Dear Dance Community,
After ongoing monitoring and much consideration, we are having to suspend our local dances, starting with this next dance on March 20th, and until further notice. It is a big disappointment to all of us. However, the situation is such that it is unavoidable. Most local and regional events are cancelled. We are a CDSS affiliate and they advise cancelling. Both Charlotte and Columbia have suspended their local dances. On top of that, the schools are now closing. It is very disappointing. However, with contra dancing in particular, it is impossible to follow accepted prevention guidelines of avoiding hand and face-to-face contact. We are all about these things, and dancing with everyone. So we first need to prioritize and protect each other, as well as be responsible citizens of the larger community.
We will continue to monitor the situation and of course we all want to resume dances as soon as possible. We will keep you informed through Facebook, email, and our website.
In the meantime, stay safe and well, and we hope to see you on the dance floor sooner rather than later.
Your Charleston Folk Board
Dear Bug Stomp Dancers,
It probably comes as no surprise, but we --after much monitoring, and even more agonizing--are having to cancel Bug Stomp 2020. It is a huge disappointment. However, the situation is such that it is unavoidable. CDSS advises cancelling, and most local and regional events are now cancelled. And with contra dancing in particular, it is impossible to follow accepted prevention guidelines of avoiding hand and face-to-face contact, as we are all about these things. So we need to prioritize and protect each other. It is extremely disappointing--we look forward to Bug Stomp all year long and work on it through-out. We were especially looking forward to this year's terrific line-up and a great new venue. And to having a much anticipated reunion with our Bug Stomp community. And, as with most communities, our dance weekend helps support our local dances all year. So at all levels it is a loss. We will be issuing refunds, with no cancellations fees, minus the Eventbrite fees that we can't recover. We are aware that most of our contra dance communities are under pressure. We certainly feel it. We are also aware that our professional musicians and callers are being seriously impacted, with so many events cancelled and no clear end in sight. For that reason we are also setting up a system whereby those dancers receiving refunds can voluntarily donate these --either the full refund or even 1/2-- to directly benefit our talented contra musicians and callers. If you are so inclined, please email our Registrar at Palmettobugstomp@gmail.com and designate one of these two donation options by this Thursday, March 19th. All other refunds will then be processed shortly thereafter. These are tough times for all. However, it is also incredibly gratifying to see how our contra dance communities -- locally, regionally and nationally --have all responded willingly for the greater good of all. It is simply good to be a Contra Dancer! Please stay safe and well until we see you next on the dance floor! With much appreciation, Charleston Folk Board and Charleston Contra Dance Community |
 Charleston Folk flash-mob contra dance on King Street |
FRIDAY NIGHT DANCE INFO AND PRICES:
We generally dance the 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month. Admission is $8 (cash or check) and the dancing begins at 7:30 pm with a beginners' walk-through. Children aged 6 to 12 accompanied by a paying adult dance for half price ($4). Children 5 and under are free. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times. Children who are not able to participate in the dance must stay off the dance floor. Teens 13 and over pay full price, still a deal at $8. Family rate: $25 for up to 2 adults and all your children under 18.
A TIP FOR NEWCOMERS: Don't dance with another newbie. Ask an experienced dancer to show you around. Anyone can ask anyone to dance. It is customary to ask a different person for each dance. By the end of the evening, you will have danced with everyone in the room, and you will see why contra dance is so much fun. : )
More advanced dances will be called as the evening progresses!
SNACKS! Our dance community takes turns bringing finger-food snacks to each dance. Please consider bringing something to contribute to the snack table at the back of the hall.
Please note: Due to our concern for the environment, Charleston Folk will not provide glowsticks at our dances. In lieu of glowsticks, we suggest the use of neon body paint (if desired) for techno contras, and festive clothing. Thank you, and our planet thanks you!
Charleston Folk is a non-profit, CDSS (Country Dance and Song Society) affiliate organization with a mission to promote, sponsor, and encourage participation in American folk dancing and music traditions among people of all ages in the South Carolina Lowcountry.
We generally dance the 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month. Admission is $8 (cash or check) and the dancing begins at 7:30 pm with a beginners' walk-through. Children aged 6 to 12 accompanied by a paying adult dance for half price ($4). Children 5 and under are free. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times. Children who are not able to participate in the dance must stay off the dance floor. Teens 13 and over pay full price, still a deal at $8. Family rate: $25 for up to 2 adults and all your children under 18.
A TIP FOR NEWCOMERS: Don't dance with another newbie. Ask an experienced dancer to show you around. Anyone can ask anyone to dance. It is customary to ask a different person for each dance. By the end of the evening, you will have danced with everyone in the room, and you will see why contra dance is so much fun. : )
More advanced dances will be called as the evening progresses!
SNACKS! Our dance community takes turns bringing finger-food snacks to each dance. Please consider bringing something to contribute to the snack table at the back of the hall.
Please note: Due to our concern for the environment, Charleston Folk will not provide glowsticks at our dances. In lieu of glowsticks, we suggest the use of neon body paint (if desired) for techno contras, and festive clothing. Thank you, and our planet thanks you!
Charleston Folk is a non-profit, CDSS (Country Dance and Song Society) affiliate organization with a mission to promote, sponsor, and encourage participation in American folk dancing and music traditions among people of all ages in the South Carolina Lowcountry.
To get on our email list, send an email to contra-charleston+subscribe@googlegroups.com (no message needed) and then click on the link in the email confirmation you receive.
Learn more about contra at ABOUT CONTRA DANCING or LOTS OF TIPS
Join our Facebook group to receive updates and event invitations!
If you are interested in playing or calling at a Charleston Folk dance, here is more information for Bands and Callers.
If you want to nominate yourself, or someone else, for the Meet Your Fellow Dancer series, please send an email to Russ Leckie at rleck46@gmail.com.
To suggest a theme for a future dance, please contact Paul Mount at charlestonfolkcontraclub@gmail.com.
Learn more about contra at ABOUT CONTRA DANCING or LOTS OF TIPS
Join our Facebook group to receive updates and event invitations!
If you are interested in playing or calling at a Charleston Folk dance, here is more information for Bands and Callers.
If you want to nominate yourself, or someone else, for the Meet Your Fellow Dancer series, please send an email to Russ Leckie at rleck46@gmail.com.
To suggest a theme for a future dance, please contact Paul Mount at charlestonfolkcontraclub@gmail.com.
Love dancing and want to dance some more? Look here for a list of other nearby dances.
