- CFOOTMAD Dance Series
OTHER Colorado Dance Series
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- Boulder
Community Dance
- Traditional American contra, square, and circle dances
Avalon Ballroom, 6185 Arapahoe Road, Boulder. 1st and 3rd
Fridays. Lesson 7:15. Dancing 8 – 11 p.m. $10/$8
members (prices may vary for special events). Call Teri at 303 499-1346
for more info. Shoes with clean soles are mandatory!
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Contra dancing is participatory American folk dancing — vigorous
and enthusiastic. Contra dances feature “live music” every time — Irish
fiddle music, Old Time fiddle music or some “wild derivation.”
Fun and easy to do, each dance is taught before the music begins. Our typical
evening dance is held 1st and 3rd Fridays with
an easy lesson beginning at 7:15 p.m. All are welcome, and no partner is needed.
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- Denver
Community Dance
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Traditional American contra, square, and circle dances
NEW Venue!! Highlands Masonic Center, 3550 Federal Blvd., Denver. 2nd and 4th Fridays. Lesson 7:15. Dancing 8 – 11 p.m. $10/$8 members
(prices may vary for special events).
Highlands Masonic Center, Denver.
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Coordinator
Contra dancing is participatory American folk dancing — vigorous
and enthusiastic. Contra dances feature “live music” every time — Irish
fiddle music, Old Time fiddle music or some “wild derivation.”
Fun and easy to do, each dance is taught before the music begins. Our typical
Friday night dance is held 2nd and 4th Fridays with
an easy lesson beginning at 7:15 p.m. All are welcome, and no partner is needed.
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- English
Country Dance
- From the 1600s to the present—come and experience the English
ancestry of our present-day contras
Berkeley Community Church, 3701 West 50th Ave., Denver
(near Regis). 3rd Saturdays, September through May. 8 – 11 p.m. $9/$7 members.
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Experience the “Sense and Sensibility” of English Country Dance
to live music. All dances are taught and walked through—easier dances
at the beginning of the evening lead up to more elegant and graceful dances
by the end of the evening; no partner or previous experience needed. English
country dances are the direct ancestors of our American contra dances,
but are more graceful and elegant with special tunes for each dance.
A Brief History of English Country Dance in America
English Country Dances came to America with the first settlers in the early
1700s. They were the traditional social dance in America through the late
1700s, and in many places, well into the 1800s. They are historically important,
since they were the direct ancestors of the contra dance and the square dance,
America’s two enduring traditional dance forms. By the 1770s, Americans
in many regions were altering and adapting the English Country Dance. This
soon evolved into the New England contra dance (contra meaning “across,”
i.e., dances done in long lines with the men on one side, and their partners
across from them.) The first genuine contra dances begin appearing about 1775.
The development of the square dance takes a more circuitous route. It is heavily
influenced by the popularity of the Cotillions and Lancers (French imports
--remember, the French were our allies in the fight for independence, and
everything French was way cool).
In modern times, the English Country Dance was taken up by Americans with
enthusiasm, due primarily to the influence of two school teachers from England,
May Gadd and Genevieve Shimer, who brought the dance to their students as
a means of teaching social graces and deportment, as well as rhythm and movement,
in the 1940s. Since then, English Country Dance has found more of a home in
America than in England, with active English Country Dance groups in most
major American cities, as well as in many smaller communities.
The dances themselves are an elegant and delightful blend of figures and rhythm,
with each dance set to its own particular tune. The dances are done in long
sets (called “longways sets”) or in two, three, or four couple sets.
There are slow and graceful dances, as well as exciting and energetic ones.
An English Country Dance is also a great form of community dance. By community
dance, I mean that they are fun to do, and can be learned by all, young and
old alike, with no special training required. They are good mixers, since
partners customarily change after every dance. So there is a resulting blend
of sociability, mild exercise, and wonderful music. Just the thing to relieve
the anomie of a fragmented high-tech society.
That, then, is an extremely brief history of English Country Dance in America,
from the early 1700s to the present. They are an important component of our
American cultural history, and the principal influence on the only two uniquely
American folk dances, the contra dance and the square dance.
Chris Kermiet
More
on What is English Country Dance
Ragtime
Tea Dance
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American ragtime era dances including one-steps, foxtrots, waltzes,
tangos, and more
Avalon Ballroom, 6185 Arapahoe Road, Boulder. 2nd Sundays, September through March, and May.
