Holiday Contra Dance!

Name: Holiday Contra Dance!
Start: 2024-12-14T17:30:00-05:00
End: 2024-12-14T22:30:00-05:00
Location: Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Traverse City

Schedule

Sat Dec 14 2024 at 05:30 pm to 10:30 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Traverse City | Traverse City, MI

Bayside Travellers' tradition of a Holiday Contra Dance continues!
Join us on Saturday, December 14th for a special contra dance, including a potluck dinner and a White Elephant dance!
Please see 'Things to Know' farther down in this description for lots of useful information!
Bayside Travellers holds monthly contra dances in the Traverse City area. Contra is a type of traditional folk dance, and our dances always feature LIVE music by local folk bands and artists. Our dances always begin with a half-hour Beginner Dance Workshop for all newcomers or anyone who may need a reminder, where we will teach you everything you need to know for the evening. All dances afterward are walked through first and led by a caller. We welcome all levels of dancers! While we love to see our returning experienced 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!
Individuals, couples, and groups are all welcome. No partner is needed - if you do not have one, we will pair you up with someone!
DETAILS:
Saturday, December 14th, 2024
Potluck Dinner 5:30pm
Beginner Dance Workshop 7pm
Dances from 7:30 - 10:30pm
Potluck Information:
Turkey will be provided, generously donated by Oryana Community Co-Op!
Please bring a dish to pass, and your own drink and table service! We will have extras available for those who forget.
Please remember to clean up your own tableware and take your dish home with you!
We will happily accept volunteers for help with clean-up!
WHITE ELEPHANT DANCE:
At some point in the evening, we will have our traditional White Elephant Dance! Bring a wrapped gift, something you no longer need, to be exchanged many times during the dance. You'll end up taking something home with you! (If you are able to bring an extra gift or two for people who may forget to bring one, that is very welcome as well!)
LOCATION:
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
1050 Peninsula Drive, Traverse City MI 49686
COST:
Dance by donation! $10 / person is recommended, but any donation amount is welcome. Bayside Travellers is a nonprofit organization run entirely by volunteers, and your generous donations are what make it possible for these wonderful dances to continue. Thank you for supporting traditional music and dance!
We are also accepting sponsors, and have options to dedicate your dancing!
TALENT:
Music provided by Laurel Premo & Michael Beauchamp-Cohen
with
Dances will be called by Pat Reeser and Dave Goodwin
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:
Contra is a type of traditional folk partner dancing, similar to square dancing in many ways (and we usually throw a square dance or two into the mix!) If you are interested in seeing what contra dancing looks like, we have lots of pictures and videos on the Bayside Travellers Facebook page.
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!
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!
All levels of dance experience are welcome! If you have never danced before, not to worry - that's what the Beginner Dance Workshop at 7pm is for! 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 a little easier on the floor and on your body! Comfortable clothes help 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!