Downtown Amherst Contradance Most Wednesdays (exc 2nd), 7:30-10:30 Beginners Lesson at 7pm

Beginners welcome: Intro lesson at 7pm at every dance.

Masonic Lodge 99 Main Street - Amherst, MA

(near the Black Sheep Deli and the Police Station)

Admission: $10, Students: $8 , High School: $6

Please bring water and clean, soft-soled shoes to protect the wood floor. Also please refrain from wearing perfumes, colognes and other highly scented products. All dances smoke, drug and alcohol free.

Dance Schedule

February 19, 2014

Music: “Techno Contra” with Firecloud

Calling: Lisa Greenleaf

Firecloud and master caller Lisa Greenleaf together! What more could you ask for? Firecloud is arguably the hottest techno/crossover band planing today. Featuring: Julie Vallimont of Nor’easter on keyboards, jaw harp and synths, Andy Reiner on fiddle and Andrew "DJ Nanocannon" Hlynsky on loops and beats. They are guaranteed to set your feet a-dancin’ with their musically rich blend of live fiddle and keyboard infused with infectious beats, loops, samples and vocal scat. Dramatic lighting with black lights and lasers (but no strobes). Bring your favorite glow-in-the-dark clothing, face paint, etc!

Starting Feb 26 and continuing through March:
All First Time Dancers get free admission
Intro lesson is 7-7:30, dancing starts 7:30

This is a great chance to introduce your friends to contra dance. We’ve got a great lineup of callers and bands!

February 26, 2014

Music: Red Shift

Calling: Steve Zakon-Anderson

Dancers from our 1st year as well as the recent New Year’s Eve dance in Greenfield will remember the dynamite duo Red Shift, featuring national Scottish fiddling champion Brendan Carey-Block and the wonderful guitarist and mandolin player Eric McDonald. Please join us for evening of great music and dancing.

March 5, 2014

Music: The Moving Violations

Calling: Nils Fredland

Valley favorites return! Van Kaynor on fiddle; Ron Grosslein on fiddle and mandolin; Chuck Corman on bass, guitar, percussion; Eric Eid-Reiner on keyboard.

March 19, 2014

Music: Avenue X

Calling: Steve Zakon-Anderson

Well-known in the NJ/NY/Philly area, Princeton, NJ based muscians Christopher Jacoby and Ross Harriss join us for a fun night with the ever awesome Steve ZA calling.

March 26, 2014

Music: Max Newman, Stuart Kenney & Friends

Calling: Will Mentor

A roundup of some of our favorite local musicians including Max Newman (guitar and mandolin), Stuart Kenney (upright bass and banjo) and others to be named!

April 2, 2014

Music: Julie Metcalf & Larry Unger

Calling: Nils Fredland

Fiddler Julie Metcalf regularly graces our stage as well as our dance floor. You’re seen her in the Gig Hunters and numerous other bands; Larry Unger (guitar, mandolin and feet) is one-half of the very popular Boston-based duo, Notorious.

April 16, 2014

Music: DJ Improper (Techno Contra)

Calling:

DJ Improper (Jeremiah Seligman), throws down the hottest remixes and mashups. Known for his regular DC-area “Contra Sonic” gigs, DJ Improper spins Top-40 music into contra dance-able rhythms that you can even sing along with! (For more info on DJ Improper, see this review.)

April 23, 2014

Music: Nor’easter

Calling: Nils Fredland

“ toe-tappin', foot-stompin', shoe-shufflin', heel-clickin', booty-shakin' ”
the fabulous Nor’easter returns to Downtown Amherst. Nor’easter has the distinction of playing the first ever Burning Man contradance in addition to wowing dancers all over the country. Nor’easter features Julie Vallimont on keyboards, Cedar Stanistreet on fiddle and Max Newman on guitar and mandolin. Come hear one of the finest bands in the Northeast with calling by the equally fine Nils Fredland calling. Nils teaches a great beginning workshop so bring your friends at 7 for a great intro to contra dancing.

April 30, 2014

Music: Swallowtail

Calling: George Marshall & Tim Van Egmond

An evening with a group that has been making sublime dance music together for over 30 years: David Cantieni - winds, Ron Grosslein - fiddle, Timm Triplett - keyboards, Tim Van Egmond - hammer dulcimer and calling, George Marshall - concertina, bodhran and calling. A night not to be missed.