North Berkshire Contra Dance - Featuring Raven & Goose, with Ben Sachs-Hamilton Calling

WILLIAMSTOWN — North Berkshire Community Dance will hold its monthly contra dance on Saturday, November 8th. Ben Sachs-Hamilton, the caller, will teach every dance, and live fiddle music will be provided by the California-based band, "Raven and Goose".

The dance will run 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. in the Community Hall of the First Congregational Church, 906 Main St., Williamstown. Admission is pay-as-you-can: $12 - $20 suggested, and barter is also welcome.

Contra dancing is a living tradition in New England; for hundreds of years, neighbors and friends have made their own social entertainment in this easy and highly collaborative dance form. All are welcome. Come alone, or with friends -- most people change partners for each dance throughout the evening. New dancers and families with children are encouraged to arrive by 7:30 for instruction in the basics.

Caller Ben Sachs-Hamilton will teach using "larks and robins" role terms. Sachs-Hamilton has called and organized for dances across the northeast, with a focus on LGBTQ and gender-role-free dance communities. He fosters a welcoming and inclusive space for diverse groups of new and experienced dancers.

Raven & Goose are a nationally touring contra duo. With fiery fiddlin' and foot stompin' piano, they play original compositions and breathe new life into traditional tunes, all delivered with a passion that will get you up and dancing!

Additionally, Corwin and Grace, (of "Raven and Goose"), will lead a workshop for contra dance musicians, from 2-4PM in Goodrich Hall on the Williams College campus. The workshop will focus on fine-tuning common repertoire fiddle tunes, on the fly, for common variables of contra dance.

Respiratory Illness Policy: Please stay home if you feel ill or have cold symptoms. We’ll be glad to see you next month! Masks appreciated but not required.

Visit www.NorthBerkshireDance.org for more information