Community Contra Dance in North Adams
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — On Saturday, June 8 there will be a 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.
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 http://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.
