What we’re about
Contra dancing is an easy-to-learn style of social dance accompanied by a live band. Do you like smiling, laughing and interacting with friendly folks? Getting some healthy exercise while having fun? Contra dancing might be for you. Knowing how to dance is not necessary because a caller prompts the moves and guides the dancers. A short workshop is given at the start, teaching basic terminology and dance moves.
Come alone or with friends. It's customary to dance with a variety of partners throughout an evening. Typically at a dance there are 40 to 80 people of varied experience levels, ages and backgrounds.
Much of the music is drawn from Appalachian, Celtic, and old-timey traditions, with pop, jazz, Eastern European and electric for good measure. From lively and playful to smooth and elegant, the music always has a great beat enhanced by the collective energy of joyful dancers.
Swingin' Tern is known both as a beginner-friendly dance group and the host of special events that draw dancers from several states.
LOCATION: St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 200 Main St, Chatham, NJ 07928
DATES: First and third Saturday of every month.
LESSON: 7:00-7:30 PM, DANCE: 7:30– 10:30 PM
COST: $15 adult, $5 student (certain special dances may be higher)
More information: http://swingintern.org
Upcoming events
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Contra dance with caller Donna Hunt, music by Bosnick and Bittel
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 200 Main St, Chatham, NJ, USJoin us for this fun, festive evening ending at 10 pm for our annual holiday after-party. First-time dancer? Long-timer dancer? All are welcome to attend this potluck party just three miles from the hall. Address and directions provided at the dance. See you there!
Welcome notes for new dancers: The beginner's lesson at 7 pm will get you dancing in no time. Come alone or with a friend. Throughout the evening, we mix around and dance with everyone. The music is live, and the steps are called/prompted. People of all ages attend, and our events are alcohol-free. Dancing is aerobic; dress lightly and bring a water bottle. Flat-soled shoes are best; heels or flip-flops are not recommended.
Tonight's talent: Philadelphia-based caller DONNA HUNT has garnered an excellent national reputation. Calling contras with interesting choreography and variations, she is known for utilizing clear, concise instructions to minimize teaching time and maximize dance time. Donna infuses the dancers with confidence, regardless of their skill level. She enjoys guiding new dancers and challenging experienced ones.
ANNA BOSNICK is a fiddler from New Jersey. AARON BITTEL is a pianist from Connecticut. With the attitude of “Down to Clown” they bring together an eclectic mix of traditional and modern styles, heavily influenced by the music of Eastern Canada and New England, with a healthy dose of Celtic and Southern American and a willingness to improv.
Admission: $15-$20 as you're able. $5 with student ID. Cash at the door or e-payment with Square.
Times: Beginner's lesson at 7:00 PM. Dance from 7:30-10:30 PM, first and third Saturdays.
There is ample parking in the lot behind St. Paul's and the adjacent municipal library. The Chatham train station is just two and a half blocks away. Use New Jersey Transit from Penn Station in NYC and take the Morris & Essex line terminating at Morristown or Dover.
Hungry before the dance? Chatham has many restaurants offering a variety of cuisines all within two blocks of our location on Main Street.
Swingin' Tern dances are held on the first and third Saturdays of the month and are presented by The Folk Project. Join our email list here to get dance announcements, and check out our Facebook page. Our dance is run by volunteers. Sign up to lend a hand at a future dance and get a free pass for that evening! Home-baked goods or other snacks to share at the break are welcome.6 attendees
Contra dance with caller Bob Isaacs & Co., music by Raven & Goose
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 200 Main St, Chatham, NJ, USTry something new in the new year and give this friendly group a try! Welcome notes for new dancers: The beginner's lesson at 7:00 PM will get you dancing in no time. Come alone or with a friend. Throughout the evening, we mix around and dance with everyone. The music is live, and the steps are called/prompted. People of all ages attend, and our events are alcohol-free. Dancing is aerobic; dress lightly and bring a water bottle. Flat-soled shoes are best; heels or flip-flops are not recommended.
Tonight's talent: To celebrate Swingin' Tern's 42nd anniversary, BOB ISAACS will organize a terrific program featuring a variety of callers who started out on our stage. Bob is a renowned national caller and prolific choreographer whose creative dances are enjoyed throughout the country.
RAVEN & GOOSE are a nationally touring contra duo currently based in California. With fiery fiddlin' and foot stompin' piano, they play original compositions and breathe new life into traditional tunes, all delivered with a passion that will get you up and dancing!
Admission: $15-$20 as you're able. $5 with student ID. Cash and e-payments accepted at the door.
Times: Beginner's lesson at 7:00 PM. Dance from 7:30-10:30 PM, first and third Saturdays.
There is ample parking in the lot behind St. Paul's and the adjacent municipal library. The Chatham train station is just two and a half blocks away. Use New Jersey Transit from Penn Station in NYC and take the Morris & Essex line terminating at Morristown or Dover.
