Formed in 1986, the club is based in the friendly town of Carleton Place, Ontario, at the junction of Highways 7, 15 and 29, approximately 40 km to the southwest of Ottawa.  It derives its name from the nearby Mississippi River and Lake.  Our regular dancing location is the Brunton Community Hall, just 2 km south of Carleton Place on Hwy 15.  The Mississippi Squares currently has one of the largest memberships in the Eastern Ontario Square and Round Dance Association (EOSARDA).  The club teaches modern square dancing with our caller Brian Crawford, and is very active in the recruitment of new dancers. To this end, the format on Tuesday evenings is one of alternating Basic and Mainstream tips. The immediate integration of new dancers with the Mainstream group has proven to be very successful in the retention of new dancers. Plus dancing is held weekly on Friday evenings.

Until the government announces that it is safe to dance in the province we will remain closed.

The Board is of the opinion that, under the current guidelines, square dancing, as practiced prior to the pandemic, will not be possible.  

Mississippi Squares Dance schedule

Again, It makes me sad to announce we are cancelling all classes and social dances for September 2021 fall season.  It looks like we are still learning and trying to understand the Delta variant and the fourth wave. 

  I hope this letter finds you in good health. 

We decided to postpone the start of dancing in September. We have been checking on the hall and school availability. Asking what is needed for the new protocols , if costs are going up and if they will rent to us again. For the school they are focusing on the students starting in September and we are not sure when indoor facilities will be available for community use.  We are checking on the hall information and hope to have an update end of September. 

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We discussed not having food or snacks or providing drinks during the dances to help prevent any transmissions. 

Let me know if you have any questions.  If anything changes, we will let you know. 

Please be safe and take good care of yourself.

Vince and Debbie 

Club Executive 2021-2022

              Brian has been calling for Mississippi Squares since 1999. He started learning to be a caller in 1997, taking an intro course that was led by John Charman. Brian also received ongoing tutoring from Mel Wilkerson, the caller for Mississippi Squares at that time. In 1998, Brian and another local caller, Geoff Clarke, started the Town and Kountry Kickers in Stittsville. Geoff took over as full-time caller for the Kickers in 1999 and Brian started calling for the Mississippi Squares. Over the years, Brian has also called for the Dynamite Tays in Perth, the Bytown Squares and Shadowcasters in Ottawa, and the Swinging Saints in Brockville.

Brian and his wife, Amy, started dancing with the Mississippi Squares in 1991 to the calling of Graham Ingram. They served on the executive for three years — as secretary couple for one year and as directors for two years. They also served as angels (partners for single dancers), and Amy continues to serve as an angel while Brian is calling. They enjoy dancing at the A2 level, but also enjoy every level leading up to A2.

Brian gives dancers from the whole region of eastern Ontario an opportunity to develop their skills each spring when Mississippi Squares hosts a workshop. He also has the opportunity to call for various clubs across Ontario, Quebec and the United States — a privilege that he and Amy very much appreciate.