Southern Maryland Traditional Music and Dance

CONTRA DANCING

Contra Dancing Celebrates the Energy of Life Through Joyful Movements.

"This incredible synergy and spirit develops when enthusiastic dancers unite with smoking-hot music." - unknown

Contra dancing is a walking-type dance form. You don't need to take expensive classes; you don't need to bring your own partner; and you get plenty of exercise while meeting wonderful people. It's the best three hours of each month!

Never Done Contra Before? No Problem!

Contra is a traditional American style of social dance and is a huge amount of fun (and exercise)! If you’ve ever danced a Virginia Reel, you have a good idea how much fun it can be. If you haven’t, it’s about time you tried it! Beginners are more than welcome, and instruction will be provided in a friendly atmosphere. Admission is $8 for non SMTMD members, $6 for members (band members are free). There will be an ice cream social following the dance.

No Fancy Or Outlandish Clothing Required!

You need to be comfortable, to move freely. And you need soft-soled shoes like running shoes or sneakers. That's it! Sure, if you feel compelled to dress up like a Gypsy or a Medieval peasant, that certainly enhances everyone's experience. Free spirits are definitely allowed!

So give it a whirl. Come to Christ's Church Parish Hall in Chaptico on the second Saturday of each month and check it out for yourself.

Note: Special Contra Dance Scheduled for April 10th, 2010

Plan to join us in this special event to be held at the Chesapeake Public Charter School, The dance begins at 6:00 pm. which is a special starting time for our dances.

The dance will go until 8:00, or later. The purpose for the event is to support "Relay for Life" a cancer awareness / support org. Two people at the charter school were recently diagnosed with the disease, and we would like to support a team from the school to attend " Relay for Life" events.

The directions from Leonardtown: travel south on Rte.5 - 15 minutes to Great Mills Rd, Rte. 246.
Turn left at the light, onto Great Mills Rd., proceed about 0.4 miles and turn left into charter school Parking lot.

From Calvert County: After crossing the Patuxent River bridge at Solomons,turn left or south at the first traffic light onto Rte. 235.
Proceed South on Rte. 235 to Rte. 237 - Chancellor's Run Rd.
Turn Right - continue to end of road to "T" intersection at Great Mills Rd.
Turn right on Rte. 246 - Great Mills Rd. and proceed about 0.5 miles toChesapeake Public Charter School, on the right.

Admission: $7 non-members; $5 members; 12 and under free.

Christ's Church Parish Hall
Chaptico, MD

Lessons at 7:00PM; Dance 7:30 PM - 10:00PM;
(Free Ice Cream Social after Dance)

2010 Contra Calendar

Date	Caller	Location
Jan 9	Ann Fallon	Christ's Church Parish Hall Chaptico, MD.
Feb 13	Greg Frock	Christ's Church Parish Hall Chaptico, MD.
Mar 13	Eva Murray	Christ's Church Parish Hall Chaptico, MD.
April 10	DeLaura Pablovan	Christ's Church Parish Hall Chaptico, MD.
May 8	Sargon deJesus	Christ's Church Parish Hall Chaptico, MD.
June 12	Elgin Perry	Christ's Church Parish Hall Chaptico, MD.
July	Summer Break
August	Summer Break
Sept 11	Jim Wass	Christ Church Hall, Chaptico, MD
October 9	TBA	Christ Church Hall, Chaptico, MD
November 13 (Annual Meeting)	Elgin Perry	Christ Church Hall, Chaptico, MD
December 11	DeLauraPadovan	Christ Church Hall, Chaptico, MD

A Contra Dance Primer
(edited from Les Francey and Farrell Boyce, Hamilton Country Dancers )

What Is Contra Dancing?
Contra dancing is a form of American folk dance in which the dancers form a set of two parallel lines which run the length of the hall. Each dance consists of a sequence of moves that ends with couples having progressed one position up or down the set. As the sequence is repeated, a couple will eventually dance with every other couple in the set. Contra Dancing was all the rage in 1800.

What If I Have Never Danced Before?
In Contra Dancing, your feet are never asked to do more than walk to the music. Each dance is taught by the caller before it is danced. The caller continues to prompt the dancers as needed. Because the pattern of moves of each Contra Dance is repeated often, Contra Dances are easy to learn. Both beginning and experienced dancers happily share the same set.

What If I Don't Have A Partner?
No problem. Many people come to a Contra Dance alone. Dancers are encouraged to dance with many different partners throughout the evening. If there is an excess of one gender, it is customary for women to dance men's parts (and vice versa) to form couples and extend the set.

Do I Need To Wear Special Clothes?
No. Contra Dancers tend to dress informally. Most people dress for comfort and in anticipation of vigorous exercise. Ladies prefer loose, light dresses or skirts; men wear lightweight slacks, jeans, or even shorts. Be sure to wear soft-soled, comfortable shoes.

What Is The Music Like?
For many dancers, the live music is the great attraction. Traditional jigs, reels, and hornpipes from the Scots-Irish tradition on both sides of the Atlantic form the basic repertoire. The fiddle is often the lead instrument.

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