Modern Square Dance Club

Square dancing is more than just steps—it is a team effort where eight people move as one to fast-paced music. We blend classic moves with contemporary songs, creating an upbeat environment where fitness meets fun. Every class and dance night is an opportunity to learn something new and connect with friendly dancers.

No partner or prior experience is required to get started! Our dedicated callers reduce every movement into easy, manageable steps. From basic square dance calls to advanced choreography, we offer a supportive atmosphere where everyone can learn at their own pace and experience the joy of dancing together.

Behind Boots & Bows is a passionate team of callers, instructors, and volunteers dedicated to sharing the excitement of square dance. We work together to ensure every event is safe, energetic, and memorable.

Head Caller

Club President

Webmaster

Club Officers

President: Barbara Graham
Vice President: Doug Purinton
Secretary: Laural Purinton
Treasurer: Connie Carroll / Barbara Pasterino
A-Square-D Delegate: Marty Heger
Newsletter: John & Barbara Taylor / Anne Foy
Publicity: Alesia Giampaoli / Doug Purinton
Where's the Dance updates: Phil Alfandary
Communications: Doug Puriton
Contracts: Doug Purinton / Anne Foy
Facilities: John McCabe / Rob Martin
Supplies: Vera Hutton & Larry Olson
Refreshments Coordinator: Bonnie Swanson
Special Services: Craig Foy
Class Coordinator: Doug Purinton
Class Cashier: Connie Carroll
Class Setup: Connie Carroll / John McCabe / Rob Martin
Sunshine: Linda Braden
Webmaster: Bob Giampaoli

Boots and Bows Today

After 70+ years, Boots and Bows still is a vibrant club offering regular festive themed dances. Our dances feature a variety of experienced, accomplished square dance callers and round dance cuers. In addition to our regularly scheduled dances, we go to dances at other square dance clubs in the area including the Ribbons and Souls in Culver City, the Guys and Dolls in Los Angeles, and the Boysenberries in Long Beach. We offer classes and workshops to learn square dancing throughout the year.

History of the Boots and Bows

Boots & Bows - The First 20 Years

The Boots and Bows Square Dance Club had its beginning as an adult education class on October 15, 1955, sponsored by the William Anderson School P.T A. of Lawndale and instructed by Leo Lambert. Five squares of dancers graduated on March 17, 1956, to become charter members of the newly formed club known as the Boots and Bows of Lawndale. Ten squares were in attendance to see the club presented with their Associated Square Dance (ASD) Charter #340 by Blackie Blackman the Fourth District Director of ASD. which was the largest of the six ASD districts.

Several squares of the beginner’s class attended the annual March of Dimes Dance after only ten weeks of instruction and had a ball joining other dancers. After graduation the club was active visiting many local clubs and enjoying its own dances. Several club members attended the National Convention held in San Diego in June of 1956 - an event which further bound their close friendships.

The Boots & Bows started a new class in early 1957 and seven squares of beginners enjoyed instruction from Gerald Reeser and Pappy Benedict. Many members of the club assisted with the classes. Our Co-Presidents, Les and Betty Porges, attended every class and were a great help to the new dancers.

Twenty squares enjoyed a lively evening of dancing to the calling of Bob Van Antwerp at our first Anniversary Dance held on March 30 at the Will Rogers wing of the William Anderson School. Three squares of our beginners dropped in about 10:30 to see what type of dancing they would eventually be doing. An after party was arranged for the one-year-old club and the Gardena Barn was the scene of dancing from midnight to three. Ralph Hill set up his speakers and acted as MC and caller along with Larry Ward and Merle Olds who dropped in to call a tip. Twelve squares made the after party another memorable night.

Six squares of beginners received their diplomas on June 6 to become welcome members of Boots and Bows. Soon after graduation we enjoyed a Pot Luck at North American Recreation Field with 150 people in attendance.

In 1958, the Boots & Bows secured Vera Baerg (the Deborah Carrol Jones of her time) as a club caller for the first dance each month and then brought in guest callers for the second dance each month. In addition, there were frequent visitations to other club’s dances. The popularity of the club flourished and the next 4 Anniversary dances were held at Sportsman’s Park (now Jessie Owens Park). Vera plus 2 or 3 additional big-name callers drew 90 - 100 squares of dancers to these dances. Most of the Anniversary dances after that returned to Will Rogers with more modest attendances between 20 - 35 squares. Vera continued as club caller until her retirement after the 20th Anniversary dance in 1976.

