Winter is a great time for contra dancing!

Posted on November 29, 2025 by doonemackay

Come cheer up, and warm up, at a community contra dance, on Saturday, December 13th, in Williamstown, MA. We’ll have live music in the New England tradition by George Wilson and Selma Kaplan, and calling by Luke Donforth.

This month, we will start with an introductory lesson at 7:15 PM. This is little earlier than the 7:30 start time you may be accustomed to. Please do come for the lesson if you can — Luke’s lesson is fun, engaging, and leads smoothly right into the evening’s dance program. It’s a perfect start for you or a friend who’s been hesitating to try something new — also a good refresher if you danced long ago and want to ease back into it — and a great way to help welcome newcomers to our community dance if you’re a regular.

Where: in the Community Hall of the First Congregational Church, 906 Main Street, Williamstown, MA
When: 7:15PM – 10:30PM, on Saturday, December 13th
Music by George Wilson on fiddle, with Selma Kaplan on keyboard

Calling by Luke Donforth, using Larks and Robins role terms
Cost: pay-what-you-can, donations of $12 – $20 recommended, but no one turned away for lack of funds
Respiratory Health Policy: Please stay home if you feel at all unwell, and we’ll be glad to see you next month. Masks are welcome, but not required. Windows open.

Music will be provided by George Wilson on fiddle with Selma Kaplan on keyboard. The two have been supporting contra dances with dynamic traditional music for well over thirty years. George’s fiddling, strongly influenced by Cape Breton and French Canadian styles, will lift your feet, and Selma’s piano will provide a solid and sensitive rhythmic foundation.

Additionally, this month, we’re having a playgroup from 10AM – 12PM, in the Williamstown Public Library. Anyone with an interest in learning to call, seeing what goes into calling, or just being a biddable dancer to help new callers learn, is very welcome.

As a community contra dance in a small college town, we try to be welcoming to a wide range of people and abilities. Contra dancing is a group activity, perfect for meeting neighbors, making new friends, or just enjoying live music and a low stakes, pleasant social activity. Come alone or with friends – no need to bring a partner. In contra dancing it is usual to find a new partner for each dance within the evening, and you’ll end up dancing with everyone in the hall, more or less. Newcomers, and families with children, please do come for the introductory lesson at 7:15.

We’d love it if you were to print and share the poster, to help new people find the dance!

The Contra Dance of January Eleventh, in Williamstown

Posted on January 5, 2025 by doonemackay

What’s more fun than the not very fun, possibly rather tedious, thing you could be doing Saturday, January 11th? I don’t know — but perhaps you’d prefer a contra dance! Luckily, Julian Blechner will be calling, George Wilson will be fiddling, Selma Kaplan will be playing the piano, and a whole bunch of rather fun people will be eager to dance with you from 7:30 – 10:30 PM, right here in Williamstown, MA. Newcomers always welcome.

Where: the Community Hall of the First Congregational Church, 906 Main Street, Williamstown, MA (the iconic white church, in the middle of town).
When: 7:30 – 10:30 PM
Who: You! (and a bunch of other lovely people who also feel like socializing and enjoying a little live music in mid-winter.)
How Much: please contribute what you can, $12 – $20 suggested.
Role Terms: Larks and Robins

Julian Blechner will call (teach) all the dances. Julian enjoys creating fun evenings with varied and engaging choreography for whatever the crowd is up for! He brings a cheerful, friendly attitude with clear, concise teaching and prompting.

Music will be provided by George Wilson, whose dynamic fiddling, strongly influenced by Cape Breton and French Canadian styles, has been popular with contra dancers and concert-goers since the late 1970s. George will be accompanied by Selma Kaplan on keyboard. Selma is an accomplished pianist, composer, and arranger, and one of the most requested dance musicians on the East Coast.

For optional extra fun, come to our pre-dance calling workshop/practicum in the Williamstown Public Library, from 2 – 3:30. Bring a dance you’d like to workshop in a friendly group setting – or simply help out as a biddable dancer on the floor.

Respiratory Illness Policy: Please stay home if you feel ill or have cold symptoms. We’ll be glad to see you next month! Masks appreciated but not required. Be aware that contradance isn’t made to social distance, as, 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.

