January 10th, 2026 (another new year), will see a community contra dance in Williamstown, MA. Caller Liz Nelson will open the evening with an introductory lesson at 7:15PM. Music to delight the finest sensiblities will be provided by Spare Parts, and the dance will run 7:30 – 10:30PM.

Where: in the Community Hall of the First Congregational Church, 906 Main Street, Williamstown, MA
When: 7:15-10:30PM
Who: Liz Nelson calling to music by Spare Parts (Liz Stell, Bill Matthiesen, Eric Buddington), and dancing by you and a bunch of other lovely people
How much: $12-$20 suggested (to help cover costs), no one turned away for lack of funds.
Role Terms: Larks and Robins
Respiratory Health Policy: Masks always welcome. Please stay home if you have cold symptoms or otherwise feel unwell.
Why: it might cheer you up.

Our caller this month is Liz Nelson. She will teach all the dances in an inclusive and welcoming style, using gender-neutral phrasing. Liz believes that anyone and everyone can dance. Her goal is to help create evenings where music becomes movement and moving together becomes joy, just as natural as breathing.

Berkshire County band, “Spare Parts” will provide live dance music, performing the traditional fiddle tunes in rich and elegant arrangements.  Bill Matthiesen on piano and Liz Stell on flute combine with fiddler Eric Buddington for period events, contradances, English dances, weddings, parties, concerts, and dance camps from Alaska to Maine. Their historic dance music has been used worldwide in motion pictures (Bright Star) and theater productions as well as television programs including Mercy Street (PBS), Antiques Roadshow and numerous programs on the History Channel (even SpongeBob SquarePants!).