February 8th dance CANCELLED DUE TO SNOW:

With the robust snowstorm in the forecast, and mountainous roads between us and our chosen performers, we’ve decided to cancel our February 8th dance in Williamstown.  Boohoo.

However, next month is still on:  Luke Donforth calling to music by Spare Parts, March 8th.

Hope to see you on a dance floor soon!

CANCELLED:
Dance off any February glumness at a friendly contra dance.  North Berkshire Community Dance will hold its monthly contra dance on Saturday, February 8th.  Popular young caller Liz Nelson will teach every dance to live traditional fiddle music from The Vintons.

Contra dancing is the contemporary face of a living tradition; some of the dances are hundreds of years old, some are recently composed. 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.

Liz Nelson, the caller, will teach all the dances her 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.

The band, “The Vintons,” 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 (especially help with cleanup) is also welcome.  Visit www.NorthBerkshireDance.org for more information.

For optional extra fun, come to our pre-dance calling playgroup in the Williamstown Public Library, 2 – 3:30. Bring a dance you’d like to try calling with a collaborative group – 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.