LONDON - There'll be plenty of do-si-doing and allemande lefting going on in London in July as square dancers from around the world gather for Festival 2008, the bi-annual Canadian National Square and Round Dance Convention.
But there ends most of the similarity to the square dancing many remember from high-school phys-ed classes or watching TV shows like Hee Haw. Today, the activity is all about fun and friendship - and health, says Carol Down, publicity co-chair with husband Stan for the event, hosted by the Southwestern Ontario Square Dance Association.
It's practised aroung the world and the convention is reistering dancers from Australia, Belgium, England, France and Qatar plus 23 states and 10 Canadian provinces.
It takes place July 17-19 at London's Convention Centre, the adjacent Hilton Hotel and nearby YMCA. Information is posted on the convention website swosda.ca/2008 and there's a toll-free phone number for Canada and the U.S.: 866-206-6696.
