This is a group for anyone who enjoys dancing to LIVE MUSIC, exercise, fun, socializing, etc. Our Contra and English Country dances* are held every week at various venues in Sonoma & Marin counties. All skill levels and ages are welcome.

No prior dance experience is necessary, and every dance is preceded by a lesson.The dances are very social by nature, and attract people of all ages/status — married and unmarried couples, singles, alone or with friends. Children are welcome at dances if supervised by a responsible adult. There are delicious snacks at the break. We occasionally have special themed dances and weekend dance camps. Our motto is "If you're having fun, you're doing it right."

Contra Dance: Kind of like square dancing but with long lines of dancers, Contra dancing focuses on pattern, flow, rhythm and energy. The dance is having a renaissance around the country thanks to a thriving youth scene.

• Welcome to the contra dance - http://youtu.be/XuPbte5knOY
• San Rafael Contra Dance w/ Cis Hinkle & Notorious (Oct. 2009, NBCDS) - http://youtu.be/KCj50xqXaWI
• Youth Flock to Contra Dancing - (Audio Interview) http://www.npr.org/templates/stor /story.php?storyId=128273050&sc=tw

English Country Dance is spirited and graceful - emphasizing movement and interaction. Think Jane Austen meets the 21st century. If Contra dance is too energetic for you, try English Country!

• This ECD video shows excerpts of several different dances and is a great introduction to both the dance forms and music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnQNMi3skus
• This ECD video shows a workshop on a particular dance - shot from above, it gives a good overview of the patterns: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lghNoyVe-2o

Dances are sponsored by the North Bay Country Dance Society, a non-profit organization. NBCDS has been promoting and producing American and English Country Dance folk dancing, music and song in the Wine Country north of San Francisco (Sonoma & Marin counties) since 1992. LGBT-friendly.

See our website for a full calendar, venues, history, etc: http://www.nbcds.org

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/125365591626...

• Scent-free dancing is greatly appreciated as many have severe allergies.

• If you have a group of beginners that would like to attend a dance, please contact us before posting your Meetup. Generally, there is a limit of approximately 20 beginners per dance — this makes the dance enjoyable for all dancers and the caller.

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* Please note that Contra and English Country dance are different than Country Line Dancing. And Contra dance has nothing to do with rebel fighters in Central America.