Dances
Google Map Upcoming Dances Description of Dances Regional DancesNext Dance: January 15th 2011
Time and Location: 7:30 to 11:00, Memorial Park Administration Building, 293 Gran Ellen Dr. Athens, GA
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: Curley Maple
Caller: Deena Kushner
Directions to Memorial Park: From loop 10, use Exit No. 6-Milledge Ave. Proceed on S. Milledge Ave. Look for the Memorial Park & Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail sign. Turn onto Gran Ellen Dr.. It is one street north of the East Campus Drive traffic light. Memorial Park is about three blocks down Gran Ellen Dr. on the left.
Remember…
No partner needed; All dances are taught; Clean, soft-soled, comfortable shoes are recommendedView larger map
Saturday January 15 Caller: Deena Kushner Band: Curley Maple
Saturday February 19 Caller: Janet Sheperd Band: Garnet River Gals
Saturday March 19 Caller: Doug Singleton Band: Whistlin’ Rufus
Saturday April 16 Caller: TBA Band: TBA
Saturday May 21 Caller: TBA Band: TBA
Saturday June 18 Caller: TBA Band: TBA
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.
Links to Regional Dances
Atlanta Friday contra dances: Chattahoochee Country Dancers
Sautee Saturday contra dances: Sautee dance
Chattanooga Saturday contra dances: Chattanooga dance
