Times Squares Square Dance Club provides educational, recreational, and social opportunities within the framework of Modern Western square dancing for the Gay and Lesbian community. We are New York City's only Gay and Lesbian Square Dance Club and a not-for-profit organization.

Visit our website http://www.timessquares.org for more information about Modern Western Square Dancing and our complete dance schedule. Classes are held beginning every fall, after several Introductory Barn Dances and Open Houses for folks to get acquainted with the club. Read below for answers to some frequently asked questions.

Who can join?
Membership in the Times Squares is open to anyone who has learned the Mainstream program as defined by Callerlab, and who supports the purpose of the club. There are specifically no restrictions on sexual orientation. Although we never inquire about private lives, we know that many of our members are not gay. Membership information can be found here.
Do I need a partner?
No. Unlike many of the straight clubs, partners are never required at Times Squares classes or dances. If you wish, of course, you may always dance with the same partner. However, even when forming squares it is not necessary to pair up in advance; a solo dancer entering a square will be joined by another dancer as necessary.
How can I learn?
Times Squares offers Beginner classes starting each September, which teach the Callerlab Basic and Mainstream programs. Graduation is usually in April, by which time class members are proficient and can dance with the Times Squares or with any other club that dances the Basic or Mainstream programs.

Times squares also teaches Callerlab programs through Challenge to members who have experience at the prior programs.
Who dances what part?
Square dancing is quite "sexist" by contemporary standards, and there are traditional men's and women's roles. The calls often designate dancers by their sex. Like all the IAGSDC® clubs, Times Squares does not require that you dance your biological role: both men and women may dance either the man's or the woman's part. Many of our dancers are perfectly comfortable dancing either role. This can be confusing at first. In some clubs, and especially in classes, dancers may be encouraged to wear something, such as a bandanna, to distinguish the sex roles.
Do I need special clothes?
There is a tradition in square dancing -- in fact, quite a rigid dress code in many clubs -- which requires that men wear long sleeve shirts and that women wear dresses and crinolines. Couples often wear matching outfits. This can be quite charming or quite silly, depending on your perspective. Typical square dance attire looks out of place in most other settings. Times Squares, like all IAGSDC® clubs, does not have a dress requirement at dances. Dancers generally wear street clothes; shorts and T-shirts are common in hot weather. Of course, some of our dancers like square dance "drag" and so you will see a mix of casual clothes and traditional square dance attire at most of our functions.