It's maple syrup season--and great contra dancing is on tap this Saturday, March 16th, at the Grange Halll. We'll start with a newcomers' instruction session at about 7:45, led by the dance caller for the evening, Alex Dais-Lauby. If you are new to this type of dancing, or just want a refresher, come at 7:30! We'll follow this with 3 hours of fun dancing starting at 8:00. Music will be provided by Pete's Posse.
Alex D-L is based in NYC, and calls across the country at dance weekends, festivals and dance series like the Contra Dance Umbrella "Montpelier Contra Dance". Her clear teaching, smooth voice & fun dance selections have delighted dancers from coast to coast. In addition to her regular calling gigs, she teaches dancing for kindergarteners & 4 grade pupils in New York, so you know she can keep your attention!
Pete's Posse provides the music this Saturday. Well-known in VT and elsewhere, they are led by one of VT folk music's best known performers—Pete Sutherland. Pete grew up in Shelburne. He's played for many dances with this group, with the Clayfoot Strutters and others, plus singing and playing for concerts. He plays keyboards, fiddle, guitar, melodica, banjo...the list goes on. In the Posse are Pete's student-turned-musical partner, Oliver Scanlon, fiddling and playing mandolin. Tristan Henderson plays everything from guitar to bouzouki to mandolin to jaw harp to djembe among others.
Together, they deliver strong dance tunes with rhythm, harmony and surprises.
Contra dances with great live callers and bands like these are presented on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Saturday evenings, at the Capital City Grange Hall in Berlin. The Hall is located 6612 Rt. 12 (aka Northfield St), Berlin VT 05602 (for GPS) just south of the I-89 overpass, a mile from downtown Montpelier. The Contra Dance Umbrella, the volunteer committee which puts on the dances, wants everyone to come and have a good time. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids and low-income. Or be a dance supporter and pay a bit more--all of the money goes to the caller, the band, and the sound person, plus rent to the Grange.
We suggest light, comfortable clothing, clean soft-soled shoes to protect the beautiful dance floor, and a water bottle to keep hydrated--you can fill it at the water fountain/bottle filler. Come by yourself and find partners at the dance, or bring your friends!
Whoever you are, we invite you to share a warm evening of friendly, social, high-energy dancing! Questions? Call Tim Swartz at 802-225-8921 for more info, or see the Contra Dancing page on the Grange website: http://capitalcitygrange.org/dancing/contradancing