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.2022- 2023 SCHEDULE
Dec-June
Every Monday Eve 7:30-9:00 PM
San Juan Island Grange, 152 First Street,
Friday Harbor, WA
A free weekly Monday night dance Masks optional.
Contact
Alice Deane <tedalicedeane@rockisland.com>
360-378-5250
Mike Cohen 360-378-6313
POTENTIAL
June 17 - July 12, 2023
.English Camp Visitor Center, SJI National Historic Park
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"Dancing was
major pastime
for San Juan Islanders during the settlement period in the late 19th
century," said park historian Mike Vouri. "Whether in a community hall
or private home, it was not uncommon for dances to go on until 4 a.m.
The
men would then go home to do the chores and return in time for
breakfast. And they would dance at every opportunity, especially on
holiday evenings, and evenings following funerals.”
"Contra dancing is the most fun you can have with your clothes on."
"Community
dancing is real
people in real time with reel music. In too many towns it is a missing
part of real life. You cannot experience this while sitting on your
duff.
Get out more often! You know you spend way too much time in front of your computer. You can't record the incredible synergy and spirit that occurs when you combine enthusiastic, connected, happy dancers, hot musicians and fun and easy dance steps. No author can capture just a tiny glimpse of the magic that takes place." .... -Gary Shapiro "Great, it gets me high"
"If
you find you want more first-class things from life its probably
because you are missing something major, the supportive and lively well
being that is inherent in old time community dancing."
"I wasn't just having fun, I was actually participating in an ancient ritual that represents all the virtues of the human spirit: love, intimacy, cooperation, compassion, responsibility, piety, and trust." "How happy is this dancing in the past."
 .. "Turning,
moving, spinning, dresses swirling, music beating, eyes in contact with
a partner, then another, then another, then another, and the fiddle
turns a corner, the phrase repeats, the dance repeats. You smile. Your
body smiles. Everywhere."
- Doug Plummer "To truly understand all of this experience it yourself."
 "I enjoyed the friendly, smoke-free dance atmosphere that was in stark contrast to the regular bar scene frequented by most of my peers. Here, people didn't worry about getting picked up or trashed, but instead, let down their psychological walls to enjoy some good, clean, old-fashioned fun." "The phenomenal social energy really jumps"
 "Here were all the basic tenets of the world's great religions being expressed by people of all races, colors, ages, sizes and walks of life who had come together not to preach or get preached to but only to 'do'." "It's aerobics with live music and total friendship"
 "'Dance community' has meant many things to me over the quarter-century that I have been involved in dancing. When I first started out, the dance community was a refuge from an uncertain and unhappy college experience; I found joy and movement and music in international folk dance. These things helped alleviate the stress in my life and helped me become more alive and confident." ....- Bob Stein "Welcoming community keeps me coming back"
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The Organic Contra Dance and Band plays Monday Nights at English Camp and the Grange (see schedule on left), San Juan Island National Historical Park San Juan Island, Washington Old Time Contra Dances and Tunes for your dancing and listening pleasure |
Why wouldn't you want to be part of the picture, below?
Are you? Take a look:
"Cheers for this music and play that always leaves me smiling"
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EVERY MONDAY
NIGHT 7:30-9:00 PM See schedule above
Free Admission Summer English Camp Visitor Center San Juan Island National Historical Park, Winter San Juan Island Grange San Juan Island, Washington Old Time Community Dance and Musical Held Weekly (Monday) Spirited traditional contra dances and tunes called and played by San Juan Island (Organic) Contra Dance Band traditional and folk musicians. We are home grown/local here and, like nature, the evening is free. Dance if you want: Contras, Squares, Jigs, Reels, Polka, Waltz, Schottisch, Two Step. Enjoy historical old time music. Dance in an original 1860 building at English Camp (Summer) or the Grange (1890) (Fall-Winter-Spring)...best dance floors ever. Experienced contra dancers, musicians and guest callers welcome. We play, you have fun, as of old. CONTACT: Mike Cohen, Ph.D. 360-378-6313 or Alice Deane 360-378-5250 for updates, questions or to make special arrangements. nature@interisland.net (Of interest to you? Some contra dancers can pass the Ultimate Intelligence Test) We
are available for Contra Dance weddings and
social events. The band includes members of the Friday Harbor
Farmer's Market
Band.
Sponsored in cooperation with the
 "My friends say I look like I'm really into it...because I am"
 THE BAND: Lee McEnery, Valarie White, Randy Swanson, Malcolm Suttles, Mike Cohen, Katy Nollman, Jim Nollman, Ken Azarian, Kirk Fuhrmeister and the Somtimes brothers, More and Less Sometimes.   "I love the mayhem in tune with structure"
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