Folk Arts Cooperative
Contra Dances
Always "third Fridays," 7:15-10:00 p.m.
$8 admission • ages 5 and under: free
$5 full-time students
$20 family (all in the same household)
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Allegan Woods
Folk Arts Cooperative Contra Dances Always "third Fridays," 7:15-10:00 p.m. $8 admission • ages 5 and under: free $5 full-time students $20 family (all in the same household) |
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| See you June 19! Call Thom at 616/402-6434 if you need to verify.
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~ 2009 ~
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Last year we danced to:
January 18 • Mike Clark ~ Fiddlefire February 15 • Julie, Jan, and Karin ~ Golden Griffon Stringtet March 21 • Danika Murray ~ The Something or Otters Whoops, snowed out! April 18 • Laurie Pietravalle and Roween Panning ~ Fiddlefire May 16 • Danika Murray ~ Fiddlefire June 20 • Mike Clark ~ Fiddlefire September 19 • John Legge ~ Brook Farm String Band October 17 • Glen Morningstar ~ Judi Morningstar and Fiddlefire November 21 • Becky Hill ~ Fiddlefire December 19 • snowed out! Visiting callers and bands: we work with two nearby dance communities to provide a two-fer (our 3rd Fri and the very next day). |
Bring a water bottle to fill at the drinking fountain, and something for the treat table
It's friend-raising! Now on Facebook!
Dances are walked through and taught by a caller, who then prompts the figures to music. It's
customary to change partners when the music stops, so you'll get to dance with everyone in the room. (Here's a helpful hint: if someone
asks, just say "yes.") No fancy footwork needed. If you can walk, you can do this type of dancing.
Comfortable casual clothing and soft-soled shoes recommended (check the pictures for ideas).
You might want to wear layers, as this is a vigorous activity. You'll find singles, couples, family groups, seniors, students, and happy folks
of all ages at our dances. (By yourself? C'mon down--we'll set you up with dance partners and new friends!)
The event is non-smoking and alcohol-free. Please bring a snack to share. And please arrive
early, or linger afterwards, to help load in, set up, then clean up and pack out! Dances are held at the Park Township Community Hall, at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds.
It's directly across Ottawa Beach Road from the Park Township airport, on the way to Holland
State Park. Free parking at the fairgrounds near the building. 1286 Ottawa Beach Rd, Holland, MI
49424.
For more information call 616/402-6434.
The Pannings always have a good time playing music
Three's a Crowd plays while Jan Coray calls
One of the best things about contra dancing: the swing!
Fiddlefire on stage, with web goddess Karen and our sound guy Louie
Contra dancing is a lot like square dancing, but you need no previous experience, special clothing, or a partner. Everyone is friendly, and
someone will ask you to dance! (We even provide nametags.)To get a complete picture, scroll down to the videos linked at the bottom of this
page.
There's often a newcomer's session at about 7 p.m., to help you with the basics
Click here for a map and
directions.
Winter months: if the weather looks iffy, call to confirm!
Always live music!
Our regular bands include Fiddlefire (the Panning Family), Puddingstone, and
Three's a Crowd. If you like the music of O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Riverdance, or
A Prairie Home Companion, you'll enjoy our string bands. (The volume is not too loud;
you'll be able to hear conversations too.) Our callers include a cavalcade of just-learning
dance prompters, and long-timers.
Judi and Glen Morningstar, of metro Detroit, came to play and call for us
Group hug! This figure is called a basket...notice the big smiles!
Here's a ladies chain, which concludes with a courtesy turn. (It's easy!)
Video snippets from the January 2009 dance, with Karin Neils calling.
A dance from October 2008, with visitors Glen and Judi Morningstar.
December 2007: Karen Dunnam calls a grand finale to music by Fiddlefire.
The Golden Griffon Stringtet visited from the Detroit area in February 2008. Karin Neils is calling.
Here are videos of Glen Morningstar calling to music by "Rough Time" at the December 2006 dance.
(Not shown: the walk-through prior to each dance where the caller explains the figures. This ain't no dance performing group;
he's telling us what to do!)
Page created by Karen Dunnam, updated 03/09 • Be sure to refresh the page on your computer to see updates (on a PC, hit F5) • This page has been accessed times