Our Dance Program

Open Houses

To allow people interested in our program to find out what square dancing is about, and decide if they wish to enroll in the SSD program (see below). Our next open houses will be held in September 2025 at the J. A. Dulude Arena (941 Clyde Ave), Ottawa.

These Open Houses are a lot of fun, with a mixture of completely new dancers and of experienced dancers (“angels”) that help guide the new ones.

Social Square Dancing (SSD)

We provide instruction in the SSD program for new dancers twice a year starting in September and again in January.

When and Where? Tuesday evenings from 7:00 pm to 9:00pm at J.A. Dulude Arena (941 Clyde Ave), Ottawa. The cost is $135 for each session, payable on the first night of regular SSD dancing. A session includes 13 weeks of consecutive teaching / dancing, all held on Tuesdays.

For those who have completed the SSD program, an extra half hour is offered Tuesday evenings (9:00-9:30pm) to practice your skills and have more fun! And some Mainstream level calls are sometimes included if the caller feels that the cohort can handle the extra challenge. Click here for registration form

Plus Teach

In September 2025, Meri Squares will offer a Plus Teach program as part of its regular Thursday dance night. If you are confident with your SSD moves, or have already taken a Mainstream program, then this is your chance to learn Plus. The program will begin September 11, 2025 and progress with new moves each week until all dancers are confident with the Plus program, probably February or March 2026. All Mainstream moves will be reviewed/taught as part of the Plus Teach program.

The Plus Teach program begins on Thursday, September 11 from 7:15 to 9:15 pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 470 Roosevelt Ave, Ottawa. The fee for the September to December session is $135. Dancers are encouraged to attend most evenings to stay current with the teaching.

Plus Dancing

When and Where? Meri Squares currently dances Plus on Thursday evenings from 7:15 pm to 9:15 pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church (470 Roosevelt Ave), Ottawa. Plus dances are for experienced dancers that are confident to dance at that level.

The cost of the Plus program is $135, payable on the first regular night. Click here for registration form.

Experienced dancers and visitors from other clubs are always welcome to drop in. The single evening fee is $12 per visit.

If you have questions, contact us. Our President, Lamar, can be reached at 613-221-9188 or by email (info@merisquares.ca ).