STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
The Grange will stage its first Contra-Dance in two years from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29.
Strings Attached will provide the music for the event at the Upper Big Wood River Grange at 609 South 3rd Avenue in Hailey, just north of the Senior Connection.The caller David Quinley will teach the steps before each dance to old-time mountain music with Irish and Scottish jigs and reels.
Partners are not needed as dancers progress through circle and long-way sets in dance that evolved from English and Scottish country dances in the 1700s.
Admission is free for kids with adults, $5 for teens and $10 for adults. Those who wish to reserve ahead of time may do so by visiting www.grange.org/upperbigwoodriverid192 or emailing upperbigwoodriverid192@grange.org.
Attendance will be limited to 35 dancers to space people out, said Manon Gaudreau. The grange did invest in a new air filtration system this past year.
Gaudreau said that VKDs, or “very kind donations,” will be appreciated to support efforts to keep the dances at an affordable admission fee. Donations over $20 made by check to the Grange Foundation are entitled to a receipt for charity donations.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Hailey Grange is one of 2,000 in the United States. The Grange movement will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2023-24.