Community Contra Dance
March 13th

Music by Perpetual e-Motion
with Caller Diane Silver

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

On Saturday, March 13, we have a special treat... Perpetual e-Motion of New England will be in town. “Captivating and passionate, that’s how we like to serve up our dance tunes,” say musicians Edward Howe and John Côte. Come lose yourself in the surreal sounds of electric fiddle, swirling didgeridoo, driving guitar and foot percussion. This power duo, perched at the convergence of electronic and traditional dance music, is solely the bi-product of two musicians who love to groove and to inspire movement. Plus, Diane Silver, a favorite among dancers in the region, will be calling the March 13 Contra Dance. This evening is definitely one to mark on your calendar right now, in ink!

Joyfully, at SNCA Contra Dances we do both! Great live music and talented callers make moving your feet to the music a breeze. And from a warm greeting at the door to dance regulars enthusiastically welcoming newcomers, SNCA dances are all about heart…and community…and fun. Laughter fills the gym, and the sorest muscles at the end of the evening are not feet or legs, but the 12 muscles it takes to smile.

Beginning at 6:30 p.m. on March 13, 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