Get in Line for Mannum's Sqaure Dancing Convention

Square and Round Dancing will be on show this weekend at the annual South Australian State Square Dancing Convention in Mannum's Lutheran Hall.

Square dancing is done in groups of four couples following instructions by a caller, who choreographs a song with a different mix of moves depending on everyone's abilities.

SA State Square Dancing Convention Convener, Jeff Seidel said: “We will have a guest caller and bush poet, Keith Lethbridge from WA attending the convention.

“It is open to all square dancers, members or not and we have visitors from all over SA, Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia.

“I personally have the oldest square dance club in SA at Magill which I started in 1973, we turned 45 in February and I’ve been calling for 51 years," he said.

There will be three levels of squares on the night - Mainstream which is the universal standard throughout the world, and two higher levels, Plus and Advanced.

As well as squares the convention will feature Round dancing, which is similar to ballroom dancing.

This will be the first time the SA Square Dancing convention has been held in Mannum and organisers expect 170 dancers to be showcasing their favourite moves said Mid Murray Council Acting Mayor, Councillor Kelly Kuhn.

"We welcome the dancers to Mannum as they will bring a new look event to our town and the convention committee hope many people make their way to the Lutheran Hall to view the dancing.

“Square dancing is a very sociable pastime, families, young and old can enjoy this activity, and it is danced throughout the world," he said.

The SA State Square Dancing Convention will be held at the Lutheran Hall on Cliff Street, Mannum with public welcome to come and watch at no charge between 7.30 and 9.30pm on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th August.

For further information contact the Mannum Visitor Information Centre on 85691303 or visit www.mannum.org.au.