BRUMMIE CONTRAS
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2pm Today - Fri 29th - Twixmas Brummie Contra.
Fun with Bill Kinsman.  Music Stray Chords.
Seasonal eats, bubbly & all refreshments included.
B91 2SF : Elmdon Heath Community Centre Hall

Near M42 J5  Arrive 1.30 for inclusive hot Drinks.  Large, enclosed car park

FRIDAY 29 DEC 2pm - THIS Brummie contra - Bill Kinsman & stray chords B91 2SF -  NEXT- 2018 Sun 7 Jan 2pm: B91 2SF. Jen Morgan & Portland drive duo  - Elmdon Heath c. c. Hall
                        you're at the  HOME  page.                                                                    
These cool contras have a new Route X12 every 30mins Sun bus to the Hall door.
Timetable/stops HERE: X12. B'ham to SOLIHULL STATION via B'HAM INTERNATIONAL.
Central B'ham, Castle Bromwich, Chelmsley Wood, BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL STATION, our HALL, SOLIHULL STATION

NB there's now NO bus number 966 at all !
 Today's Weather -
Only a little drizzle overnight. No snow. Probably sunny & no rain at all by the time you travel.
Warming-up day is forecast. Be in the snug place with the coolest dancing 
!
- Always any conditions change/weather update - check Website here at about 10am  !
FRIDAY 29th December.  Dancing 2pm
Picture . . . . . . . . .Bill Kinsman calling . . . . . . . . . Photo by . . . . . Joe Buchanan-Wollaston
- for his second annual visit to Brummie Contras -
- be there to enjoy the longstanding fun -
-
and remarkable memory for dances of -
- Bill Kinsman !
- in this, the year of his 91st Birthday !

- The Rowe family band -
- their young members in age contrast -
- are our excellent, lively musicians !
          
- This time with all his family, we again enjoy the superb talents of Ben, on violin :who also leads the Warwick University Folk Soc Band.


FRIDAY 29th Dec at 2pm :
 Brummie Contras again
 - Welcome
-

 
Stray  Chords !
Picture
None of the Brummie Contras has yet needed to be cancelled, but see WINTER since  at this cooler time, it may become difficult to travel to festivities & really cool contras.
2018 :   Sun 7th Jan  : ​ Jen Morgan calling - with experienced contra players - PORTLAND DRIVE DUO - Elaine ​& Brian.
 
Sun 4th Feb  : ​ Frances Richardson calling - Contra music & memorably lovely mini concerts from CANADIAN DUO - MAIVISH.
MORE 2018 Brummie Contra Dates available shortly ! 
It's more fun if more come !   Let's try this to encourage you !
​
New to this venue's Contras ? Ask for £2 off at the door.
Bring a friend who has NOT danced Brummie C's at this venue -
You may EACH claim a discount of £2 at the door.
​So share-around  -  the joy & fun of being at these exciting dances with great callers.
Any kind donations of prizes for the raffle are always welcomed.
Avoid dehydration - we supply pleasant tasting tap water.  Helpfully, bring your own small water bottle to refill !
Brummie Contras always have a real "lift".
- see 2018 DANCES
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.
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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.
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  Expect a range of ages
.
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  Do dance considerately.
  Everyone really enjoys this exciting dancing to superb musicians.
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     Some are supple; dancing with youthful exuberance.
A few of us - still delighting to participate in this lively dance style -  manage the moves with more limitations: & despite injury or age
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Inclusive tea/coffee/squash/biscuits await all travellers from 1:30.
This selection also is available in the sociable interval: about 20min
*

Chairs by tables around the room enable relaxation,
should you prefer to enjoy the music there, or chat -
without always being pulled-in to dance !


All windows at B91 2SF open properly AND it has ceiling FANS !
-
Comfortable Contras -  COOL in every sense !
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 - With easy access also from the M42, the Brummie Contras should
bring much fairer remuneration to exceptional & tolerant bands & callers.

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BUT lovely, lively dances are enjoyed mainly by a regular & loyal few  !
_
Practicably and sadly, it would seem wise to arrange fewer Brummie Contras  !
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IF you'd like to have Brummie C's more often available - especially Summer ones - 
just COME TO THEM ! Please just do this regularly - AND bring along your friends  !
Relax after travelling, with an inclusive hot drink from 1.30pm.
THEN OVER 3 HOURS of FUN & LIVELY  DANCING.  Should you prefer to take life more gently - relax instead.
*
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 - where these very same rules 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 the front marks inbound stopfor the direct X12 bus every 30mins from B'HAM INTERNATIONAL RAIL STN. 
At the same stop is the direct X12 bus every 30mins to RETURN TO SOLIHULL STATION when dance ends.
Picture
The first BRUMMIE CONTRA of 2015. . . . . . picture by Mandy. Annie is with Les . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Val dancing with Harry. . . . Copyright.
NB there's now NO 966 bus at all !


A
RRIVE
ACCOMPANIED OR NOT – YOU ARE MOST WELCOME !

AT A CONTRA, YOU WILL FIND LOTS OF DANCE PARTNERS.
*

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 - like the bands - some new, some established - offering 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 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 are most on Sun afternoons ?  Easier journey : more in the light. Time for tea/coffee at journey's end: Fewer activity clashes. 
Meg Winters organises a series (ten per year) - of excellent Friday Evening Alcester Contras: at St Benedict's School, Alcester:  8-11pm.
Keep taking a regular look at this website!
Share another great "Brummie Contra" soon.

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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 !