Flash Dance at the Missouri Botanical Garden, 2007
Welcome to St Louis Contra Dancing
Click here for the regular Dance Schedule.
Sunday July 25 Contra Dance with Chicks with Guns, calling by Karen Jackson
Sunday August 1 Contra Dance with Marc Rennard & Friends, calling by Deborah Hyland
Saturday August 7 Callers Choice Dance with Smugglers Cargo, open calling
Sunday August 8 Contra Dance with Banvard's Folly, calling by Mac McKeever
Saturday August 14 Contra Dance with Matt Turino & Friends, calling by Cathy & John Coffman
Sunday August 15 Flash Dance at the Missouri Botanical Garden
Pictures
Pictures! Pictures! Have we got pictures! See the Photo Gallery.
What is Contradancing?
If you're new to contra dancing, read Greg's article
about contradancing. If you've been dancing a while and are having a hard time explaining to your friends why it makes you so happy, send them this link.
English Country Dance News
Sign up now for this year's High Tea & Whiskey contra/English weekend on Labor Day. The nationally-acclaimed Joanna Reiner will be calling English, and major Missouri talent Jim Thaxter from Columbia will be calling the contras. The band will be fiddlers Pam Carson Stoll and Martha Edwards of Stringdancer, joined by their friend and fabulous keyboard player Kendall Rogers from Houston, TX.
Download a flyer for High Tea & Whiskey. And sign up NOW! Registration is limited - we don't want you to miss out!
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...
When and Where are the Dances
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Take the music home!
Remember the good times with music by some hot Missouri contradance bands.
The CD page shows what's available from Childgrove, Dave Landreth, Stringdancer, the Ill-Mo Boys, The Buckhannon Brothers, Rick Thum, Boney Goat, Bob Holt, and Rhys, Jim & Jeff.
Sunday Dances
We *generally have contra dances on the 1st, 3rd & 4th 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 2nd Sunday, you'll *generally find a Waltz Party, an entire evening of waltzes and other social dances. Workshop
Occasionally we have a special dance on the 5th Sunday. Check the schedule for times, places and fees.
Saturday Dances
First Saturday, every month. Callers Choice Dance - contra dances and related dances. Dance preceded by a free workshop at 7:00pm. Dance runs from 7:30-10:30pm. $8.
Second Saturday, every month. Contra dance preceded by a free workshop at 7:30. Dance runs from
Friday Dances
Third Friday, every month. English Country Dance, preceded by a free workshop at 7:00pm. Dance runs from 7:30-10:00pm. 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 Second Saturday. The next night (Sunday) is a Waltz Party. While the Waltz Party is usually the 2nd Sunday, it’s the 3rd Sunday if the date is the 15th. We host Contra Dances on Sunday nights unless there's a Waltz Party or it's a 5th Sunday. On 5th Sundays, there's no dance unless we're hosting a Special Event.On 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.
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...
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.
Do I have to wear a funny outfit?
Nope, just dress comfortably. Many people wear khakis and tennis shoes. Most women wear flowing or twirly skirts because they're fun to dance in. Since we try to keep the hall cool, but the dances are energetic and you can get very warm, you may want to dress in layers. Tennis shoes or leather soled shoes will work well.
Can I come and just listen to the music?
Sure. If you prefer, you can watch the dances and enjoy the great live music. You may have to reject a dozen invitations to dance, though.
What if I have other questions?
Send e-mail to mac@childgrove.org.
The Folk School
Play the music we dance to. See the Folk School web site at www.folk-school.com for jam sessions, special events, and workshops. Lessons, too.
Calling Parties and the First Saturday Callers' Choice Dances
Calling Incubator
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. Contact Martha at meedwards@westendweb.com for directions to the party.
Also, check check out our blog at http://dancecaller.blogspot.com.
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, both American and English Traditional Country Dances - contras, squares, triplets, circle dances, and more! There are usually four to ten callers who volunteer to call a dance or two - most are the dances that have been practiced at the Calling Parties. Music is generally provided by Reel Women and the Jigelos, though other bands have played, notably Smuggler's Cargo, the Folk School Ensemble Class, and Perpetual eMotion. Some of the members of Reel Women and the Jigelos also play together in the English Country Dance band Tu'Penny Uprights.
The dances are on first Saturdays from 7:30-10:30 p.m. at the Monday Club 37 S. Maple Avenue, Webster Groves, MO. Admission $8, Under 30 $5. An introductory workshop precedes the dance at 7:00pm.
The Country Dance & Song Society (CDSS) is a national organization which links groups like Childgrove that are all over the country. CDSS is for dancers, musicians, callers, dance organizers and others who want to make sure our dance traditions continue to flourish. A couple of years ago, they held their board meeting in St. Louis. We've also benefited when one of our Board members traveled to a CDSS workshop. The Youth Contra has recently received a grant from CDSS so it could develop and grow.
If you have not already joined (as many of us have), consider becoming a member of CDSS (donations are tax deductible). It's a great way to show your love for dance, and there are good discounts available to members in their store, which is chock-full of good music and books on music and dancing.
St Louis in the CDSS newsletter
If you aren't a member of CDSS (join here) you missed seeing Martha's article "Developing Callers in St. Louis" in the CDSS Summer 2009 newsletter. It's all about the Hatchlings and the Calling Parties and one of the reasons why St. Louis is such a fun place to dance. Read it here...