Sheldon Lawrence
Wichita, Kansas
Accompanying his grandparents at an early age, Sheldon danced the old time square dancing around the area of Eureka, in the 1950s. After three years of dancing with the “Old Time” squares called by John Carr, Sheldon took square dance lessons in 1968 with the Centennial Square Dance Club, Wichita. Don Echols, the club caller, was the instructor. Joining the club upon graduation, he served as the club’s Publicity Chairman and was on the Social Committee prior to being elected to two terms as President. Sheldon has been club caller for the Kuntree Kickers, Kuntree Kin, Wichita Solos, Trailing Squares, Moose Lodge #128 Club, F-Troop, all of Wichita, Flint Hill Twirlers, Eureka, Four Corners, Towanda, Chelsea Swingin’ Squares, El Dorado, Crazy-8’s, Cheney. Sheldon is currently a member and club caller of the WestSide Steppers, Wichita.
Learning to call in 1970, Sheldon formed a youth club, The Kuntree Kickers (ages 10-18 years) in 1972. He was their club caller and instructor for 5 years. Having classes of 150-180 youth, Sheldon was able to have 10-14 squares of youth dancing. Sheldon has accumulated approximately 64 years as a club caller for clubs in the Wichita and surrounding area.
After observing youth clog dancing at the 1975 National in Kansas City, Sheldon returned to Wichita and learned to clog. He proceeded to teach his daughter and other youth square dancers to clog. The Air Cap Tappers was formed with Sheldon as their instructor in 1976. They went to their first National in Atlantic City in 1977. The Air Cap Tappers continued to perform for the next 8 years at Nationals, State Conventions in Kansas, Colorado, and Arkansas, and the Wichita’s Spring and Fall Festivals. They were known as representatives of the State of Kansas, the Sunflower State of the Nation, and for the City of Wichita as the Air Capital of the World.
After Kansas was awarded the honor of hosting the 2008 57th National in 2004, David and Sherry Hubbard, Chairman, asked Sheldon if he could bring back the Air Cap Tappers to perform for the Pre-Convention and the Convention. Persuading 24 former Air Cap Tappers (now in their 40s) to come out of retirement, they practiced, choreographed, and did exhibitions and fundraisers all over Kansas advertising the National and helping with expenses for outfits. The Air Cap Tappers and Sheldon represented the State of Kansas and the City of Wichita with pride and excellence both before and during the 57th National. They continued to perform until again retiring in 2013. The Air Cap Tappers are Sheldon’s greatest pride of accomplishment.
Currently, Sheldon is a member of CALLERLAB (27 years), Kansas Square Dance Callers Association (44 years), Wichita Area Square Dance Callers Association (23 years) and Kansas State Square Dance Association (28 years). Sheldon has served WASDCA as Secretary-Treasurer twice and President several times. He has been Program Director and Caller Coordinator for the Kansas Square Dance Convention. For the last nine Conventions, Sheldon and Cindy have been the Camper Host for the Convention. With Gary and Cindy Titus, they co-host the Outback Party (a potluck dinner and dance) at the campground on Thursday night prior to the Convention. This year will be their 11th Annual Party.
When Kansas announced their intention to bid to host the 57th NSDC in 2008, Sheldon volunteered to serve on the Sunflower Board as Ceremonies Coordinator. He also was the Assistant Chairman of Exhibitions. Sheldon has attended and called at the Kansas State Square Dance Convention since 1971 and at 20 Nationals.
Sheldon has taught 1,000’s of students to square dance Mainstream and Plus. He has instructed Country Western Couple Dancing, Line Dancing, Appalachian Mountain Big Circle Dance, and Round Dancing. In 1975, he introduced clogging in Kansas. Sheldon has been the featured instructor for clogging clinics at the Detroit National, and State Conventions in Colorado, Arkansas, and Kansas. In 1995, Sheldon and Bob Tucker, a Wichita caller, learned a wide range of Gospel music and produced a Gospel Square Dance. Over a 12-year span they have called at least 72 Gospel Dances, all over the State of Kansas. Creating an upbeat and fun dance at any level, Sheldon works daily to promote square dancing.