BRUMMIE CONTRAS
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    • Barry Selwood
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PORTLAND DRIVE DUO - our MUSICIANS.
Elaine Meechan      &     Brian Stone
First dance of 2018 !
A tot of bubbly to toast New Year !
at this Sunday-afternoon-Dance

Caller Jen Morgan !

Contra-Alt-Delete!
PictureContra-alt-Delete are - Nicci . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Grace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ozzy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . They played for us on 6th March and on 6th November 2016 and were star players at Lichfield 2016 Folk Festival's Contra Dances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sam & Grace are working presently in Edinburgh, and Ozzy & Nicci in London.


Sat-eve-special Brummie Contra 10th Nov '18
A Saturday-night
Brummie Choccie Contra
NB. Date is in 2018 at the
Bournville Quaker Hall
The Caller - Musicians Saving £1.50
ENDS at
Midnight on
Saturday 10th November 2018
7.30pm at the Cadbury-built
Quaker Hall, Bournville.
Caller may originate from USA
or/& be based in Edinburgh - tbc.
Contra-Alt-Delete.
Brilliant : Lichfield '15 & Sidmouth '17,
Nicci, Grace, Sam &Oz. Sam & Grace
played excellently to be the Band for
the Very First Brummie Contra with
Caller Bob Morgan, Good Friday in
April of 2014.
Wednesday 7th Nov 2018.
Very Many THANKS -
To every one of the Superb Contra Band Players and Brilliant Callers we've had at "Brummie Contras".  Genuine generosity on their parts  -  almost without exception  -  enabled the 1st two years of lively "Brummie Contras” to become gradually
better-known by more dancers without the disincentive that a high door price brings.
£1 more is now to be requested at the door (£2 when callers are from USA).
Our responses need more genuinely to reflect how bands/callers put themselves out for us !
A facebook ad from 
Charley twice added 25% to numbers WHEN our venue read "University".
Her same appreciated effort for Sept 4th seemed unfortunately to add no-one.
Opportunity to socialise with those attending during the time of the contras has been cut.
It becomes vital to visit other dance venues more, to better spread publicity for Brummie C's.
I have 7 (of 8 requested) dates to book bands & callers for 2017 at Elmdon Heath.
That hall is to be left empty for the occasion of our 3rd Anniversary Dance on Good Friday 2017.
PictureVic of D.D.
PRICE for a CONTRA with a superb contra-band & ace UK caller needs in future to be -
Dance - on the door
  £10.50       Student £7.00   - 
Our first Autumn contra-dance (above) was brilliant - and well advertised - especially at Summer Festivals.
Even after making a small personal subsidy - And Les's helpful raffle monies - a disappointing sum remained after subtracting hall fee.
Rhod
came from Manchester. One band member drove from Sheffield. 2 band members brought all their equipment from Mansfield.
They were outside - ready to set-up to adjust our sound to compensate for the hall's acoustic echoing at 12:45.
To keep these excellent bands & callers, we need to offer them courteous entry: & must better recompense their work.
We need as many keen contra dancers as possible to share lively Sunday afternoons - so do please come AND bring your friends !
If you BRING a NEW FRIEND along to dance - you can each save. Also save another time and buy your ticket early.
If entry seems costly then PREPAY - at any dance for the NEXT: or fill-in the form on Prepay Dance page & pay by BACS. Save £2.


PictureContra-alt-Delete are - Nicci . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Grace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ozzy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . They played for us on 6th March and on 6th November 2016 and were star players at Lichfield 2016 Folk Festival's Contra Dances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sam & Grace are working presently in Edinburgh, and Ozzy & Nicci in London.


