COTTONWOOD FALLS
Every third Saturday in Cottonwood Falls is contra dancing time, and you don’t have to even know how to contra dance to participate.
The Chase County Contra Dance Society is holding contra dances in Cottonwood Falls every third Saturday from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Don’t know how to contra dance? Lessons are offered prior to each dance at 6:30 p.m., said Pete Smith, one of the organizers of the dancing.
This is the first year for the regular contra dances in Chase County, Smith said.
Lucy Smith, Pete Smith’s wife, said all ages participate in the dances, from small children to adults.
“It’s like square dancing, only it’s easier,” Lucy Smith, who does the calling during the dances, said. “Every dance is walk-through first, and every step is called. If you can circle left and circle right, then you can do it. It’s a lot of fun because we do have children there. If a mistake is made, it doesn’t matter.”
Smith said the dances are full of lively music and no dancing partner is needed.
“Any lady can ask any man to dance,” she said. “It works out.”
Six or seven contra dances are scheduled, followed by a waltz and then another set of dances, Smith added. And people come from all over to participate.
“We have regular dancers that come from Newton, Wichita and Abilene, but we can definitely use more dancers,” she said.
The dances are $7 for adults. Students and seniors and children 12 and up are $5. Children 12 and under are free. Listeners are also $5.
This month’s contra dance will be at the Cottonwood Falls community building. All other dances are held at the Prairie Coffee Co. Snacks are provided by the Emma Chase Cafe in Cottonwood Falls.
For more information on the contra dances, contact (620) 273-6970.