BRUMMIE CONTRAS
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Brummie Contras Xmas Party. 2pm Sun 16 Dec
Fun with Kim Smith MC.  Music Karen & David.
Various Xmas eats, & all refreshments included.
B91 2SF, Elmdon Heath Community Centre Hall

Near M42 J5  Arrive 1.30 for hot Drinks etc.  Big, enclosed car park

following Brummie contras - friday 28 dec 2pm -  Mic spenceley / benjamin & joshua  B91 2SF -  Sun 27 Jan 2019 2pm : B91 2SF.  Jen Morgan / Alan & ben duo  -  Elmdon Heath c. c. Hall
                        you're at the  HOME  page.                                                                    
WINTER page tells you - if one of these really cool contras was NOT happening -
- how & when it would be announced - HERE
!
However, NO Brummie Contra has yet been cancelled.
So be at the Christmas PARTY. Make up for Contras you've not attended.
The FUN Xmas-Party-Dance!
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MC Kimberley Smith!
Picture
Xmas fun from Kimberley Smith.
 "Live" Music from : Karen Hanna &
David Pattenden
 !

Dancing begins 2pm -
- 
on this Sunday before Xmas
.

SUNDAY 16th December  Kim Smith brings us  -
- Kim's fun Christmas Dancing selection  -

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A Brummie C's "Sunday Variety Party"  !
With an Introduction to Contra dances
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& lively sung squares & mixers too !
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Seasonal eats are included !
At the party afternoon there's a wider than usual mix of dances.
- Bring your friends & relatives who've previously danced a little. -
Sensible young persons with some dancing ability are welcome too !
 - for fun squares & mixers as well as introducing all to a few of
our lively American Contras
!

ADULT  PARTY  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.
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Next Brummie Contra -  A Twixmas Dance before New
Year.
  Afternoon 2pm at BOURNVILLE QUAKER HALL ! 
Final FRIDAY 28th Dec.  Dancing 2pm,
Quaker Hall, Bournville ! 
- Music - Benjamin & Joshua !

- From the Rowe family band -
- these two young members -
- our excellent, lively musicians !
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- This time playing in duo with his brother Joshua, we again enjoy the superb talents of Benjamin Rowe, on violin.
- He also led the Warwick University Folk Soc Band last year.

- He played for us with Alan Brunier & next contra, he will again.
- Well known in our local Nations
- Calling
- Mic Spenceley !
Picture
Mic Spenceley
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MORE 2019 Brummie Contra Dates available shortly ! 
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.
Any kind donations of prizes for the Elmdon Heath Raffle are always welcomed.
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
!
PRICE for a CONTRA with a superb contra-band & ace UK caller needs now to be -
Dance - on the door
  £10.50       Student £6.50   - 

To keep excellent bands & callers, we need to offer better recompense for their work and travrel.
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 by saying beforehand you intend to be there.
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
.
​
  Do dance considerately.
  Everyone really enjoys this exciting dancing to superb musicians.
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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.

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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 966 inbound stop from B'HAM INTERNATIONAL RAIL STN. 
At same stop, catch 966 to RETORN TO SOLIHULL Centre. ( Then 3min walk to Solihull Station ) Return there just before dance ends.
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:  8-11pm.
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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
    
- -   
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Page last updated on  6/12/18          
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 !