PORT ANGELES —Food, conversation and a beginners’ workshop will warm people up for a wide-open contra dance at the Black Diamond Community Hall this Saturday evening.
The Country Capers duo will provide the live music while Marlin Prowell does the calling for the dance at the community hall at 1942 Black Diamond Road, which welcomes singles, couples, teens and families.
This Saturday’s gathering starts with a 5:30 p.m. potluck so dancers have a chance to enjoy supper and camaraderie. Participants are encouraged to bring dishes to share.
Then the beginners’ workshop starts at 7 p.m., when everybody is welcome to learn the contra dance steps — which are like square dancing and English country dancing mixed together — or use the half-hour session as a refresher.
The music and dancing follow from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. with admission a suggested $8 for adults and $4 for those younger than 18. No one is ever turned away for lack of funds.
Prowell, a Bellingham-based caller, will teach the steps in his easygoing way. Even if you’ve never danced a step in your life, listen to his instructions and you’ll be smiling and swinging in minutes, organizers say.
Country Capers, with Jane Landstra and Ken Embrey playing fiddles, guitar, piano and concertina, brings music with Irish, Scottish and Scandinavian flavors to the party. The Poulsbo pair has been making music together for more than three decades now.
“If you can walk — or travel in a wheelchair — you can dance,” Landstra is fond of saying.
The Black Diamond dance group hosts contra dances at least once a month throughout winter and spring. This Saturday’s event is in honor of the late Bob Boardman, a beloved member of the music and dance community on the North Olympic Peninsula.
A pre-holiday contra dance is also coming up on Nov. 19 with caller George Marshall and the band the Faux Paws. That one will start at 6:30 p.m. at the Black Diamond Community Hall.
For more about these events, see BlackDiamond Dance.org, phone 360-457-5667 or email Tom@Shindler.us.
