Lots of Traditional Dancing This Week in the Ann Arbor Area

There is so much dancing going on this week! Beginner or advanced, you'll find something here. These are all listed on the Ann Arbor Community of Traditional Music and Dance site (AACTMAD). For most, no experience is necessary, but if you are brand new and would like to try this for FREE, come to the dance on Friday night at Concourse Hall. You'll meet friendly new people and you'll also have a great time!!

We'll be there, trying out our calling! That should be most interesting to see . . .


Mon Mar 12, 2012

• Scottish Dancing Beginners' Class (Tartan and Thistle Scottish Country Dancers).
  Learn Scottish Country Dancing in this eight-week beginners' class. Learn the basics needed to join in on jigs, reels, and strathspeys--an introduction to a lifetime of fun! Families welcome. No partner necessary. Live music from fiddler Susie Lorand.
  7:30 pm to 9:30 pm. $5 per week; $30 for eight-week class. 734.395.7782. EMail: mwesselwalker@gmail.com. Gretchen's House Child Care Center #5 Barn (2625 Traver Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI).

Tue Mar 13, 2012

• English Country Dance (Ann Arbor Tuesday English Dance).
  Bronwen Gates and Greg Meisner lead dancing with music by Debbie Jackson, Brad Battey, and Betsy Foote. All dances taught and prompted. Informal; no partner or experience needed. Dress comfortably; bring flat, non-slip shoes (like running shoes). First-timers come early. Right on Burbank from Green Rd; park "Clubhouse Parking" on Burbank. 734-665-7704. 7 - 9:30 pm. $7 adults; $4 students; under 14 free with parent. Chapel Hill Condominium Clubhouse (3350 Green Road, Ann Arbor, MI).
  7:00 pm to 9:30 pm. EMail: . Chapel Hill Condominium Clubhouse (3350 Green Road, Ann Arbor, MI).

Wed Mar 14, 2012

• Howell Opera House Contra Dance (Ruffwater Stringband).
  Ruffwater Stringband members Judi Morningstar and Carl Visconti join with Michigan's Troubadour Neil Woodward to generate great acoustic dance music. Glen Morningstar Jr. leads the contra dances. All dances taught and walked through. No partner required...bring 5 friends if you can. Dance in this grand Opera House...wood floor...mood lighting...snacks available...wow!
  Doors open at 6:30 pm. 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. $5 donation at the door. 517-540-0065. EMail: gmorning@aol.com. Howell Opera House (123 W Grand River Ave, Howell, MI).

Fri Mar 16, 2012

• Calling Class, presented by Dance Lab (AACTMAD).
  The second in a series of one-hour sessions for aspiring and novice callers. You can learn the art of calling, and, when you are ready, try out your new skill at the Dance Lab that follows. Advance registration is not required, but it would be helpful if you indicate your interest by emailing dancelab@aactmad.info.
  7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Free admission. 734-994-6494. EMail: dancelab@aactmad.info. Concourse Hall (4531 Concourse Drive, Ann Arbor, MI).
• English country dance (Red Barn).
  Leading by Drake Meadow with music by the Red Barn English Orchestra. There is a staffed toddlers area with activities. Refreshments are served at the break.
  7:00 pm to 9:30 pm. $4 students; $6 adults; and $15 per family. 734-665-7704. EMail: rbantle@comcast.net. Red Barn gymnasium (in the Domino Farms complex) (Via Sacra Drive, Ann Arbor, MI).
• Allegan Woods Third Friday Contra Dance (Allegan Woods Folk Arts Cooperative).
  The wonderful band Puddingstone plays live music; and Grand Rapids caller Julie Warners leads an evening of contra dance. Everybody welcome... Singles, Families, Beginners. "If you can walk, you can Contra Dance." All dances taught and walked through before the music begins. Introduction to contra dancing at 7:00, dance starts at 7:30. Bring a snack to share.
  7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Adults $8Students $5Family maximum $20Kids under 6 are free. 616-402-6434. EMail: thompete@gmail.com. Ottawa County Fairgrounds - Park Township Hall (1286 Ottawa Beach Road, Holland, MI).
• Friday Night Swing (AACTMAD Friday Night Swing).
  Weekly Swing Dance to DJed music FREE beginner lesson 8:00pm; Open dancing from 9:00pm to 12:00am.
  8:00 pm to 11:55 pm. $5 general admission; $3 students;AACTMAD members: $1 off. EMail: . The Phoenix Center (220 S Main St, Ann Arbor, MI).
• Dance Lab (AACTMAD).
  Open stage for callers to try out new and new-to-them dances and for novice callers to practice in a supportive setting. Music by the Pittsfield Open Band. Admission is FREE for dancers. Best suited to dancers with some experience. For more information, to submit a dance you have composed, or if you would like to call a dance, please send an email to dancelab@aactmad.info. (However, advance notice by callers and choreographers is not required.).
  8:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Free admission. 734-994-6494. EMail: marlin.whitaker@aactmad.info. Concourse Hall (4531 Concourse Drive, Ann Arbor, MI).

