Square dance caller of 35 years still uses vinyl records

On Monday nights, the basement of Emmanuel United Church is filled with music and laughter. Dancers of all ages join hands and spin circles, step together across the floor, or curtsy to their partners as they meet in the middle. Participants cry out in excitement as they surge forward or step back, and everyone listens carefully for the caller’s instructions.

Up on stage, Wayne Whatman hooks a finger under the arm of an old record player, lifting the needle to stop the music. He speaks into the microphone with an easy grace, correcting and guiding dancers into the right positions before allowing the classic vinyl to spin once more. He smiles as the dancers find their groove and then shouts out moves over the loud music and merriment.

Whatman is the caller for Peterborough’s beginner square dancing club, the Otonabee Squares. Founders Howard and Jean Lander approached him directly when they were in early talks about starting up a beginner club, and he was the caller for the group’s first dance on September 9, 2009, according to the Otonabee Squares’ website. Whatman has served as main caller for the club ever since.

Now in his 80s, Whatman started leading square dance parties in Fenelon Falls in 1990, and soon broadened his reach to Lindsay, Peterborough, and beyond. Wherever he traveled for dances he brought with him a big suitcase of vinyl records, a practice he keeps up to this day.

“I’ve been all over. I was a dancer to begin with,” he recalled. “My sister and her husband got me into it in the late 80s, and I decided I wanted to be a caller.”

He began by lingering close to the leaders as they called out cues for dancers, asking them questions and learning what he could about the craft. “You have to work your way into it,” he said. “When I started in Fenelon Falls they just tried me out to see how it went. I knew right away this was for me.”

“I’m about the only caller left that uses 44 millimeter records”

Square dance callers are responsible for bringing the music to events, along with teaching and directing dancers to follow along with the various steps to each song. Otonabee Squares members laud Whatman as a talented singing caller, a rare skill according to club president, Elke Glaspell. 

“He’s actually singing through it and throwing in the moves,” added Otonabee Squares board member Laurie Wood. “We love Wayne. He’s so patient for new dancers. He just makes everything so much fun.” 

Wood noted that Whatman is also one of the only people in the business who still strictly use vinyl records and analogue technology.

“I’m about the only caller left that uses 44 millimetre records,” Whatman said. “Most use computers now but I just don’t feel that’s for me. I carry my records with me. At one time I had thousands of them. I just take a case of about 20 records with me to choose from for a night of dancing.”

Whatman almost stopped working with the Otonabee Squares back in 2022 following the death of his wife, but group members talked him into staying. “I used to do square dancing with her,” he remembered. “It was hard to keep going but I’m glad I stuck around. I would have missed it.”

Although he said he enjoys teaching beginners, Whatman admits callers “gotta have patience galore.”

“If people don’t know what you’re saying they get upset,” he explained. Luckily for dancers, the moves and cues are the same all around the world. So once folks learn the steps and understand what the calls mean, they can enjoy square dancing anywhere they go.

“I always say never be scared to give it a shot if you want to try dancing,” Whatman said. “But also never feel pressured into staying if you don’t enjoy it.”

Dancing is free for beginners during the month of January

The Otonabee Squares boasted a membership of around 90 dancers last year, and they welcomed a fresh batch of newcomers to join the group at their intake session on Monday, January 6. The club is offering free dancing throughout the month of January to any beginners interested in giving it a try. 

“This is absolutely the most fun thing ever,” said Glenda Bromell, who joined the Otonabee Squares in 2017 after a friend invited her to try square dancing with the club. “I walked in and it was just wonderful. You don’t need to come with a partner, and there is no dress code so it is really come as you are and people are so welcoming and generous.”

The Otonabee Squares gather in the basement of Emmanuel United Church every Monday evening from September to May, then take a break over the summer.

“The main focus is to have fun and enjoy some physical activity and social connection,” said the club president, Elke Glaspell. “Square dancing is good for the brain too. It makes you think, especially as you move up in levels. Sometimes it’s challenging, but not too challenging.”

There are 46 calls to learn in the basic level of square dancing, and an additional nineteen unique moves in the mainstream level. Those interested in ramping up their dancing difficulty can also attend the Lift Lock Square Dance Club, which uses more advanced steps and meets every Wednesday evening at Activity Haven from 6:30 to 9:15 p.m.

The Otonabee Squares is a non-profit group, charging $10 for an annual membership and then $5 for each Monday evening dance attended. Learn more at the Otonabee Squares website.