BRUMMIE CONTRAS
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      • MAPS to Elmdon Heath C.C. Download for your PHONE. CARRY to follow BEST route. View map HERE. Or PRINT & CARRY A MAP WITH YOU, to best reach the Hall at first. CLICK HERE !
      • Nearest RAIL - SOLIHULL - BUS TIMES & Routes to hall. Download to your mobile. Or print to CYCLE or WALK. Ideal: DIRECT X12 bus 13:16 on Sundays, every 30mins - CHECK times & bus stop locations. CLICK HERE !
      • Rail B'ham INTERNATIONAL Wider rail service. X12 bus. Every 30min on Sun! 13:11 ideal at stop NB.12min ride. CHECK where NB stop is ! DIRECT BUS TO HALL DOOR Check bus times still OK ! CLICK HERE !
  • What's a Contra
    • But I've never really done this stuff before !
    • SIX at a time FLIERS. Please Copy, cut & DISTRIBUTE. THANK YOU if you can.
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NEXT Brummie Contra - 2pm Sunday 27th Jan.
at Elmdon Heath CC Hall. Jen Morgan calling.
Ace Music: Alan Brunier & Benjamin Rowe.
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All refreshments included.

Arrive 1.30 for hot Drinks etc.

THIS contra -  Sun 27 Jan 2pm : B91 2SF -  Jen Morgan: Alan & ben duo  -  Elmdon Heath c. c. Hall  /  then Sun 24 feb: B91 2SF - lynne render CALLs - music : nozzy.
   you're at the  HOME  page.
Title PICTURE is from Dr Jen Morgan's Superb Facebook Page.
Our first caller in 2019.
None of the Brummie Contras has yet needed to be cancelled, but see WINTER page, as in this colder weather it may become difficult to travel to our festive & really cool contras.
- Always - especially in winter - do a quick Website check here at 10am  !
For more Brummie Contra dates for 2019 -  see Dance DATES -
First Brummie Contra of 2019 !
We may have an extra surprise to toast !
at this Sunday-afternoon-Dance :
Our superb caller -

 Jen Morgan !
Picture
Jen Morgan
- THUMBS UP from our MUSICIANS -
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Alan Brunier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Benjamin Rowe
Dance to Alan & Ben's lively multiple musicianship !  
from 2pm Sunday 27th January !  
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It's more fun if more come !   Let's try this to encourage you !
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New to this venue's Contras ? Ask for £2.50 off at the door.
Bring a friend who has NOT danced Brummie C's at these venues -
You may EACH claim a discount of £2.50 at the door.
​So share-around  -  the joy & fun of being at these exciting dances with great callers.
Brummie Contras: Spring Season 2019
Date of
Contra Dance -
The Caller - Musicians The offer
ENDS at
midnight




Sunday 27th January 2pm
Elmdon Heath C.C. Hall
- Jen Morgan Alan & Benjamin Online saving ends
Fri 25th January




Sunday 24th February
Lynne Render Nozzy
(Nicci & Oz)
Online saving ends
Fri 22nd February




Sunday 10th March
Frances
Richardson tbc
Rowan will lead
six players from
Warwick University
Folk Society
Contra Dance Band.
Online saving ends
Fri 8th March








Good FRIDAY
19th Apr 7.30pm
If Quaker Hall repair complete
- Friends Meeting House
Above Bournville Green -
If still under repair,
alternative halls available
Bob Morgan Nozzy:
Nicci & Oz
Online saving ends
Wed 17th April




FRIDAY 26th April, 8pm -
Memorial Hall Great Alne.
Part of Long Weekend -
Dancing & much more !
Nicola Scott Benjamin &
Joshua Rowe tbc
click HERE
for Friday details
at Great Alne




SATURDAY 15th June 7.30pm -
A *Bonus Cool Choccie -
Midsummer Contra
at Bournville Quaker Hall,
if repaired & available.
Louise Siddons &
Megan Wilson
both from USA
Warwick University
Folk Society
Contra Dance Band:
If enough players
confirm this date as practicable....... -
Else ex Warwick Uni musicians
Online saving ends
Fri 14th June
To keep excellent bands & callers, we need to offer them better recompense for their work and travel.
We need as many keen contra dancers as possible to share lively Brummie Contras - 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 by saying beforehand you intend to be there.
Avoid dehydration - we supply pleasant tasting tap water.  Helpfully, bring your own small water bottle to refill !
Is Solihull Station convenient for YOU ? Then  B91 2SF MAPS/PRINT page has routes -
- bus or cycle details & maps. Printout there includes Sunday bus routes/times
!
Sensible young persons with some dancing ability will be welcomed too !
- Be introduced to
our Lively American Contras
!
ADULT TICKET on the DOOR - £10.50
Student on the DOOR - £6.50
Aged 6-16 young (supervised) dancers on the DOOR - £4.50
(1st visit to venue discount may apply to all ages.)
Save £2.50 on a FIRST VISIT to this venue. Please say so at the door.
*
Any kind donations of prizes for the Elmdon Heath Raffle are always welcomed.
PictureHere's another gem picture from Mandy. It features some very skilful younger dancers .... C. 29Nov'15 Brummie Contra - also title picture. Dancing to dynamic Double Dichotomy.
 Join us and be welcomed.
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Our Contras are energetic.
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Dance to wonderful music from amazing bands.
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Find dance partners here.
*
For everyone to improve, we usually change around partners after each dance..
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You need plenty of water !
Bring & refill your bottle.
*
  Expect a range of ages
.
​
  Do dance considerately.
  Everyone really enjoys this exciting dancing to superb musicians.
_
    

Inclusive tea/coffee/squash/biscuits await all travellers.

