Williamstown Community Contra Dance

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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass — On Nov. 9, North Berkshire Community Dance will hold its monthly contra dance with calling by Andy Davis, and live music by Mary Cay Brass and Laurie Indenbaum.
 
The dance will run from 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 to $20 suggested, and barter is also welcome.   
 
For more information, visit www.NorthBerkshireDance.org.
 
According to a press release:
 
Contra dancing is the contemporary face of a living tradition. The music is live, the dances are taught, and anyone is welcome, with or without a partner — people change partners fluidly for each dance.  The caller teaches dance moves and skills as needed.
 
The caller, Andy Davis, will teach all the dances in an inclusive and welcoming style, using gender-free phrasing. 
 
Mary Cay Brass has been a performer and teacher in the traditional dance and music community for many years. She has played with the The Greenfield Dance Band with David Kaynor, and Airdance with Rodney Miller.  
 
Laurie Indenbaum has been fiddling for dances in Vermont and surrounding states since 1976, with many callers and bands, including Applejack and The Full Catastrophe.  
 
Andy Davis has been a part of Nowell Sing We Clear, and on staff at Country Dance and Song Society summer camps for many years. He also plays accordion for a Morris dancing team and frequently while calling for contra dances. 
 
Each of these musicians has been playing for contra dances for over forty years, and frequently together.  
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Community Contra Dance in Williamstown

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The North Berkshire Contra Dance will hold its monthly community contra dance on Saturday, Dec. 14, with live fiddle music, and all dances taught by caller Maggie McRae.
 
Contra dancing is contemporary based in a living tradition; some of the dances are hundreds of years old, some are recently composed, all are an enjoyable social activity on a cold winter's evening. New dancers and families with children are encouraged to arrive by 7:30 for instruction in the basics.
 
Maggie McRae will call (teach) all the dances. Music will be provided by three out of Four Musicians Walked into Thirty-Two Bars, a band of life-long musicans who enjoy playing traditional New England tunes. The three musicians are George Wilson and Rebeccah Weiss on fiddle, with Becky Hollingsworth on piano.
 
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 (especially help with cleanup) is also welcome.  Visit www.NorthBerkshireDance.org for more information.
 
Covid Policy: Stay home if you feel ill or have cold symptoms.  Masks appreciated but not required. Be aware that contradance isn't made to social distance, as 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.
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