PORT ANGELES — Nationally touring dance caller George Marshall, along with the band Perpetual E Motion, are about to join forces for a rare Monday night contra dance at the Black Diamond Community Hall, 1942 Black Diamond Road.
Everyone is invited to the party from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., including children, teenagers and absolute beginners.
Tickets at the door of the hall, which is about 4 miles south of downtown Port Angeles via Pine Street, are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and teens, and $5 for children.
Community dances at the Black Diamond hall are typically the first Saturday night of the month. This coming Monday was the only date that worked for the caller, the band and the local dance community, which includes the thoroughly enthused Elizabeth Athair.
For listening, dancing
She emphasized that this music is for listening as well as dancing — and to the beginners out there, Athair noted that Marshall teaches the steps as he goes along.
“I love his style of teaching with the music playing, so the learning merges magically into a dance,” she said.
“He only calls dances that he loves to dance as well.”
As for Perpetual E Motion, John Cote and Ed Howe, well, the duo “just excites the feet and soul.
“I would call it sunshine therapy for the smiles and laughter that come with it,” said Athair.
Howe plays electronic five-string fiddle with his hands while his bare feet operate electronic gadgets; Cote plays guitar, synthesizer, didgeridoo and foot percussion — at the same time.
So “their sound is so much bigger than just two guys,” said dancer Tom Shindler.
For more details about Monday’s contra dance and other dances at the Black Diamond hall, phone 360-457-5667 or visit www.BlackDiamondDance.org.
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Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5062, or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.
