Cricket WoodwardThe next of the spring series of live-music community dances will be hosted by Cowee Arts & Heritage Center, on Sunday, April 19, starting at 2:30pm. This dance will feature both contra and Bal Folk traditions. Contra dance is a form of social folk dancing from which square dancing evolved, so it shares many of the same movements, and if you enjoy the energy of contras and partner dancing, chances are high they you’ll enjoy Bal Folk. Come try this special opportunity to sample dances from various regions of France and Europe ranging from raucous to rhythmic, from circular or linear in form to partner dances. As always, all steps will be taught and called throughout the dance, no partner is necessary, generations mix, all are welcome, and no dance experience or fancy clothing are necessary.
The Bal Folk dances will be taught by Annie Fain Barralon who learned Bal Folk when she married into a French family of dancers and musicians. Wendy Graham, who is the Music & Dance Programs Coordinator at John C. Campbell Folk School, has been dancing and calling for decades will call the contras. Each multi-talented caller will play with the band when not calling.
Live music and song will be provided by Bal Iti: Géraud Barralon and Jonah Graves. Géraud Barralon hails from Ardèche in the Rhône-Alpes region of France. Growing up in the “Bal Folk” culture, Geraud has been dedicating his musical endeavors to the art of European social dancing since 2010, he is one of the main performers and organizers of the event called “Le Bal Itinerant,” which takes place in France every year.
Jonah Graves is a multi-instrumentalist from Brasstown, North Carolina, rooted in the rich musical traditions of the Appalachian Mountains. For this dance, Jonah will be picking up the octave mandolin to explore the rhythmic and melodic possibilities of tunes for Bal Folk — blending Appalachian sensibility with the vibrant energy of European dance traditions.
Beginners are strongly encouraged to arrive by 2:30pm for the instruction, and experienced dancers are on hand to help those new to contra dance get started with the movements. The dance is from 3-5pm. A suggested donation of $10-20 per person goes to pay the bands, callers, for flyers — as well as venue & sound tech when we need to hire those; kids age 14 & under are free; children over age 8 who are game to participate, or sit and watch with an adult may also attend.
Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center is located at 51 Cowee School Drive, Franklin, NC (just off of route 28, 7 miles north of downtown Franklin). Bring a closed water container and a snack if you wish. Smooth-soled shoes work best for dancing on wood floors. Please do not wear perfume or other scents to the dances. Visit and follow us on facebook.com/FranklinContra for photos and details about this and the next two dances Thursdays, May 21 and June 18, at 6:30pm at Macon County Public Library. And/or email us to be put on the email-notification list: ContraDanceFranklinNC@gmail.
