Lessons:
FALL/WINTER
or
WINTER/SPRING
2026 - 2027
Those lessons dates listed in black below will be at NORTHDALE MIDDLE SCHOOL Cafeteria (Door #2).
Those lesson dates listed in red* below will be at Faith Lutheran Church.
* has been added for more clarity when looking on a phone instead of a computer.
Addresses and maps for the lessons are below:
TWO CLASSES IN 2026-2027:
FALL/WINTER:
Mondays 7-9 p.m.
Oct 5
Oct 12 Plus level starts 6 p.m.
Oct 19
Oct 26 * LAC (?)
Nov 2 Fast Track 6-9 p.m.
Nov 9
Nov 16* LAC
Nov 23
Nov 30
Dec 7
Dec 14 * LAC (?)
Dec 21 GRADUATION (no PLUS)
WINTER/SPRING:
Mondays 7 - 9 p.m.
Jan 11
Jan 18 * LAC Plus level starts 6 p.m.
Jan 25
Feb 1
Feb 8 Fast Track 6-9 p.m. (No PLUS)
Feb 15*
Feb 22
March 1
March 8
March 15* LAC
March 22
March 29
April 5
April 12 GRADUATION (no PLUS)
There are two more starting dates besides those above.
"FAST TRACK" is a three hour lesson for those who could not start at the beginning of our lesson sessions. The cost is $40 per adult and subsequent lessons are $10 each per adult. The "FAST TRACK" lesson is on the date of the 5th lesson of each session. It's not the preferred way to learn. I recommend you start on night one if at all possible.
LESSONS - BEGINNER (MS) (LEVEL I ) and PLUS (LEVEL II):
The first Mainstream (Level 1) Square Dance lesson will start on Monday, October 5, 2026 from 7 - 9 p.m.
Lessons are sequential (and they "build on each other"--something like building up a good vocabulary. You will need to learn and remember each step because you will use it again) so it is important to attend as many of the weekly lessons as possible. This is a group activity with eight people in each square. You will learn new steps each week. Our caller/teacher is Dan Sahlstrom.
This year, we will offered two Mainstream (Level 1) Square Dance lesson classes on Monday evenings from 7 - 9 p.m. The first is a FALL class which starts October 5, 2026 and the second lesson class is a 2027 WINTER class that begins on a Monday, January 11, 2027. Start in the fall OR the winter.
PLUS level lessons (Level 2) are from 6 - 7 p.m. Angels (veteran square dancers) learn PLUS after initially graduating from Mainstream if they are confident about their MS level dancing and want to continue learning new steps. PLUS level lessons are $3 each for all participants, including MS and/or Plus angels.
These PLUS lessons cost $3 for both students and angels, paid to the bag at the stage near Dan.
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LOCATIONS:
See lesson list below (scroll down) for location of each lesson.
With a few exceptions, Mainstream lessons are held at:
NORTHDALE MIDDLE SCHOOL cafeteria,
11301 Dogwood St. NW
Coon Rapids, MN 55448
Enter door #2
When Northdale Middle School is not available, we will most likely dance at:
FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH Fellowship Hall and LAC
11115 Hanson Blvd NW
Coon Rapids, 55433.
Enter door #1
From Hanson Blvd --After turning into the church off 111th Ave NW, turn LEFT and go until you reach the parking lot facing Hanson Blvd --furthest lot to the west.
Enter door #1 and walk down the hallway.
Note: LAC is carpeted.
When Northdale Middle School AND Faith Lutheran are not available, we will dance at:
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF ANOKA "UMCA"
850 South St
Anoka, 55303
PHONE USERS:
If you are checking lesson dates & locations on your phone instead of a computer, the dates shown in red*for alternate location on a computer, may show up in BOLD type instead. The dates in black (below) show up as "plain text" on a phone. And the date in purple may show up as "plain text" on a phone as well. Sorry! Look for the asterisk.
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MAPS:
Location - Northdale Middle School Cafeteria.
Coon Rapids, MN 55448-2408 Enter Door #2
See the lesson schedule below for changes in location.
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Most used Alternate Lesson Location:
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Faith Lutheran Church
11115 Hanson Blvd NW
Coon Rapids, 55433 (Hanson Blvd & 111th Ave NW)
Park in the lot facing Hanson Blvd NW and Enter door #1
We are normally in the Fellowship Hall (gym), but at times will be instead
at the LAC, which has a carpeted floor.
Lesson Location:
United Methodist Church of Anoka "UMCA"
850 South St
Anoka, 55303
Park in the back parking lot (south)
To see a list of steps that will be taught and their definitions, go to the bottom of the LINKS page. (These are from the Basic and Mainstream lists)
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Angels (dancers who went through lessons and graduated) dance for free when dancing Mainstream level at lessons. It is recommended that you angel at Mainstream lessons to strengthen your MS steps.
PLUS LEVEL (level 2) Square Dance Lessons
Plus lessons (2nd level of square dance) begin on the second lesson date of the MS session. Plus students should be comfortable dancing all the Basic and Mainstream calls and have graduated from Mainstream. Mainstream calls will always be included in Plus dancing, so they need to be mastered before starting Plus.
There will be no PLUS lesson on the FAST TRACK nights and the GRADUATION nights of Mainstream lessons.
Plus Lessons are held from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (before the Mainstream lessons), and cost $3 per person, even if you consider yourself an angel.
Pay the $3 into the blue bag in front of the table in front of Dan.
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Frequently Asked Questions by New Dancers
What is the cost of lessons? Our Fall 2026 Level 1 class cost is $100 or $10 walk-in for each lesson per adult.
Our Winter 2027 Level 1 class costs $120 or $10 walk-in for each lesson per adult. Those 17 and under are free.
Do I need a partner?
No, you do not need a partner. Singles and couples are most welcome at the Hotfoot Stompers club. Angels (veteran dancers) will dance with new dancers to help them at lessons. Everyone dances in a square with 7 other people.
How old should someone be to start dancing?
We have a range in ages of dancers from 7 years old to 90+. Our senior most dancer is 95. As our long-time caller (teacher), Dean Libby said, "As long as you know your right from your left and can walk to the beat of the music, you can square dance." It helps if you can hear and if you are a good listener.
Is square dancing competitive?
No, not at all. Square dancing is purely for fun. People square dance for a variety of reasons including for exercise, to meet new people, and to learn something new.
What do I wear?
The dress for lessons is casual. Comfortable shoes and clothing are recommended. Layering is also a good idea. You may become warm when dancing. We only wear square dance attire for dances and demonstrations. We have a used clothing sale every year where you can purchase square dance clothes if you desire. There are also square dance shops (see the Links page for more information).
When can I go to my first square dance?
New dancer dances will be announced when scheduled. Make sure to check if the dance is a "new dancer " or ND dance before going! Once you graduate from lessons, you can attend any Mainstream dance (MS) anywhere in the world. All are called in English.
How many levels of square dancing are there?
Level 1 is called Mainstream. The next level is called Plus, then Advanced: A1, A2, and then Challenge: C1, C2, C3A, C3B and C4. Square dancers finish one level before going onto the next, and since square dance is just for fun, some people learn Advanced while others prefer just to learn Mainstream. It is not a competition and only you will be able to judge which level you are comfortable learning.
Light refreshments are provided by student and "angel" (veteran) volunteers. Bring a water bottle if you can. And bring your smile!
Caller, Dan Sahlstrom
Caller, Wayne Tauer
Wayne is still our caller for Daytimers though he retired from MS & Plus lesson teaching/calling. He fills in at lessons when Dan Sahlstrom is out of town.
Caller, Dean Libby
