Contra Dance

The full evening of contra you've all been waiting for! We will have a beginner's workshop open to all and the rest of the evening will be newcomer friendly and intermediate dances. Or, just come to listen to live folk music, no dancing required!

ALL ARE WELCOME!!!

Contra dance is a type of traditional New England social dance. No experience is necessary! Dancing consists of simple walking figures with a partner and other dancers, however no one is required to bring a partner, and a caller prompts each figure of the dance. The caller will teach a beginner's workshop from 7:00pm to 7:30pm and all dances during the evening will feature a walkthrough (or two). Each dance usually lasts from 8-10 minutes. You may ask anyone to dance, and you are not required to say yes. The caller will use gender-neutral terms, larks and robins, to call partner roles. There will be a break with a waltz halfway through the evening. We recommend you bring soft-soled shoes and a water bottle. Masks are not required, but will be available if you would like one. Please do not attend if you feel unwell. If you feel uncomfortable at any point during the dance, let the caller know.

*Notes on accessibility: contra dancing is fairly active as it requires long periods of walking, however wheeled mobility aids can work well for various figures. The Blanch Great Room is wheelchair accessible. If any other mobility concerns are present, dance figures can be modified to suit. This will be a fairly low-key event in terms of volume, but there will be speakers and a microphone present. Any questions or concerns can be inquired with Sam at thibe22s@mtholyoke.edu

Sam Thibeault, president of the Mount Holyoke Folk Music and Dance Society, will be teaching and calling the dances. The band led by Reed Cullen will feature live music in traditional English, Irish, Scottish, and French Canadian folk tunes.

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