Brummie Contra Sat-eve-special: 10th Nov 2018
A Saturday-night
Brummie Choccie Contra
NB. Date is in 2018 at the
Cadbury-built Quaker Hall
The Caller - Musicians Saving £1.50
ENDS at
Midnight on
Saturday 10th November 2018
7.30pm at the Quaker Hall,
Bournville.
Caller may originate from USA
or/& be based in Edinburgh - tbc.
Contra-Alt-Delete.
Brilliant : Lichfield '15 & Sidmouth '17,
Nicci, Grace, Sam &Oz. Sam & Grace
played excellently to be the Band for
the Very First Brummie Contra with
Caller Bob Morgan, Good Friday in
April of 2014.
Wednesday 7th Nov 2018.
A Brummie Contra Special: Sat 10th Nov 2018
A Saturday
Brummie Contra
NB. Date in 2018 -
The Caller - Musicians Saving £1.50
ENDS at
Midnight on
Saturday 10th November
at the Quaker Hall Bournville
Likely caller originating from USA
or/& based in Edinburgh - tbc.
Contra-Alt-Delete. Brilliant at Lichfield 2015 & Sidmouth 2017
(Nicci, Grace, Sam & Oz)Brummie
Contra's Very First Caller.
24th Nov
Picture
LATEST FLIERS for this 25th JUNE MIDSUMMER Contra Dance with Geoff calling are to
VIEW or to download on this page HERE 
!
         Midsummer Brummie Contra.
It's at
- the more usual Venue : 
​
Elmdon Heath Community Centre  -   B91 2SF  -


For the lively  Brummie Midsummer Contra now to come  - 



-  We look forward to welcoming back  -
The Superb Contra Dance Band from Warwick University Folk Society,
 with talented new members on Sun 25th June to play the Midsummer Contra with the skilled
Geoff Cubitt calling.
Brummie Contras: Spring Season 2017
Date of Contra Dance - The Caller - Musicians Saving £1.50
ENDS at
Midnight on
Sunday 25th June.
COOL Midsummer Contra
Geoff Cubitt Warwick University Folk Soc
Contra Dance Band.
19th June
Brummie Contras: Autumn Season '17
Date of Contra Dance - The Caller - Musicians Saving £1.50
ENDS at
Midnight on
Sunday 1st October Carol Ormand : USA
Madison, Wisconsin
Vertical Expression -
- Charley, Ian, Ian, Margaret
25th Sept
Sunday 5th November Lynne Render Expect a band emanating
from Warwick University
30th Oct
Sunday 26th November Bob Morgan - Brummie
Contra's Very First Caller.
Nozzy (Nicci & Oz) 20th Nov
Sunday 17 Dec, 2pm. Xmas Party Fun Kimberley Smith MC -
An Ace Afternoon Party.
11th Dec
FRIDAY 29th December at 2pm
Brummie C's Final Friday Contra Fling of 2017,
At the Present Elmdon Heath main Venue.
Bill Kinsman Planned & to be Announced 26th Dec
Sun 12 March : ​Charlotte Rich calls with brilliant 4some - newly at BC's / Contrasaurus
Picture
PictureBrian Stone is more usually seen with bow, and on less strings than here. Brian founded earlier brilliant bands, especially Hoedown and Junction 24.
Join us to enjoy
brilliant Contra dance music from Brian & Elaine as they give us dances with "lift" in the American Style.


-  A bonus contra at -
Great Alne Village Hall B49 6HL
Friday Evening 5th May 8pm
Nicola Scott calling
 -    music  - 
Magic Meg's Contra Music Mates.
        

         The NEXT Spring Brummie Contra -              
At the more usual Venue :  Elmdon Heath Community Centre - B91 2SF    
    -   Spring afternoons are getting longer  - easier to drive for our - Dance DATES                    
        Here's March's   - 
Spring Brummie Contra -                 
Its Venue :  Elmdon Heath Community Centre - B91 2SF    
Back here May 21 for   -  Seth Tepfer & Portland Drive Duo - 
Sun 12 March : ​Charlotte Rich calls with brilliant 4some - newly at BC's / Contrasaurus
You're at    -      But I've never really done this stuff before !   ( This page's title. )     
    -       Pic by Mandy - 6th Nov 2016.      -      On stage - The superb lively, youthful Band - Contra-Alt-Delete !                     


There is NO-ONE taking part in this dancing - for some, just a very short while back, who didn't say & feel EXACTLY THIS
And many continue coming to contras with increasing enthusiasm.
Please come to join us !
If you've done a bit of "barn dancing", ceilidh, or folk club dancing - especially if you like it to be quite lively - then - 

