Tradition keeps

steppin’ in Todd
By Scott Nicholson
nicholson@wataugademocrat.com

Grab your partner, swing her ‘round, Todd’s the place to dance around.

The Todd Mercantile has been the site of traditional dances for nearly a year, and experienced callers and local musicians make sure the floor is shaking for all ages.

The dances, which are held nearly every month, were organized by local musician Cecil Gurganus and his friends.

“People enjoy dancing, but a lot of people shy away from it,” Gurganus said. “We feel like people have a good time dancing and want to make them feel comfortable.”

To that end, the dance callers judge the crowd’s ability and energy level and adapt the dances and tempo to match.

Callers also teach people the steps and moves before each individual dance, and the steps are simple enough to pick up on the spot.

“Part of the caller’s job is to teach people the steps before it starts,” he said. “We try to make it so anybody can come and not be intimidated.”

The dances usually draw between 20 and 30 people, though word is slowly spreading. Gurganus said he kicked out the idea for the community dances because he lived in Todd, enjoyed playing and dancing and saw a chance to bring people together in a family atmosphere.

“Maybe it was a little selfish,” he said.

“I wanted to play and I like dances. Todd is on the border between Ashe and Watauga counties, so it’s a little out of the way. But there are people in the Todd community who come, too, so it’s worth it.”

Right now, admission is $2, which goes to pay the caller and the hosting store. Fresh-baked goods by Emilie Enzmann are sold as refreshments, and donations are collected for musicians.

Gurganus acknowledged the musicians are basically playing for free, but it doesn’t matter whether only 10 people show up.

The ages of those participating in any given dance can easily span six or seven decades.

“Remember it’s just a dance and we’re here to have a good time,” Gurganus said.

He’s a jack-of-all-trades as a musician, switching between fiddle, guitar, bass or banjo depending on which instrument is needed by that night’s band.

Other local musicians who participate include Rick Stone, Mary Greene and Mead Richter.

Bands like the Weehutty Mudpuppies also play, and the arts councils of both counties have been helpful in promoting the events. Gurganus credited Mark Freed of the Watauga County Arts Council for helping popularize the dances.

The next dance will be Friday, Nov. 16, with dances beginning in the early evening, between 7 and 8 p.m.
The dance styles are contra, square and circle dances and usually involve couples or small groups. The next dance features some dances specifically for children, though children participate in the regular dances as well, since the steps are basic.

“We keep it simple to encourage families to come,” Gurganus said. Endurance and stamina are also not issues, because it’s perfectly okay for dancers to “sit one out.”

Callers help keep things moving by finding the trouble spots in the group and providing a little hands-on guidance.

Warren Doyle, veteran caller and professor at Lees-McRae College, will be the caller on Nov. 16. The Springhouse Band will spin out the tunes, featuring Nate Taylor, Emily Schaad, Doug Sharkey and friends. It will be the last dance of the year due to holidays, and the series will renew in January. To get on the mailing list for future dances, e-mail Gurganus at crgurganus@goboone.net.