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The Boone Country Dancers to Host Free Contra Dancing Workshop on Saturday, April 20 from 3-5 p.m.

April 19, 2013. Taking a break from the dancing excitement themselves, the Boone Country Dancers will host an in-depth workshop to help people find their inner contra-dancer.

images-7The workshop, called Contra-101, is for contra dance beginners, and beginners of other dance styles, to come out, learn something new and fine tune their skill.

This workshop will take place on Saturday, April 20 for three hours from 3 to 6 p.m. and will be located at the Apple Barn in Valle Crucis. 

Warren Doyle of Mountain City, Tenn. will lead the workshop. Doyle has over 40 years of experience as a dancer, educator, instructor and event organizer. The purpose of this workshop is to “help maintain and improve the overall dancing level in Boone and in the region,” according to their website. 

The main topics of the workshop will include discussing and demonstrating:

  • The importance of listening, timing, and grace (gentle strength) in dancing

  • Barriers common to smooth and joyful movement

  • Challenges of creative, individual movement within the collective structure

  • Reasons why people contra dance

The workshop will be held in a relaxing atmosphere but will still be meaningful with a healthy balance of discussion and dancing. As always, beginners are welcome to attend the workshop as well as experienced dancers looking for more experience. The dancers recommend that guests wear comfortable shoes with minimum tread. 
Workshop attendees are invited to stay for the evening contra dance at 8 p.m. after the workshop to practice what they’ve learned. 

Dance admission is $7 for general admission and $5 for high school students,. Children 12 years old and under get in free.

For more information about the workshop and upcoming contra dances, please visit their website.