WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — North Berkshire Community Dance will hold its monthly contra dance on Saturday, Feb. 10.  

 

Popular young caller Liz Nelson will teach every dance to live traditional fiddle music from the local band, Cider Mountain.

 

According to a press release, 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.

 

Liz Nelson, the caller, will teach all the dances in an 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, Cider Mountain, will be led by Tony Pisano on the accordion. Tony, Butch DeGiorgis (whistles and mandolin), Doone MacKay (fiddle), and Seamus Connor (guitar and mandolin) will be joined by Bill Matthiesen on piano.  Music will be the classic jigs, reels, and waltzes of New England and surrounding areas, played with joy and the camaraderie of decades.

 

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.