State Parks Square Dancing with Lou Maiuri

            If you have attended a traditional square dance in West Virginia, the odds are that you have seen Lou Maiuri in action. He welcomes beginners and experts to dance. He lines out the dance in simple terms.  He puts on “a little traveling music” and, wearing leather-soled shoes and holding a microphone in his hand, calls the dance simply and with passion.

            This summer West Virginia state parks have a full dance card with Maiuri inviting everyone to come dance. Ten state parks have Maiuri scheduled to teach square dancing and Applachian dance. Maiuri begins his dance schedule on July 4 at Holly River State Park and tours the Mountain State in July with additional appearances at Cass Scenic Railroads Harvest Festival in September and Twin Falls Lumberjackin’ Bluegrassin’ Jamboree in October. 

            Part of the special parks programs offered this summer, “Maiuri brings energy and great fun for our parks visitors and local residents” says Sissie Summers, state parks programming administrator. “Long before Dancing with the Stars debuted or Travolta and Swayze made dance popular again, Lou was dancing and introducing folks to Appalachian based dance. He has fun.  His obvious love of dance and people makes for a great evening at our parks.” Parks welcome guests as well as area residents, 4-H groups and dancers to attend. Dance evenings are scheduled at:

• July 4 – Holly River (Webster County) – 7:30 p.m.
• July 5 – Beech Fork (Cabell/Wayne Counties) – 7:30 p.m. – Activities Building
• July 11 – North Bend  (Ritchie County) – 7:30 p.m.– Amphitheater
• July 12 – Watoga (Pocahontas County) – 7:30 p.m.
• July 18 – Pipestem (Summers/Mercer Counties)– 7:30 p.m. – Amphitheater
• July 24 – Blackwater Falls (Tucker County) – 7:30 p.m.
• July 25 – Lost River (Hardy County) – 7:30 p.m.
• July 26 – Cacapon (Morgan County) – 7:30 p.m.
• September 27 – Cass RR (Pocahontas County) – 7:30 p.m. (Harvest Day event)
• October 11 – Twin Falls (Wyoming County) (Lumberjackin’ Bluegrassin’ Jamboree)

            Special summer programs at West Virginia’s state parks and forests are open to the public at no charge.  For more information about WV State Parks and Forests, you may go online at www.wvstateparks.com or call 800 CALL WVA and ask for the specific park or forest.

About Lou Maiuri

            Lou Maiuri (pronounced “my-YOUR-ee”) is a Summersville native who has been calling square dances professionally for more than 25 years, but dance has been a big part of his life of almost four score years. Recipient of the 2008 Vandalia Award, West Virginia’s highest folklife honor, Maiuri was recognized for his lifetime achievement in the performance, creation or perpetuation of West Virginia traditional arts.

            According to Maiuri, “About everything I do revolves around dancing. I don’t say it’s my whole life right now, but it practically is. Everything that I do, in one way or another, directly or indirectly involves dancing.”

            Maiuri is also an award-winning flatfoot dancer and continues to keep the old styles of mountain step dancing alive through teaching, performing and competing. He has produced an instructional DVD and video called “Let’s Flatfoot!” and has won the Florida State Clogging Championship in addition to other awards and competitions.