WBEZ Curious City: Square dancers are trying to get more Chicagoans to do-si-do

WBEZ radio story about square dancing:

 https://www.wbez.org/curious-city/2025/09/24/square-dancers-are-trying-to-get-more-chicagoans-to-do-si-do

 "Square dancing was once so popular that the Chicago area had a dedicated center. It’s waned in popularity, but local clubs are keeping it alive. 

...

In Chicago, you could find square dances throughout the week. Paul Collins, a sought-after caller for square dancing and folk dancing, remembers learning to dance in the 1950s by watching his parents..."

 

9/30/25 UPDATE: a second episode about square dancing:

https://www.wbez.org/curious-city/2025/09/25/friendship-set-to-music-curious-city-goes-square-dancing-on-the-south-side

 "...square dancing’s African and African-American roots often get lost in popular accounts. Some of the first callers and musicians were enslaved Black people..."