Ticket feature: Square dance group holding district dance

Portales’ square dancing group, the Portales Starlight Swingers, is hosting this quarter’s district dance.

The dance includes square dancing groups from Clovis, Artesia, Hobbs, Roswell, Portales, Carlsbad and Ruidoso.

Karl Cox Jr. works as a caller for the Portales Starlight Swingers. He said district dances are meant for fun.

“We get together to enjoy each others friendship,” Cox said. “We’ve all known each other for along time. We laugh, we joke. We talk about fishing, going to the casino, our grandkids. We just visit.”

Cox, a caller since 1971, said he enjoys district dances to hear other callers.

“It’s interesting to listen to the way they put some of the words together or moves together,” he said.

Cox said he prefers calling to dancing.

“Most callers don’t dance much ‘cause we’re calling all the time. We’re the sorriest of dancers,” he said.

His wife, Angela, said anyone is welcome at the group’s weekly dance.

“We give lessons all the time. Anyone who walks in the door can do it. Anyone who wants to do it can,” she said.

Fast Facts

What: District square dance

When: 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. workshop, 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m. dance

Where: Portales Senior Center

Clovis’ Circle Eights Square Dance

7 p.m., 1st and 3rd Saturday, Baxter-Curren Senior Center

Portales Starlight Swingers

6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Memorial Building for one more week, then the meetings will move to the Portales Senior Center