Contra Dance! ContraForce with Joel Wilder

Friday, August 1, 7:30 pm (Doors open at 7:15) ContraForce with Joel Wilder - Ballroom Dance Charleston, 2408 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC 29414 Beginner lesson at 7:30, easy to learn, fun for all ages, no partner needed!

Charleston's own quartet ContraForce is deeply rooted in traditional folk music and excels in musical experimentation. Fiddler Andrae Raffield, percussionist/handpan/saxophonist Joey Dorwart, guitarist Jimi Peirano, and fiddler and vocalist Karin McQuade collaborate on old standards and new originals. Joel Wilder is a favorite Charleston-based dance caller.

See our full calendar of upcoming dances here.

DANCE INFO AND PRICES:
Admission is $10 cash, check, or Venmo (@chscontra $10.50 on Venmo**). Doors open at 7:15 and the dancing begins at 7:30 pm with a beginners' walk-through (highly recommended!).** Children aged 6 to 12 accompanied by a paying adult dance for half price ($5). Children 5 and under are free. Teens 13 and over pay full price, still a deal at $10. Family Rate: $30 for one or two adults and their children under 18. Children 12 and under must be supervised by an adult at all times. Children who are not able to participate in the dance must stay off the dance floor. Please wear non-marking, soft-soled shoes. Bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated. Wear your name button!

COMFORT and SAFETY: We are a community and want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable. If you have a suggestion, comment, concern or question, please bring it to one of our board members (wearing a board member button at the dance) or email us at [charlestonfolkcontraclub@gmail.com](mailto:charlestonfolkcontraclub@gmail.com).

HEALTH POLICY: Masks welcome and optional. Please stay home if you are sick!

A TIP FOR NEWCOMERS: Don't dance with another newbie! Ask an experienced dancer to show you around. Anyone can ask anyone to dance. It is customary to ask a different person for each dance. By the end of the evening, you will have danced with everyone in the room, and you will see why contra dance is so much fun. : )

SNACKS! Our dance community takes turns bringing finger-food snacks to each dance. Please consider bringing something to contribute to the snack table at the back of the hall.

To get on our email list, send an email to [contra-charleston+subscribe@googlegroups.com](mailto:contra-charleston+subscribe@googlegroups.com) (no message needed) and then click on the link in the email confirmation you receive.

Learn more about contra at ABOUT CONTRA DANCING or LOTS OF TIPS. Check out some great contra videos and photos here.

Join our Facebook group and Meetup group to receive updates and event invitations. Follow us on Instagram.

If you are interested in playing or calling at a Charleston Folk dance, here is more information for Bands and Callers.

Charleston Folk is a non-profit, CDSS (Country Dance and Song Society) affiliate organization with a mission to promote, sponsor, and encourage participation in American folk dancing and music traditions among people of all ages in the South Carolina Lowcountry.