Hanger Squares Callers
Club Callers are Gary Belcik and Gary Sanders, see our calendar for updated information.
Gary started dancing in January 1995 with Strawberry Squares in Pasadena, Texas. He attended the Golden Triangle Caller College in May 1996 where Wayne Morvent was the instructor. He started calling for Hanger Squares June 2018 (alternating Saturdays with Gary Sanders). Gary brings a rock-n-roll flavor to square dancing, influenced by his guitar playing in a high school rock band. He also enjoys and calls to country music. As he puts it, “There is room in square dancing for all types of music.”. Gary has a wonderful wife, Julie who has put up with him for thirty-three years. They have two children: Matt, who graduated from Texas A&M in May 2007, and Michael, who is a student there now. Gary also calls for Strawberry Squares on Monday nights in Pasadena, Texas. Gary & Julie enjoy square dancing very much, mainly because of all the friendly people they have met. They hope to stay in this activity for many years to come.
Gary Sanders met Lyn Cooper at country and western dance lessons in 1988. They married in 1990 and were residents of Houston until they built a home and recently moved to Onalaska, Texas in 2018. In 1995 they were asked to attend square dance lessons at Strawberry Squares Club in Pasadena, Texas on Monday nights. They also took lessons at the Longhorns Square Dance Club on Wednesday nights. Gary was hooked after the first lesson. Lyn was skeptical at first, but finally came around. In 1997, Gary decided to become a caller, and attended the Golden Triangle Caller School given by Wayne Morvent. In 1998 & 1999 he attended the Texas Lone Star Callers College given by Jon Jones, Jerry Story, and Tony Oxendine. Gary started his calling career by calling for the Strawberry Squares and then branching out for hire to other clubs in Houston and other cities. He has also called many square dance exhibitions for schools, nursing homes, fairs, etc. Along the way Gary has served the square dance community in many capacities. He has served as a Trustee on the Texas State Callers Association. He also has been a trustee, treasurer, vice-president, and president of the Houston Callers Association. He has been Exhibition Coordinator, Square Dance Liaison, and Houston Caller Association Liaison for the Houston Square and Round Dance Council. He and Lyn have served as Secretary, and Presidents of the Strawberry Squares. Gary was the caller for Meadowbrook Mavericks Square Dance Club for seven years. In 2004 he helped start up the Alvin Country Squares Club and has been their club caller for 15 years. In 2005 he was voted HSRDC Caller of the Year. He also was recently voted into the Gulf Coast Callers Co-Op, and calls at the Fun-Sti-Toot Dance each year in New Braunfels, TX. Gary is now a staff caller at Fun Valley, Colorado, and calls a week in June. He was recently selected to join the Texas Po Boys square dance quartet. Gary is currently club caller for six clubs, the Hip To Be Square Club in Livingston, the Strawberry Squares, the Lake Jackson Promenaders, the Conroe Country Cousins, the Alvin Country Squares, and the Hanger Squares, Friendswood. Gary became club caller for Hanger Squares August 25, 2018 (alternating Saturdays with Gary Belcik).