During the fall and spring, the Comox Valley fiddle group, Fiddlejam, hosts Contra dances at the Big Yellow Merville hall. These dances are fun for young and old and, along with contra dances, also include waltzes, swing and celtic dances. Dances are held on a Saturday and begin at 7:00 pm with a quick dance lesson and the official event starts at 7:30 pm and ends at 10:00 pm.
Check below or our calendar to see upcoming Contra Dances
ROBBIE BURNS FIDDLE FAMILY CONTRA DANCE at the MERVILLE HALL – January 25, 2025
Celebrate the spirit of Robbie Burns, on Saturday, January 25th, 2025 with the Funtime Fiddlers playing for your dancing pleasure at the Big Yellow Merville Hall. Of course everyone knows that the bagpipes play second fiddle to the fiddle as the musical instrument of choice for strapping, bare legged, kilted Scots.
Celtic Caller June Cannon will guide the dancers with her clear and clever instructions, always with an eye on those who might need a bit more guidance. Nobody gets left behind and everyone will have a good time. Almost guaranteed.
Doors open at 6:45pm and there is a Contra Dance workshop right before the dance to loosen you up and to prepare you for the spins and lively steps of the Virginia Reel and the Gay Gordon.
The dancing begins at 7:30 with families and single dancers being very welcome. Singles can pair up with anyone during the Contras and our Contra sets last about 15 to 20 minutes. The fiddlers will also play old time waltzes and reels; jigs and swing; schottisches and foxtrots. Everyone can dance, plus we’ll celebrate the poetry of Robbie Burns and have healthy samplings of “haggis” to titillate the tastebuds. Kilts are great for dancing in, so wear your colours with flare and we’ll create a dance to make the Highlanders proud.
The Big Yellow Merville Dance Hall is right on the Old Island Highway, between Campbell River and Courtenay. Doors open at 6:45, dance starts at 7:30pm. Cost is $10.00/adults, $5.00/youth and you can come as a family for $22.00. FMI 250-339-4249. Slainte.
What: Contra Dance
Where: Big Yellow Merville Hall, Old Island Highway, Merville.
When: Saturday, January 25th. Doors open 6:45, dance starts 7:30.
Cost: $10/adults, $5/youth and family pack $22.
FMI: 250-339-4249
ST PADDY’S FAMILY FIDDLE CONTRA DANCE at the MERVILLE HALL Saturday March 16th, 2024
On Saturday, March 16th, 2024 – green clad dancers will flock to the wildly popular St. Patrick’s Contra dance at the Big Yellow Merville Hall. Join Paddy O’Furniture and the Irish Funtime Fiddlers as they pump out the jigs and reels for your dancing pleasure. All are welcome to attend this family friendly function.
There will be a brief Contra workshop at 7:00, right before the dance. Then, at 7:30, the Funtime Fiddlers leap onto the stage, strike the first notes and the gaiety begins. Singles can pair up with anyone during the dances which last about 15 to 20 minutes. In between the called Contra dances, we’ll play waltzes, polkas, swing tunes and maybe there will be a surprise act or two.
So, wear green and win a Spot Dance prize, kiss the Merville Blarney Stone and click your heels. The luck of the Irish will be with us at this kitchen party! Green music, green beer, green gills and green pickled eggs.
Doors open at 6:50, dance starts at 7:30pm. Cost is $10.00/adults, $5.00/youth (6 and under free) and you can come as a family for $22.00. FMI: [email protected]
ROBBIE BURNS FIDDLE CONTRA DANCE at the MERVILLE HALL – Saturday, January 28th, 2023
Hoot Mon! The Bard ‘o’ Scotland will be honoured at the Robbie Burns Contra dance on Saturday, January 28th at the tartan coloured Merville hall. There, the Fiddlejam Funtime Fiddlers will play for your dancing pleasure while hairy legged, kilted Scotsmen and Scotswomen swirl about the floor shaking their thistles and spurtles.
Guiding the dancers will be a phalanx of callers, with their clear and broguish instructions, keeping an eye on those who might need a bit more guidance in the midst of this brouhaha. You’ll want to have an extra helping of salted, raw oatmeal, with a splash of liquid barley, in the morning to give you the energy to carry on through the night.
Contra dances are similar to square dances and English country dances. No experience is necessary as the caller teaches each dance before it is actually done to the music. The caller then leads the dance while the band plays, so dancers are able to perform each movement to the music. Most people catch on quickly and soon the hall is full of prancing participants. You don’t have to come with a partner as dancers can pair up right there on the hardwood floor. If you wish, you’ll get a chance to dance with everyone on the floor.
There will be Virginia Reels, the Gay Gordon, waltzes, jigs and schottisches. Tasty helpings of “haggis” will be served and we’ll toast the Scottish Bard. You might even win a Spot Dance or “Best Dressed” prize. Wear your kilt and kick up your heels.
So, Saturday, January 28th, steer your Highland Shetland Pony in the direction of the Big Yellow Merville Dance Hall, right on the Old Island Highway, between Campbell River and Courtenay. Doors open at 7:00, dance starts at 7:30pm. Cost is $10.00/adults, $5.00/youth and you can come as a family for $22.00. FMI 339-4249. “Lang may yer lum reek”
For the the dates of the dances check out our Calendar.
FIDDLE CONTRA DANCE at the MERVILLE HALL
Don’t be a still life. Pear up with your friends or come alone and enjoy the dancing.
A recent attendee at the contra dance themed for St. Patrick’s Day shared the following blog. Thank you for sharing your experience Keith Nicol !
http://keithnicol.blogspot.ca/2017/03/we-enjoyed-st-paddys-day-dance-at-big.html