Winter Meltdown Day Of Contra Dancing Announced, 3/10

Country Dance*New York (CD*NY) is presenting the greatly anticipated WINTER MELTDOWN, an afternoon and evening of lively contra dancing to inventive and joyous live music by the hot band, Tempest on Saturday, March 10, 2018. No previous experience is required at the evening contra dance and it is not necessary to come with a partner. All dances will be taught by caller Lisa Greenleaf. WINTER MELTDOWN will be held at P.S. 3 (The John Melser Charrett School) at 490 Hudson Street (corner of Hudson and Grove Streets), New York, NY 10014.

An afternoon contra dance for experienced dancers will be followed by a dinner break and a contra dance introductory lesson followed by contra dancing in the evening for all. g:

3:00pm - 6:00pm Challenging contra dances for experienced dancers

6:00pm - 7:30pm Brown bag dinner

7:30pm - 8:00pm Contra dance introductory lesson

8:00pm - 11:00pm Contra dancing for all to live music

The highly regarded caller Lisa Greenleaf will present lively yet beautiful and flowing dances, fun for all. Tempest blends traditional tunes with inventive, progressive grooves and harmonies drawn from jazz, world music, pop, and R&B. Originally formed in 2009 by Tim Ball (fiddle, vocals) and Chuck Abell (guitar, vocals) as a contra dance band, their repertoire has expanded to include jazz standards, blues, folk songs, Irish fiddle tunes, and more. They will be joined by two other stellar musicians from other top contra bands, Harry Aceto (bass) of the Clayfoot Strutters, and Ness Smith-Savedoff (percussion)of Gallimaufry.

Admission: Afternoon Dance: $18 general public, $15 for students with ID or CDNY members; Evening Dance: $18 general public, $15 for students with ID or CDNY members. Both Dances: $28 general public, $22 for students with ID or CDNY members.

Contra dancing is having a renaissance around the country, thanks to a thriving youth scene; lively, uplifting acoustic music; and joyful, fast-paced, aerobic dancing. Contra dancing started in New England in the 1700s, but the modern version is a far cry from the Virginia Reel-type dancing done in schools years ago. The current dancing is done in lines of dancers facing their partners and moving briskly in patterns to live music, dancing with a partner, and also with others they meet in the course of a dance.

Further information can be found at www.cdny.org or by calling 212.459.4080.

Attendees are asked to bring a separate pair of clean, soft-bottomed shoes for dancing to protect the floor.