Contra Dance: A North American Dance Tradition
Southern Maryland Traditional Music and Dance
Come join this workshop, you’ll learn a bit of the history of contra dancing, and the types of tunes to which they are danced. A variety of both traditional and contemporary reels, jigs and waltzes of the Scottish, Irish and French-Canadian traditions will be performed by the Southern Maryland Open Band, led by fiddler Elgin Perry. Dances will be taught and led by a dance caller. Workshop participants are invited to join in the dancing - no dance experience or partner is necessary. For more information about the workshop, email smtmd2@gmail.com.
Southern Maryland Traditional Music and Dance (SMTMD) is a society of local residents dedicated to preserving and promoting the appreciation and performance of traditional and contemporary folk music and dance in American culture.
We meet that goal throughout the year in the Southern Maryland region by sponsoring contra dances, open mics, concerts and workshops. We believe that traditional music and dance are an important part of our heritage. We love learning it, playing it, dancing to it, and listening to it, and we want to preserve it by passing it along. For more information go to our website: www.smtmd.org.