What we’re about
Contra dancing is an easy-to-learn style of social dance accompanied by a live band. Do you like smiling, laughing and interacting with friendly folks? Getting some healthy exercise while having fun? Contra dancing might be for you. Knowing how to dance is not necessary because a caller prompts the moves and guides the dancers. A short workshop is given at the start, teaching basic terminology and dance moves.
Come alone or with friends. It's customary to dance with a variety of partners throughout an evening. Typically at a dance there are 40 to 80 people of varied experience levels, ages and backgrounds.
Much of the music is drawn from Appalachian, Celtic, and old-timey traditions, with pop, jazz, Eastern European and electric for good measure. From lively and playful to smooth and elegant, the music always has a great beat enhanced by the collective energy of joyful dancers.
Swingin' Tern is known both as a beginner-friendly dance group and the host of special events that draw dancers from several states.
LOCATION: St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 200 Main St, Chatham, NJ 07928
DATES: First and third Saturday of every month.
LESSON: 7:00-7:30 PM, DANCE: 7:30– 10:30 PM
COST: $15 adult, $5 student (certain special dances may be higher)
More information: http://swingintern.org
Upcoming events (4)
See all- Contra dance with caller Dave Rupp, music by Bosnick and BittelSt. Paul's Episcopal Church, Chatham, NJ
Admission: $15 per adult, $5 with student ID, cash at the door.
Times: Beginner's lesson at 7:00 PM. Dance from 7:30-10:30 PM, first and third Saturdays.Welcome notes for new dancers: No experience or partner is required. The beginner's workshop at 7:00 will get you dancing in no time. Throughout the evening, we mix around with new partners at the start of each dance. The music is live, and the steps are called/prompted. People of all ages attend, and our events are alcohol-free. Dancing is aerobic: Dress lightly and bring a water bottle. Flat-soled shoes are best; heels or flip-flops are not recommended. Home-baked goods or other snacks to share at the break are welcome.
Tonight's talent: DAVE RUPP has been an active dancer and caller in the Philadelphia region since the 90’s, calling regularly throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland. He enjoys calling a varied program of dances with good humor and an energetic style.
ANNA BOSNICK is a fiddler from New Jersey. AARON BITTEL is a pianist from Connecticut. Together they are Bosnick and Bittel. With the attitude of “Down to Clown” they bring together an eclectic mix of traditional and modern styles, heavily influenced by the music of Eastern Canada and New England, with a healthy dose of Celtic and Southern American and a willingness to improv.
Hungry before the dance? Chatham has many restaurants offering a variety of cuisines all within two blocks of our location on Main Street.
There is ample parking in the lot behind St. Paul's and the adjacent municipal library. The Chatham train station is just two and a half blocks away. Use New Jersey Transit from Penn Station in NYC and take the Morris & Essex line terminating at Morristown or Dover. Convenient train times to Chatham are lv 5:11/ar 6:15 PM or lv 6:11/ar 7:15. Return trips leave Chatham at 10:35 and 11:35 PM.
Swingin' Tern dances are held on the first and third Saturdays of the month and are presented by The Folk Project. Join our email list here to get dance announcements, and check out our Facebook page. Our dance is run by volunteers. Sign up to lend a hand at a future dance and get a free pass for that evening!
- Contra dance with caller Sue Gola, music by Brooklyn Swing EnsembleSt. Paul's Episcopal Church, Chatham, NJ
Admission: $15 per adult, $5 with student ID, cash at the door.
Times: Beginner's lesson at 7:00 PM. Dance from 7:30-10:30 PM, first and third Saturdays. JOIN US TONIGHT FOR A SPECIAL DANCE CELEBRATING GARY K.'s BIRTHDAY.Welcome notes for new dancers: No experience or partner is required. The beginner's workshop at 7:00 will get you dancing in no time. Throughout the evening, we mix around with new partners at the start of each dance. The music is live, and the steps are called/prompted. People of all ages attend, and our events are alcohol-free. Dancing is aerobic: Dress lightly and bring a water bottle. Flat-soled shoes are best; heels or flip-flops are not recommended. Home-baked goods or other snacks to share at the break are welcome.
Tonight's talent: A long-time contra dancer, SUE GOLA was drawn into calling contras in 2014. Since then, she has called at dances both large and small throughout the Northeast. Sue gives instructions concisely and clearly and has a friendly way about her that makes dancers feel welcome.
BROOKLYN SWING ENSEMBLE features Danny Elias on clarinet, Sam Zygmuntowicz on fiddle, Marco Brehm on double bass, and Norman Plankey on guitar. They are well known in the Northeast for their unique blend of fiddle tunes, Klezmer music, and swing/blues – playing for contra dances and other events throughout the region. With fiddle and clarinet as the lead instruments, the world is their musical oyster, and they are unafraid to explore!
Hungry before the dance? Chatham has many restaurants offering a variety of cuisines all within two blocks of our location on Main Street.
