We are back at the Vinland Fair Barn for another potluck and contra dance!
The evening starts with one of our famous country potluck dinners. Bring your favorite covered dish to share at 6:00. We usually have a good selection of food and desserts! At 6:45 we’ll start filing in for the beginners lesson and refresher. At 7:30 we will start the dancing with the band “The Lost Keys” and caller Lisa Harris-Frydman.
6:00 potluck
6:45 beginners lesson
7:30 contra dance
Open to both beginners and newcomers without experience. Those new to contra should attend the free lesson at 6:45. All ages welcome!
Our dances are social, inclusive, fun, and beginner friendly. No experience? No partner? No problem!
We strongly recommend that newcomers and beginners arrive at 6:45 for the lesson. The lesson is fun and an invaluable experience - you will enjoy the rest of the dance much more after the lesson.
All dances are taught and prompted, and feature live music.
You’ll hear our callers use gender free terms like Larks and Robins. Larks dance on the left side of a pair of dancers; Robins dance on the right side.
Contra dancing is fun and vigorous! Wear comfortable clothes and clean shoes. No black heels and no dance powder allowed on the floor.
Flexible admission rates for in-person dances:
Adult admission pay what you can between $8 to $15+ to help support our dances.
Adults just listening (not dancing) $5
Students $5
Children under 16 $free
Don’t miss another dance opportunity! Sign up on our email list to get twice a month reminders of all upcoming events using this link:
Lawrence Barn Dance Association
Band:
The Lost Keys
The Lost Keys are a family string band from Lawrence, KS. Headed by renowned fiddlers, artists, and multi-instrumentalists Tricia Spencer and Howard Rains of the duo Spencer & Rains, they are a blended family that have played music together since Tricia and Howard met in 2012.
The band consists of Tricia and Howard on fiddle and guitar and vocals and their kids, Isaiah, Orion, and Ru on fiddle and guitar, banjo-uke, and bass respectively. Together, they play a mix of old-time string band music, bluegrass, and hillbilly swing. Both Tricia and Howard’s families have been playing music for five (documented) generations so their music goes way back on both sides, and when The Lost Keys make their music, it shows just how deep their traditions go.
In 2024, The Lost Keys got 2nd place in the band contest at the Appalachian String Band Festival (Clifftop) in West Virginia and 1st place in the band contest at the Kansas State Fiddling and Picking Championships. As they continue to grow and dive deeper into their family and regional traditions, they keep alive family music that has been played by their family for over 150 years.
Caller: LISA HARRIS-FRYDMAN
Lisa is from Lawrence, KS, and has been calling contra and square dances for over 30 years, primarily in Kansas and Missouri. She has called dances and taught workshops in several other cities across the U.S. She calls regularly at the Walnut Valley Festival at Winfield, KS, and the Prairie Festival at the Land Institute in Salina, KS.
Lisa is known for easy-to-learn, zesty dances and her melodious calling. She especially likes to call dances that are fun for both experienced dancers and newcomers.
Lisa was active in organizing dances and dance weekends as a board member of the Lawrence Barndance Association and the Uptown Hoedown dance series in Lawrence. She has taught calling workshops in Austin, TX, Newton, KS, and Springfield, MO.
Lisa plays guitar and banjo and is currently learning fiddle. Her love of music is evident in her calling.
Photography:
Our photographer, of Denis Nicholson Photography, may be on site at this dance. He will post photos after the event and will have prints available through his web site. These are fun reminders of a magical evening and make great gifts and holiday surprises for the dancer in your life!
Also check out other Music events in Baldwin City, Entertainment events in Baldwin City, Food & Drink events in Baldwin City.
