Chasing Tradition: Square Dancing in the Catskills

Kaatscast: the Catskills Podcast

The episode explores a long-standing tradition of square dancing at the Chase (now Sparer) family home and barn, in Ashokan.

Host Brett Barry and production intern Olivia Sippel put on their dancing shoes and joined the fun, recording tales of traditional Catskills square dancing, and the musicians who are passing it down to a new generation of enthusiasts.

Fiddler and caller Earl Pardini leads the festivities at this particular event, which goes back to the 1970s. The barn where it's held has all the warmth and joviality of a Charles Dickens scene, and we felt very much welcomed into a mostly friends-and-family affair.

Featuring conversations with the Chase and Sparer families, the episode highlights deep-rooted Catskills traditions and includes insights from folklorist Ginny Shear and square dance caller Dane Scudder, who learned to "call" from a legend.

The episode is sponsored by Ulster Savings Bank, the Mountain Eagle, and Briars & Brambles Books. And if you're interested in joining our new member-listener program, we'd love to welcome you!

00:00 The Thanksgiving Square Dance Tradition

00:31 A Warm Welcome to the Chase Family Barn

01:37 The Origins of the Square Dance Tradition

02:55 The Sparer Family Continues the Legacy

03:48 Generational Memories of Square Dancing

05:24 Earl Pardini: The Fiddler and Caller

08:19 The Cultural Significance of Square Dancing

09:43 Fostering Traditional Catskills Square Dancing

11:55 The Future of Square Dancing

15:06 Concluding Thoughts and Future Adventures

15:37 Support and Sponsors