Northern Twisters

They met in the early seventies at a dance in Hixon.
Wayne and Evelyn Scott, a caller/cuer couple of the Starwheelers encouraged Larry to begin calling and teaching youth dancers in 1971 at St. Andrew's church hall.

Larry and Shelley left the square dance scene to become married, further Shelley's education and raise a family.

In 1996 they dropped in to the Northern Twisters New Dancer class just after New Years and quickly caught up.  Larry called a Goofers tip in the Spring of 1996.  Gys Koops and Verne Thompson let Larry have some mike time.  With their encouragement and borrowed equipment, Larry began calling again.

Larry and Shelley like working with young dancers.  They have taught tweens and teens in the Rec room of their home for several years now.
Larry has also taught High School Dance programs at Blackburn and DP Todd Secondary.  As well, Larry is currently calling and teaching a newly formed club in Vanderhoof.


What are Larry & Shelley Mann doing?

     Most of the Teen Twisters are now young adults busy going to university or finding their ways in adulthood.  So we went out and recruited younger dancers, grades four to seven, from the local rural elementary schools.  Some of their parents also participate which makes it a wonderful experience for everyone.  Some dancers come all the way from the Hart Highway to join us each week.  We dance every Sunday in the rec room of our home. Although we got to a late November start we readily completed the mainstream program by the end of April.

On March 20th many of these new dancers brought their mom, dads, aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins out to a Northern Twisters Monday night dance.  Larry called the evening using Basic Level Calls and everyone had a good time.

Many thanks to the Northern Twister Ladies who generously gave square dance clothes to the girls.  These dancers really like to dress up and sincerely appreciate the crinolines and variety of outfits provided.

Sandy Jesperson of Vanderhoof, a  former Chilliwack teen dancer from many years ago approached Larry to teach new dancers in Vanderhoof.  We started off with two squares this Spring.  We dance Thursday evenings from 7 to 9 pm. at the United Church Hall in Vanderhoof.  The dancers range in age from pre-teens to retirees.  We are keeping things simple and keeping the floor open to new dancers every night.  This is an enthusiastic group with the plan of becoming a club in the Fall.

I joined square dancing with my wife Lynn in the fall of 1982. In 1984-1986 I became President of the Northern Twisters Square Dance Club.

I was asked by Indonesia-Canada-Youth Exchange program if I would teach square dancing to them. I took up the challenge and enjoyed it. The following year I called for a Community recreation group at Haldi Road School on Friday evenings. I called a tip every so often for the club. To help out some of the new dancers who were having a little difficulty with their basics, we would get together and go over some the moves which helped them and me with the extra practice. This was the 1986-1989 season.

In 1987-1990 I once again became the Northern Twisters Club President for two years. I decided to take up calling seriously so with the help of Ed England became the club’s Assistant Caller; still continuing with the extra night of practice with the new dancers at home. From 1988-1990 I was assisting Ed England with the New Dancers.

I became the Club’s caller for New Dancers in 1990-1991 season and continue to do so.

I have been Northern Twisters Caller for New Dancers for the past 17 years and have taught 238 dancers on the program. Lynn and I also do Plus and A dancing.

I have called at Quesnel, Hixon, Williams Lake, Green Lake, and Lac La Hache; Kamloops, Chuckwagon 8’s for their dances with a panel of callers. I also called at Burns Lake blue grass Festival opening act for Carroll Baker in 1991.

I attended Caller school with Jim Mayo in 1991 and Martin Mallard in June of 1998.

From 1991- 1998 I organized dancers for C. K. P. G. Shriners telethons and called Demo dances at senior homes in town. I was President of Cariboo Caller and Cuer Association in 1995-1999. I still belong to the Cariboo Caller Association.

From 1992-1996 I was Region 5 representative for B. C. Square and Round Federation.

For the past few years I call a tip every now and again for the club in Vanderhoof. In the summer you will find Lynn and me on Canada Day at South Fort George Park with our dancers putting on a demonstration for the crowd. We also attend Hubble farm calling and put on a demonstration with our dancers.

In 1995 Lynn and I were General Chairpersons for B. C. Festival 1995 in Prince George. In 1996 I received Recreation Award of Merit for outstanding service to the City of Prince George for contributing significantly to the Development of Recreation in the Community.

In 2003 -2004; I once again become Club President of Northern Twisters.

In 2004-2005 our club caller moved and I became Northern Twister Mainstream Caller along with Larry Mann. I enjoy calling for both levels of dance, MS and New Dancer.