The music is live, and the dancing is as simple or as inventive as you want it to be. It’s as casual as dancing barefoot in the kitchen.

A dancer dips with a flourish. Photo by Sam Whited, used here under Creative Commons license with thanks.

A circle of dancers relax together in a dance at the New England Folk Festival. Photo by Jeffrey Barry, used here under Creative Commons license with thanks.

A pair smile on the dance floor. Photo by Sam Whited, used here under Creative Commons license with thanks.

A fiddler plays live music at a contra dance. Photo by Sam Whited, used here under Creative Commons license with thanks.

A couple stands in waltz position on the dance floor. Photo by Sam Whited, used here under Creative Commons license with thanks.

Have you ever held someone’s hands and spun — faster — faster — until you fell into the grass, laughing? Contra and square dance can feel like that. You don’t need a partner or experience, though you’re welcome to bring both. Come on out and join us.

We’ve had a local dance scene here for generations … square dancing at summer fairs, polka at the PNA, contra dances in college halls and students playing music in their dorms on warm nights. We’ve had local bands on the green and monthly contra dances in North Adams and Bennington, Vt. And we’re bringing them back.