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 four 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 to recompense callers from USA, for larger bands, or those with a long journey.
Our responses need more genuinely to reflect how bands/callers put themselves out for us !
Elmdon Heath CC Hall is again (on a no Bank Holiday principle) to be left empty for our 5th Anniversary Dance on Good Friday 2019.
When fully repaired, we'll locate a few more dances at the Quaker Hall.
Relax after travelling, with an inclusive hot drink.
THEN 3 HOURS of FUN & LIVELY  DANCING.
Should you prefer to take life more gently - relax instead -
​- enjoy the brilliant music & lively atmosphere.

*
Visit here - enjoy the company of the regular dancers. The style is NOT hard to pick-up.
Meet others who enjoyed having recently tried their first visit.
Some very helpful details about Partners in Contra Dance HERE
Brilliant rules / tips for dancers, and real insight - especially for women to appreciate a viewpoint from Steve Harris.
( Written on the Eceilidh site; since at a Ceilidh, these very same comments also apply. )
HERE an overhead view of Elmdon Heath CC Hall and car park :
NOTE THERE ARE ALSO MANY CAR SPACES ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE HALL. When parking behind, PLEASE LEAVE ACCESS TO THESE ! 
NB Bus stop icon at recess in front of the Hall marks half hourly X12 inbound stop from B'HAM via INTERNATIONAL RAIL STATION.
Wait here after the dance to return TO Solihull Station. 

- Half hour service X12 - FROM - SOLIHULL RAIL STATION stops opposite the Hall -
DOES THIS HELP YOU GET THERE ? Click to see new X12 route every 30 min to the Hall door.
Also bus stop across road directly opposite. 
!  NB - Click  on "VIEW TIMETABLE" then scroll to end to view Sunday buses.
Picture
The first BRUMMIE CONTRA of 2015. . . . . . picture by Mandy. Annie is with Les . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Val dancing with Harry. . . . Copyright.
ARRIVE ACCOMPANIED OR NOT – YOU ARE MOST WELCOME !

AT A CONTRA, YOU WILL FIND LOTS OF DANCE PARTNERS.
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MANY REGULAR DANCERS MIX WELL BETWEEN PARTNERS,
-  SHARING TIPS ABOUT THE DANCE MOVEMENTS.  -
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ALL THIS HELPS TO MAKE THE DANCING EVEN MORE FUN.
 


Most contra dancers like to improve skills by regular partner changes after 1 or 2 dances.
Anyone may ask anyone else to dance – Go for it !

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Picture
Jen
*You may wish to click on this page & its picture -
" But I've never really done this stuff before" page. 

Picture. . 25th January 2015 with Vertical Expression . . All pictures by Mandy. Copyright.



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so - What is a
Contra dance ?
click   HERE -    
- "blue" takes you to another page 
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Picture
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   ARRIVE ACCOMPANIED OR NOT –      –   YOU WILL BE WELCOMED !
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AT CONTRAS, YOU
WILL ALWAYS HAVE OPPORTUNITIES
TO SHARE DANCING WITH A PLEASING VARIETY OF DIFFERENT DANCING PARTNERS.


Callers are like the bands: some new, & some established.
All offer us brilliant dances.

Contra-dancing's versatility : may that long continue.

May it unite those thankful that "they still are just about able" - with the keen and more youthful dancers - 
all to enjoy fresh musical & dance dynamism from wonderful bands & callers - some yet to become recognised.
Also may our brilliant well established Contra bands and callers long continue !
Contras are a great occasion for the young and keen.
But many still are very keen on this dancing, but wishing they were younger !

Please note: A few want a gentler style.
Carefully respect those recovering from injury, or enjoying the company and music but wishing to dance at their pace.
Why on Sunday afternoons ?  Easier journey: Time for tea/coffee in the lounge / on the lawn: Fewer activity clashes. 
Those organising are sincerely appreciative of Karen W's kind administration of emails that make FPS payments possible on the website.
Meg Winters organises a series (ten per year) of excellent Friday Evening Alcester Contras: now at Alcester Grammar School:  7.30 pm.
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Keep taking a regular look at this website!
Share another great "Brummie Contra" soon.

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Go to TOP of the page - - ABOUT Brummie Contras at Elmdon Heath Community C.  
- - 
Go to TOP of the HOME Page
- -   Go to HOME page with DATES of Dances
    
- -   
***
 Earlier limitations due to edit access only on a smartphone.
​Page updated on
  10/1/19         
 
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 !