Community Square Dance

Community square dances are attended by young and old, couples and singles, and anyone interested in getting out, moving, listening to live music, and enjoying fellowship with others in the community.  Beginners are welcome, and all dances are taught.

We invite people of all backgrounds and ages to enjoy an oral tradition passed down for hundreds of years. The Hickory Music Factory’s “Old Time String Band” and a dance caller will lead you throughout the evening. We will primarily draw upon the traditional social dances of America.

Journey into the past and learn square dances, step dances, reels, and other dance forms practiced in Southern Appalachia. These distinctive folk dances are the culmination of the many heritages that settled in this region. Folk dancing today is built on the European, African American, and Native American traditions of our past, but they are very much alive in the present.

You can help bring them to life by attending this inter-generational dance. Children must be accompanied by an adult. All ages are welcome, and no experience is necessary.

If you play an instrument and want to experience performing old-time music, please contact Liam Bailey from the Hickory Music Factory at liam@liamthomasbailey.com.

Liam Bailey graduated from Berklee College of Music with a BA in Film Scoring and got his start writing for PBS, HBO, and ESPN. After that, he toured with country artists Rodney Atkins and Brett Eldredge and has performed for audiences at The Grand Ol Opry, Radio City Music Hall, and Times Square on New Year’s Eve. Liam is the lead fiddle player and band leader for the “Old Time Factory Band.”

He holds a BA in Music Education from Appalachian State University. Along with a career serving public schools as a K-5 music teacher, he teaches privately and is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist. Nate performs with various regional musicians and enjoys playing guitar for the community dances.