CONTRADANCE WITH A LIVE BAND!!! Come try something new (to Palm Springs) and enjoy a spectacular "endorphin high" as you dance the night away. Contradancing refers to a folk dance, similar to a Square Dance, except instead of the square formation, it is danced in long lines of couples, with every other couple facing up or down the hall. (See video and information links below).
You will be dancing to LIVE MUSIC!!! We will have the pleasure of being entertained by lively contradance tunes, co...
CONTRADANCE WITH A LIVE BAND!!! Come try something new (to Palm Springs) and enjoy a spectacular "endorphin high" as you dance the night away. Contradancing refers to a folk dance, similar to a Square Dance, except instead of the square formation, it is danced in long lines of couples, with every other couple facing up or down the hall. (See video and information links below).
You will be dancing to LIVE MUSIC!!! We will have the pleasure of being entertained by lively contradance tunes, courtesy of "Chick 'n' Sausage," a contradance band based in Los Angeles. David Bragger on fiddle and banjo. Susan Platz on fiddle. Kelly Marie Martin on guitar.
Also, we will have the pleasure of Susan Michaels as our caller. Susan is a popular caller who is based in Los Angeles and travels all over the country to call dances. She will offer a FREE instructional lesson for newcomers and will call all of the dances. NO PREVIOUS DANCE EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY!! FIRST-TIMERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!! The lesson will be given from 7:00pm-7:30pm. Although it is NOT necessary to take the lesson to enjoy the evening, newcomers will undoubtedly appreciate the basic instructions.
You do NOT need to come with a dance partner. You can come solo or bring a friend or, even better, a group of friends. Typically, partners change after each dance, though you are free to dance with whomever you wish or sit out and rest, listen to the band, and watch the beautiful formations on the dance floor throughout the evening.
For some background and history about Contradancing, click here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contra_dance
For a sample video of a recent San Francisco Queer Contradance, click here: https://vimeo.com/122206474.
COST: Suggested $10-$15 per person, sliding scale, or pay what you can at the door.
We encourage this as a sober event, and since many folks are sensitive to fragrances, scent-free dancing is greatly appreciated. Youngsters are welcome to attend, but we request that non-dancing children be supervised by an adult.
All you need to bring is:
1) Comfortable, leather-bottomed shoes.
2) Comfortable clothing (you will sweat).
3) A bottle of water.
4) A great attitude and willingness to have FUN!
Light refreshments and snacks will be available during the break, mid-way through the dance.
The dance will take place in the smaller of the two ballrooms at Sunrise Park Community Center, 401 S. Pavilion Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262. The ballroom is located just East of Sunrise Way, between E. Baristo Rd. and E. Ramon Rd. There will be plenty of free public parking.
If you have further questions and would like to contact the local organizer, call 413-204-4931. If you would like to contact the Sunrise Community Center itself, you can call 760-323-8272.
This event is supported in part by the generous contributions of the Lavender Country and Folk Dancers (www.lcfd.org) and also in part by the generous support of the Outreach Fund of the Country Dance and Song Society (www.cdss.org).
Photo credit: Doug Plummer
