Announcements
Benefit CONCERT for Julie Carman, Saturday january 28
 One of our beloved dancers from Carbondale, Julie Carman, suffered serious injuries from a terrible automobile accident in November. Like many of us, Julie had no health insurance, and the other driver's insurance didn't cover many of the expenses, so you can imagine how great the need is. Friends of Julie are holding a gala benefit evening to help raise some funds for her care.
The benefit concert is at the Carbondale Elks Lodge, 220 W. Jackson Street, Carbondale, IL, on Saturday, January 28 from 6:00-9:00 PM. There'll be fabulous music from local musicians, tasty baked goods from Cristaudo's (where Julie decorated cakes) and a silent auction. NOTE: This event is NOT a dance.
Many of us are going over - please join us! Download a flyer here.
Read more about Julie.
Have you Seen the Dance Video Archive?
It started as a showcase for local dance choreographers, a collection of videos of the dances in MO DANCES, but then it just...grew. Now there are over 250 dance videos on the site (complete with dance instructions), and overall, the videos have collected over 18,000 views. Check it out!
Dance Videos of the Week: Footprints in the Sand (English) by Gary Roodman, Ted Hodapp calling, and Duck Soup (contra) by David Kirchner, Wade Pearson calling.
High Tea & Whiskey Goes Soft
 High Tea & Whiskey has become HIGH TEA & SARSAPARILLA (pronounced "Sas-parilla") in order to remove an offending reference to distilled beverages. The word "Whiskey" was just a joke, of course, because our dancers know they can't drink and dance the kinds of dances we do. No actual Whiskey was ever involved (nor any Tea, either, for that matter), but we decided it was best to make a change to keep the good ladies of the Monday Club happy. And so we discovered much about Sarsaparilla. What an interesting history it has!
Last Updated on Monday, 23 January 2012 15:16
When We Dance
Sunday Dances
We *generally have contra dances on the 1st, 2nd, 4th & 5th Sundays of the month. Check the schedule for the dates. Free workshop at 6:30pm, dance from 7-10pm. $5.
If you come on a 3rd Sunday, you'll *generally find a Waltz Party, an entire evening of waltzes and other social dances. Workshop 6-7pm. Dancing to live music from 7-9pm. $10.
Saturday Dances
First Saturday, every month. Callers Choice Dance - contra dances and related dances. Dance with a free workshop at 7:30pm. Dance from 8:00-11pm. $7.
Third Saturday, every month. Contra dance with a free workshop at 7:30. Dance from 8:00-11pm. $7.
Friday Dances
First Friday, every month, English Country Dance workshop from 8-10:30pm with a free Basics workshop at 7:30pm. $5.
Third Friday, every month. English Country Dance, with a free workshop at 7:30pm. Dance from 8:00-10pm. Regular dances $8, balls $10.
We dance at the Monday Club, 37 S. Maple, Webster Groves, MO.
Here's a schedule, and a map to the Monday Club.
*Here’s the formula for when we dance (If you don't like convoluted explanations, cover your eyes): We always have a contra dance on the Third Saturday. The next night (Sunday) is a Waltz Party. While the Waltz Party is usually the 3rd Sunday, it’s the 4th Sunday if the date is the 22nd. We host Contra Dances on Sunday nights unless there's a Waltz Party. On the 1st Saturday there's a Caller's Choice Dance (mostly contras). On 1st and 3rd Fridays there's an English Country Dance. The best way to know what to expect when you get to the Monday Club (you can uncover your eyes now) is to check the schedule.
Last Updated on Thursday, 16 June 2011 14:41
Other STL Traditional Dance and Music Opportunities
The Folk School
Play the music we dance to. See the Folk School web site at www.folk-school.org for jam sessions, special events, and workshops. Lessons, too.
The Folk School has started a wonderful series of Square Dances - usually third Thursdays and often at the Grand Oak Hill Community Center at 4168 Juniata St in St Louis.
Wednesday Calling Parties
Calling Parties
We get together most Wednesdays in an informal, supportive environment for learning to call dances. Non-calling dancers also very welcome. Dance, call, talk. Click here for more information on the Calling Parties.
First Saturday Callers' Choice Dances
Callers' Choice Dances
The dances that are practiced at the Calling Parties are called at the Callers' Choice Dances. At a Callers' Choice Dance, you get a variety of dances - mostly contras, but possibly squares, triplets, circle dances, and more! Music is generally provided by Reel Women, though other bands have played, notably Playing with Fire, Smuggler's Cargo, the Folk School Ensemble Class, The Boney Goat String Band, the Nightcrawlers and Perpetual eMotion.
The dances are on first Saturdays from 8-11 p.m. at the Monday Club 37 S. Maple Avenue, Webster Groves, MO. Admission $7, Under 30 $5. An introductory workshop precedes the dance at 7:30pm.
Last Updated on Thursday, 10 November 2011 05:12
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This Sounds Like Fun! What Do I Need to Know?
What is Contra Dance?
It's a communal style folk dance that is fun and easy to learn. No partner or experience is necessary. A caller leads the dancers though a series of moves. The patterns are easy to learn. If you can walk, you can contra dance. Read more about Contra dance...
Do I need to bring a partner?
No. Most people come without partners. Since it's a communal dance, most people change partners after each dance.
What if I've never done this before and have no idea what I'm doing?
You're in for a treat. You'll find a style of dance where it's more important to have fun than do it “right”, where people are friendly and welcoming, and where others will be glad to help you learn the basic steps.
A 30-minute workshop is held before the dance for newcomers who would like a quick introduction to the dance figures. The simplest dances are at the beginning of the evening so that people learn the figures easily. Coming early in the evening is the easiest way to learn.
What if I have 2 left feet?
No problem. Contra Dancing uses a walking step so it doesn't matter which left foot you start on.
Last Updated on Thursday, 02 June 2011 20:03
Read more...
English Country Dance news
English Country Dance News
Styling and Honking Workshops
First Fridays
January 6, February 3, March 2, 2012
 Whatever is a Styling and Honking Workshop? It's an English Country Dance Workshop where the callers get three minutes to teach a dance, then another three minutes to teach a favorite move (or exorcise a pet peeve). Go over the 3-minute limit, and you may get honked with our antique brass taxi horn. It's our way of encouraging ourselves to prepare in advance, and to call dances that are within the reach of the attending dancers. The result is an evening full of laughter and good dancing.
English Country Dances
Third Fridays in 2012
Jan 20, Feb 17, Mar 16, Apr 20, 2012, May 18, June15, Jul 20, Aug 17, Sep 21, Oct 19, Nov 16, and Dec 21
In January, our callers will be Bob Green and Karen Jackson. Karen is a wonderful contra caller who has added English to her repertoire, and Bob is often the first in our community to hear about (or write!) the best new dances. In February, we'll have our fourth annual Presidents Ball, with dances from the American Civil War Period. In March, Keith Tuxhorn from Austin, TX, will be calling; April brings us Mark Rice and Missy Reisenleiter. Music is generally provided by the Tu'Penny Players and special guest artists.
What's English Country Dance?
English Country Dance is similar to Contra, and many English dances are the historical antecedents of American Contra Dances. There are differences, however, and each dance form has its particular pleasures. We encourage you to come and try English. If you are new to dancing, English is no more difficult (or easy) than contra. If you've been dancing contra for a while, English may feel a bit awkward at first, but contra dancers who stick with it for a while often become enthusiasts!
Read more...
Last Updated on Friday, 20 January 2012 16:34
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