Community Contra Dance in Williamstown

08:00AM / Tuesday, April 09, 2024Print Story | Email Story

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — North Berkshire Community Dance will hold its monthly contra dance on Saturday, April 13, with live music by "Spare Parts", and calling (teaching) by Jonathan Greene.

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.

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.

Jonathan Greene, the caller, will teach all the dances, using "gents and ladies" role terms. Jonathan regularly calls at the popular Lenox contra dance series, and lately has been working to keep local contra dancing alive and lively by teaching new callers at a "callers club" dance series in Housatonic.

Berkshire County band, "Spare Parts" will provide live dance music, performing the traditional fiddle tunes. Bill Matthiesen on piano and Liz Stell on flute combine with one or more "spare parts du jour." For our April 13 dance, fiddler Eric Buddington will round out the sound.

Covid Policy: NBCD encourages masks, but no longer requires them.

Tags: dance,

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St. Stan's Students Spread Holiday Cheer at Williamstown Commons

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
12:50PM / Sunday, December 21, 2025

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Students from St. Stanislaus Kostka School in Adams brought the holiday spirit to Williamstown Commons on Thursday, delivering handmade Christmas cards and leading residents in a community caroling session.

"It honestly means the world to us because it means the world to them," said nursing home Administrator Alex Fox on Thursday morning. "This made their days. This could have even made their weeks. It could have made their Christmas, seeing the children and interacting with the community."

Teacher Kate Mendonca said this is the first year her class has visited the facility, noting that the initiative was driven entirely by the students.

"This came from the kids. They said they wanted to create something and give back," Mendonca said. "We want our students involved in the community instead of just reading from a religion book."

Preparation for the event began in early December, with students crafting bells to accompany their singing. The handmade cards were completed last week.

"It's important for them to know that it's not just about them during Christmas," Mendonca said. "It's about everyone, for sure. I hope that they know they really helped a lot of people today and hopefully it brought joy to the residents here."

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