WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — North Berkshire Community Dance will hold its monthly contra dance on Saturday, Nov. 8. 

Ben Sachs-Hamilton, the caller, will teach every dance, and live fiddle music will be provided by the California-based band, "Raven and Goose".

 

The dance will run 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. in the Community Hall of the First Congregational Church, 906 Main St., Williamstown. Admission is pay-as-you-can:  $12 - $20 suggested, and barter is also welcome. 

 

Contra dancing is a living tradition in New England; for hundreds of years, neighbors and friends have made their own social entertainment in this easy and highly collaborative dance form.  All are welcome.  Come alone, or with friends -- most people change partners for each dance throughout the evening. New dancers and families with children are encouraged to arrive by 7:30 for instruction in the basics. 

 

Caller Ben Sachs-Hamilton will teach using "larks and robins" role terms.  Sachs-Hamilton  has called and organized for dances across the northeast, with a focus on LGBTQ and gender-role-free dance communities. He fosters a welcoming and inclusive space for diverse groups of new and experienced dancers. 

 

Raven & Goose are a nationally touring contra duo. They play original compositions and traditional tunes.

 

Additionally, Corwin and Grace, (of "Raven and Goose"), will lead a workshop for contra dance musicians, from 2-4PM in Goodrich Hall on the Williams College campus.  The workshop will focus on fine-tuning common repertoire fiddle tunes, on the fly, for common variables of contra dance.   

 

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