Welcome to Blue Ridge Country Dancers contra dance page with information and scheduling for our Floyd contra dances. It's not necessary to bring a partner, but we do insist on clean, soft-soled shoes. All dances are taught; beginners are welcome. The caller will conduct a beginner's workshop before the dance.
Blue Ridge Country Dancers sponsor the second Saturday contra dance in Floyd at the Floyd Center for the Arts, 220 Parkway Lane South, Floyd, Va - 1/2 mile of the stoplight in Floyd on Rt 8 South. We will be dancing in the community room on the second floor.
Dance information: 540 489-1826.
Our Schedule and Directions: Note - new times. 6:35 pm Beginners Workshop, 7:00 - 10:00 pm Dance
September 8 - Ricochet with Chris Youngblod calling
October 13 - Earl White String Band playing with Stephanie Marie calling
November 10 - Celtic Fun with Valerie Helbert calling
December 8 - The McKenzies with Gwyn Williams calling
Expect to hear mountains of music from The McKenzies at the Floyd Contra Dance on Saturday, December 8, at the Floyd Center for the Arts. Music is a family affair for this Salem couple, and they'll bring a variety of styles and instrumentation, their strong individual and duet vocals, and a repertoire of lively tunes, unique original songs, familiar ballads, inspiring sing-alongs, and novelty songs to the stage. The caller is Gwyn Williams, from the cathedral town of Ely in England, who'll teach all levels of contra dance with inspired, relaxed ease.
Woody and Marcia McKenzie, former members of two clogging groups, sometimes incorporate a little “flat-footing” into their performances. Marcia taught herself to play the mandolin and later picked up guitar and clawhammer banjo. Over the years, she has added rhythm piano, bodhran, concertina, ukulele, and various whistles, but her favorite and most powerful instrument is her voice.
Woody was born in the coal country of southern West Virginia and grew up in a musical family. However, he didn’t become interested in music himself until he moved away from home and missed hearing his folks play. He is accomplished on guitar, tenor banjo, and concertina, but his greatest love is the fiddle.
Treat yourself to an evening of easy, relaxed fun with lots of smiles and live music. All dance figures are taught by the caller, and there’s a free lesson at 6:35 pm before the dance which runs from 7:00 - 10:00 pm. Beginners and experienced dancers, all ages, welcome. Come alone or with a partner; dress is casual and soft-soled shoes that glide work best. Admission is $8.00; $6.50 student ID. Come to dance or come to listen--no partner needed.
January 12 - Star-Front Property (Matthew Livingston) with Bill Wellington calling
February 9 - Gypsy Stars with Jack Mitchel calling
March 9 - Balancing Act with Warren Doyle calling
April 13 - Rhythmajigs with Joy Greenwolfe calling
Thanks for visiting our website. To contact us via E-mail with comments
or questions or to add your name to our E-mail list for regular monthly dance announcements, fill out this little form. This web site is maintained for Blue Ridge Country Dancers by Earl Vanover.
