Wrapping Up the Year and Starting 2016

Here's our schedule for international dancing through the holiday season:

Friday, November 27: regular dancing  (dance off that Thanksgiving dinner!)

Friday, December 4: regular dancing

Friday, December 11: NO dancing at the RAP studio (the studio will be in use for the Nutcracker ballet...AND we'll be performing elsewhere...stay posted for details)

Friday, December 18: regular dancing

Saturday, December 19: Christmas Party at our regular location (the RAP) starting at 6:00 p.m. with sit-down potluck dinner, holiday surprises and folk dancing favorites/requests...come ready to rock around the Christmas tree!

Friday, December 25: NO dancing

Friday, January 1: regular dancing with low-key celebration of the New Year (bring treats to share!)

Contra Dance Dates

We've got Contra Dances scheduled through June 2016!
These Saturdays, 7-10 p.m. . . .

November 21, 2015
January 23, 2016
February 20* 
March 26 
April 30
May 21 
June 25

*(note: this was originally 2/27, but has been changed to 2/20)

Halloween Weekend...dance extravaganza!

Two special events this weekend:

Friday, October 30
Our regular folk dance evening will take a special twist with a 1950s theme. Dress up for the occasion (sock hop...rock-a-billy...car-hop...?) and be prepared to dance to some rockin' 50's tunes as well as some of our favorite international folk.
Friends and family welcome. You're invited to bring snacks or fingerfoods to share.
At our regular time/place, 7:00 p.m. at the RAP dance studio on Market in Redding

Saturday, October 31
Contra dance (at the IOOF/Rebekah Hall in Palo Cedro)
Our monthly contra dance will be spiced up with a bit of Halloween spirit. Come as you are or wear a costume (be sure to pick something comfortable for dancing!). We'll have a table of "treats" (contributions of snacks or sweets are welcome). Hope to see you there!

Fall Dancing

After a summer break, we're all set for another season of dance!


International Folk Dancing: Every Friday at our regular time and place (7:00 p.m. at the RAP dance studio on Market in Redding...see above for details).


Contra Dances: Odd Fellows hall in Palo Cedro IOOF/Rebekah Hall - Off of Hwy 44   22551 Silverlode Lane  $8 admission/$4 students (See May/June posts for more details below)

• Saturday, September 26
• Saturday, October 31 (celebrate Halloween!)
• Saturday, November 21
• (December holiday break, no contra dancing)
• January TBA

Catch the June Contra Dance!

We'll have one more contra dance at the end of June, before going on summer break for July/August.

Same time/place as our previous contra dances (see previous post below for details).

Saturday, June 27, 7:00 p.m. at the Rebekah/IOOF Hall in Palo Cedro.
And YES, the hall is air conditioned!

Come and join us for some fun dancing and great live music by Curvy Road.

Then stay tuned for more contra dancing starting back in September.

May & June Dancing

Regular folk dancing on Friday nights continues through the end of June.

And....

Join us for two more contra dances before the summer break!

7:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 30

Saturday, June 27

$8 admission adults/ $4 students

Location: Palo Cedro IOOF/Rebekah Hall - Off of Hwy 44   22551 Silverlode Lane

Wear shoes comfy for dancing. And, though we'll have bottled water for sale, you're welcome to bring your own hydration! Snacks will be shared as potluck (simple finger foods).

Live music. All dances taught/called.

Singles, couples, beginners, experienced dancers...all are welcome!

And just what is contra dance?! Here's a great description:

Contra dance is a folk dance from New England.  It originally traveled to American shores from the Old World, where it began life as a hybridization of 17th century English country dances and French court dances. Thus contra dance looks like the sort of ballroom dance that you might know from Jane Austen movies: couples are arranged in long paired lines that run the length of the ballroom, and they interact with adjacent couples through a series of movements like do-si-dos, swings and chains that serve to pass couples up and down the line, all as a “caller” calls out instructions and a live band plays merry folk tunes. 

 The relative formality of the dance sequences are balanced by an almost total lack of rules in terms of style and footwork. And when it comes to swinging — which is essentially twirling in a circle with your dance partner, fairytale-style — all bets are off around how the two of you will manage to stay upright, except that you’ll figure it out. (Bonnie Chan/Oakland Local)

Next Contra Dance! Saturday, April 25

We'll be having another contra dance. Same time, place, and other details as the last one (see entry below).


Hope to see you there!

Remember to wear shoes comfy for dancing. And, though we'll have water for sale, you're welcome to bring your own hydration! Snacks will be shared as potluck (simple finger foods only).

Contra Dancing in Redding!

Community Contra Dance with Live Music
Presented by the Redding International Folk Dancers

Saturday, March 28, 2015, 7:00 p.m.

Special location: Palo Cedro IOOF/Rebekah Hall - On the Corner of Hwy 44 and Silverbridge Rd.

 Lesson at 7:00 pm Called Dances: 7:30 - 10:00 pm
$8 Adult $4 Student

What is contra? Contra dance is the American cousin to Scottish and English Country set dances. It's easy, very social and very fun. Imagine a dance from a Jane Austen movie, add some American energy, throw in some casual clothes, a few extra smiles, and you’ve got a contra dance!

Come give it a try! Each dance is taught and then called. It’s fun dancing, set to live music, and uses walking steps. By the end of the night you’ll have danced with everyone in the room.

Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Come on your own, or as a couple. Beginners are very welcome.