HELENA — Square dancing might look simple, but step onto the floor and you'll quickly realize there's more to it than meets the eye.
On Monday night, the common area at Bryant Elementary School filled with first-time dancers learning the basics of a tradition that has been part of the Helena community for nearly a century.
For just $6 a lesson, the Helena Last Chance Squares, a nonprofit square dancing club that has been bringing people together in Helena since 1932, open their doors to anyone willing to give it a try — no experience required.
"Everybody seems to have fun, and that's the most important thing," said Last Chance Squares member and former president Virgil Kaiser.
The group now has more than 60 members, but organizers say they're hoping to bring in more young people to help keep the club going for years to come.
A "caller" guides dancers through each move in real time, making it possible for complete beginners to participate right away.
"All those experienced dancers that come tonight — we call those angels, and they dance with the new dancers to help them along," said Bob Thola, one of three Last Chance Squares callers.
Learning square dancing does take some commitment. Dancers learn about 50 different calls over roughly 20 weeks of lessons. But those who stick with it say the payoff is worth it.
"There's a lot of calls so it does take a bit to catch on, but it's super fun. Once you get it, it just kind of becomes muscle memory and it's a lot of fun after that," said Katie Hern, a new square dancer.
And the physical benefits are real — dancers can walk a mile or two just moving through the figures of a single session.
"The most rewarding part is seeing the people succeed. Seeing them come in not knowing anything, and in a few short weeks, able to come out successful in the end," Thola added.
For many members, the dancing is only part of the appeal. The sense of community keeps people coming back.
"This friend suggested square dancing since I was a single recent widow. Kinda got hooked and I've been doing it ever since," said Shirlie Kuykendall, a Last Chance Squares member since 1995.
New dancer Patrick Hern echoed that sentiment: "Just try it, you can't fail in this class. The community is what really brings us back — so just try it."
Weekly lessons began September 21 and run through March. Classes are held every Monday from 6:30–8 p.m. in the Common Area at Bryant Elementary School in Helena.
New dancers still have time to jump in — organizers say anyone interested can show up next Monday before the group gets too far into the basics. All you need to bring is a willingness to learn and have fun.
Anyone interested in joining can reach out to the Helena Last Chance Squares directly or simply show up at the next session.
