A St. Paddy’s Day Contra and Ceili Dance!

We’ll see you for a cross cultural folk dance to celebrate St. Paddy’s day at Brooklyn Contra! We’ll be joined by Irish duo Gan Ainm, contra caller Dylan Simpson and ceili caller Matthew Tiemstra for an evening of amazing dancing! In addition to our free Contra lesson at 4:30 we’ll have a ceili lesson built into the dance at about 5:30, and be dancing a bit later into the evening to make room for all the fun!

Local duo Gan Ainm is excited to make their Brooklyn Contra debut! Local musicians Sean Rosenberry and Michelle Bergin are both seasoned session players, performers, and teachers. Pairing energetic fiddle playing with driving piano rhythm, their playful and improvisatory style is bound to keep you on your toes, and on the dance floor!

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Dylan began dancing in earnest in Princeton, New Jersey. As a caller, he brings an easy manner and positive energy that draws dancers in - remember, if we're having fun, we're doin' it right!

Matthew Tiemstra is an actor and writer based in New York City. He started social dancing in the Oakland Bay Area over a decade ago and it has become his favorite hobby. He has called ceilis informally and formally in New York. He first learned ceili in the Starry Plough Pub in Berkeley California and is excited to bring it to Brooklyn Contra!

Sunday, March 17th, 5-8 pm
Contra Lesson at 4:30 pm
Camp Friendship, 339 8th St. Park Slope

This dance is Mask Required

Important Dance Information:

• Please do not attend if:

  • You have any symptoms that may be related to covid-19 or other viruses

  • You have come in contact with anyone in the 2 weeks prior to the dance who is suspected to have covid-19

• Cost of entry

  • Free for sustaining members and volunteers, $9 for supporter members and students, $15 for non-members.