Members are always welcome to observe at OFB Board meetings.
Please check the calendar before coming, as we may not meet every month.

Every 4th Sunday come out to the Harvest House for Asheville’s only traditional dance music jam hosted by contra dance fiddler Laura Lengnick. Share some of your favorite tunes and learn some new ones at this gathering devoted to celebrating the art of playing the traditional dance music of New England, French Canada, Cape Breton, Scotland, Ireland and Appalachia. Beginners are welcome, but this jam is for musicians that can play at dance tempos. Listeners are welcome to join us!

The Callers Collective hosts a gathering for callers on occasional first Sundays of the month from 6-8 pm. Led by caller Beth Molaro, the collective provides opportunities and guidance for experienced and developing dance callers to share resources and practice together. We welcome anyone who would like to learn to call, work on their calling skills, practice new material or just “talk shop” about calling for dances.

A community dance especially aimed at families with school-aged children. Circles, mixers, long-ways, squares, singing-and-clapping games, and other set dances, carefully chosen considering the motor skills and social development of children ages 6-12. (Younger kids may need a little more parental support, but will still have fun).

All dances are taught and called; no experience is necessary and all ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult, but adults do NOT need to be accompanied by a child. It’s great fun to dance with children and watch the wonder unfold.

Also, the Family Dance is open band, so if you play contra dance music, come on out. We encourage youngsters who play an instrument to give it a try as well. Energetic, wholesome, high quality, home-made entertainment.

Roots is the OFB’s monthly dance celebrating the New England roots of contra dancing. What’s different about Roots? Think small, sweet dance hall, traditional acoustic dance music, and a house band and caller that know how to make contra dance magic by keeping it close to the floor! Laura Lengnick and Karen Gaughan start warming things up a little before 7 pm with a few couples dances and then Diane Silver calls contra dances old and new to the fabulous New England tunes that have inspired generations of dancers. This dance is free of charge.

Come dance with friends and work on your waltz moves. Or, come play waltz tunes with the open waltz band. We are refining skills as both waltzers and musicians. All levels are welcome. Enjoy learning from each other in an informal setting. Live music as available; recorded music as needed. Doors open at 6:45 for the band to gather. Led by Suzanne Hosch.

Members are always welcome to observe at OFB Board meetings.
Please check the calendar before coming, as we may not meet every month.

Every 4th Sunday come out to the Harvest House for Asheville’s only traditional dance music jam hosted by contra dance fiddler Laura Lengnick. Share some of your favorite tunes and learn some new ones at this gathering devoted to celebrating the art of playing the traditional dance music of New England, French Canada, Cape Breton, Scotland, Ireland and Appalachia. Beginners are welcome, but this jam is for musicians that can play at dance tempos. Listeners are welcome to join us!

The Callers Collective hosts a gathering for callers on occasional first Sundays of the month from 6-8 pm. Led by caller Beth Molaro, the collective provides opportunities and guidance for experienced and developing dance callers to share resources and practice together. We welcome anyone who would like to learn to call, work on their calling skills, practice new material or just “talk shop” about calling for dances.

A community dance especially aimed at families with school-aged children. Circles, mixers, long-ways, squares, singing-and-clapping games, and other set dances, carefully chosen considering the motor skills and social development of children ages 6-12. (Younger kids may need a little more parental support, but will still have fun).

All dances are taught and called; no experience is necessary and all ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult, but adults do NOT need to be accompanied by a child. It’s great fun to dance with children and watch the wonder unfold.

Also, the Family Dance is open band, so if you play contra dance music, come on out. We encourage youngsters who play an instrument to give it a try as well. Energetic, wholesome, high quality, home-made entertainment.

Roots is the OFB’s monthly dance celebrating the New England roots of contra dancing. What’s different about Roots? Think small, sweet dance hall, traditional acoustic dance music, and a house band and caller that know how to make contra dance magic by keeping it close to the floor! Laura Lengnick and Karen Gaughan start warming things up a little before 7 pm with a few couples dances and then Diane Silver calls contra dances old and new to the fabulous New England tunes that have inspired generations of dancers. This dance is free of charge.

Come dance with friends and work on your waltz moves. Or, come play waltz tunes with the open waltz band. We are refining skills as both waltzers and musicians. All levels are welcome. Enjoy learning from each other in an informal setting. Live music as available; recorded music as needed. Doors open at 6:45 for the band to gather. Led by Suzanne Hosch.

Members are always welcome to observe at OFB Board meetings.
Please check the calendar before coming, as we may not meet every month.

Every 4th Sunday come out to the Harvest House for Asheville’s only traditional dance music jam hosted by contra dance fiddler Laura Lengnick. Share some of your favorite tunes and learn some new ones at this gathering devoted to celebrating the art of playing the traditional dance music of New England, French Canada, Cape Breton, Scotland, Ireland and Appalachia. Beginners are welcome, but this jam is for musicians that can play at dance tempos. Listeners are welcome to join us!

The Callers Collective hosts a gathering for callers on occasional first Sundays of the month from 6-8 pm. Led by caller Beth Molaro, the collective provides opportunities and guidance for experienced and developing dance callers to share resources and practice together. We welcome anyone who would like to learn to call, work on their calling skills, practice new material or just “talk shop” about calling for dances.

A community dance especially aimed at families with school-aged children. Circles, mixers, long-ways, squares, singing-and-clapping games, and other set dances, carefully chosen considering the motor skills and social development of children ages 6-12. (Younger kids may need a little more parental support, but will still have fun).

All dances are taught and called; no experience is necessary and all ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult, but adults do NOT need to be accompanied by a child. It’s great fun to dance with children and watch the wonder unfold.

Also, the Family Dance is open band, so if you play contra dance music, come on out. We encourage youngsters who play an instrument to give it a try as well. Energetic, wholesome, high quality, home-made entertainment.

Roots is the OFB’s monthly dance celebrating the New England roots of contra dancing. What’s different about Roots? Think small, sweet dance hall, traditional acoustic dance music, and a house band and caller that know how to make contra dance magic by keeping it close to the floor! Laura Lengnick and Karen Gaughan start warming things up a little before 7 pm with a few couples dances and then Diane Silver calls contra dances old and new to the fabulous New England tunes that have inspired generations of dancers. This dance is free of charge.

Come dance with friends and work on your waltz moves. Or, come play waltz tunes with the open waltz band. We are refining skills as both waltzers and musicians. All levels are welcome. Enjoy learning from each other in an informal setting. Live music as available; recorded music as needed. Doors open at 6:45 for the band to gather. Led by Suzanne Hosch.

Members are always welcome to observe at OFB Board meetings.
Please check the calendar before coming, as we may not meet every month.

Every 4th Sunday come out to the Harvest House for Asheville’s only traditional dance music jam hosted by contra dance fiddler Laura Lengnick. Share some of your favorite tunes and learn some new ones at this gathering devoted to celebrating the art of playing the traditional dance music of New England, French Canada, Cape Breton, Scotland, Ireland and Appalachia. Beginners are welcome, but this jam is for musicians that can play at dance tempos. Listeners are welcome to join us!