Do-si-do downtown

The Adobe Squares hosts square dance lessons Tuesday nights beginning March 25

Nina Zhito Square dancers twirl and spin on the dance floor of the Petaluma Woman’s Club on B Street on Tuesday nights. Zoom Photo

SQUARE DANCING LESSONS The Adobe Squares offer beginning classes starting March 25 on Tuesday nights at 7:30 p.m. at the Petaluma Woman’s Club. Cost: The first two lessons are free, but after that it’s $5 per adult, $2.50 per child or $12.50 for the whole family. Information: visit www.adobesquares.com or contact John Ronald at 762-8515.

Whether you like dancing, want to meet new people or just want some exercise, Petaluma’s square dancing club is worth a try.

The Adobe Squares is a club made up of 30 members who meet once a week. People ages 16 to 80 dance to music ranging from traditional square dancing music to popular show tunes and country western hits.

“At one time we had people as young as 8 and as old as 90 out there dancing,” said Margaret Todt, a longtime Adobe Squares member. “Everyone is welcome to come and dance.”

The club will offer beginning classes starting March 25 on Tuesday nights at 7:30 p.m. at the Petaluma Women’s Club. The first two lessons are free, but after that it’s $5 per adult, $2.50 per child or $12.50 for the whole family.

People are more than welcome to check it out and get a taste for square dancing, but shouldn’t think they won’t take part.

“We don’t practice, we dance,” said Todt.

Todt and her husband, Mel, have been dancing with the Adobe Squares for 24 years. They danced together for a number of years before temporarily quitting when their children were young. They joined the club in 1983 so they could brush up on their dance skills and have a good time.

“We dance just for the fun of it,” said Todt. “We meet people who we wouldn’t meet otherwise. We dance with doctors, lawyers, kids, teenagers.”

Current club president John Ronald and his wife, Gail, have been dancing with the Adobe Squares since 1982.

“My wife and I dance because it’s something we can do together,” said Ronald. “It provides the chance to meet a great group of people.”

Besides meeting people and having a good time, square dancing is a great form of physical and mental exercise.

“It gets your mind going,” said Todt. “You have to react and listen to what the caller is telling you to do.”

The club advocates that square dancing is good exercise for children, teenagers, adults and retired folks.

“We are a group that accepts teenagers because they bring the energy level up and cut loose,” said Ronald. “It’s fun to watch the young folks out on the dance floor.”

And you don’t need a partner to join the club.

“We have several widows in the club,” said Todt. “Women just learn the man’s part so that everyone can enjoy.”

In addition to a weekly dance, there is a dance at least one Saturday night a month in Marin or Sonoma counties. The club will also make their way to the state festival in April.

“We are trying to get people to realize square dancing isn’t what it was 20 years ago,” said Ronald. “We encourage casual attire so that people aren’t afraid by traditional square dancing skirts and petticoats.”

Although several female members choose to wear traditional square dancing skirts and slips, there is no enforced dress code. Some women wear prairie skirts or pants and men wear long sleeves.

The Adobe Squares is a dry club: That means no alcohol before or during dances.

“There is no drinking and dancing,” said Todt. “The lack of alcohol makes this club good for people of all ages.”

The club was founded in Petaluma more than 36 years ago when two square dancing groups joined together. The Adobe Squares celebrated the club’s anniversary with an anniversary dance on Feb. 2 at the Petaluma Veterans Building. Twenty-two members enjoyed dancing to a live band. There might be more events like this in the near future.

For more information, visit www.adobesquares.com or call John Ronald at 762-8515.

(Contact Whitney Boggs at argus@arguscourier.com)