Contra dancing brings joy and laughter and friends into your life. It is fun beyond words. Contra dancing is done to live music - guitar and fiddle and other instruments, playing jigs and reels. A caller teaches each dance, and tells you what to do. You just need to know how to walk! No need to bring a partner--men and women ask each other to dance.

Contra dances are 1st, 3rd, and 5th Saturdays at 8 PM at the Capital City Grange on Northfield Road (Hwy. 12) about 1/2 mile south of Montpelier.

Next Dance: May 18, 2013
WILL MENTOR
The Free Raisins (Audrey Knuth, Amy Englesberg, Jeff Kaufman)

Instruction for newcomers at 7:30! We'll teach some of the basic "figures" that will be called when the dance begins at 8:00. No partner needed, just bring a willingness to smile and have a good time!

live music: BANISH MISFORTUNE
caller: MARY WESLEY
3-5 pm $8/adlt $5/<16 $20/fam
Children under three are FREE

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE EVERY WEEKEND:

FOURTH SATURDAYS (odd months): "gentle" contras
Experienced callers and Home Grown Chestnuts playing traditional New England dance tunes. Instruction/Refreshers @ 7:30 pm. Dancing @ 8 pm. $4/8 Family-friendly. Bring a snack to share at the break.

FOURTH SATURDAYS (even months): Ethnic Traditions
Sample various music & community dancing traditions(e.g. English, Scottish, Irish, Quebecois) WITH instruction. 8pm.
Bring snacks to share at break.

FIRST, THIRD (& FIFTH) SATURDAYS: "zesty" contras!

Circles, squares and long-ways sets are called by members of the Collective to traditional tunes with that old string band sound!
Room to dance and fund for all!

The coveted room reservation at the Saratoga Hilton for the Dance Flurry weekend prize was drawn at the CDU contra dance on Jan. 5th. Congratulations to Jay Sprout, whose ticket was drawn!
Thanks to all who purchased tickets; the cost of their tickets will go to support the work of the Friends of the Capital City Grange Hall, to maintain and improve our community resource.
Thanks also to the very generous supporter of the Grange who donated the room reservation to our raffle!

The 4th Weekend dancing series features well-known callers, each of whom calls their own mix of the many kinds of dances which have been done for decades or centuries in our region. This series, which was formerly called the "Traditional" series has been renamed because the events have become so diverse!
on January 26th, popular caller Adina Gordon will join the Homegrown Chestnuts to call a mix of traditional dance styles for your enjoyment!

Delicious potluck supper shared by hungry dancers who enjoyed "connecting the dots" between English & Scottish Country Dance and New England Traditional Dance (7/28/2012).

Melissa Block of NPR produced a great story about the growing appeal of contra dancing to young people. Check it out at: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128273050 The story features Norwich VT caller David Millstone, central Massachusetts band Wild Asparagus, and interviews with young dancers who appreciate the music, the tradition and the social interactions of the dance community.

Contra dancing at the Grange Hall! Enjoy this video of a fun and fabulous dance evening. Check out the Calendar for information on the many dances scheduled at our Grange Hall. www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9L0dz3qmsc