 Sun 12 March:​
Charlotte Rich calls with ace new 4's 1st BC - Contrasaurus

Picture
Wonderful music from the exuberant trio - WILD RIDE
Sun 19 Feb:​ Mark Elvins & a great trio's 1st Brummie C -  Wild Ride ​/ Robbie-Holly-Bob
Picture
Mark Elvins : caller & choreographer of many new & memorable dances.
Brummie Contras: Spring Season 2017
Date of Contra Dance - The Caller - Musicians The offer
ENDS at
midnight
Sunday 21st May
[ a week AFTER the date
which was first announced ! ]
Seth Tepfer : from Atlanta,
Georgia USA
Portland Drive Duo 18th May
Sunday 25th June.
The COOL Midsummer Contra
Geoff Cubitt Warwick University Folk Soc's
Contra Dance Band.
19th June
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OFFER about what ? SAVE £1.50 on the door price!
So it's £9 on the door [£10 for a USA caller] (Student £5)

Plan to be at the next dance? Sign up at the previous dance - or email to say so before deadline.
Please inform this way afresh, for each dance.

If several of you plan to come next time, download form at HERE, add names etc & attach to your email.
Deadline is shown in this cyan colour (scroll if not visible) opposite the dance date in yellow -
usually by the Monday midnight before a Sun afternoon.

**************************************************************************************************************
Brummie Contras: Spring Season 2017
Date of Contra Dance - The Caller - Musicians The offer
ENDS at
midnight
Sunday 19th February Mark Elvins Wild Ride: Holly, Bob, Robbie 13th February
Sunday 12th March Charlotte Rich Contrasaurus 7th March
Good FRIDAY 14 April 7.30pm
Friends Meeting House - Above Bournville Green
Frances Richardson Nozzy: Nicci & Ozzy 10th April
FRIDAY 5th May at 8pm
Memorial Hall Great Alne. Part of
Long Weekend of Dance & More !
Nicola Scott tbc click HERE
for Friday details
at Great Alne
Sunday 14th May Seth Tepfer : from Atlanta,
Georgia USA
Portland Drive Duo 8th May
Sunday 25th June.
The COOL Midsummer Contra
tbc Warwick University Folk Soc's
Contra Dance Band.
19th June
***********************************************************************************************
OFFER about what ? SAVE £1.50 on the door price! So £9 on the door (Student £5)
Sign up if you plan to be at the next dance. Do this at the previous dance, or email before deadline. For several of you, download the form on this page of the website.
Fill in names of your group who plan to come next time. Complete the form, then attach to your email. For each dance, use a fresh form.
Deadline is shown in this cyan colour opposite the dance date in yellow - usually by the Monday midnight before a Sun afternoon.
******************************************************************************************************************
 2017  -  Brummie-Contras  More Date Details HERE SOON !
- Most Dances are Sunday afternoons at Elmdon Heath Community Centre Hall : 
*  
Brummie Contras: Spring Season 2017
Date of Contra Dance - The Caller - Musicians The offer
ENDS at
midnight
Sunday 19th February Mark Elvins Wild Ride: Holly, Bob, Robbie 13th February
Sunday 12th March Charlotte Rich Contrasaurus 7th March
Good FRIDAY
14 April 7.30pm
Friends Meeting House
Above Bournville Green
tbc Nozzy: Nicci & Ozzy 10th April
FRIDAY 5 May, 8pm
Memorial Hall Great Alne.
Part of Long Weekend -
Dancing & much more !
Nicola Scott tbc click HERE
for Friday details
at Great Alne
Sunday 14th May Seth Tepfer :
from Atlanta,
Georgia USA
Portland Drive Duo 8th May
Sunday 25th June.
COOL Midsummer Contra
tbc Warwick University Folk Soc
Contra Dance Band.
19th June

