It's hard to find a more fun and all-purpose activity than square dancing. It's a true social activity where dancers listen and react to directions from the square dance caller -- great exercise for the mind.

Square dancers also exercise their bodies as they move about the dance floor in their groups of four couples. Two hours of square dancing can equal several miles of walking in terms of aerobic exercise.

On Thursday, Jan. 11, the Yellow Rockers Square Dance Club will hold an open house for those interested in learning more about square dancing. Visitors will be invited to join in the fun, and refreshments will be served.

"It's a great time of year to spend your Thursdays learning to dance," says a spokesman.

Many of us have had some introduction to square dancing in school. It is, after all, America's folkdance. Today square dance callers use all kinds of music -- from country to oldies to more recent hits. Square dancing is more about walking in patterns than dance steps, although the rhythm and speed of the movement is dependent on the music.

Dancers learn about 100 calls or patterns as they become proficient as square dancers. The same calls are used all over the world. A dosido is no more English than it is German or Japanese. This standardization makes it possible for square dancers to dance with groups worldwide even if they have never danced with them before. There are over 9,000 clubs across the United States and Canada, over 1,000 clubs in 40 other countries and 100 clubs in North Carolina. There are even RV camps for square dancers.

Most square dance groups meet weekly or twice a month for dances. In addition, there are special dances and festivals attended by groups from around the state, region and, in the case of the National Square Dance Convention, from around the world. Coincidently, the National Square Dance Convention is to be held in Charlotte in June. There are over 5,000 dancers registered already. The expected attendance is over 10,000.

There is no required dress for square dancing. Although sometimes dancers are seen wearing elaborate and frilly costumes, comfortable Western wear and long skirts are just as acceptable. Jeans and tennis shoes are common attire while learning and on most club dance nights. The main objective is to have fun and exercise to music with square dance friends.

A recent graduate had this to say about her visit to a Yellow Rockers Square Dance Club open house: "The experience couldn't have been better or the people nicer. We were warmly greeted and invited to watch the dancing. They explained the moves and answered our questions. There were couples from all ages and backgrounds. The one thing I noticed the most was the laughter. These people were having a blast."

The open house will be held at 7 p.m. at the Old West End Gymnasium in West End. Take N.C. 211 from Pinehurst past the old Stanley Furniture Factory. Go through the traffic signal, and turn left just past the shops onto the access drive marked with a green Old West End Gym road sign. The gym is one-half block off N.C. 211.

For more information, call Chuck or Karen Robbins at 949-2001 or Phil or Jan Aruscavage at 215-9313.