The Capital City Grange is available for rent, for individuals and groups. Our facilities include a Main Hall with the "best dance floor in New England", a stage, an accessible main entrance and bathroom on the main floor, plus a cafeteria and basic kitchen facilities in the basement level. We have hosted weddings, high-school proms, concerts, rehearsals for music and drama groups, birthday parties for children and grown-ups, and a tomato canning workshop by the Vermont Department of Agriculture. Dance events have included workshops and performances of a wide array of styles: contra, swing, tango, African, Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Cuban, waltz, square dances and more.

Here is a floor plan of the main floor of the Grange:

To rent the hall, contact Jody Pettersen, at 802-522-6171.
Rates vary depending on time of day and week; we welcome inquiries from private and public groups.
Rentors are responsible for arranging with Jody to pick up a key before their event.

Our annual summer Summer Picnic Saturday evening, July 20th, before the CDU dance. Watch for more details! If you have a large tent we could set up in case of rain, we'd be interested in borrowing it! If you want to help Alison Forrest with grilling and cooking, contact her: feedkidswellhotmail [dot] com. More details to follow.
We enjoy a picnic dinner together every summer, in lieu of the July and August monthly meetings.

All those who have expressed special interest in removing the old flooring will meet at the Grange Hall next Wednesday, Sept. 15th at 7:00 PM.

We'll be discussing the ways we can remove the floor most efficiently, and how to maximize salvage opportunities for those who want some of the existing flooring. We'll also start to set up a schedule for who can pitch in, and when.

Caller Will Mentor will work with beginners or whoever shows up to teach basic contra-dance figures in a friendly, helpful session before the dance starts at 8:00. Experienced dancers who want to help are welcome! Less-experienced dancers are especially invited--no partner needed, just a willingness to come and have fun dancing! For more info, call Tim and Merry at 225-8921 (before 9:00), or email swartztim15gmail [dot] com

We will meet to establish a timeline for the floor replacement project, as well as further discussion of finishing options. for more info, contact Tim Swartz: 225-8921 (before 9:00 PM) or swartztim15gmail [dot] com

private

ADINA GORDON returns on January 28, 2012 to the HOMEGROWN IN THE TRADITON series at the Grange Hall just outside Montpelier. Adina will call a customized selection of old and/or unusual dances, and she invites both new and experienced dancers to “come and have fun!”

Adina has called dances in 36 American states spanning all six time zones, as well as 3 Canadian provinces and Israel. Dancers frequently remark on her energy and joy, which is both highly evident and highly contagious. An often-repeated comment is, "You look like you're having too much fun."

With space for overheads, natural light, and tables, trainers and trainees can spread out in comfort. The adjacent kitchen with pass-thru counters permits coffee service or a potluck lunch.

On Tuesday, I'll be removing the last of the old lights, and on Wed. hanging the new ones. On Thursday, electrician Alana Norway will be wiring in the new lights. No effect on the main Hall, we'll just be working downstairs. --Tim Swartz

For the Grange meeting program, starting about 5:30 PM, we will present Chris Curtis, staff attorney with Legal Aid:
Report from the Front Lines - Winners and Losers in the Budget Wars
Chris will talk about the impact of state budget “balancing” on ordinary Vermonters and ask whether it is a fair or sensible way to manage the state. We will have the opportunity to ask questions and to discuss the choices available to the state.
As with all Grange events, this program is free and open to the public!