About us
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
6
Contra dance with caller Donna Hunt, music by Raven & Goose
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 200 Main St, Chatham, NJ, USThis dance will put color in your cheeks and a spring in your step! 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: Philadelphia 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.
RAVEN & GOOSE are a nationally touring contra duo currently based in California. With fiery fiddling and foot-stomping piano, they play original compositions and breathe new life into traditional tunes, all delivered with a passion that will get you up and dancing! Featuring Corwin Zekley on fiddle and Grace Fellows on keys.
Admission: $15-$20 as you're able. Students $5 with student ID. Cash, credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay 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.
5 attendees
Contra dance with caller Harris Lapiroff, music by Petrichord
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 200 Main St, Chatham, NJ, USBeginner-friendly, family-friendly, introvert-friendly: Join us and find out for yourself. 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: Hailing from Boston, HARRIS LAPIROFF strives for an efficient, friendly calling style that gets dancers moving as quickly as possible and then gets out of the way.
From Washington, DC, PETRICHORD weaves creates an eminently danceable, engaging experience. Colleen Holroyd (fiddle, feet) brings her passion for Québécois, Cape Breton, and Scottish fiddle tunes. Sophie Chang (cello) injects catchy and colorful accompaniments. Rounding out the trio is Bobby LaRose (piano, mandolin), adding his love of old time and Irish music.
Admission: $15-$20 as you're able. Students $5 with student ID. Cash, credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay 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.
3 attendees
Contra dance with caller Penelope Weinberger, music by Jaybird!
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 200 Main St, Chatham, NJ, USNo partner? No problem! The whole room dances together. 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: Hailing from the DC area, PENELOPE WEINBERGER has been calling and organizing dances for over 20 years, and is welcomed around the country for her clear and convivial calling.
JAYBIRD...sassy rhythms, down-to-earth grooves, flights of fancy, contra dance heaven. With buttons, strings and keys, Jaybird mixes complex rhythms and joyful energy fueling contra dance mayhem. Featuring Sam Zygmuntowicz on fiddle, Jody Kruskal on Anglo concertina, and Ben Bath on piano.
Admission: $15-$20 as you're able. Students $5 with student ID. Cash, credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay 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 Steve Zakon-Anderson, music by Northwoods
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 200 Main St, Chatham, NJ, USDon't. Miss. This. Evening. 'Nuff said. 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: From New Hampshire, STEVE ZAKON-ANDERSON is one of the country’s most respected contra dance callers, known for his clear teaching and relaxed humor. Facilitating the joyful connection between the music on the stage and the dancers on the floor, Steve helps newcomers feel welcome while giving experienced dancers the smooth flow, timing, and lift that make contra dancing a pleasure.
NORTHWOODS is a Boston-based band that brings a seamless blend of unstoppable groove, infectious melodies, and boundless energy to the dance floor. Featuring Casey Murray on guitar and cello, Molly Tucker on fiddle, and Sam Zakon-Anderson on piano, the band approaches contra dance music with a balance of tradition and innovation. Enjoy some of their music here.
Admission: $15-$20 as you're able. Students $5 with student ID. Cash, credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay 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.
3 attendees
Past events
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