Contra Dance with Galen Armstrong and The Slieves

Event Description

Contra Dance Is

~ Danced to a live band playing traditional fiddle tunes
~ A "called" dance; a caller teaches each dance and cues the moves throughout
~ A couple dance, but you don't need to bring a partner
~ An easy dance to pick up right away
~ A great way to build friendly, welcoming and inclusive community

Caller: Galen Armstrong Band: The Slieves

Dances will be called using gender-neutral terms (ravens/crows instead of gents/ladies, for example). Square and contra dances are partner dances, but contra dancing in particular has no lead or follow.

Galen will take the stage during the Slieves set to lead audience in this Celtic square dance.

The Slieves are a West Coast Celtic band hailing from Victoria and Duncan B.C., the traditional territories of the Lekwungen, WSÁNEĆ and Quw'utsun peoples. Brought together by their love of traditional Irish Music, this group has brought Celtic folk and Celtic-inspired original music to the coast of B.C. for well over a decade. Drawing inspiration from such groups as Dervish, The Bothy Band, The Pogues, The Chieftains, Great Big Sea, The Irish Rovers, and others, The Slieves deliver jigs and reels to get the feet dancing, and heartfully arranged songs and sea shanties from Ireland and other Celtic roots and traditions. The talented members include the magical Tasia MacKay (Irish flute and whistles, 5 string banjo, vocals), the accomplished Jeremy Walsh (guitar, vocals) and the foot-stomping Andrew Morris MacKay (bodhran, spoons, vocals).