Boots & Bows - The Second 20 Years

The Boots & Bows continued holding 2 club dances a month during their second 20 years. Dance venues changed several times moving first to the Alondra Park Methodist Church, then to the Gardena Barn, Kelly’s Dance Center, Victor School on Spencer Street, and finally the Sam Levy School. Club dances were moved to Fridays when they moved to Kelly’s Dance Center. Phil Farmer started as club caller for the first dance each month in 1979 and continued in that role for the next 10 years when the club started having guest callers for both dances each month. Phil called the majority of the club’s Anniversary dances between 1977 and 1996 with attendances ranging between 14 - 31 squares. Other familiar names for our Anniversary dances included Jim Wright, Dave Donaldson and Dave Rensberger.

Most years the many visitations to other club dances included a mystery bus trip where everyone on the bus except the organizer had no idea where they were going. In addition, the Boots & Bows held several outings to the Silver Pines lodge in Idyllwild and many camping square dance trips. These camping trips stopped in 1992 when the club campers started taking camping trips with the Camping Squares square dance club. Club members also actively supported A-Square D events including the Sweetheart Ball, the President’s Ball and especially the Jamboree in Oxnard held on Labor Day weekends where they hosted and participated in the fashion show.

In 1984 Margaret Wilson was hired to teach round dancing and shortly thereafter round dancing was included at club dances. In 1988 the late Bob Malthouse started as club cuer for the first dance each month.

Ten couples attended the National Convention in Salt Lake City in June 1991. Glen and Rosemary Walters became club historians in October 1991 and from that time on the history books were filled with photos of club events. Shortly after Glen Walters passed away in 1995, Ruth Green became historian.

Club members celebrated the wedding of Ernie and Zena Beaulieu who were married in September 1993.

in 1994 the Boots & Bows received an award for having the best attended dances in the 8th district of ASD. That October Lisa Flackstein was elected as out first club female President.

Starting in 1996 an entire history scrapbook was used to collect each year’s club events and much more history detail became available. Events mentioned included the Torrance Sister City Dance and the annual summer picnic. The club was still going strong in 1996 when the 40th Anniversary dance was held at the Sam Levy School with Phil Farmer calling and Jerry Miller cueing.

Boots & Bows - The Third 20 Years

The Boots & Bows continued holding their 1st and 3rd Friday dances from 1997 through 2006 but moved from the Sam Levy School to the Torrance Masonic Center in October 1998. Noteworthy events in 1997 & 1998 were Lois & Keith Jones’s 50th Anniversary, the Torrance Sister City Dance, the bus trip to Oxnard to celebrate the A-Square-D 50th Anniversary Jamboree, mystery bus trips with the Activ8ers and Kings Squares, and the Holiday Party at Chevron Park in El Segundo. The Torrance Sister City Dance has become an annual recurring event that we look forward to every August.

The Boots & Bows and Activ8ers started a joint class at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in May 1999 with Jim Wright as our caller teacher. This is when Doug and Laural Purinton began their square dance journey and have been very active board members ever since. 2001 was a busy year for the Boots & Bows. Many club members attended and worked at the 50th National Convention in Anaheim which was awe inspiring and provided motivation to attend subsequent conventions in other cities. In addition to our continuing support for the ASD Sweetheart Ball and Oxnard Jamboree, we along with other square dance clubs danced on the stadium terrace during an Angel game to promote square dancing.

In September 2001 the Boots & Bows kicked off their own new dancer program at the First Christian Church in Torrance with Dave Donaldson as our caller/teacher. Dave taught our classes until 2015 when Glen Nichols took over. By that time our classes were being held at the Torrance Woman’s Club. Dave also called our square dance demonstration at the Torrance Memorial Festival of Trees which became an annual holiday event. In November 2001 square dancers from the Boots and Bows and other clubs journeyed to Branson, MO, on the first of three excursions arranged by Barbara Herold.

Notable callers for our Friday night Anniversary Dances between 1997 and 2006 were Mike Seastrom, Deborah Carol Jones, Buddy Weaver, Dave Rensberger and John Reitmajer. In 2007 we switched to a single club dance on the second Saturday of each month and continued to dance at the Torrance Masonic Center through April 2010 and celebrated our Anniversary Dance called by Don Schadt. We then held our club dances at the PV Baptist Church until March 2013 when we switched to the 3rd Saturday and moved to the Riviera United Methodist Church which had been vacated by the Activ8ers. Jerry and Darlene Miller retired in 2013 and Zena Beaulieu became our club cuer. In 2013 the Boots & Bows had an outing at the Old Town Music hall in El Segundo and a bus trip to Julian at apple picking time. Buddy Weaver called our 2014 and 2015 Anniversary dances and Mike Seastrom called our 60th Anniversary Oscar Night dance in February 2016. Many dancers donned outfits with a Hollywood movie flair and everyone enjoyed good food and great calling.

Dance Schedule

Boots and Bows

375 Palos Verdes Blvd
Redondo Beach, CA

Contact

Thursday Classes: 7:00 - 9:30 PM
3rd Saturday Dances: 7:00 - 10:00 PM