Steve Minkin’s first novel was published in 1979 and won praise from Library Journal (“tough, romantic, and dramatically clever, by a writer worth watching”), Publisher’s Weekly (“a talented writer”), and other reviewers. Shortly after that, he was introduced to square dancing, which so captivated him that he threw himself into the dance and learned to call square dances. He has spent the last thirty years as a full-time, professional square dance caller. Now Minkin brings his experience of having called more than 10,000 square dances to his new novel. Set in California, 1870, Showdown At The Hoedown tells the story of a large square dance, celebrating the arrival of a wagon train from back East. The book is a romance, a mystery, a lively collection of stories and humor about many kinds of music and dance, and an imaginative fiction. But, at its heart it is a song of praise for the dance that spun “connective fibers that stitched the individuals into the warp and woof of society . . . fleshed-out demonstrations that an individual belonged there, that the world of people around them included them, held their hands, danced with them.”
Editorial Reviews
Review
Showdown at the Hoedown by Steve Minkin is a real pleasure to read and sense. I enjoyed its interweaving East and West, NY and California, immigrants’ African juba and Irish jig, “weaving the fabric of community life.” (p. 15). It interweaves schemes and plans, as assorted individuals are interwoven in the square dance, a great analogy for our American emergence. Michael Zucaro, poet, instructor CUNY
A most enjoyable read . . . a book that I will treasure. All square dancers will enjoy the description of the hoedown. The presentation of the dances were delightful, and I liked the way the author incorporated their histories into the narration. The references to the music of that era — the American folk songs, Stephen Foster — had me singing as I was reading. And I laughed out loud at the ending!
Ellie Robinson, dancer, Singles and Pairs
Dazzling trails and rolls and acrobatics and pivots and flourishes from Steve Minkin . . . lots and lots of wonderful characters, my favorite is Uncle Julius who plays everything from harmonica to tuba. . . I found it totally enchanting.
David L. Fisher, poet, winner of the William Carlos Williams Award
Steve Minkin’s extensive knowledge of music and dance history make this book fun to read. Full of amazing musical and square dancing facts and stories.
Nancy Moorhead, dancer, Redwood Rainbows
Steve Minkin has woven a tantalizing story of romance and mystery leading up to a square dance in the 1870s with a very surprising ending. A must read for those who share the wonderful life of square dancing. Richard Grissom, dancer, Buzzin’ Boots An evocative intersection of music and dance. Walter Rapaport, rock band road manager, retired
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