Barn dance caller – Harrison Keely Contra dances, square dances, party dances, Jane Austen balls, and more!

If you can walk, you can dance. There’s no fancy footwork required here, so folks can enjoy each other’s company rather than look down at their feet. Instead, the moves help you travel places in different ways. Unlike line dancing, folk dancing involves partners and neighbors, but it doesn’t matter who your partner is – it can be a friend, a co-worker, or a relative!

I’ll begin by asking couples to find a friend (it can be anyone) and join hands with everyone else in one big ring. I’ll teach moves like do-si-do, allemande, star, swing, and promenade. We’ll walk through the dance so folks know what they’re about to do. Then the music starts and I’ll call out each move at the right time so you can enjoy the music and camaraderie without having to concentrate on what comes next. And you’ll find that after a few times through, you’ll already know what comes next!

Folk dances use many of the same basic moves in surprising, new combinations. Sometimes we’ll do mixer dances where your partner changes each time through. When the crowd is ready, we'll throw in a new move. It’s all very easy to learn and a bundle of fun!

I'll be there early to set up and sound test. I can work with a pre-existing sound system or bring my own sound system and microphone at no additional charge. I can call to recorded tunes I have or bring live dance musicians.