Hungry before the dance? Chatham has many restaurants offering a variety of cuisines all within two blocks of our location on Main Street.
Swingin' Tern dances are held on the first and third Saturdays of the month and are presented by The Folk Project. Join our email list here to get dance announcements, and check out our Facebook page. Our dance is run by volunteers. Sign up to lend a hand at a future dance and get a free pass for that evening! Home-baked goods or other snacks to share at the break are welcome.2 attendees
Contra dance with caller Alyssa Adkins, music by Gus and Pepin
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 200 Main St, Chatham, NJ, USWelcome notes for new dancers: The beginner's lesson at 7:00 PM will get you dancing in no time. Come alone or with a friend. Throughout the evening, we mix around and dance with everyone. The music is live, and the steps are called/prompted. People of all ages attend, and our events are alcohol-free. Dancing is aerobic; dress lightly and bring a water bottle. Flat-soled shoes are best; heels or flip-flops are not recommended.
Tonight's talent joining us tonight from Maine: When you ask a Muppet to masquerade as a human and call a contra dance, you get ALYSSA ADKINS. Dancers consistently describe their teaching and calling as clear, joyful, and energetic. An experienced contra dancer, folk waltz and fusion dance teacher, she stays precise and concise in her communication so everyone can more fully enjoy the dance, the music, and each other.
Described as a “passionate and masterful player who values tradition,” GUS LA CASSE is exploring the future of fiddle music. He has appeared on the Canadian international television broadcast from the Congrès Mondial Acadien, traveled to Ireland as part of the Young Tradition Vermont touring group, and was a featured performer at the American Folk Festival in Bangor.
PEPIN MITTELHAUSER is a tenor guitar player and vocalist who performs as a duo with Gus at contradances around Maine. He is also a lead performer and vocalist with the Maine Gilbert & Sullivan Society.
Admission: $15-$20 as you're able. $5 with student ID. Pay at the door with cash or Square.
Times: Beginner's lesson at 7:00 PM. Dance from 7:30-10:30 PM, first and third Saturdays.
There is ample parking in the lot behind St. Paul's and the adjacent municipal library. The Chatham train station is just two and a half blocks away. Use New Jersey Transit from Penn Station in NYC and take the Morris & Essex line terminating at Morristown or Dover.
Hungry before the dance? Chatham has many restaurants offering a variety of cuisines all within two blocks of our location on Main Street.
Swingin' Tern dances are held on the first and third Saturdays of the month and are presented by The Folk Project. Join our email list here to get dance announcements, and check out our Facebook page. Our dance is run by volunteers. Sign up to lend a hand at a future dance and get a free pass for that evening! Home-baked goods or other snacks to share at the break are welcome.2 attendees
Contra dance with caller Hila Lenz, music by Torrent
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 200 Main St, Chatham, NJ, USWelcome notes for new dancers: The beginner's lesson at 7:00 PM will get you dancing in no time. Come alone or with a friend. Throughout the evening, we mix around and dance with everyone. The music is live, and the steps are called/prompted. People of all ages attend, and our events are alcohol-free. Dancing is aerobic; dress lightly and bring a water bottle. Flat-soled shoes are best; heels or flip-flops are not recommended.
Tonight's talent: HILA LENZ comes to contra from the world Scottish Country Dancing and ceilidh calling. She draws on these dance traditions to develop a smooth yet crunchy calling style.
With Ross Parker on piano, Sarah Parker on fiddle and Nadia Gaya on accordion, TORRENT is a dynamic ensemble based in NYC specializing in energetic music for contra and Scottish country dancing. Focusing on the musical traditions of Scotland, Torrent also specializes in Quebecois, Shetland, traditional and contemporary New England styles. With the goal of bringing you tunes you may not hear anywhere else, Torrent’s driving rhythms will get you up and moving while their inspiring arrangements will make your heart sing.
Admission: $15-$20 as you're able. $5 with student ID. Cash and e-payments accepted at the door.
Times: Beginner's lesson at 7:00 PM. Dance from 7:30-10:30 PM, first and third Saturdays.
There is ample parking in the lot behind St. Paul's and the adjacent municipal library. The Chatham train station is just two and a half blocks away. Use New Jersey Transit from Penn Station in NYC and take the Morris & Essex line terminating at Morristown or Dover.
Hungry before the dance? Chatham has many restaurants offering a variety of cuisines all within two blocks of our location on Main Street.
Swingin' Tern dances are held on the first and third Saturdays of the month and are presented by The Folk Project. Join our email list here to get dance announcements, and check out our Facebook page. Our dance is run by volunteers. Sign up to lend a hand at a future dance and get a free pass for that evening! Home-baked goods or other snacks to share at the break are welcome.2 attendees
Past events
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