this year was the first time we attended the annual square dance held at quicksand farms in manor, texas. for reasons i can't recall right now, i missed out the last two years i've known about this event. after attending this year, i'm making it a priority from now on and intend on making it every year to come. i believe this year was something like the 26th annual square dance. these folks have been at it for some time. after attending this first for me, i ask myself, "why in the hell don't we have something like this once a month?!" it was THAT much fun!
the square dance is hosted by a great couple who bought an old farm house in manor, texas. the farm house was used in the film, What's Eating Gilbert Grape (starring Johnny Depp and others). the gracious owners allow anyone and everyone to tour the inside of the house. upstairs in one of the rooms they've installed built-in "berths" and "sleeping lofts" in which they provide thin mattresses and bedding for guests who choose to stay overnight. they provide live music performed by very talented, local musicians, and they hire a professional square dance "caller" or "emcee" (i'm not sure of the proper term.) the "caller" has a wireless microphone and stands amid hundreds of hippies, free spirits, children, adults, cowboys, punk rockers, and elderly folks and all else between. because many of us are NOT well honed square dancers, the "caller" takes a few minutes explaining the different moves, or steps, to the different types of dances. after a brief lesson, the music kicks in and circles and circles within circles of folks begin to dance. i personally didn't do any dancing as it was my first time to attend, but next year i will most definitely try out the dancing. i had such an incredibly fun time photographing and observing how it all went down. square dancing is an art, no kidding. watching chains of folks whiz right by me, seeing them cracking up with laughter and joy, some falling down, girls with girls, guys with guys, and hey, even girls and guys dancing together. i figure you just can't go wrong when hundreds of people are out in the country in the middle of a field, holding hands and laughing. not to mention the long tables, side by side - a huge line of pot luck dishes that everyone contributes to - a FEAST. after the square dancing ends (and the crowds of folks all say, "awwwwwww" cuz they don't want it to end), the pickers and grinners start breaking out instruments and the song circles begin. what fun. guitars, mandolins, fiddles, accordians, upright basses, snare drums, flutes, beautiful vocals and grinners come together and the music goes on until daybreak (and later). a few tents are erected here and there for those that want to stay overnight and breakfast is served the following morning. what a neat, magical evening for all. nope, i won't miss another one of these shin digs now that i've been once.
the week after the square dance i had to re-rent What's Eating Gilbert Grape to see the movie again, and to experience a sense of newfound familiarity.
