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Dance Under the Stars at Duke Campus Farm

Farm continues its ‘Contra Under the Stars’ tradition Sept. 27

Duke Campus Farm is holding its third contra dance this Saturday, Sept. 27. Photo courtesy of Duke Campus Farm
Duke Campus Farm is holding its third contra dance this Saturday, Sept. 27. Photo courtesy of Duke Campus Farm

Duke Campus Farm is hosting its third contra dance for the Duke community and public, bringing together music, dancing and snacks under the stars on Sept. 27.  The form of North American folk dance has become a tradition at the farm, in which a contra dance ‘caller’ calls out dance steps to the crowd in the farm’s pavilion. Participants don’t have to arrive with a partner or know how to dance.“The contra dance draws people in who are excited about dancing, especially under the star-filled sky,” said Duke Campus Farm Fellow Emily McGinty. “The event also celebrates our seasonal transition, which gives participants neat context for this social dance. As we twirl around, we’re thanking our summer crops and welcoming fall’s bounty.”  Farm staff and volunteers will provide tours beginning at 7 p.m. on Sept. 27. Dancers will have an opportunity to learn about the farm’s Cackalacky crops, or cash crops historic to Duke and Durham such as cotton and peanuts. Visitors can partake in a snack table of homemade salsas, pestos and other spreads made from fresh farm ingredients. Admission and the snacks are free, but participants should bring cash if they want to purchase new Duke Campus Farm T-shirts that will be on sale for $15 or hot apple cider for $1. The live music for contra dance festivities begins at 7:30 p.m. This will be the second time Mara Shea, a fiddle player and teacher in the Triangle, has played at a Duke Campus Farm contra dance. She learned how to play Irish and Scottish contra dance tunes beginning in the mid-1990s. “I like playing so that it reflects what the dancers are doing,” Shea said. “If they’re doing something very smooth, like a 'gypsy,’ where you’re circling around your partner and looking into their eyes, I try to play very smoothly. If they’re marching down the hall all together, four in line, I try to do something very march-like. “Scots say the music will tell you what to do, and in a sense, that’s true,” she added. “You don’t have to know everything about dancing to know how to dance. If you can feel rhythm in the music, know left from right, and can count to eight, you'll do just fine.”Duke Campus Farm is at 4934 Friends School Road in Durham. People who need a ride can sign up to carpool to the event on the ‘Contra Under the Stars’ Facebook event page.