Alcester Contras
A series of folk dances in the American style
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.
Dates of Alcester Contras
All dances are on Fridays 8.00 - 11.00pm
| Date |
Band |
Caller |
Venue |
| Friday 20th January 2012 |
Kelly's Eye |
Rhodri Davies |
St Benedict's School |
| Friday 9th March 2012 |
King Kontra |
Lynne Render |
St Benedict's School |
| Friday 13th April 2012 |
Stick the Fiddle |
Chris Turner |
St Benedict's School |
| Friday 18th May 2012 |
Vertical Expression |
Jim Kitch (USA) |
To be decided |
| Friday 8th June 2012 |
English Contra Dance Band |
Lisa Greenleaf /
John Turner |
To be decided |
| Friday 13th July 2012 |
Mollie, Ali and Friends |
Frances Oats |
To be decided |
| Friday 21st September 2012 |
Skylark |
Andrew Swaine |
To be decided |
| Friday 19th October 2012 |
Fat Harry |
Geoff Cubitt |
To be decided |
| Friday 30th November 2012 |
Folkus Pocus |
Madeleine Smith |
To be decided |
About Alcester Contras
The venue for Alcester Contras has changed and is now St. Benedict's School. Check the table above for changes which may happen for 2012 dances.
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.
St. Benedict's School is about quarter of a mile NE of the church opposite the previous venue of the Greig Hall which is no longer available. 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 right into the school car park. The address is St Benedict's Catholic High School, Kinwarton Road, Alcester, Warwickshire B49 6PX.
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.
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 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 and the Alcester group on Wednesdays. For more details ring Meg on 01789 766701.