Contra Dance - First Dance of the Season!

Name: Contra Dance - First Dance of the Season!
Start: 2024-10-12T19:00:00-04:00
End: 2024-10-12T22:30:00-04:00
Location: Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Traverse City

Schedule

Sat Oct 12 2024 at 07:00 pm to 10:30 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Traverse City | Traverse City, MI

Join Bayside Travellers for a contra dance!
Come with your partner / significant other, come with your friends, come by yourself and meet some new people! Everyone is welcome and it'll be a great time no matter what!
Please see 'Things to Know' further down in this description for lots of useful information!
DETAILS:
Saturday, October 12th, 2024
Beginner Dance Workshop 7pm
Dances from 7:30 - 10:30pm
LOCATION:
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
1050 Peninsula Drive
Traverse City, MI 49686
COST:
Dance by Donation! $10 / person is suggested, but any donation amount is welcome.
Please keep in mind that Bayside Travellers is a nonprofit organization entirely run by volunteers, and your generous donations are what make these dances possible. Putting dances together is not free, and without generous donations from people like you, we would not be able to continue putting these wonderful dances together every month! Thank you for supporting traditional music and dance!
Interested in other ways to support Bayside Travellers? We are looking for sponsors! Send interested individuals and businesses our way! We also have ways for you to dedicate your dancing to a special person or event!
Snacks to share are always welcome!
TALENT:
Music provided by Big Fun
and
Workshop taught and dances led by Pat Reeser
QUESTIONS / CONTACT:
If you have any questions, please reach out to us! We would love to hear from you.
You can either message our Facebook page, Bayside Travellers
OR
email us at [email protected]
THINGS TO KNOW:
Bayside Travellers is a nonprofit organization that holds monthly contra dances in the Traverse City area. Contra is a type of traditional folk partner dancing, and our dances always feature LIVE music by local folk bands and artists. We always begin the evening with a half hour long Beginner Dance Workshop, for all newcomers and anyone who may need a reminder. At this workshop we teach you everything you need to know to dance for the evening. All danced afterward are walked through first, and led by the caller.
We welcome all levels of dancers! We want you to know that you are welcome even if you've never danced before! Contra has no fancy footwork to learn - if you can walk to a beat, we will be able to teach you how to contra dance!
If you are a pro contra dancer looking for a new place to get your dance fix in, if you're travelling through the area, or if you've come to one of our dances before, PLEASE come back and dance with us again! It really is "the more the merrier!"
Individuals, couples, and groups are all welcome. You are more than welcome to bring a partner to dance with, but if you don't have one, not to worry! We will pair you up with someone. It's a contra custom to switch partners many times during the evening - you learn a little something from every person you dance with!
Follow us on social media to see pictures and videos from dances, info about upcoming dances (both our own and in the surrounding area), and other fun dance information! We are on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, all with the handle @baysidetravellersdance
Contra is a type of traditional folk partner dancing, similar to square dancing in many ways (and we usually throw at least one square dance into the mix at some point in the evening!) but set up a little differently. If you are interested in seeing what a contra dance looks like, we have lots of pictures and videos from previous dances on the Bayside Travellers Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok.
No fancy footwork! If you can walk to a beat, you can contra dance. We teach the basics for you to get started, and after that you can make it as simple or as intricate as you like! You'll see some of the more experienced dancers adding some extra twirls and spins - don't feel pressured to add any extra fanciness if you don't feel ready, but when you feel you've got the hang of it, it can be fun to spice it up a little!
No partner is necessary! Individuals, couples, and groups are all welcome. If you do not have someone to dance with, we will find you someone! We also encourage you to ask others that you may not know - there's something to learn from every dancer!
All levels of dance experience are welcome! If you have never danced before, that's what the Beginner Dance Workshop is for. Arrive a little before 7pm to make sure you don't miss anything, and we will teach you everything you need to know to start contra dancing like a pro.
Soft or slippery soled shoes are recommended (but not required). It simply makes it easier on your body and on the floor! Comfortable clothing helps as well!
The more the merrier! Invite your friends and family! Bring a big group with you, and have a great time.
We accept Olesons and Family Fare receipts! We are able to turn these in for rewards to help fund dances. If you have any old receipts laying around, please bring them - we will happily accept them, and they do not expire!
WE HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US FOR A DANCE!