WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The North Berkshire Contra Dance will hold its monthly community contra dance on Saturday, Dec. 9, with all dances taught by Andy Davis to live fiddle music by George Wilson and Selma Kaplan.  

 

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. 

 

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

 

The caller, Andy Davis, will teach all the dances in an inclusive and welcoming style, using gender-free phrasing. 

 

Music will be provided by George Wilson, whose fiddling, strongly influenced by Cape Breton and French Canadian styles, has been popular with contra dancers and concert-goers since the late 1970s. George will be accompanied by Selma Kaplan on keyboard. Selma is an accomplished pianist, composer, and arranger, and one of the most requested dance musicians on the East Coast.

 

Covid Policy: NBCD encourages masks, but no longer requires them. Be aware that, whoever your partner, you'll wind up dancing with everyone in the room. You may wish to bring a spare mask to change into for comfort throughout the evening.