MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – The first in a new tradition of quarterly contra dances will be held Saturday, June 9, at Armstrong Hall (home of Lake County Jazzercise) in Middletown.  

This dance will be led by Mavis McGaugh, an experienced contra caller from Berkeley.  

The live, old-time fiddle music will be provided by the Cobb Stompers, the Skelton crew and friends.

Contra dancing is a great low pressure and fun way to socialize.

If you are unfamiliar with contra dancing, it is somewhat similar to square dancing, but less formal.

There is no fancy footwork that you have to learn or memorize; you are led through each dance by the caller.  

Because it’s a social dance, you don’t need to arrive with a partner; in fact, most people don’t.

When you dance, you dance with a partner, but you also have many neighbors that you dance with too.

At the end of a dance, you say goodbye to your partner and get another one.

Armstrong Hall is located at 15642 Armstrong St. in Middletown, two blocks behind the post office.  

A lesson for beginners is at 6:30 pm and the dance runs from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Admission is $5 at the door.  

Please wear shoes that won’t harm the hardwood floor.  

Call 707-260-2900 for more information or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .