Google Map Upcoming Dances Description of Dances
Next Dance: Saturday January 17
Time and Location: 8:00 to 11:00PM, Memorial Park administration building…directions shown below
Orientation session from 7:30 – 8:00 PM: introduction, basic moves, helpful hints for enjoyable dancing– for new & experienced dancers
Dance: 8:00 – 11:00 PM
Band: Joe Willey & the Aleraisers
Caller: Stuart Whipple
Admission: $8.00 Adults; Under 18 – Free
Remember…
No partner needed; All dances are taught; Clean, soft-soled, comfortable shoes are recommended
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Upcoming Dances in 2014 – Third Saturday of the Month
Jan 18 Band: Guinness and Grits Caller: Charlotte Crittenden
Feb 15 Band: String Theory Caller: Robbin Marcus
March 15 Band: Georgia Mudcats & Friends Caller: George Snyder
April 19 Band: Joe Willey & the Aleraisers Caller: Stuart Whipple
May 17 Band: Crosstown Traffic Caller: Maggie Cowan
June 21 Band: ReelPlay Caller: Deanna Palumbo
July 19 Band: Free Association Caller:Rachel McCandliss
Aug 16 Band: String Theory Caller: Jesse Edgerton
Sept 20 Band: Peavine Creek Caller: Janet Sheperd
Oct 18 Band: Crosstown Traffic Caller: Stuart Whipple
Nov 15 Band: Whistlin’ Rufus Caller: Doug Singleton
Dec 20 Band: Free Association Caller: Andrea Nettleton
Description of Dances
Our contra dances are participatory social dances. We always have live acoustic music, with most bands from the Athens or Atlanta areas, and a dance caller. The music is usually either old-time Appalachian string band music or Celtic jigs and reels. The main instruments are fiddle, banjo, guitar, and bass; occasionally we’ll also have piano, mandolin, autoharp, or harmonica. The way the dances work is that the caller decides on a set of dances to call for the evening. The types of dances that we do include contra dances, square dances, circle mixers, and progressive circle dances. Most of the dances in an evening are contras and squares; usually only one or two circle dances are included. The moves used in all of these dance types overlap considerably. Moves such as do-si-do, swing, stars, circles, allemandes, and promenades are done in most of the dances. As a result, once new dancers learn a few moves, they can dance most of the dances done that evening. The formation (contra lines, squares of 4 couples, or circle of couples), how many dancers are in each set, and whether you keep the same partner for the entire dance, are the main features that distinguish contra, square, and circle dance types. Each dance is taught in a walk-through before the music starts. Then the caller cues the musicians and the dance begins. The caller prompts the moves until the dancers get the pattern, and sometimes drops out till the end. The caller decides how long the dance will continue (usually about 10-12 minutes), and tells the band when he wants 1 or 2 more times through the music. Then the dancers stop when the music ends. At the half-way break, and at the end of the dance, we have a waltz. We usually conduct a short 20-30 minute orientation session from 7:30 – 8 PM before the dance to give new dancers an introduction to what we’ll be doing, and to have them walk through the basic set of moves that we’ll be using for the dances that evening. The dance usually runs from 8 – 11:00PM. Our dances usually have a mix of ages and folks come from all parts of town. The main reason we dance is that we enjoy dancing. When I call, I always tell the newcomers that the most important thing to do in an evening of dance with our group is to relax and have fun. Newcomers are always welcome, so if you like to dance, I suspect you’d have a good time at one of our dances.
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Past Dances in 2013 – Third Saturday of the Month
Jan 19 Band: Hot Fire Caller: Doug Singleton
Feb 16 Band: Free Association Caller: Deanna Palumbo
March 16 Band: Crosstown Traffic Caller: Rob Harper
April 20 Band: String Theory Caller: Cis Hinkle
May 18 Band: Caller: Andrea Nettleton
June 15 Band: Atlanta Open Band Caller: George Snyder
July 20 Band: Guiness Extra Stout margie mcdonald – fiddle, dawn davis- fiddle, and mike robinson – guitar; Caller: Charlotte Crittenden
August 17 Band: Joe Willey & Friends Caller: Beverly Smith
September 21 Band: Mike Robinson & friends Caller: Stuart Whipple
October 19 Band: Crosstown Traffic Caller: Deanna Palumbo
November 16 Band: The Bridge Makers (Russell McCumber, Christian Lopez and Noel Blackmon) Caller: Rob Harper
December 21 Band: Reel Play (Dave And Robbin Marcus and Doug Olsen) Caller: Doug Singleton