Contra dance season kicks off Nov. 2

| October 23, 2013 6:15 PM

Flathead Contra Dancers, Humanities Montana and the Kalispell Senior Center are proud to bring a member of the Humanities Montana Speakers Bureau to Kalispell Nov. 2 to talk about the history of ballroom dancing.

The free presentation, “From the Volta to the Foxtrot,” by Mark Matthews, will include vintage films featuring such historical dances as the turkey trot, Texas tommy and the foxtrot. The talk will range from Renaissance dances such as the volta — Queen Elizabeth's favorite dance — up to the careers of Irene and Vernon Castle who, during the 1910s, set the standards for modern ballroom dancing.

The one-hour presentation starts at 4 p.m. at the Kalispell Senior Center, 403 Second Ave. W.

After the presentation, plan on grabbing a bite to eat and returning to the center for the first contra dance of the season.

New Money will provide the live music, with Matthews calling. A beginners' workshop is at 7:30 p.m., with dancing continuing until 10:30 p.m.

Fees for the dance are $8 for adults, $5 for students (through college) and $18 for families. Children ages 10 and older are encouraged to join the fun on the dance floor.

This is a smoke- and alcohol-free event.

For more information, call 261-2029.