******************************************************************************************************************
A REALLY BIG SAVING with a Brummie Contras SEASON TICKET. Buy on the door!
Saving was up to £3.50 per dance in January.
Covers all remaining of the 11 Dances in the year. Contras on 8 Sun afternoons: 2 Friday Contras & the Sunday Xmas Party afternoon.
Season Tickets are still available until April. The savings per dance decrease - on a sliding scale.
Brummie Contras: Autumn Season '17
Date of Contra Dance - The Caller - Musicians The offer
ENDS at
midnight
Sunday 1st October Carol Ormand : USA
Madison, Wisconsin
Vertical Expression -
- Charley, Ian, Ian, Margaret
25th Sept
Sunday 5th November tbc tbc 30th Oct
Sunday 26th November tbc Expect a band emanating
from Warwick University
20th Nov
Sunday 17 December, Xmas Party Fun Kimberley Smith MC 11th Dec
FRIDAY 29th December at 2pm Bill Kinsman tbc Stray Chords please: if they're
straightforwardly available.
26th Dec
Brummie Contras: Spring Season 2017
Date of Contra Dance - The Caller - Musicians The offer
ENDS at
midnight
Sunday 19th February Mark Elvins Wild Ride: Holly, Bob, Robbie 13th February
Sunday 12th March Charlotte Rich Contrasaurus 7th March
Good FRIDAY 14 April 7.30pm
Friends Meeting House - Above Bournville Green
tbc Nozzy: Nicci & Ozzy 10th April
FRIDAY 5th May at 8pm
Memorial Hall Great Alne. Part of
Long Weekend of Dance & More !
tbc tbc click HERE
for Friday details
at Great Alne
Sunday 14th May Seth Tepfer : from Atlanta,
Georgia USA
Portland Drive Duo 8th May
Sunday 25th June.
The COOL Midsummer Contra
tbc Warwick University Folk Soc's
Contra Dance Band.
19th June
***********************************************************************************************
OFFER about what ? SAVE £1.50 on the door price! So it's £8 on the door (Student £5)
Sign up if you plan to be at the next dance. You can do this at the previous dance - or download the form on this page of the website.
Fill in names of your group who plan to come next time. Complete the form, then attach to your email. For each dance, use a fresh form.
Deadline is shown in this cyan colour opposite the dance date in yellow - usually by the Monday midnight before a Sun afternoon.
******************************************************************************************************************
Brummie Contras: Spring Season 2017
Date of Contra Dance - The Caller - Musicians Offer
ENDING
date
Sunday 22nd January Rhodri Davies Alan Brunier / Benjamin Rowe 17Jan/
Sunday 19th February Mark Elvins Wild Ride: Holly, Bob, Robbie 17Feb/
Sunday 12th March Charlotte Rich Contrasaurus 17Mar/
Good FRIDAY 14th Apr
Friends Meeting House 7.30 Above Bournville Green
tbc Nozzy: Nicci & Ozzy 17Apr2/
FRIDAY 5th May at 8pm
Memorial Hall Great Alne. Part of Long Weekend of Dance & More !
tbc tbc ..click HERE
Sunday 14th May Seth Tepfer : from Atlanta, Georgia USA tbc 17May2/
Sunday 25th June - The COOL Midsummer Contra Jen Morgan ?? tbc Warwick University Folk Soc Contra Dance Band. 17Mar/
Save with a Brummie Contras SEASON TICKET !
Saving is up to £3.50 per dance in January.
Covers 11 Dances. Contras on 8 Sunday afternoons: 2 Friday Contras & the Sunday Christmas Party afternoon.
Still available after January - but saving per dance then decreases - on a sliding scale.
Brummie Contras: Autumn Season '17
Sunday 1st October Carol Ormand : USA Madison, Wisconsin Vertical Expression -
- Charley, Ian, Ian, Margaret
17Oct/
Sunday 5th November tbc tbc 17Feb/
Sunday 26th November tbc Expect a band which emanates from Warwick Uni 17Feb/
Sunday 17 December, Xmas Party Fun Kimberley Smith MC 17Feb/
FRIDAY 29th December at 2pm Bill Kinsman tbc Stray Chords please: if can be straightforwardly available. 17Apr2/
Meg Winters organises a series (ten per year) - of excellent Friday Evening Alcester Contras: at St Benedict's School, Alcester:  8-11pm.
THEN - Sun 12 March:​
Charlotte Rich & ace new 4's 1st BC: Contrasaurus / Dave-Adam-Benjamin-Alan

THEN - Sun 22 Feb:​
Charlotte Rich & ace new 4's 1st BC : Contrasaurus ​/ Dave-Adam-Benjamin-Alan
FLIERS with details of ALL remaining BRUMMIE CONTRA 2016 DATES are available -
on THIS page

**********************************************************************************************************
****
Picture
Rhodri Davies .....
Picture
Jake Wood... Caller.
PictureContra-alt-Delete are - Nicci . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Grace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ozzy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . They played for us on 6th March and on 6th November 2016 and were star players at Lichfield 2016 Folk Festival's Contra Dances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sam & Grace are working presently in Edinburgh, and Ozzy & Nicci in London.


