Lessons WINTER/SPRING 2026
WELCOME!
Our 2026 BEGINNER LESSONS STARTED
January 19 for this new beginner class.
The January 26 lesson will be at Northdale Middle School cafeteria, Door #2. Read below for the address.
REGISTRATION FORM FOR THE JANUARY 2026 BEGINNER LESSONS: (click on the link)
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc4OquxDA-JXD3NN0DV3QL_70xfo2kqXdx7nHNe6sdfc0WXvA/viewform?usp=publish-editor
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Read about our lessons, locations, frequently asked questions, and schedule below!
Square Dance Lessons
Mainstream and Plus Levels
(Levels 1 and 2)
Please watch this page carefully for Lesson
DATES & LOCATIONS WHICH COULD CHANGE
(Scroll down for more details)
If you have any questions, please write in to the Contact form at the bottom of the HOME page.
LESSONS - BEGINNER (MS) (LEVEL I ) and PLUS (LEVEL II):
The first Mainstream (Level 1) Square Dance lesson started on Monday, January 19, 2026 from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Eighteen lessons go from January 19th, 2026 through May 18, 2026. Lessons cost is two prepaid payments of $70, which covers all 18 lessons. (prepay twice) If not prepaying, adult cost is $10 per lesson for walk-ins. Students 17 & under are free. Payments collected twice on 1/26/26 & 3/23/26 for the winter/spring set of lessons.
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. The first was a FALL/WINTER (2025-2026) class and the second lesson class is a 2026 WINTER/SPRING class that began on Monday, January 19 from 7 - 9 p.m. Eighteen lessons go from January 19 through May 18, 2026.
Payment of $70 twice to be collected on 1/26/26 & 3/23/26 for the 2026 Winter/Spring set of lessons.
PLUS level lessons (Level 2) are from 6 - 7 p.m. and start on February 2, 2026 and go through May 11, 2026. 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 $2 each for all participants, including MS and/or Plus angels.
Join us again for PLUS level lessons (Level 2) from 6 - 7 p.m. on February 2, 2026 through May 11, 2026.
These PLUS lessons cost $2 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)
Lesson Schedule 2025 - 2026 & LOCATIONS
Mainstream Lessons began on MONDAYS: Those listed in black will be at NORTHDALE Middle School.
Those dates listed in red will be at Faith Lutheran Church. * has been added for more clarity when looking on a phone instead of a computer.
The one in purple will be at United Methodist Church of Anoka. (None scheduled here so far.)
TWO CLASSES IN 2025 - 2026:
MONDAYS 2025:
FIRST NEW CLASS 2025 -
FALL/WINTER:
Sept 8 √ MS starts 7 - 9 p.m. NEW STUDENT CLASS
Sept. 15 √ (Payment collected for MS)
Sept. 22 √ PLUS level starts 6 - 7 p.m.
Sept. 29 √
Oct. 6 LAC* √ FAST TRACK MS 6-9 p.m. NO PLUS
Oct. 13 LAC*√ MS from 7 - 9 p.m. as usual. PLUS 6 - 7 p.m.
Oct. 20 √
Oct. 27 √
Nov. 3 √
Nov. 10 √ (Payment collected for MS)
Nov. 17 √
Nov. 24 √
Dec. 1 √
Dec. 8 LAC* √
Dec. 15 √
Dec. 22 √
MONDAYS 2026
Jan. 5 √
Jan. 12 √ GRADUATION (CLASS 1)
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SECOND NEW CLASS 2026 -
WINTER/SPRING:
Jan. 19 LAC* √ MS started 7 - 9 p.m. NEW STUDENT CLASS
Jan. 26 (Payment collected) (Northdale MS)
Feb. 2 PLUS level starts 6 - 7 p.m.
Feb. 9
Feb.16 FH* FAST TRACK MS 6-9 p.m. NO PLUS
Feb. 23
March 2
March 9
March 16 LAC*
March 23 (Payment collected)
March 30
April 6
April 13
April 20
April 27
May 4
May 11
May 18 GRADUATION (WINTER/SPRING CLASS)
* = alternate location (Faith Lutheran Church)
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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 third lesson date of the year (September 22, 2025 through January 5, 2026). Possible 2nd PLUS class from February 2 - May 11, 2026. 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.
Plus Lessons are held from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (before the Mainstream lessons), and cost $2 per person, even if you consider yourself an angel.
Pay the $2 into the blue bag in front of the table in front of Dan.
No PLUS lesson on February 16, 2026 due to FAST TRACK MS lessons.
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Frequently Asked Questions by New Dancers
Our lessons started Monday, September 8, 2025 AND January 19, 2026 (2 classes). We recommend attending all lessons since steps are taught in sequence and build on each other. If you missed the FALL/WINTER lessons, sign up for beginning lessons which started on Monday, January 19, 2026.
What is the cost of lessons?
January 19 through May 18, 2026 lessons are $10 for adult "walk-ins". Prepaid amount (instead) is 2
9-week payments of $70 each for each adult. Students 17 & 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.
Can I bring other people with me?
Yes! Please bring friends, neighbors, co-workers, and relatives on Monday, January 26 to the second lesson. Everyone is welcome. If you miss the beginning class or classes, there is a FAST TRACK lesson to catch up on February 16, though starting on January 19 is the better choice.
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 94. 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