Lesson at 1:30. Dancing 2 – 5 p.m. Complimentary refreshments and the introductory dance lesson are included
in your admission price—$18 general admission, or $13 for CFOOTMAD members,
$5 discount for full-time students with student ID.
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Rollick in the social ballroom dances of the ragtime era — waltzes,
foxtrots, tangos and one-steps, or just dance cheek-to-cheek to the original
music of American social dance. A wide variety of live music from the ragtime
and tango craze of the 1900s through the early swing of the 1920s is provided
by the Mont Alto Ragtime & Tango
Orchestra. Easy-going dancing, mixed crowd, and complimentary refreshments
makes these dances fun for all. All are welcome, and no partner is needed.
Dressy or vintage attire is encouraged.
| For information, |
Events Coordinator: Jim X. Borzym, 303 449-5962,
Orchestra Leader: Rodney Sauer, 303 665-9413 |
Read Jim Borzym’s article on Ragtime
Dance in Colorado.
Waltz Night
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Waltz Dances
The Avalon Ballroom, 6185 Arapahoe Road, Boulder. 5th
Fridays. 8 – 11 p.m. Lesson 7:15.
$10/$8 members.
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An evening of waltzing to live music by local ensembles playing traditional
music from a variety of countries including the British Isles. You may come
alone or bring a partner, but in this relaxed evening people generally dance
with a different partner for each dance. Dress can be casual to dressy, vintage
to modern! A free lesson is provided at 7:15 p.m. for people just (or still)
learning to waltz, and light refreshments are provided during the breaks.
Westminster Old-Time
Community Dance
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Squares, reels, circles, contras, waltzes and other couple dances to
live, old-time music
Westminster Grange, 3935 West 73rd, Westminster.
1st Saturdays. 7 – 10 p.m.
$6/$5 members, $2 kids 6 – 15.
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The Westminster Grange Hall dance features squares, reels, circles, contras,
waltzes and other couples dances. Live American old-time music is provided
with Southern, Northwest and Northeast influences. Beginning dancers are always
welcome and supported. Callers and musicians seeking to gain experience should
contact the dance organizers for information on calling and participating
in a band at this dance. Casual dress, no partner needed, all dances are taught,
beginners and well-behaved youngsters are welcome.
Directions: Take Boulder Turnpike (US 36) to
Federal Blvd. exit, south on Federal to West 72nd Avenue, turn
right (west) on 72nd, go to stoplight at Lowell Blvd., turn right
(north) on Lowell, go one block north to 73rd Avenue, turn left
(west) on 73rd about 4 blocks—theGrange is on the right across
from the fire station. Park on the street or in the back (not on the east
side of the building!) Also sponsored by the City of Westminster.
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- Zesty
Contra Dance
- Contras for experienced dancers—quick walk-throughs and little
caller leading
NEW :: Venue / Night / Time :: for the foreseeable future! ::
Scheitler Recreation Center at Berkeley Park, 5031 W 46 Ave (Directions: I-70 to Sheridan Blvd, south to first stop light at 46th St [in front
of Entrance to Lake Side Park] & turn left (east). Go a little more
than a block. Scheitler Center in on left - with parking lot in front.
Enter at 2nd entrance to parking lot. Inside the Center, turn right to
the East Wing, follow the corridor to the Ball Room. 2nd Saturdays, 7
– 10 p.m. No lesson—beyond the basics, quick walk-throughs
and little caller leading. $12/$10 members.
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Zesty Contras are for dancers with enough experience to successfully do contra
corners, hey-for-four, half-figure-eight above, California twirl, and similar
moves without an explanation from the caller. Zesty contras are danced with
little caller instruction and minimal walk-throughs. We do high energy contra
dances. Emphasis is on good timing, good manners, and smooth moves. Dancers
help each other so we can all have a great time. If you have been dancing
for a while, check out the Zesty Contras—you will be in for the time
of your life—fun, engaging, and definitely aerobic!
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Other Colorado Dance Series
- Buena Vista Community Dance
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Traditional circle, square, longways, contra, and couple dances — fun for all!
2nd Fridays, September – May at Buena Vista High School Cafeteria, intersection of Railroad and Marquette, Buena Vista.
(Head East from the stop light in town. Take your first right after the
railroad tracks. Go about two blocks. The high school will be on your
left.
The high school is on the right of the middle school which is attached
to it. 7 – 9 p.m. $3
Live music — traditional Irish and old-time tunes played by
local musicians. Band often includes hammered dulcimer, guitar, fiddle, and
mandolin. Light refreshments included, beginners welcome, casual dress. Dances
are taught and called throughout the evening by local callers, Randy Barnes
and Eleanor Fahrney. Generally we change partners after each dance (not required)
so that you need not come with a partner. Call Randy or Carole Barnes at 719 395-6704.