Poster: Help more people find the dance, if you feel so inclined. Print and hang our flier! Available at https://northberkshiredance.org/poster/

Back to Williamstown – First Fall Dance September 28th

Posted on September 22, 2024 by doonemackay

North Berkshire Contra Dance returns to Williamstown on Saturday, September 28th, with a lively community contra dance taught by caller Jeff Walker, and energetic, New England-style fiddle music.

Contra dancing is the contemporary face of a living tradition; some of the dances are hundreds of years old, some are recently composed. Jeff’s hallmark clear instructions and infectious enthusiasm combine with the band’s high-energy music to create an unforgettable evening of dancing just right for the level of experience of the crowd. Everyone is welcome. New dancers and families with children are encouraged to arrive at 7:30 for an introductory lesson. Come with or without a partner; most people change partners for each dance throughout the evening.

Kathy and Jeff Walker have been playing New England-style dance music for over 40 years. Kathy plays fiddle and Jeff accompanies her on guitar and calls. Their repertoire spans the Celtic world drawing tunes from Ireland, Scotland, Galicia, French Canada, Cape Breton, and Appalachia, and includes many kinds of dance music from fast, energetic jigs and reels to slow, beautiful waltzes.

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. Jeff will use “gents and ladies” role terms. Visit www.NorthBerkshireDance.org for more information.

Covid Policy: Please stay home if you feel unwell (then come next month!) Masking is welcome, but not required. Be aware that contradance isn’t made to social distance, as whoever your partner, you’ll wind up dancing with everyone in the room. Bring a spare mask to change into, for comfort throughout the evening.

Poster: Help more people find the dance, if you feel so inclined. Print and hang our flier! Available at https://northberkshiredance.org/poster/

June 8th, Contra Dance in North Adams

Posted on May 31, 2024 by patdunlavey

Saturday, June 8th: come to a delightful community contra dance! North Berkshire Community Dance will hold its monthly contra dance with calling by Peter Stix, and live music provided by an open band, at All Saints Episcopal Church, 59 Summer St., in North Adams.

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.

Peter Stix will call all dances, starting the evening with easy dances friendly to newcomers and families with children. The caller teaches new moves and skills as needed, so that beginners can dance with everyone right from the start.

Music will be provided by an open band, led by George Wilson on fiddle and Becky Hollingsworth on keyboard. “Open band” means that anyone with an acoustic instrument is welcome to join. A list of likely tunes is available at https://northberkshiredance.org/tune-list/

Contra dancing is a living tradition in New England; for hundreds of years, neighbors and friends have made their own social entertainment in this highly collaborative dance form. Our summer 2024 series in North Adams will be even more participatory than currently common. In addition to the open band, we will have an introductory calling workshop for curious dancers. Please check out the details at www.NorthBerkshireDance.org

The dance will run 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. in the Community Hall of the All Saints Episcopal Church, 59 Summer St., North Adams. Admission is pay-as-you-can: $5 – $15, or barter equivalent, suggested.

North Adams Summer Season – Dancing and More!

Posted on May 20, 2024 by doonemackay

Announcing our 2024 summer season!

In June, July, and August, we (North Berkshire Community Dance) will be in North Adams (not Williamstown). The new location gives us the opportunity to try some things we’ve been wanting to do for a while.

But, first, what will stay the same? We are still hosting a community oriented contra dance, welcoming to new and experienced dancers alike, with live music and expert teaching, on the second Saturday of the month, from 7:30 – 10:30 PM.

So, what’s new?

Location: All Saints Episcopal Church, 59 Summer Street, North Adams MA. This is next-door to the post office, in the upstairs community room. (An elevator is available.) It’s a pleasant space, with windows that open, plenty of parking, and centrally located in very walkable North Adams.

If all you want to do is dance, that’s all you need to know. But there’s more!

