December 14th Dance — You Need Not be Mathematically Inclined

On Saturday, December 14th, we’re having another friendly contra dance (it’s just about habitual by now). Maggie McRae will call to music by three out of Four Musicians Walked Into Thirty Two Bars. What more would you like to know?

Where: the Community Hall of the First Congregational Church, 906 Main Street, Williamstown, MA
When: 7:30 – 10:30 PM
Who: You! (And a bunch of other lovely people who also feel like attending a low key social event with live music and dancing as an excuse to move a little while winter settles in)
How Much: please contribute what you can, $12 – $20 suggested.

Maggie McRae will call. Her fun and easy teaching style will help everyone relax and enjoy dancing.  

Music will be provided by three out of Four Musicians Walked into Thirty-Two Bars, a band of life-long musicans who enjoy playing traditional New England tunes, sometimes with their tongues in their cheeks. The three musicians are George Wilson and Rebecca Weiss on fiddle, with Becky Hollingsworth on piano.

For extra fun, we’re hosting a pre-dance calling workshop/practicum in the Williamstown Public Library, from 2 – 3:30. Bring a dance you’d like to workshop calling for in a friendly group setting – or come to see how it works, and help out as a biddable dancer on the floor.

Covid 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/

June 8th, Contra Dance in North Adams

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.