What can I say - they are great! All three are usually non-smoking, non-drinking public events for all ages, are not religiously affiliated, open for singles and couples as well. Even if you don't dance, going to listen just the live music, is a treat!

Contra and English Country Dancing is held in a public hall usually with a live band. All dances taught. All levels of dancers are welcome, the easier dances are earlier in the evening. Consult your local arts directory for times and places. Bring clean, non-marking, soft sole shoes. The web can help you seek out places as well.

Traveling to special events makes dancing even more enjoyable. Often special events are held to gather the masses, see and dance with old friends and make new ones. Events include NEFFA, at Natick, Mass. High school, DEFFA - in the Portland, Maine area, In Saratoga Springs, NY around Valentines day - is the Dance Flurry. Down south, near the end of January (just the right time to get away from cold New England) is the Snow Ball in Florida On the left coast is the No-Snow Ball in CA. There are also traveling dancing events like to the US Virgin islands or Hawaii. Be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen!

Morris Dancing does require practicing usually with a team. Most Morris Teams (200+) will teach the steps, have a small audition and will let you join. Some Morris teams have more of what you are looking for than others. There is a link for just learning about Morris...no pictures though :-(

Morris events are called Ales, mostly for watching, unless your team is invited to participate. Big ones include the Marlboro Morris Ale, every Memorial Day weekend in and around Marlboro - Brattleboro - Newfane (southern VT) area. The Bluemont Ale in The Carolinas, The London Ale in London, Ontario, Canada, The Mixed Morris Ale in the tri-state region of New York City. For a different flavor, The Sword Ale in New York City - around Valentine's Day by Half-Moon Sword - an excellent Longsword and Rapper Team.

Camps, ect..etc...

Then there are the camps, such as Pinewoods Camp in Plymouth, Mass (my favorite), Bay Area (San Fran, CA) Country Dance and Song, Ashokan Camp in NY. Many have waiting lists, but it is worth the wait! Last but not least: Folk schools - such as John C. Campbell Folk School in NC.

Mother Jones

My Mother, Mary Jones, calls English Country Dances in the Amherst - Northampton, Mass. area, is known for her vibrant calling spirit and is available for hire. Mary Jones actually started off as a dancer (with me, a partner no less), but found that there wasn't enough promotion for new dancers and in time started teaching classes. To her, I owe all this fated fate from...which is great! The rest, is history!

Your best bet to learn about the trio is to start at www.cdss.org
 
 

"Country Dance and Song Society, is a nonprofit organization founded in 1915. Membership is open to all people interested in English and Anglo-American folk dance, music and song. " It's worth joining just for the dance directory and newsletter!