So Sorry, this dance has been cancelled for lingering ice.
Ask to be put on the email list, contra @ franklindance . org
or follow the contra dance on Facebook for details about our upcoming events.
Contra / Community Dance
featuring Celtic band Paddy's Return and caller Harrison Keely
at the Macon County Library, Franklin, NC, Jan. 16, 2025
Franklin's first Contra Dance of 2025 will be January 16 at the Macon County Public Library. Contra Dance is social folk dancing from which square dancing evolved, so it shares many of the same movements. As always, no partner is necessary and beginner dancers are welcome. Anyone curious about contra dancing or wanting to just listen to some fine live Celtic music may also attend.
The band, Paddy's Return, is strong on lively celtic tunes of Ireland and Scotland and hails from Brasstown, NC, with strong ties to the renowned John C. Campbell Folk School. The band's name is from a popular traditional Irish jig, echoing a reemergence of music gatherings following the recent pandemic. Three of the members are instructors at the Folk School, and all of the five members are multi-instrumentalists. You may see a dozen instruments on stage — anything from accordion to celtic harp to guitar to whistle to tenor banjo!
Dawn Davis, the band's founder, is a veterinary-tech-turned-composer, who also teaches traditional-style tunes and songwriting. David Bellino has been a performing musician for much of his music career, arranging and producing music as well as instructing guitar. Both have CDs of their music. Amanda Burts is a mental health therapist with long experience playing Irish music. Dawn, David and Amanda also play with the English Country Dance Band, Mist O' the Glen.
Brothers Brian and Dakota Gatti both dance with several folk-style dance teams affiliated with the Folk School. Brian is a middle-school math teacher who assists with the Folk School's Junior Appalachian Music Program, and plays with the Appalachian St. Andrews Pipe and Drums band. Dakota is self-taught on several instruments, a member of the Brasstown Folk Ensemble and a budding audio engineer.
Dawn Davis, the band's founder, is a veterinary-tech-turned-composer, who also teaches traditional-style tunes and songwriting. David Bellino has been a performing musician for much of his music career, arranging and producing music as well as instructing guitar. Both have CDs of their music. Amanda Burts is a mental health therapist with long experience playing Irish music. Dawn, David and Amanda also play with the English Country Dance Band, Mist O' the Glen.
Brothers Brian and Dakota Gatti both dance with several folk-style dance teams affiliated with the Folk School. Brian is a middle-school math teacher who assists with the Folk School's Junior Appalachian Music Program, and plays with the Appalachian St. Andrews Pipe and Drums band. Dakota is self-taught on several instruments, a member of the Brasstown Folk Ensemble and a budding audio engineer.
Harrison Keely will call the dance (for the uninitiated, the caller walks the dancers through the steps of the upcoming dance for a few minutes, and then continues to call the moves in time to the music so the dancers know what to do next), to include contras, squares, mixers, and perhaps a few other types of folk dances appropriate to the level of the dancers in attendance. Harrison frequently acts in theater productions in Hayesville, and is known for his clear dance calling instructions, enthusiasm and permanent smile.
The dance is from 7-9. Beginners are strongly encouraged to arrive by 6:30 for the instruction, and experienced dancers are keen to help those new to contra dance get started with the moves. A suggested donation of $10 per person goes to pay the band and caller; kids age 14 & under are free; children over age 8 who are game to participate, or sit and watch with an adult may also attend.
Wear casual clothing and bring a closed water container and a snack if you choose. Smooth-soled shoes work best on the Library's wood floor. Please do not wear perfume or scents to the dances. Our contra dances are sponsored by the Arts Council of Macon County. Visit facebook.com/FranklinContra for photos and follow us for details about monthly upcoming dances.
The Macon County Public Library is located at 149 Siler Farm Rd, Franklin, NC. The main entrance is being restored; use the meeting room entrance (just a few feet to the left of the main entrance on the same side of the building)
Wear casual clothing and bring a closed water container and a snack if you choose. Smooth-soled shoes work best on the Library's wood floor. Please do not wear perfume or scents to the dances. Our contra dances are sponsored by the Arts Council of Macon County. Visit facebook.com/FranklinContra for photos and follow us for details about monthly upcoming dances.
The Macon County Public Library is located at 149 Siler Farm Rd, Franklin, NC. The main entrance is being restored; use the meeting room entrance (just a few feet to the left of the main entrance on the same side of the building)