Dance Tunes Jam
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Traditional contra and square dance tunes session
The purpose of the dancetunes jam is to promote the playing of traditional contra/square dance music and to have fun.
All levels of expertise are welcome. We usually start with simple tunes
and wind up cookin’, so there’s something for everyone, including the
opportunity to play for dances. Usually on the last Sunday of the
month. Call Kate Lawrence at 303 300-2368 for time and place.
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- Durango Contra Dance
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Durango. Contra dances 1st Fridays, except July (no dance) & September (2nd Saturday). VFW Hall, 1550 Main Avenue (Rt. 550), Durango, Colorado. $10. 7pm instruction, 7:30 to 10:30 dancing.
Everyone Welcome! No partner or experience necessary. First-timers get a pass to come back FREE!
All dances taught and called. These smoke- and alcohol-free dances are a project of the Durango Arts Center. For more info: 259-6820 or web.
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- Friends of Traditional Dance
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Fort Collins. Contra dances 1st
& 3rd Saturdays. City Park Center (Club Tico),
W Mulberry. $8. (970) 493-8277. Also visit the FOTD web site.
Music is always live and always excellent! Our mainstay for awesome dancing
music is Eric Levine on fiddle and Rodney Sauer on piano/accordion. However,
true to contra dance bands, we have mix and match musicians. Sometimes we
import a band from the North, South, East, West, or some point in between.
Fort Collins Ballroom Dance
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Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep,
Rumba, Samba, Cha-Cha-Cha, Jive and the occasional Charleston,
Merengue, Polka, etc.
Ballroom Dancing 1st and 3rd Saturdays, (except May – August) Masonic Temple, 225 W. Oak Street, Fort Collins. $5 — all ages welcome. Please also visit Fort Collins Ballroom Dance website.
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- Glenwood Springs Community Contra Dance
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Circles, contras, squares, waltzes and other couples dances to live, old-time music
Masonic Temple/Blue Acacia Playhouse, located on the corner of 9th St. and Colorado Ave. in downtown Glenwood Springs. 1st Saturdays. Call ahead to confirm dance!!, 7:30 p.m. $7 ($2 kids 6 – 15).
The Glenwood Springs dance features squares, reels, circles, contras,
waltzes and other couples dances. Live American old-time music is
provided with Southern and Northeast influences. Beginning dancers are
always welcome and supported. Callers and musicians seeking to gain
experience should contact the dance organizers for information on
calling and participating in a band at this dance. Casual dress, no
partner needed, all dances are taught, beginners and well-behaved
youngsters are always welcome.
Directions: From Hwy 82 West/Grand Ave., Turn left onto 9th St. and go 1 block. The dance hall will be on the SW corner. Turn left and park along the street.
From I-70, take the Glenwood Springs exit, go East at the light and
turn right onto Grand Ave. Go over the bridge and turn right at the 2nd stoplight (9th St.). Go 1 block. The dance hall will be on the SW corner. Turn left and park along the street.
For more info, call Don at 970 945-0350.
- Grand Junction Community Contra Dance
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Circles, contras, squares, waltzes and other couples dances to live, old-time music
Palisade Community Hall 8th and Main Street, Palisade, CO. 8 - 11 p.m. New dancer's instruction at 7:30. Adults $7 ($3 kids 10 – 17). Casual dress, come with or without a partner, all dances are taught, beginners and well-behaved youngsters are always welcome.
For more info, call Connie at 970 243 6736.
- Lyons Old-Time Community Dance
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Old-time reels, mixers, squares, waltzes and the occasional polka
Various Saturdays — October, January –
April — Odd Fellows Hall, one-half block north of 4th
and Main, Lyons. Dessert potluck, $10 families or $5 per
person and $2 for kids and seniors. All dances are taught and are beginner
and family-friendly, with simpler dances earlier in the evening and more complex
dances as the evening progresses, plus a good mix of beginner and experienced
dancers. For more info, please contact dance organizer Ellen Rosenberg at
303 823-0816
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- Pikes Peak Traditional Dance
- Contra dances 3rd Saturdays, Sept thru May, 7:30-10 pm. At the Hillside Community Center, 925 S Institute, Colorado Springs (see
map), $7.00 admission plus band donation. Info: 719 578-8979, email Adele B., or check out their website.
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