Come in from the March mud for a friendly contra dance!   North Berkshire Community Dance will hold its monthly contra dance on Saturday, March 9th.  Cheerful young caller Maggie McRae will teach every dance to live fiddle music in the best New England tradition.

Contra dancing is a living tradition in New England; for hundreds of years, neighbors and friends have made their own social entertainment in this easy and highly collaborative dance form.  All are welcome.  Come alone, or with friends — most people change partners for each dance throughout the evening. New dancers and families with children are encouraged to arrive by 7:30 for instruction in the basics.

Maggie McRae, the caller, will teach all the dances with her usual sense of fun and enthusiasm, using gender-neutral phrasing.

The band, “TheVintons,” is a new collaboration of three long-time musician friends with a love for the classic New England contradance sound: George Wilson – fiddle, Andy Davis – accordion & piano, and Marko Packard – guitar & flute. With many decades of musical experience of all kinds between them, from George with Fennig’s All-Star String Band & teaching at dance camps, Andy with Nowell Sing We Clear & years of dance calling, and Marko with Airdance & Elixir, these three weave new musical fabric from the traditional tunes that they love.

The dance will run 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. in the Community Hall of the First Congregational Church, 906 Main St., Williamstown. Admission is pay-as-you-can:  $12 – $20 suggested, and barter is also welcome. 

Covid Policy: NBCD encourages masks, but no longer requires them. Be aware that, whoever your partner, you’ll wind up dancing with everyone in the room. You may wish to bring a spare mask to change into for comfort throughout the evening.