There is ample parking in the lot behind St. Paul's and the adjacent municipal library. The Chatham train station is just two and a half blocks away. Use New Jersey Transit from Penn Station in NYC and take the Morris & Essex line terminating at Morristown or Dover. Convenient train times to Chatham are lv 5:11/ar 6:15 PM or lv 6:11/ar 7:15. Return trips leave Chatham at 10:35 and 11:35 PM.
Swingin' Tern dances are held on the first and third Saturdays of the month and are presented by The Folk Project. Join our email list here to get dance announcements, and check out our Facebook page. Our dance is run by volunteers. Sign up to lend a hand at a future dance and get a free pass for that evening!
- Contra dance with caller Karen Justin, music by TorrentSt. Paul's Episcopal Church, Chatham, NJ
Admission: $15 per adult, $5 with student ID, cash at the door.
Times: Beginner's lesson at 7:00 PM. Dance from 7:30-10:30 PM, first and third Saturdays. WE ARE ENDING EARLY TONIGHT AT 10:00 PM TO START THE ANNUAL HOLIDAY AFTER-PARTY. POTLUCK CONTRIBUTIONS WELCOMED!Welcome notes for new dancers: No experience or partner is required. The beginner's workshop at 7:00 will get you dancing in no time. Throughout the evening, we mix around with new partners at the start of each dance. The music is live, and the steps are called/prompted. People of all ages attend, and our events are alcohol-free. Dancing is aerobic: Dress lightly and bring a water bottle. Flat-soled shoes are best; heels or flip-flops are not recommended. Home-baked goods or other snacks to share at the break are welcome.
Tonight's talent: In 2022, KAREN JUSTIN discovered the joy of contra calling. Known as a friendly and precise dancer, she brings these same qualities to the microphone. With clear teaching and well-timed calling, Karen welcomes new and experienced dancers alike, helping them connect to the music and to each other.
TORRENT is New York City’s newest contra dance band featuring Nadia Gaya on accordion, Sarah Stefanski on fiddle, and Ross Parker on piano. Torrent’s driving rhythms and exciting tunes will get you on your feet and dancing!
Hungry before the dance? Chatham has many restaurants offering a variety of cuisines all within two blocks of our location on Main Street.
There is ample parking in the lot behind St. Paul's and the adjacent municipal library. The Chatham train station is just two and a half blocks away. Use New Jersey Transit from Penn Station in NYC and take the Morris & Essex line terminating at Morristown or Dover. Convenient train times to Chatham are lv 5:11/ar 6:15 PM or lv 6:11/ar 7:15. Return trips leave Chatham at 10:35 and 11:35 PM.
Swingin' Tern dances are held on the first and third Saturdays of the month and are presented by The Folk Project. Join our email list here to get dance announcements, and check out our Facebook page. Our dance is run by volunteers. Sign up to lend a hand at a future dance and get a free pass for that evening!
- Contra dance with caller Bob Isaacs and Friends, music by The Star ChartersSt. Paul's Episcopal Church, Chatham, NJ
Admission: $15 per adult, $5 with student ID, cash at the door.
Times: Beginner's lesson at 7:00 PM. Dance from 7:30-10:30 PM, first and third Saturdays.Welcome notes for new dancers: No experience or partner is required. The beginner's workshop at 7:00 will get you dancing in no time. Throughout the evening, we mix around with new partners at the start of each dance. The music is live, and the steps are called/prompted. People of all ages attend, and our events are alcohol-free. Dancing is aerobic: Dress lightly and bring a water bottle. Flat-soled shoes are best; heels or flip-flops are not recommended. Home-baked goods or other snacks to share at the break are welcome.
Tonight's talent: Featuring BOB ISAACS, a renowned national caller and prolific choreographer whose creative dances are enjoyed throughout the country. To celebrate Swingin' Tern's 41st anniversary, Bob will organize a terrific program with a variety of other callers who all started calling on our stage.
Cecilia Vacanti (of Kingfisher) and Jess Newman and Mark Price (of Cojiro) are teaming up to play contra dances in a high energy, dynamic trio known as THE STAR CHARTERS. With Cecilia and Jess on fiddle and Mark holding down rhythm on guitar, The Star Charters bring to the stage a rock-solid groove and level of technical prowess that is complemented by their combined versatility, lyrical twin fiddle harmonies and joyful, off-the-cuff improvisation. This bopping team-up will send dancers over the moon!
Hungry before the dance? Chatham has many restaurants offering a variety of cuisines all within two blocks of our location on Main Street.
There is ample parking in the lot behind St. Paul's and the adjacent municipal library. The Chatham train station is just two and a half blocks away. Use New Jersey Transit from Penn Station in NYC and take the Morris & Essex line terminating at Morristown or Dover. Convenient train times to Chatham are lv 5:11/ar 6:15 PM or lv 6:11/ar 7:15. Return trips leave Chatham at 10:35 and 11:35 PM.
Swingin' Tern dances are held on the first and third Saturdays of the month and are presented by The Folk Project. Join our email list here to get dance announcements, and check out our Facebook page. Our dance is run by volunteers. Sign up to lend a hand at a future dance and get a free pass for that evening!
