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calendar
June 8, 2026 Flower Dance
You are invited (not required) to bring flowers to the dance.
Music: David Di Giuseppe (accordion) and Jared Kirkpatrick (piano)
Caller: Emily Rush
5:30 – 6:30 Set up and light potluck. Bring finger foods for yourself and others
6:30 – 7:00 Lesson
7:00 – 8:30 Dance
8:30 – 9:30 Closing song: We will sing “Loosen” by Aly Halpert, and clean up and connection. We’ll have refreshing refreshments after the dance.
Location: Jubilee Baptist Church, 2025 Ephesus Church Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27517
June 22, 2026 Peas & Carrots Dance
You are invited (not required) to wear or bring something that fits the Peas & Carrots theme.
Music: Light Reaction (Audrey Tannous-Taylor on fiddle with Jim Fownes on keyboard)
Caller: Emily Rush
5:30 – 6:30 Set up and light potluck. Bring finger foods for yourself and others
6:30 – 7:00 Lesson
7:00 – 8:30 Dance
8:30 – 9:30 Closing song: We will sing “Loosen” by Aly Halpert, and clean up and connection. We’ll have an after dance refreshing refreshment.
Location: Jubilee Baptist Church, 2025 Ephesus Church Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27517
July 13, 2026 Free to Be Dance
You are invited (not required) to wear something or bring something fitting the theme of “Free to Be”.
Music: David Di Giuseppe (accordion) and George Paul (piano)
Caller: Emily Rush
5:30 – 6:30 Set up and light potluck. Bring finger foods for yourself and others
6:30 – 7:00 Lesson
7:00 – 8:30 Dance
8:30 – 9:30 Closing song: We will sing “Loosen” by Aly Halpert, and clean up and connection. We’ll have refreshing refreshments after the dance.
Location: Jubilee Baptist Church, 2025 Ephesus Church Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27517
July 27, 2026 Clash Dance
You are invited (not required) to wear a clashing outfit to the dance.
Music: Kathleen Fownes (fiddle) and Jared Kirkpatrick (piano)
Caller: Emily Rush
5:30 – 6:30 Set up and light potluck. Bring finger foods for yourself and others
6:30 – 7:00 Lesson
7:00 – 8:30 Dance
8:30 – 9:30 Closing song: We will sing “Loosen” by Aly Halpert, and clean up and connection. We’ll have refreshing refreshments after the dance.
Location: Jubilee Baptist Church, 2025 Ephesus Church Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27517
August 10, 2026 Klondike Dance
We’ll enjoy Klondike Bars and frozen fruit bars after the dance.
Music: David Di Giuseppe (accordion) and Jared Kirkpatrick (piano)
Caller: Emily Rush
5:30 – 6:30 Set up and light potluck. Bring finger foods for yourself and others
6:30 – 7:00 Lesson
7:00 – 8:30 Dance
8:30 – 9:30 Closing song: We will sing “Loosen” by Aly Halpert, and clean up and connection with Klondike bars and frozen fruit bars after the dance.
Location: Jubilee Baptist Church, 2025 Ephesus Church Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27517
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Address
2025 Ephesus Church Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
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About us
COMMUNITY.
DANCE.
CONNECTION.
We – Russ Bowen, Galen Kirkpatrick, and Emily Rush – are bringing people together through the joy of traditional music and dance. Our twice-monthly, early-evening contra dance is shorter than a typical evening event, making it more accessible for families with young kids, newcomers, and anyone who loves to dance but also values time to connect before and after.
Rooted in tradition and built for community, our dance is about more than just the steps, it’s about creating a place where everyone belongs.
The Organizers
Russ
Bowen
Organizer, Pres.
Emily
Rush
VP & Caller
Galen
Kirkpatrick
Treasurer & Sound Wizard
