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Alcester Contras
A series of folk dances in the American style
All dances are from 8.00 - 11.00 pm
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Date |
Band |
Caller |
| Friday 24th October 2008 |
Folkus Pocus |
Colin Hume |
| Friday 28th November 2008 |
Weston Country Dance Band |
Ivan Aitken |
| Friday 23rd January 2009 |
Kelly's Eye |
Mike Courtauld |
| Friday 27th March 2009 |
Gareth, Ali and Mollie |
Chris Turner |
| Friday 15th May 2009 |
Notorious (from USA) |
Geoff Cubitt |
| Friday 5th June 2009 |
English Contra Dance Band |
Cis Hinkle (from USA) |
| Friday 24th July 2009 |
Weston Country Dance Band |
Ivan Aitken |
| Friday 25th September 2009 |
Skylark |
John Meechan |
| Friday 16th October 2009 |
Fiddlegang |
Joe Hodgson |
| Friday 6th November 2009 |
Vertical Expression |
Rhodri Davies |
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Alcester Contras are held at the Greig Hall in Alcester, Warwickshire. Alcester 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.
The Greig Hall is about quarter of a mile NW of the church. From the main street (High Street) go past the church and town hall (partially obstructing the road), cross the river at Gunnings Bridge and immediately turn left into the Greig car park. The address is Greig Leisure Centre, Kinwarton Road Alcester, Warks B49 6AD. Tel: 01789 400073. |
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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. The charge is £7 for advance booking (ring Meg on 01789 766701) or £8 on the door.
You are invited to bring a plate of refreshments to share during the interval. These could be a few sausage rolls, jam tarts or a bunch of grapes etc., but only bring the amount you can eat. Using paper plates makes it easier to dispose of at the end (you may forget to collect a real plate). Just pop your food into the kitchen when you arrive so the volunteers can present it arranged on tables at the interval. The hall operates a licensed bar. |
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Newcomers
| 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 he can keep his 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. There are a couple of weekly folk dance clubs in the area where you would be most welcome and which would give you a softer start. The Stratford group meets on Mondays (click here) and the Alcester group on Wednesdays (click here). |
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Picture Gallery
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Kelly'Eye |
John Turner |
Colin Hume |
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Dave Brown, Skylark |
Geoff Cubitt |
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Last Updated: 29/9/2008
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