Alcester Contras Welcomes You

A series of monthly folk dances in American style

Venue-
Greig Hall, Kinwarton Road, Alcester, Warwickshire, B49 6AD

Please bring refreshments to share.

2024

Sept 13th Bearded Dragons with Loise Siddons.
Oct 4th Old Time Contra Band with Diane Silver (USA).
Nov 22nd Vertical Expression with Liam Binley.

2025
Jan 3rd. Charlie Turner with Contrary Faeries.
Feb 7th Jack Kanutin with Contrasaurus.
March 21st. Colin Hume with Folkus Pocus.
April 4th Nicola Scott with King Kontra String Band
May 16th .Sue Rosen with Audrey Leigh Jaber and Bruce Rosen all from USA.
June 13th . Mark Elvins with Larry Unger and Elke Baker (USA)
Sept 12th . Liam Binley with Dave Fran and Phil.
Oct 10th Cis Hinkle (USA) with Vertical Expression
Nov 7th . Geoff Cubitt with Box of Frogs.

Dances run from 7-45 to 10-45 pm.
The charge is £9.00 for paid advance booking (ring Meg on 07864 926561) or £10 on the door. Students £4.00. You may pay more as a supporter.

Newcomers to Contradancing
Newcomers to contra dancing are welcomed and are vital to the contradance movement. Dancing is done with a partner in company with many other couples to form longways sets. This can be quite daunting due to the fear of mucking it up for the other dancers. The thing to remember is everyone else has been in this situation and will be sympathetic; we are only there to have fun and people will be helpful. There is a lot of repetition with the dance turns lasting about 30 seconds, there being between 10 and 20 turns to the complete dance. You will very soon remember the simple moves required. All dances are walked through beforehand and the caller will prompt you as required throughout the dance. If you are new and inexperienced try to arrive at the beginning and mention to Meg that you are new and nervous and she will ensure the caller is aware of your concern so they can keep their eye on you. It's best to get up near the band end if you can to make it easier for the caller. If you have done a bit of barn dancing you will already know some terms like forward and back and swing.

About us
Alcester Contras are organized by Meg, an enthusiast of folk dancing and a nationally known folk dance musician. The dances are non profit making with all proceeds used to pay the hire of hall, band and caller.

Alcester is in Warwickshire and lies on the A46 between Stratford upon Avon and Evesham and is easily approached using this road from the M40 (J15), Coventry area, and from the southwest by leaving the M5 at J9. From Birmingham and the M42 (J3) use the A435.