Sat Mar 17, 2012

• Pittsfield Open Band jam (contradance music) (AACTMAD Pittsfield Open Band).
  Free open jam of contra dance music. All instruments welcome. Bring the Ruffwater Fakebook, the Portland Collection volumes, & the Waltz Books if you have them.
  3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. (734) 994-9307. EMail: . Pittsfield Grange (3337 Ann Arbor-Saline Road, Ann Arbor, MI).
• Young Contra Dance (Ann Arbor Young Contra Dancers).
  Contra dancing for young people (students/20s/30s). Beginner friendly, no partner necessary; all dances taught and prompted. Please bring clean, flat, non-marking shoes. Band: Brad and Alex / Caller: Glen /.
  4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Cost: $10, $9 for AACTMAD members, $5 for students$4 off for new dancers with coupon (see new dancer section of this website). 248-417-7968. EMail: ziembajr@yahoo.com. AACTMAD Concourse Hall (4531 Concourse Dr, Ann Arbor, MI).
• Wheatland - St Patrick's Day Ceili Dance (Karen Dunnam).
  Music by Hurry the Jug, Patti Loveless calling. All ages and beginners welcome. $6 per person at the door, under 18 free.
  These dances will feature live old-time traditional acoustic music provided by local musicians and callers. Dances will begin at 7:30 PM in the Gladys Wernette building on the Wheatland Music site near Remus, and are open to the public. All dances are taught and beginners are welcome. No partner is required.
  Potluck 6 pm. 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm. 989/967-8879. EMail: wmo.office@wheatlandmusic.org. Wheatland Music Organization (7251 50th Avenue, Remus, MI).
• Pittsfield Grange Contra Dance (Pittsfield Grange).
  Third Saturday Contra Dance: Pittsfield Grange. Peter Baker will prompt dances to live music by Pix 'n Stix. Wear cool, casual clothes and bring flat, smooth-soled shoes for dancing. Beginners are welcome; instruction at 7:30. No partner needed.
  8:00 pm to 11:00 pm. EMail: . Pittsfield Union Grange (3337 Ann Arbor Saline Road, Ann Arbor, MI).
• Looking Glass Contra and Square Dance (Looking Glass Music And Arts Association).
  CALLER - BEV BERNBAUM ; BAND - HANNO AND FRIENDS Come to an old-time contra and square dance hosted by the Looking Glass Music and Arts Association. No need to bring a partner we switch around after each dance. Please wear clean, soft soled shoes and dress for active movement. All dances are taught by our caller and danced to the wonderful sounds of live string band music. New dancer intro lesson (not required) at 7:30pm. Prices, General $9, Members $8, Students $4.
  8:00 pm to 11:00 pm. 517 337 0235. EMail: bonhanno@gmail.com. Central United Methodist Church (215 N. Capitol Ave, Lansing, MI).
• International Folkdancing with Ann Arbor Folkdancers (Ann Arbor Folkdancers).
  Russ Ericksen will be hosting this dance; teaching of easier dances from 8 - 9 p.m. There will be 'open' dance from 9 - 11 p.m., with requests encouraged. Russ has a large repertoire of recorded music. No partners necessary! Come, get some good exercise, meet new people and have fun! Questions? 734-995-0011 or 734-709-8748.
  8:00 pm to 11:00 pm. $5; students: $3. EMail: igruhl@provide.net. Gretchen's House Childcare Center (2625 Traver Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI).

Sun Mar 18, 2012

• Grange Family Dance (Pittsfield Grange).
  Dances suitable for parents or grandparents with children. Live music by David West and Donna Baird. Calling by two or three of our regular callers: John Freeman, Ed Vincent, Dave Smith, Marlin Whitaker. Followed by Grange-baked cookies.
  2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. $12/family. 734-769-1052. EMail: hellmann@umich.edu. Pittsfield Union Grange (3337 Ann Arbor Saline Road, Ann Arbor, MI).