BRUMMIE CONTRAS
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    • Barry Selwood
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TODAY - Sunday 5thJune 2:00pm.
Adam Hughes & The English Contra Dance Band.
Usual Elmdon Heath CC Hall at B91 2SF
Another excellent caller: another wonderful band.

Arrive 1.30pm for inclusive hot Drinks. Large enclosed car park.
Near M42 J5 - A particularly good venue for Contra dancing. 

2PM SUNDAY 5 June  - NEXT Brummie contra AT our ideal venue of Elmdon Heath cc - B91 2SF - Big Hall: good, ENCLOSED car park - cornyx Lane, solihull - so conveniently  near  to m42 j5
you're at the  HOME  page.
Brummie Contras. PSYCHEDELIC
EXPERIENCES -
ENTIRELY FROM MUSIC & DANCE
 !
- All the windows open properly, AND there are ceiling FANS -
COMFORTABLE - COOL CONTRAS at Elmdon Heath on Sunday summer afternoons -
 - If YOU would enjoy these regular Brummie Contras being available, then -
JOIN US as regularly as you can, to help them to CONTINUE 
!

Dances through 2016: to more superb band lineups. Contras with real "lift".
8+ Sunday Afternoon Brummie Contras
STILL to come this year see DANCE DATES
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PRICE ( for a CONTRA with one of our superb contra-bands & a caller from UK ) -
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"
On the door
"  £9.50       Student £7.00   - 
You can always save a bit if you commit. Buy your ticket at THIS for the NEXT DANCE or complete form on Prepay Dance page.

Savng is normally Adult £2 (Student £1.50).

Do sample these lively, sociable afternoons offering (mainly) American Contras Dances. Inclusive hot drinks on arrival & interval.
Aerobic dancing ! Water supplied.  Bring your own small water bottle.
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Picture
This afternoon's dance caller is :
Adam Hughes.

​As well as Adam, there will be a contribution from Gill Emerson,
and this will be her first venture into calling for Contras .



PictureGareth on keyboard, Linda on violin. Unique & soperb for dancing. The English Contra Dance Band.
English Contra Dance Band.
 
Visit their   website now.  Enjoy listening,
or buy their
very new CD:
​Go to -
   
TAK

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​Share the real joy of this exciting dancing from considerate callers.
Picture Another gem picture from Mandy features some of the skilful younger dancers... C. 29Nov'15 Brummie Contra - and title picture. Dancing to dynamic Double Dichotomy.
 Join us and be welcomed.
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Our Contras are energetic.
Dance to wonderful music from amazing bands.
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You will find 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.

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Everyone really enjoys this exciting dancing to superb musicians.
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 awaits travellers from 1:30.
This selection is also available in the sociable interval: about20mins.
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Chairs by tables around the room also allow you to relax & enjoy the music there, or chat - without always being pulled-in to dance !

Any kind donations of prizes for the raffle are welcomed.
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 STILL 8+ BRUMMIE CONTRA 2016 DATES. DISCOUNT if you PREPAY before deadline.
FLIERS showing all coming dances are available on THIS page

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Barry kindly offers: Transport from University Station to Elmdon Heath Hall.
3 (sometimes 4) seats are available.  Barry can meet you [so long as you are there at the time of the train which normally arrives at University Rail Station at 12:30 -
- on the Sunday afternoon of a contra] - and if he has been specifically 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 is also near B'ham Uni Edgbaston, & 2015's dance venue of the Chaplaincy.
On a different rail line from Solihull: it has a more practicable access for some.  Just contact Barry as early as possible to secure a lift]

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Picture
Contra-alt-Delete are - Nicci . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Grace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ozzy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Picture

Action: Night Before for you to enjoy again - play - To see yourself dancin' at Alcester?
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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.
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  -  has enabled the 1st full year of our “Brummie Contras” to get gradually more lively &
Better-known by more dancers without the disincentive that a high door price brings.
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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.
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Solihull Station fortuitously convenient: then  B91 2SF MAPS/PRINT page has routes -
- bus or cycle details & maps. Printout there includes Sunday bus routes/times.

Kim's Fun Xmas Party great success at Elmdon Heath. Got vote for EASY CAR ACCESS !
See
NEW VENUE of Elmdon Heath Hall - why Kim's pre Xmas Party was moved !
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On 29:11:15 was our last dance at our earlier venue of the Chaplaincy for a while.
2015 Christmas Party was at Elmdon Heath C.C. Hall - It may become our new venue.

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   American Contras are fun.
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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.
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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. )

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PRICE ( for the MAIN CONTRAS with one of our superb contra-bands  ) -
"
On the door
"  £9.00       Student £7.00   - 
You can always buy your ticket at THIS for the NEXT DANCE to obtain a DISCOUNT
Excepting the Party Dance, discount is normally Adult £2 (Student £1.50).

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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 !
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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.
 


ARRIVE AT 1:30:   TO  SHARE AN INCLUSIVE SOCIABLE HOT DRINK . 
ANOTHER AVAILABLE IN THE LOUNGE, DURING THE INTERVAL .
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PRICE - "On the door"  £9.00  Student £7.00  - 
Buy at the "dance before". DISCOUNT for all dances ( except the party ) Adult £2 (Student £1.50).

Get this same discount on the -  Online prepayment page.


 Even better value with a Season Ticket.
These will next be available at the door -
- from December 20th for 2016.

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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
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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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   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.


Why on Sunday afternoons ?  Easier journey: Time for tea/coffee in the lounge / on the lawn: Fewer activity clashes. 
Do sample these lively, but sociable (mainly) American Contra Dances.   Hot drinks 1.30pm & interval.
Aerobic dancing ! Water supplied.  Bring your own small water bottle.
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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 !
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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.
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Those organising are sincerely appreciative of Karen W's kind administration of emails that make FPS payments possible on the website.
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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.

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 !