Dance Levels Explained
The figures (calls) in Square Dance aren't invented club by club – they're standardised worldwide into programs by CALLERLAB, the international callers' association. That means once you know the calls of a level, you can, in principle, dance along in any Square Dance club in the world.
| Program | Calls (approx.) | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | approx. 51 (cumulative) | The foundation – taught first in the beginner class. |
| Mainstream | approx. 68 (cumulative) | The foundation – this is where you learn the basics of Square Dance. |
| Plus | approx. 100 (cumulative) | The most popular club level worldwide, building on Mainstream. |
| A1 | approx. 145 (cumulative) | First Advanced level, with noticeably more speed and complexity. |
| A2 | approx. 180 (cumulative) | Second Advanced level, building on A1. |
| Challenge | C1 and above | The most demanding programs for experienced dancers – not part of our regular offering. |
All figures are approximate – the exact number of calls varies slightly depending on how you count.
What we dance
We dance Mainstream through A1 – plus an A1 club night with an A2 preview on the first Thursday of every month (registration required with Marion, +49 172 9152722 · WhatsApp). Visitors from other clubs will find one weekly club night with us where Mainstream, Plus and A1 are danced, plus an additional A1 club night with an A2 preview once a month.
What is changing about the dance programs in 2026?
CALLERLAB – the international callers' association that defines the square dance programs worldwide – approved the biggest program reform in decades on May 29, 2025. It takes effect on September 1, 2026:
- One single entry program: The previous entry paths Basic 1, Basic 2, Mainstream and Social Square Dancing (SSD) merge into one new, leaner Mainstream with at most 50 calls (previously around 68).
- Plus is being recut: Calls dropped from Mainstream move into the Plus program – it remains the second step after entry.
- Advanced (A1/A2) and Challenge remain unchanged.
What does that mean for you? For newcomers the path to the dance floor gets considerably shorter – beginner classes can start more often. If you already dance, there is nothing to relearn: the calls stay the same, only their assignment to the program lists changes. Our club nights continue unchanged with Mainstream, Plus and A1 – plus the A1 club night with an A2 preview on the first Thursday of the month.
Questions about the levels are also answered on our FAQ page. If you'd like to get started yourself, you'll find everything you need under Join Us. The official CALLERLAB program lists are available at callerlab.org, and information on the European umbrella association is at eaasdc.eu.