Welcome,
The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society was chartered in the Fall of 2005 as a non-profit, educational organization to promote a better understanding and appreciation of American folk dancing, its music, its history and related folklore. HJDS is a group affiliate of the Country Dance and Song Society. We are an all-volunteer organization based in Jonesborough, the oldest town in Tennessee.
We will hold community dances on the first and third Saturdays every month in the auditorium of the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 117 Boone Street. Our dances are open to the public and feature live music in a smoke and alcohol free environment. No experience is necessary. Each dance is taught by the caller for the evening. You do not have to bring a partner. Comfortable shoes and clothing are recommended. Snacks and beverages are for sale in the visitors center. For more information about Jonesborough, please visit their website that can be found in our links section.
Recent News
Press Release |
Contra Dance in Johnson City
The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will take its show on the road Saturday, June 24th to Johnson City, Tennessee. Due to a scheduling conflict at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, the next contra dance will be held at Johnson City’s new Carver Recreation Center at 322 W. Watauga Avenue near the Down Home.
The recent health initiative that Johnson City launched called “Up and At Em” makes contra dance a perfect fit for this program. “We will stage the dance at Carver and show residents of Johnson City how contra dance can impact people’s lives through traditional music and dance.” The Carver Center is a beautiful facility and will make an excellent venue for contra dance.
Headlining the contra dance event will be a group called the Spring Chickens from the Asheville area. The Spring Chickens known mostly for their hard driving rhythmic old time repertoire will crossover to add contra dance tunes for our dance. The Spring Chickens are lead by Rob and Beth Mangum, potters from Weaverville, NC. The remaining members of their group are McLean Bissell on guitar, Ben Harvey on banjo and Meredith McIntosh on Bass.
Calling the Johnson City contra dance will be Weaverville, North Carolina’s Charley Harvey. Charley began dancing in Berea, Kentucky over twenty years ago. He has called dances far and wide, teaching American folk dance in Denmark and leading local dances throughout the eastern U.S. A founding member of Berea’s monthly contra dance, Charley enjoys a reputation as an exciting and enthusiastic dance caller while being good with beginners. No matter how much or how little experience you have as a dancer, Charley will lead an evening of dance that will leave you smiling!
There will be a class for beginners at 7:30 P.M. followed by the dance at 8:00 P.M. Cost is $6, Members $5 and students $3. A soft shoe policy will be in effect for the Carver Center. Please wear suitable shoes to protect the new floor from damage. |
Posted by: David Wiley on
June 13, 2006 |
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