CD*NY to Host Final Contra Dance of Season, 6/14

By: Jun. 03, 2014
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Country Dance*New York (CD*NY) will present its last contra dance of the season on Saturday, June 14 from 8:00 pm to 10:45 pm at Church of the Village, 201 West 13th Street, Manhattan. No previous experience is required and it is not necessary to come with a partner. From 7:30 pm to 8:00 pm there is a beginner's workshop, and the caller walks everyone through the patterns of each dance making contra dancing a pleasure for all. Dynamic and spirited live music will be performed by the popular dance band, Floorplay, from Charlottesville, Virginia.

Floorplay is an American contra dance band which has been delighting listeners and dancers since the spring of 2007 while playing an eclectic mix of French Canadian, old-time, klezmer music, rags, swing, and original tunes. Featured players for June 14 are Paul Rosen, fiddle and mandolin; Rya Martin, piano; and Colin Cannell, percussion. Marty Fager, a highly regarded contra dance caller, will lead the dance. He is known for his easy-going style and clear, straightforward teaching.

Contra dancing is having a renaissance around the country, thanks to a thriving youth scene; lively, uplifting acoustic music; and joyful, fast-paced, aerobic dancing. There are lots of opportunities for flirting and fun. Contra dancing started in New England in the 1700s, but the modern version is a far cry from the Virginia Reel-type dancing done in schools years ago. The current dancing is done in long lines of dancers facing their partners and moving briskly in patterns to live music, sometimes changing partners.

General Information: Admission is $15 general public, and $12 for full-time students with ID & Country Dance*New York members. First timers get a free pass to use to come another time. For more information visit the Country Dance*New York website, www.cdny.org or call The Dancephone at 212.459.4080. Attendees are asked to bring a separate pair of clean, soft-soled shoes for dancing. Following a summer hiatus, Saturday night contra dancing will begin again in September.

Traveling to the Church of the Villlage, 201 West 13th Street, near Seventh Avenue via subway: Take the 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, or F train to 14th Street.

Photo by Jeffrey Bary



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