Mark Savage

Mark started square dancing at the age of 12 and went through square dance class and round dance class with his sister Susan. It was Cecil Smith and John Essex who sparked his interest in calling and then with the sponsorship and encouragement from John Essex, Mark and Susan attended a caller’s school in Troy, New Hampshire, U.S.A.

Mark started his calling career in 1974. Mark, along with his brother Wade took over a group of teens named the “Teen Troopers” from caller Cecil Smith that danced on Thursday evenings at Woodlawn United Church Hall. Mark continued with this group until 1985. He also called for an adult club in Sackville, The Sackville Downers where he formed many friendships, some of which remain today. He then started calling for the Starduster club in Dartmouth until 1987. A club decision forced him to make a decision and Mark, Wade, Bruce, Kerry Fletcher along with a square of loyal followers formed the Fun Squares Club.

They danced at Creighton Ave Community Center for approximately 3 years when they moved to the Findley Community Center. After a few years the club moved to the Cole Harbour Activity Center. Kerry Fletcher stopped calling for the club in 1996 and Wade currently only calls for the club occasionally. In the beginning, the club was small but has grown to become a close-knit group of friends who all enjoy the “fun” and “friendship” of each Saturday night. The Club currently dances at St. Luke’s Church Hall on Veterans Ave in Dartmouth on Saturday evenings where dancers enjoy mainstream dancing along with a “Plus for all” workshop.

Mark also calls for the Ocean Waves Plus group on Tuesday evenings. They have both class and club.

Throughout his calling career, Mark has always insisted that FUN be the one basic that is necessary to maintain a successful club. His goal at each and every dance is to ensure that dancers leave with a sense of accomplishment as well as feeling that they have enjoyed a great evening of fun.

Mark is employed at the QEII Hospital in Halifax and is currently living in Dartmouth with his wife, Jackie and his two children, Rebecca, age 8 and Nicholas, age 2.