COMMUNITY CONTRA DANCE

September 18, 2010
Historic Gym

Music by Whistlin' Rufus
with Doug Singleton Caller

“Dancing with the feet is one thing,
but dancing with the heart is another.”
~Anonymous

Joyful Community in Motion:
The 2010 Contra Dance Season Begins

by Julianne Wilson

The 2010–2011 Sautee Community Contra Dance season opened on August 14 and if that night is any indication of what lies ahead, we are going to have a fabulous year! First off, the numbers - at 125 in attendance, we broke opening dance records by a good margin. In the past, August has been a good, but not huge dance. And that great turnout didn’t include many of our regular Atlanta (and some local) dancers who were at the annual dance weekend in Mentone, Alabama that Saturday night. PLUS, we had a record turnout of young people, with nearly 40% of the dancers being college or high school students. But numbers are only part of the equation of success in our dances – and not even the largest part. So here’s a glimpse from August of what makes these dances special: About 40 people turned out before the dance to share a meal and fellowship. When it was time to shift the gym from food to dancing, a good percentage of those folks helped in a manner that looked almost like a dance itself.

When the lesson began, there were nearly 100 people standing in a giant circle in the gym holding hands - at least to start out. The caller for the evening, Rob Harper, was enthusiastic, clear and effective in teaching the basic moves of contra dancing -- and experienced dancers mixed with newcomers to make learning the steps even easier. A multi-generational family arrived with two young children (ages 7 and 11 years) and “Grandpa,” sharing at the door that he was 85 and in stage 5 of Alzheimer’s. They didn’t know how he’d do with the crowds and thought he would likely just listen along, but wanted to include him in their evening out if it could work for him. As the greeter for the evening, I kept an eye out for this elder among us to see how he did. And how he did was amazing! He chose to dance - which in itself was a delight. Even more wonderful, however, was watching how the other dancers helped him along. There was a grace to this that was both supportive of his participation and not in the least diminishing of the flow of the dance itself.

Heartwarmingly magical......

Then, during a circle dance about halfway through the first half, Harper called anyone without a partner to come to the center of the circle and he’d find them one. A single dancer came forward, the 11 year old of this same family, and immediately she was welcomed into the circle by one of our experienced adult dancers as his partner.

Add to these stories the fabulous live music that is a given at each of our dances (this particular night it was thanks to the talents of Bill and Libby Hicks) and great callers, and you’ve nearly got the full equation of the success of our dances. The final components are the connections that happen when just about every person there dances with just about every other person there−combined with the laughter, joy and delight that radiates throughout the gym and into the night as both new and experienced dancers travel home uplifted.

So, if you’ve been wondering what Contra Dancing at SNCA was all about, hopefully this gives you a good glimpse. “Joyful community in motion to terrific music” is a description we hold dear−and clearly we’ve “stepped” into our new season in just that way.

In September and October there will be three Saturday opportunities to experience this fun at SNCA–and four Tuesday night learn and dance sessions as well. On September 18, “Whistlin’ Rufus” will be playing with Doug Singleton calling. October 9 will find dancers enjoying the music of “Free Association” with joint calling by Maggie Cowan and Christin Whittington.

Then, as has become tradition over the last couple of years, there will be a Halloween Contra Dance on Saturday, October 30. Music for this “spooktacular” dance will be by our valley’s own “Cage Free String Band” with Charlotte Crittendon calling.

Saturday contra dance evenings begin with a potluck supper at 6:30 p.m. for all who’d like to bring a dish and enjoy a meal together. There is a welcome lesson at 7:30 p.m., and the dance itself runs from 8:00 p.m. -11:00 p.m. Admission is $7/SNCA members, $8/non-SNCA members, and $4/students. Children under 8 are admitted for free with a supervising adult. No experience necessary. No partner needed.

No experience or dance skill is necessary to enjoy the fun and community spirit of contra dancing and no partner is needed. Attire ranges from swirling skirts (mostly on the women) to overalls and shorts. Comfort is key, and everyone is invited. From a warm welcome at the door to swirls of smiles on the dance floor, you’re sure to have a great time. And all for less than it would cost to go to a movie!

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For more information call Walter Daves at 706-754-3254 or email Julianne Wilson at thrivingspirit@me.com.

Beginning at 6:30 p.m. there will be a potluck supper open to anyone who would like to come. PLEASE bring a dish to share, preferably a casserole or salad, as we seem to get “top heavy” in the dessert department.

Each dance during the evening is explained by the caller and walked through without music first, and there are fewer than a dozen basic steps involved. As dance coordinator Walter Daves is often heard to say “Contra dancing is just walking to music…if you can walk, you can dance!” No partner needed! No experience necessary!

EVENT TIMES
6:30 p.m. for the potluck
7:30 p.m. for the dance introduction
8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. for the dance

ADMISSION
$8 for adults
$7 for SNCA members
$4 for students.
Children 7 and under are admitted Free
(must be accompanied by a supervising adult)

LOCATION & ATTIRE
All Saturday dances are held in the SNCA Historic Gymnasium.
Attire ranges from swirling skirts (mostly on the women)
to overalls and shorts. Comfort is key, and everyone is welcome.

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Contra dancing (the term is derived from “country dancing”) is a group-based social activity that has a long tradition. It is similar to square dancing and the Virginia Reel, usually done in circles or lines in which partners dance with many other couples in turn throughout a dance set. There are a few basic dance figures that are combined in various ways, prompted by a caller. These figures are repeated with all of the dancers in a set. The result is a lot of fun in moving to the music with a group of dancers, each person contributing to the shared experience.

If you’ve not been to one of these wonderful evenings yet, there’s no time like the present to come see the fun we’re having. Each dance has a handful of children (who spend some time on the dance floor and some on the swing set outside!), a growing contingent of high school and college students from around the region, and adults up into their 70’s and 80’s. Some come to eat, listen, and watch -- most come to dance at least a few dances, and then there are those who start with the first dance and don’t stop till the band is packing up their instruments! Wherever you might fall along that continuum, your presence would add to the evening -- and the dance would no doubt add a bit of joy to your life. Come alone, bring a partner, bring the family or friends. No experience is necessary -- the introductory lesson gives even a confirmed non-dancer enough to step into the flow and enjoy the evening. Worried about what to wear? Don’t! Some dress up, and some come in overalls – you’ll fit in whatever you have on, though keep in mind that even with air conditioning, it gets warm while you’re dancing!

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“Dance first. Think later. It’s the natural order.” —Samuel Beckett

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TUESDAY NIGHT
CONTRA DANCE

Learn and Dance on the First and Third Tuesday
of every month
in the SNCA Community Hall
7:30 pm to 9:30 pm

Live music! Relaxed Fun! For newcomers and dancers of ALL skill levels!!
Walter Daves, Learn and Dance Series caller/instructor
and member of the bands, Sweetwater Jam and Cage Free String Band.

$3/person, 12 and under Free

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The Center is located in a vintage, red brick schoolhouse on Highway 255, two tenths of a mile from Highway 17. The Community Hall is across the driveway from the schoolhouse. Information: Call SNCA at 706-878-3300 or Walter Daves at 706-754-3254.

Sautee Community Contra Dance has a website at
www.sauteecontra.com