Community Contra Dance in Williamstown

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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — North Berkshire Community Dance returns to Williamstown on Saturday, Sept. 26, with a contra dance taught by caller Jeff Walker and New England-style fiddle music.

All are welcome.  New dancers and families with children are encouraged to arrive early for an introductory lesson at 7:15.  The dance will run from 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 (especially help with cleanup) is also welcome.  

According to a press release: 

Contra dancing is a fun and living social tradition; some of the dances are hundreds of years old, some are recently composed. Jeff's hallmark clear instructions and infectious enthusiasm combine with the band's high-energy music to create an evening of dancing just right for the dancers on the floor - whoever they may be.

Kathy and Jeff Walker have been leading New England community folk dances for over 40 years.? Kathy plays fiddle and Jeff accompanies her on guitar and calls.?Their repertoire spans the Celtic world drawing tunes from Ireland, Scotland, Galicia, French Canada, Cape Breton, and Appalachia, and includes many kinds of dance music from fast, energetic jigs and reels to waltzes.

For more information, please visit www.NorthBerkshireDance.org

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Oct. 17 Opening Planned for Williamstown Skate Park

iBerkshires.com Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- Organizers of the town's new skate park plan a Grand Opening for Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Stetson Road venue.
 
The festivities, scheduled for 1 to 5 p.m., will feature a demonstration by a professional skateboarder, food and music to celebrate the long-sought publicly/privately funded facility.
 
A group of roller sport enthusiasts have been working for years to develop the new park, which surveys of residents show will fill an identified need for recreational opportunities for all ages.
 
The town agreed to remove an existing, outdated and worn out park on the site across Stetson Road from the youth baseball field and work with the skate park proponents.
 
In addition to in-kind contributions from the Department of Public Works, which helped clear the area of the old infrastructure, the town supported the new park through contributions of Community Preservation Act funds -- $32,000 for design in fiscal year 2026 and $350,000 toward construction in the current fiscal year, approved by wide margins at town meeting in May 2025 and 2026.
 
The total amount raised for the project through public funding, private contributions and corporate sponsorship is $750,000.
 
Grindline Skateparks of Seattle, Wash., is the designer and builder of the new park, which will be turned over to the town on completion.
 
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