dance--it'll be a fun one.

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I recorded this video (requested by Ryan) so that I could be hip and young.  It looks like it is working, because people are looking at it.

Remember to "Like" it on Youtube.

www.martynorthrup.com

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FREE Community Dance Program in Asheville, NC

Hey everyone!

The Circle 8's of Asheville, NC are doing something great.  Mark your calendars, because they're hosting a community dance program for people who don't know much about square dancing!  It's totally FREE!  I'll be doing the calling for this program.

It'll be at the Oakley Recreation Center in Asheville (see Circle 8's site for directions) before the Circle 8's regular dances on June 21, July 7 and 19, and August 2.

This program is geared towards people who are absolute beginners, but anyone can enjoy with little knowledge about square dancing or folk dancing.  It'll be fun, and it truly is something that the whole family can enjoy for FREE (and I usually charge for these types of events!)  Come on over, you'll be welcomed like family.

Visit www.martynorthrup.com for more information about me, pics and videos of square dancing.

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Southern Lights 30th Anniversary Dance

I made the short trip up to Hendersonville this evening, and I got to dance with a great group of people.  Stan Russell did a fantastic job tonight, calling this dance with a surely special 30th Anniversary flair.  Check out the Southern Lights website.  Also, see Stan's bio and consider seeing him call at the Southern Lights sometime.

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This is one of my favorite singing calls to do, the original by Buck Owens.  I think it really is in a good range, where I can really get into the song.  The Emerald Squares seemed to really like it too.

Find more videos of me calling on my Youtube Channel.  To find more about me on my website, navigate to www.martynorthrup.com.

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Circle 8's Dance, Tonight!!

The Circle 8's will be dancing tonight in Asheville, NC at the Oakley Community Center.  Come on out and square dance with the crazy eights!

Check out the Circle 8's square dance club online.  Get involved with this great activity.  Square dancing is truly making a resurgence, and the Circle 8's are drawing bigger and bigger crowds.  

Come on out.  Have a fun party with the Circle 8's and Marty, tonight!

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Is Square Dancing fun? Of course it is a picnic.

Upon occasion we had some guests visit the Catskill Mountain Squares. One couple, Al and Sybil Cooper came in. They were members of the Orange Squares, Newburgh, NY. It did not take long for Al to offer me a chance to call with the Orange Squares. I happily accepted it, as I normally do with new clubs.

Since I was relatively unknown, the Orange Squares decided to raise the excitement level by having me as a mystery caller dance for my first dance with them. The dance was held at a rural farm setting outside of Newburgh, NY. As you'd expect, we were welcomed warmly. Things were going well—Mom had prepared a large bowl of coleslaw for the potluck dance. When we arrived, Charlie and Pat Kittner (members of the Orange Squares) asked mom and me to sit with them for the meal.

It was later revealed to us that it wasn't a potluck dance, and little did we know it was a “bring your own picnic” dance. Charlie and Pat saw mom and me trying to hide the fact that all we brought was coleslaw. They graciously offered us some homemade rolls—we in turn passed our bowl of coleslaw. They offered us some fresh fruit, and we again passed our coleslaw. They passed us some meat for sandwiches, and we again passed the slaw.

They started to pass us some dessert, and politely let us know that we did not need to pass the slaw.

Even though they did not mean any harm by the statement, mom started to laugh. They did also. Even though it was an awkward experience, this event set the stage for a very successful first outside calling experience with the Orange Squares.

The Orange Squares regular class instructor was Hugh Jones. Classes were held on Tuesday evenings, but Hugh taught an advanced club that met one Tuesday evening a month, conflicting with the Orange Squares regular class. On these Tuesday evenings, I had the privilege of instructing them. It was such a great time.

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Congratulations to the Pisgah Promenaders.  They're graduating a couple squares of dancers from their plus class.  Tonight, we're having a final class/party dance in Waynesville, NC!

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This is a picture of me with Bob and Virginia Walker on May 12, 2012.  This picture was taken at the Senior Follies event in Franklin, NC.  We all had a blast!

Check out the website for the High Mountain Squares.

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I was going through my pictures, and I found one that I thought would be neat to post online.  Those balloons really make this picture.  :)

This dance was with the Pisgah Promenaders in Waynesville, NC.  It happened sometime in March or April, 2012.

Visit www.martynorthrup.com for more information about Marty Northrup's square dance calling.

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Senior Follies featuring the High Mountain Squares

I just had a dress rehearsal for Senior Follies, a talent-show production put on by the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts.

We're doing an unjudged act, and accordingly, we have a couple squares to provide entertainment.  It's a great group with great energy, and they're in full square dance dress.  The show starts at 7:00 PM, and tickets cost $5.  We're the second act after intermission.

Please come on out if you have nothing to do tonight, it'll be a great show!

Visit www.martynorthrup.com for more information about Marty.  

Visit www.highmountainsquares.org/ for more information about Franklin, North Carolina's finest square dancing group.

There will be pictures and a video to come later.

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“Weather” or Not, Could We Make It?

It was around 1997 or so when The Happy Footers in Youngsville, NY asked me to call for them for a season. It was an honor to call for them. It wasn't a long trip, but it was far enough—50 miles each way. In addition, I was delighted that my Mom was a regular traveler with me to this club.

I arrived at my Mom's house early that day to pick her up. We both knew it was going to be quite an adventure to get to Youngsville that night, because the weather had been particularly nasty that day. Taking this all into account, we left early, at around 4:30 PM to be to the dance by 7 PM. In New York water freezes as soon as it hits the roads, and by the time we started out they were simply an ice slick. With foolish determination, we pressed on, making our final destination on time.

But when we arrived the hall was dark. No cars were in the parking lot. No one was to be found. We waited until about a quarter till seven when I decided to contact the club president. I called him, and he told me they had been trying to contact me since a little past 5 PM to cancel the dance. No one—including the local dancers—wanted to travel as the roads were too bad.

We made it, but after we had to turn right back around and do it again. We wish we would have stayed. After a few hours and some slipping and sliding, Mom and I safely made it back home.

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Waynesville Plus Class

There is one more class dance next week in Waynesville with the Pisgah Promenaders!  I'm so excited to have been a part of this class, and it has really made a positive impact on these dancers.  The Pisgah Promenaders are up to great things, so check them out if you're in the area.