Special Lenox Contra Dance, "Welcome Dance"
The monthly Lenox Contra Dance, in the ballroom at the Community Center in Lenox, MA, is holding a special "WELCOME Dance" on Saturday October 18th to welcome new dancers to the pleasures of traditional social dancing. The dance will be free to beginners, and to experienced dancers who arrive during the first half of the beginners session to share their skills. No need to come with a partner.While the October 18th dance is designed with beginners in mind, and is free for first time dancers, at all our regular monthly dance we offer “second dance free”, so if a new dancer returns some time later on, they get to spend a second fun evening for free.
We will begin early, at 7:15 for the New Dancer's session, which will run until 8:15. Experienced dancers who show up by 7:45 will get in free. After a break we will begin the evening dance, which will run until 11:30. We have Jim Fownes calling, and he has years of experience working with dancers of all skill levels. Jim is very excited about the opportunity to call this dance. The Russet Trio, 3 smiling, very enthusiastic and talented guys, are going to be making the music.
Contra dancing is called "Social Dancing" because at it's roots it is about dancing with many other people as partners and neighbors throughout the course of an evening.
Contra dancing has origins in earlier New England years before television and radio, and before easy mobility between distant towns. Contra dancing was such a significant source of socializing in many New England towns that the Grange halls, town halls, and other public buildings were built with spaces suited for community dancing, with "sprung" floors, nice quality flooring, and stages for the musicians. Dancing in barns was also very popular. It has long been a wonderful way for people to spend time together in a very healthy and positive environment.
We offer beginners' workshops before each dance, and every dance is taught through the whole evening. Our more experienced dancers are very generous in dancing with new dancers to help them become more comfortable and to welcome them into our community. We try to keep it very affordable for all the dancers, and have a reduced rate for students. Come and see for yourselves any third Saturday at the Lenox Community Center, 65 Walker St., Lenox, MA. For more information and directions, go to www.LenoxContraDance.org.
