Resources for the Basic and Mainstream Program
History
The Basic Dance Program was established in 1969 with 50 calls, as a result of codifying the Modern Western Square Dance movement following the work done by the Sets in Order American Square Dance Society in 1969. It was expanded in 1971 by publishing the Extended Basic program with an additional 25 calls, which laid the ground work for what would become Mainstream.
Starting in the late 1970’s, the Mainstream Definitions Committee undertook to define each of the calls in the Basic and Mainstream programs. Their work took several years and 13 drafts, and resulted in a set of definitions published by CALLERLAB that has received worldwide use and acceptance.
Two other committees, the Timing Committee and the Styling Committee, developed standards and guidelines for their aspects of Basic and Mainstream dancing. Once the definitions, styling, and timing were complete, the results were combined and published as the “CALLERLAB Basic & Mainstream Definitions”. The Basic Dance Program list now includes the first 51 calls, and the Mainstream Dance Program list contain the 17 calls that follow Basic.
In 1994 these definitions were made available on the Internet, which further encouraged dissemination, standardization, and discussion. By 1995 it became clear that the current definitions were not of sufficient detail and precision to decide some of the finer points of modern calling. In some cases, the definitions were confusing, poorly worded, or ambiguous. Using the existing definitions as a starting point, and considering numerous comments, suggestions, and complaints, a complete rewrite was undertaken starting in 1999. The revision of definitions continued, and in 2016, in conjunction with the Definitions Committee, the Mainstream Committee began moving this process forward at an increased pace.
In addition, in 2016, the Mainstream Committee voted to divide the Basic and Mainstream lists and number them separately. This was followed by a vote in 2017 to publish the two lists separately. This document contains the definitions for the Basic Dance Program calls. Please refer to the Mainstream Dance Program Definitions for information on those calls.
From the earliest days of codifying square dance calls and lists, the Basic and Mainstream Programs have had a shared evolution and developmental history. Because of this shared history and interrelationship both programs are overseen by the Mainstream Committee.
Abbreviated Definitions Basic/Mainstream
Basic / Mainstream, Lists
May 30, 2013 0 59 downloads
Abbreviated Definitions Basic/Mainstream
Abbreviated Definitions Translated to Japanese
Basic / Mainstream, Translations
January 29, 2014 0 25 downloads
Abbreviated Definitions Translated to Japanese
Basic and Mainstream Checklists
Basic / Mainstream
March 13, 2017 449.95 KB 24 downloads
Basic and Mainstream Timing Charts
Basic / Mainstream
August 26, 2016 153.40 KB 15 downloads
Basic List
Basic / Mainstream, Lists
September 1, 2018 0 56 downloads
Basic Part 1 Definitions (German translation)
Basic / Mainstream, Translations
June 20, 2020 0 23 downloads
BMS Definitions, Basic Part 1 translated in German. 2-14-2017
Basic Program Definitions
Basic / Mainstream, Lists
February 22, 2020 0 73 downloads
As revised February 2, 2020 Update copyright; add change log to the table of contents
Basic Program Definitions (Japanese Translated) 20-02-22
Basic / Mainstream, Translations
February 22, 2020 0 20 downloads
Revised 20-02-22 Update copyright; add change log to the table of contents
Basic Standard Applications
Basic / Mainstream, Lists
May 1, 2020 0 29 downloads
Basic Standard Applications updated May 2020
Basic/Mainstream Definitions (Danish Translation) (Version 2.01)(January 2010)
Basic / Mainstream, Translations
January 6, 2010 0 22 downloads
Basic/Mainstream Definitions (Danish Translation) (Version 2.01)(January 2010)
Basic/Mainstream Teaching Tips (Japanese) (October 12, 2009)
Basic / Mainstream, Teaching Tips, Translations
October 12, 2009 0 18 downloads
Basic/Mainstream Teaching Tips (Japanese) (October 12, 2009)
Basic/Mainstream Teaching Tips (June 21, 2010)
Basic / Mainstream, Teaching, Teaching Tips
June 21, 2010 0 30 downloads
Basic/Mainstream Teaching Tips (June 21, 2010)
BMS Definitions Callerlab German 2017 02 Part 1 Final
Basic / Mainstream, Translations
September 7, 2020 0 17 downloads
Definition Guide For Basic/Mainstream (February 7, 2011) (Posted 02/07/2011)
Basic / Mainstream, Lists
February 7, 2011 0 42 downloads
Definition Guide For Basic/Mainstream (February 7, 2011) (Posted 02/07/2011)
Definition Guide for Basic/Mainstreeam (Japanese Translation) (February 7, 2011)
Basic / Mainstream, Translations
February 7, 2011 0 14 downloads
Definition Guide for Basic/Mainstreeam (Japanese Translation) (February 7, 2011)
Mainstream Dance Program Definitions (Japanese Translated) (20-02-22)
Basic / Mainstream, Translations
February 22, 2020 0 15 downloads
Updated copyright; Added change log to table of contents; fixed minor typos in Spin Chain Thru
Mainstream Dance Program Standard Applications
Basic / Mainstream, Lists
May 1, 2020 0 26 downloads
Mainstream Standard Application Document May 2020
Mainstream Program Definitions
Basic / Mainstream, Teaching
February 22, 2020 0 41 downloads
Mainstream Program Definitions 20-02-22. Updated copyright; Added change log to table of contents; fixed minor typos in Spin Chain Thru
Mainstream Program List
Basic / Mainstream, Lists
March 2, 2020 0 43 downloads
Edited on March 5 for formatting improvements
Program-Related Subjects for New Mainstream Dancers
Basic / Mainstream, Lists
December 1, 2007 0 19 downloads
Square Dance Mainstream Lessons System Report Form(Inputs)
Basic / Mainstream
September 20, 2020 0 20 downloads
Standard Mainstream Applications
Basic / Mainstream, Lists
May 1, 2020 0 24 downloads
Teaching Order Design Principles
Basic / Mainstream, Teaching, Teaching Tips
December 6, 2007 0 25 downloads
Teaching Order Design Principles - Japanese Translation
Basic / Mainstream, Teaching Tips, Translations
December 6, 2007 0 12 downloads