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Saturday Night Square Dancing (1942) Saturday Night Square Dancing (1942) Regarding New Jersey's efforts to adopt the square dance as its official state folk dance, we think it's important to know a little bit about similar activity on a national level to gain a greater understanding at the state level. A brief description of endeavors to declare the square dance the national folk dance of the United States of America can be found here. The adoption of the square dance as the official American folk dance of New Jersey was not an overnight endeavor. In fact, the process began in 1979 when Nan & Frank Habersberger became presidents of the Northern New Jersey Square Dancers Association, Inc. (NNJSDA) in June of that year.

New Jersey State American Folk Dance: Square Dance

Posters and Photographs New Jersey State American Folk Dance: Square Dance The Habersbergers made declaration of the square dance as the official dance of New Jersey one of their early priorities. Coordinating the effort were 3rd Vice-Presidents Gabe & Sila Dell'Angelo and advisors Frank & Helen Cavanaugh who spearheaded a drive to distribute petitions, throughout the State of New Jersey aimed at naming the square dance the state's official folk dance. In 1980 two resolutions were introduced in the New Jersey Assembly; one by Assemblyman David C. Schwartz and another by Assemblyman James Bornheimer. Both resolutions languished in committee prompting a meeting of four state square dance organizations; Northern New Jersey Square Dancers Association; Central New Jersey Square Dancers Association; and the Bucks-Trenton and Penn-Jersey Divisions, New Jersey based divisions of the Federation of Delaware Valley Square and Round Dancers. In early May 1980, these organizations, sensing that more concerted action was needed to move a resolution out of committee and onto the Assembly floor for a vote, formed a coalition to accomplish that goal. Frank and Helen Cavanaugh were appointed to represent the square dancers and monitor their programs. The Callers Council of New Jersey and the Northern New Jersey Round Dance Leader's Council lent their support. The Cavanaughs organized a massive letter writing and public relations campaign targeting all New Jersey Assemblymen and Senators. Committee members were specifically addressed, urging quick action to move Assembly Joint Resolution No. 29 to the floor of the Assembly for a full vote. The concerted effort by the square dance organizations, led by Frank and Helen Cavanaugh, was able to move Assembly Joint Resolution No. 29 to a floor vote where it was passed and forwarded to the Senate for consideration. But that's as far as it went during the 1980-1981 Legislature. Frank and Helen Cavanaugh were persistent, however, and led the charge into the 1982-1983 Legislative Session. SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION No. 1 A Joint Resolution designating the Square Dance as the American Folk Dance of the State of New Jersey. WHEREAS, Love of State and professions is enhanced by traditions that have become a part of our way of live and the customs of the American people; and WHEREAS, We have distinctive and meaningful symbols of our ideals in our State's flag and in many cultural endeavors, but no official designation of a State Folk Dance; and WHEREAS, The Square Dance, which was first associated with the American people and recorded in history since 1651, has consistently been the one dance traditionally recognized by the American people as a dignified and enjoyable expression of American Folk dancing; and WHEREAS, Official recognition of the Square Dance will enhance the cultural stature of New Jersey both nationally and internationally; and WHEREAS, National and international prestige is in the best interest of all Americans; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey: 1. The dance known as the Square Dance is designated the American Folk Dance of the State of New Jersey. 2. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately. Approved January 19, 1983. Success! Joint Resolution No. 1 was approved by the New Jersey State Legislature on January 19, 1983.

New Jersey State American Folk Dance: Square Dance

Posters and Photographs New Jersey State American Folk Dance: Square Dance The New Jersey Legislature has this to say about the state's official American folk dance: "Do-si-do" and "swing your partner!" cries the caller in New Jersey's official State American Folk Dance, the square dance. In the popular American square dance, a caller shouts out directions to the dancing couples. Square dance music is lively and the dancers wear colorful clothes. New Jersey adopted it as our State American Folk Dance in 1983. ("State American Folk Dance") May 19, 1983 was a day for celebration and dancing in the street. The street in front of the New Jersey State Capitol in Trenton was closed off by State Police from 12:00 Noon to 2:00 P.M. while dancers from all over New Jersey came to celebrate. They were joined by Governor Thomas Kean in support of the legislation. The 1980 coalition illustrated a need for an umbrella organization for the various square dance clubs throughout the state. In October, 1983, eight months after the square dance was named the American folk dance of the State of New Jersey, the Square Dance Council of New Jersey that would emerge; its mission was "to preserve and promote the square dance activity throughout the State and surrounding areas." Frank and Helen Cavanaugh were named chairmen of the new organization. The square dance is a popular type of folk dance in the United States. This dance for four couples, or groups of four couples, is performed in a compact framework of a square, each couple forming a side. Traditionally accompanied by a fiddle, accordion, banjo and guitar, the couples perform a variety of movements prompted by the patter or singing calls (instruction) of a "caller". Cooperative movement is the hallmark of well-executed square dancing. Square dancing is to be distinguished from related dances called contra or longways dance where couples stand double file in a line and from round dances where couples stand in a circle. The origin of the square dance can be traced to English derivation and to the stately French cotillion performed in square formation that was popular at the court of Louis the fifteenth later replace by the quadrille (another square dance).

New Jersey Law Because it was approved by Joint Resolution rather than an Act of the New Jersey Legislature, the square dance is not documented in the New Jersey Statutes as the American folk dance of the State of New Jersey.