Calling Workshops: we’re learning to call, and you’re welcome to learn also! From 3-5PM, preceding each dance, we’ll host an introduction to calling for curious dancers. Intended for moderately experienced dancers with no (or minimal) calling experience. The first calling workshop will be led by Peter Stix, who will focus on the mechanics of calling, which centers around timing, and fitting your verbal prompts to the music. Sign up in advance: email Dance@NorthBerkshireDance.com

Music: more opportunities to play! Yay! Rather than hiring in musicians, we’d like to develop, and further develop, local talent. Contra dance music is a very particular thing – the AABB form is well defined, and (relatively) easy to play adequately, which makes it accessible to musicians with skill in other genres. However, contra dance music also has immense room for specialization, improvisation, and collaboration. It’s particularly rewarding for musicians who like to feel appreciated: you can see and feel appreciation from the dance floor when you succeed. Try playing for our community dance, and feel the joy of connection for yourself!

The musical opportunities come in two flavors: an open band on June 8th, and mixer bands on July 13th and August 10th.

Open Band: all musicians with acoustic instruments are welcome to play in one big group, led by experienced musicians. A standard repertoire tune list will be available on our website in advance.
Mixer Bands: volunteer musicians, in small groups, will rotate throughout the evening. Suitable for musicians familiar with the genre and ready to play in smaller, self-organizing, groups. Bring your instrument, and your favorite tunes, and sign up at the dance. Eric Buddington will organize.

Questions? Please email NorthBerkshireDance.com, or ask on our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/northberkshiredance/

We hope to see you there! Come dance, play music, bring your friends! It will be lots of fun.

May 11th Contra Dance

Posted on May 2, 2024 by patdunlavey

Join us Saturday, May 11th, for a delightful community contra dance! North Berkshire Community Dance will hold its monthly contra dance with calling (teaching) by Quena Crain, and live traditional fiddle music by masters of the New England contra dance repertoire.

The dance will run from 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 to $20 suggested, and barter is also welcome. Covid protocol: masks are very welcome but not required.

Quena Crain, who calls all over New England (and far beyond), brings an infectious joy to the dance hall. Her fun calling, and easy teaching style, are beloved by all age groups, from elementary school, through college, and well past retirement. Quena is adept at leading dance events for people of any experience level. For this dance, Quena will use “larks and robins” role terms.

Mary Cay Brass has been a foundational performer and teacher in the traditional dance and music community for many years, supplying a vital pulse in many beloved dance bands, including “The Greenfield Dance Band” with David Kaynor, and “Airdance” with Rodney Miller. Laurie Indenbaum has been fiddling for dances in Vermont and surrounding states since 1976, with many fine callers and bands, including “Applejack” and “The Full Catastrophe.” Andy Davis has been a part of Nowell Sing We Clear, and on staff at Country Dance and Song Society summer camps for many years. He also plays accordion for a Morris dancing team and calls for contra dances. Each of the three has been playing for contra dances for over forty years, and frequently together. Their music will lift your feet, and bring all the dancers together into one happy dance.

March 9th Contra Dance – First Ever Appearance of “The Vintons”!

Posted on March 1, 2024 by doonemackay

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.

New Year’s Dance — New Dancers Wanted!

Posted on January 5, 2024 by doonemackay

New Year’s Dance — New Dancers Wanted! And old dancers and young dancers; expert and uncertain; enthusiastic and hesitantly willing to give it a try. All will be gladly welcomed to our first community contra dance of 2024, on Saturday, January 13th.

Dances will be taught by Paul Rosenberg, and live fiddle music will be led by Eric Buddington. 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. Masks will be required for this post-holiday dance.

Paul Rosenberg specializes helping newcomers discover the joys of dancing. He is one of the founders of the Dance Flurry in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and has called at festivals throughout the Northeast, but he says he was afraid of dancing until he found contra in his 30s. He will open the evening with simpler dances appropriate for novices and families with children, gradually building the dancers’ skill level and confidence while having fun. The calling will be gender-neutral.

Local musicians, Eric Buddington, Seamus Connor, and Jimmy Bergin enjoy tweaking the traditional jigs and reels with collaborative improvisations and forays into ragtime and other adjacent genres. Their music will be lively, cheerful, and, above all, a delight to dancers.

Health precautions: Masks required. For this first post-holiday dance in a season of rising respiratory illness, NBCD will require masks on the dance floor. (Performers may go unmasked while on stage.) Be aware that, whoever your partner, you’ll wind up dancing with everyone in the room. You may wish to bring spare masks to change into for comfort throughout the evening. Masks will be available at the door – $1 donation appreciated!