Contra Dancing Village

According to reports from the CDC (Contra Dancing Central) an outbreak of the highly contagious “Contra Fever” seems to be spreading throughout Northeast Tennessee. The source appears to be located in historic Jonesborough. Symptoms include, but are not limited to sudden, loud outbursts of a whooping holler, uncontrollable grinning from ear to ear, urges to lift ones heels and twirl in circles while laughing with old and new friends and a relentless search for healthy, family exercise and entertainment. If you now have, or would like to have, one or more of these symptoms, there is no need to panic. Fortunately, there is a support group, The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society, that promises not only relief, but a cure.

Day of Dance is a brand new edition to the 36th annual Jonesborough Days celebration. The Contra Dancing Village will be located inside the Jonesborough Visitors Center, on Saturday only, July 1 from 12:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Admission prices are $1 for the workshops and $3 for the dances. The day will consist of three workshops for Contra, Waltz and Square followed by three dances including a Family Dance for parents or grandparents with children, a Square Dance and a Contra Dance. The workshops and dances will be taught and called by Diane Silver. Washington County Ramblers consisting of Roy Andrade (of Reel Time Travelers) and friends will provide music. The family dance will have live music, high energy, foot- stomping and whooping. Because it's for families and children, this event will be billed as intergenerational. The dance will include circle dances, scatter mixers and long sets. There will be some simple squares with some dances including singing and clapping.

Schedule:

• 12:00 p.m.-1:15 p.m. - Contra Workshop (admission $1.00)
• 1:30 p.m.-2:45 p.m. - Waltz Workshop (admission $1.00)
• 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. - Square Workshop (admission $1.00)
• 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. - Family Dance (admission $3.00)
• 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. - Dinner Break for Historic Jonesborough Dance Society (During HJDS’s dinner break, visiting dancers, The Dandy Lines, will give a free line dance demonstration. No admission.)
• 6:15 p.m.-7:30 p.m. - Square Dance (admission $3.00)
• 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. - Contra Dance (admission $3.00)

“Contra dancing is traditional New England folk dancing,” says event organizer, David Wiley. “Americans have enjoyed Contra dances since Revolutionary times. It’s a social dance akin to square dancing. It’s great exercise and great fun, enjoyed by people of all ages and life-styles. It shares some elements of square dancing such as ‘swing your partner’ and ‘do-si-do,’ but couples form long lines rather than squares.”

Dance caller, Diane Silver, from Asheville, NC, welcomes all who are interested in learning contra dance. She has been a die-hard contra dancer, swing dancer and kitchen flat-footer for over 10 years. With a penchant for hot modern contras and active squares, Silver loves sharing high-energy dancing that allows everyone to "play" with the band. She is highly acclaimed for her clear, efficient teaching and calling, creative medleys, great positive energy and spirit of community building. Her careful attention to dancers’ pace and progress creates a fun, low-risk atmosphere for beginning dancers to get up and give it a try.

An outdoor educator in her professional life, Silver has logged literally hundreds of hours working with children. Dancers of all ages and experience are sure to enjoy a euphoric evening of dance in a friendly, welcoming tone. Silver's motto is "I can't believe this much fun is legal!"

Wiley adds, “It has often been said, ‘If you don’t contra dance, you are wasting your feet.’” Contact Wiley, 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org to discover more about Contra dancing fever!