Workshop hosted by Traditional Dance and Music Society of the Ozarks. This event was funded in part by the Outreach Fund of the Country Dance and Song Society. http://www.cdss.org Live music is what makes the dance go. We're lucky to have the kind of great old-time string bands playing for us that lift our spirit and keep our feet moving to a solid groove.

Contra Dance Calling and Organizing - for Beginners - for teenage and college students Traditional Dance and Music Society of the Ozarks hosting a one day contra calling workshop specifically designed for young people who wanted to learn how to call for contra dancers. The workshop was for beginners, so no one had to know anything about calling. Contra dance experience was helpful, but not required. The workshop featured a professional caller to teach the workshop and a live string band to provide music. The workshop was followed by an evening contra dance where the new callers were given a chance to call for a live dance. Registration Form: See what you missed! We hope to have a few pictures to post soon – if you attended the workshop and have some to share, please email them to ivyandroses@juno.com. We had a great time at the workshop. It was great to have such a nice group of folks who attended the workshop, excellent helpers/dancers, a fun caller, and lovely music to dance to for the day. A lot was learned and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves at the same time. Thanks to all the participants, helpers, caller, and band for making it a great experience all around. What is contra? In the 16th century, the country dancing of English villages became popular in the court of Elizabeth I. The fashion spread to the continent, picking up flavor from each locale and developing all the existing forms: circles, squares, and longways sets. Ironically, contre-a French rendering of the English "country"--became the term for this style of dancing in New England because French troops introduced their dances during the Revolutionary War. In the 19th century, couple dances like the waltz replaced community dancing among urban sophisticates, but country dancing continued in rural areas of New England, Appalachia, and along the frontiers. Several revivals in the 20th century have helped modern Americans rediscover the joys of sharing community in music and movement.

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