Google Map Upcoming Dances Description of Dances
Join us for our next contra dance on…
Presented by the Athens Folk Music & Dance Society with live music and calling on
September 17
Orientation session from 7:45 – 8:00 PM: introduction, basic moves, helpful hints for enjoyable dancing– for new & experienced dancers. Dance: 8:00 – 11:00 PM
Band: Beside the Point
Bob Kirkman (fiddle), Nathalie Levine (fiddle) and Stven Carlberg (piano)
Caller: Janet Shepherd
Memorial Park Administrative Building- 293 Gran Ellen Dr., Athens, GA.
Admission for dance: Adults 18 & over -$8.00; ages 11-17- $4.00;
UNDER 11: no charge and no dancing permitted
Remember…
No partner needed; All dances are taught; Clean, soft-soled, comfortable shoes are recommended
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Upcoming Dances in 2016 – Third Saturday of the Month
Jan 16 Band: Briar Vista Social Club Caller: Stuart Whipple
Feb 20 Band: Cattywampus Caller: Susan Davis
March 19 Band: Crosstown Traffic Caller: Charlotte Crittenden
April 16 Band: Mike Robinson & Rob Sutherland Caller: Jesse Edgerton
May 21 Band: Briar Vista Social Club Caller: Deanna Palumbo
June 18 Band: Caller:
July 16 Band: Caller:
Aug 20 Band: Caller:
Sept 17 Band: Caller:
Oct 15 Band: Caller:
Nov 19 Band: Caller:
Dec 17 Band: Caller:
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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Saturday November 21
Time and Location: 8:00 to 11:00PM, Memorial Park administration building…directions shown below
Orientation session from 7:30 – 8:00 PM: intro
duction, basic moves, helpful hints for enjoyable dancing– for new & experienced dancers
Dance: 8:00 – 11:00 PM
Band: Purple House Amblers
Caller: Robbin Marcus
Admission: Adults 18 & over -$8.00; ages 11-17- $4.00;
UNDER 11: no charge and no dancing permitted