BRATTLEBORO — The next Brattleboro Contra Dance, on Sunday, Dec. 9 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Stone Church, located at the corner of Main and Grove streets, will be a benefit for Rural Vermont.
All dances are taught, no partner is required, and everyone is welcome. The beginners' lesson starts at 7:15 p.m. and the dance will follow at 7:30 p.m.
Admission will be $10-$15 sliding scale for adults and $7 for students and seniors. Proceeds will benefit Rural Vermont and their work to speak up for the needs and concerns of family farms and speak out against agricultural and economic policy that hurts those farms and their customers.
Farmer and caller Rebecca Lay will lead the dance, and live music will be provided by locals Ethan Hazzard-Watkins on fiddle, Anna Patton on clarinet, and Andy Davis on piano.
This special dance will include delicious treats to keep dancers fueled up, a free raffle for admission to a future dance, and the opportunity to learn more about Rural Vermont's current initiatives, which include advocating for a GMO labeling bill, the expansion of the direct sale of farm fresh foods, and the protection of farmers and their customers from burdensome and inappropriate regulations.
Contra dancing is an upbeat, accessible, community dance tradition that is deeply rooted in the culture of rural New England. The figures and steps are simple to learn, the dances are taught and prompted by the evening's caller, and there is always live music by talented performers.
Rural Vermont is a nonprofit advocacy group founded by farmers in 1985 that organizes and advocates for farmers' freedom to produce and their customers' freedom to buy the food that supports their values. For more information, or to be added to the mailing list, call 802-223-7222 or visit http://www.ruralvermont.org.
For more info about the Brattleboro contra dance series and directions, visit http://www.brattcontra.org.