Mountain Folklore: Contra dancing event coming to Birdsboro

Along with formal court dancing, parlor dancing, square dancing, hoedowning, flatfoot dancing and jigging, contra dancing has survived in the Eastern USA for generations, and Birdsboro is an epicenter for this fun, social activity.

All are invited to come, learn and enjoy the Birdsboro contra dance on Saturday at the Birdsboro Community Memorial Center from 7:30-10:30 p.m.

The schedule:

• 7 p.m.: 10 basics of contra dance review

• 7:30-10:30 p.m.: regular evening dance.

Admission is $13 per person ($8 for students).

Liesl Jandrey and Alex Burka will be calling to music from Box and String. The live band features Bill Quern, banjo, mando, squeezes, etc.; Sarah Gowan, guitar, concertina, feet; and Laura Alexander, cello.

If you wish, you may bring snacks to share.

Aside from being a dance activity, contra dances are also a social activity. This type of activity was very important in Colonial days because it offered a way for young people to meet and interact.

Many a wedding was launched by a first meeting at a contra dance.

The callers announce the dance, then talk or sing the dancers through it as the band plays lively music.

Seeing as there was sometimes a shortage of women in early Colonial days, some men dress as women as part of a tongue-in-cheek representation of how things were done in the earliest days of our nation.

Even if you’re shy about dancing, attending a contra dance is worth the price of admission to enjoy the great music and watch living history come to life before your very eyes.

The event is being presented by the Conestoga Dance Association Board, one of several active groups working to preserve and present the traditions of contra dancing.

Dave Kline is an award-winning writer, photographer, show host and producer, singer-songwriter, travel guide and community advocate. Reach him at davesmountainfolklore@gmail.com