PictureGeoff
 On Nov 27th  we had Geoff Cubitt !
Geoff is superb in his gentlemanly approach; through which he tests
and brings out the best both in his own, and his dancers abilities.
We enjoyed strong, clear talents of
Charlotte Rich's calling too. 
Our music was quite brilliant. A new line-up of the outstanding -

Warwick University Folk Society's
​Contra Dance Band
 !

Action: Night Before for you to enjoy again - play - To see yourself dancin' at Alcester?
Barry kindly offers: Transport from University Station to Elmdon Heath Hall.
3 (sometimes 4) seats are available.  Barry usually meets Jan. They can also meet & bring YOU !   Email and arrange to be there by the time of the train normally arriving at University Rail Station at 12:30.
Lift is available on the afternoon of any Brummie Contra.
Must be specifically pre-requested:
Contact - bselwood21ATgmailDOTcom                

(Please substitute punctuation for CAPITALS. This stops automated-detection bringing Barry nuisance mails.)
In case your eMail may be missed: If no reply after 2 days, please contact Barry again.

[Barry it is, who now is usually collecting at the door!]
University Station: may be more convenient: especially from the Cheltenham line. It's near B'ham Uni Edgbaston, & 2015's dance venue of the Chaplaincy.
On a different rail line from Solihull: University Station has more practicable access for some.  Just contact Barry as early as possible to secure a lift.
Solihull Station convenient for you ? Then see  MAPS to Elmdon Heath CC./PRINT page
- bus / cycle / walk details & maps. Printout there includes Sunday bus routes/times, so that you may carry details / alternatives as you travel
!

Also see our own page on Solihull Station.
Those organising are sincerely appreciative of Karen W's kind administration of emails that make FPS payments possible on the website.
Lively Friday fun from Bill.  Fog-free & ice-free driving is forecast  !
Most relevant buses run a Fri 30th timetable as for SATURDAYS  !
Search Traveline website for each route. Probably the only site with a correct Fri 30th timetable: eg for X2 bus here  for 37 here !

First an EXTRA 2016 Contra: called by the fun: ever youthful Bill Kinsman:  90 this year !
              
on FRIDAY AFTERNOON 30 December 2016 with the Band - Stray Chords.

                   As far as possible, we stay with anticipated details - but DO make a CHECK - especially here on the website -
          don't depend ONLY on your prompt and early diary entries. )

Return to  TOP OF THE HOME  Page

CONTACT US page

​I / we wish to be AT THE NEXT DANCE
Page with details to get £1.50 each off door price next time.
Also deadlines (to check before you email).
For a group, download a form to complete & email.


Go to Great Alne Long Weekend website -
24th -27th April in 2020 for its DETAILS.

Event doubly extends the last w/e of April in 2020 
Quality workshops for ALL ages / abilities.
Enjoy a contra here on the Friday eve.
Karin Bellaart from the NETHERLANDS will also bring all kinds of lovely INTERNATIONAL DANCES as Nel did in 2017 & 2018.

EXCELLENT PART-SONG & A WIDE RANGE of OTHER DANCING.

Bring (grand)children. Share Maypole/Morris dances & ring handbell tunes from before noon on Sat & Sun.
NEW IN 2018 - EXTRA Sat/Sun PRICE DROPPED for ADULT DANCERS and THEIR ACCOMPANIED u18's

( The Great Alne Long Weekend is a "sister" website to this one) -
 click-on to go to one of these pages - 

ELMDON HEATH CC/RAIL/BUS  - Page especially to help with Rail Station connections, and Sunday bus services to Elmdon Heath Community Centre Hall.


See ROUTEMAPS:DOWNLOAD&PRINT -
 - Page has maps for car, bus stops, bike path & walking routes -
- to the   -  Elmdon Heath Community Centre venue. Download this to a smartphone to carry to walk from bus etc,
(or print on paper) to carry: even in the car. Ideal for initial visits. 




 CONTRA - What's that !   -  Information Page,


 But I've never really done this stuff before !  - Information Page.
DANCE DATES page
​  
FLIERS for NEXT BRUMMIE CONTRA pages. These may Pop-up : often below Dance DATES.
They are in pdf. You may view or DOWNLOAD.
If you would like to share out the fun of the "Brummie Contra" dances - then (regularly please) download, print - and distribute a few of these fliers in your area & dance club.
For some Contras to come, a flier page pop-up may show below other main pages or elsewhere !