Franklin NC contra dance

06/07/2026

Community Contra Dance
THURSDAY, June 18, 6:30-9:00
at the Macon County Public Library
with live music by The Four O' Clocks, a band from Atlanta,
and calling by Kenny Greer of Berea, KY!

Kenny Greer, of Berea, KY, will lead us in contras and a few other types of group dances this month. Kenny is very active in the folk dance scene, serving on dance organization boards, training new callers, and calling throughout the southeast. He is known for his skill with beginners and creating an atmosphere of fun.

Kenny will start by teaching only a few movements and get right into dancing, so beginners are encouraged to arrive ready to start at 6:30, and the dance will get underway about 6:45!

Remember that it is customary in contra dance to change partners every dance and meet folks in our community, so newbies are encouraged to dance with experienced dancers for the first couple of dances to get a solid start and improve their fun:confusion ratio!

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Our live music will be The Four O' Clocks, a traditional old time string band from Atlanta. Max Godfrey and Maggie Hall formed the band in 2012 playing old time tunes at farmers markets around Atlanta, (often with Miss Moonshine on banjo!) Since then, they’ve been fixtures of the Atlanta music scene, known for their wild, energetic style and tight vocal harmonies.

Max teaches music at Guitar Shed and The Frank Hamilton School, and also organizes a square dance in Cabbagetown, and old time jams at The Lost Druid. When she’s not playing guitar, Maggie can be found traipsing through the forest, gathering inspiration and materials for her artwork and handicrafts, including watercolor painting, broom making, basket weaving, and needle felting.

Jenna Shea Mobley is a touring and studio musician based out of Atlanta. She plays mostly fiddle and upright bass these days, though her first instruments were banjo, guitar, and piano. She currently teaches all of these instruments, in the old-time and folk styles by ear, to students of all ages.

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For the uninitiated, the caller walks the dancers through the steps of the upcoming dance for a few minutes, and then continues to call the moves in time to the music so the dancers know what to do next. Contra dances include contras, squares, mixers, and perhaps a few other types of folk dances appropriate to the level of the dancers in attendance.

The dancing will start early this month, about 6:45. We are completely volunteer driven and donation funded! A suggested donation of $10-20 per person goes to pay the band, caller, for flyers — as well as venue & sound tech when we need to hire those. Kids age 14 & under are free; children over age 8 who are game to participate, or sit and watch with an adult may also attend.

The Macon County Public Library is located at 149 Siler Farm Rd, Franklin, NC. Bring a closed water container and a snack if you choose. Smooth-soled shoes work best for dancing on wood floors. Please do not wear perfume or other scents to the dances. The Macon County Public Library generously donates space and the time of a librarian to our dance — we thank them!!

Next Dances — mark your calendar!:
• July 19, 2:30, Sunday afternoon at Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center:
Paddy's Return, a super-lively six-piece celtic band, with the effervescent Harrison Keely calling!

• August 20, 6:30, Thursday evening at the Macon County Public Library:
The Wildflower Pickers, a swift-pickin' band of young musicians, and legendary favorite caller, Charlotte Crittenden, both from Brasstown, NC!

• September 17, 6:30, Thursday evening at the Library
• October 18, 2:30, Sunday afternoon at Cowee School
• November 19, 6:30, Thursday evening at the Library

05/11/2026

Our next community dance will be hosted by Macon County Public Library on Thursday, May 21, starting at 6:30pm. Contra dance is a form of social folk dancing from which square dancing evolved, so it shares many of the same movements. As always, no partner is necessary, generations mix, all are welcome including beginners, and no dance experience or fancy clothing are necessary.

The band for May is a spritely combination of three local musicians calling themselves The Contrary Camellias, and you may recognize two of them as dancers.

Leading the melodies in the band, instead of following with her feet, will be Cathy Arps. Cathy has been playing various styles of music on violin or viola most of her life; she “inherited” classical music from parents and old-time fiddle tunes from her mama. She has played tunes as a member of the Odd Friday Ball and Out of the Woodwork for the Jackson County contra dances, and currently teaches violin and plays English Country Dances in Asheville and Brasstown.

Patti Hubbs was a part-time elementary and pre-school music teacher for 29 years; she is currently a musical member of her church worship team and also mightily enjoys adding peppy piano playing to our dances.

Chris Sobek finds rhythmic joy on the dance floor as well as holding the beat with the dog-house bass — from old-time fiddle tunes to swing, she keeps dancing feet stompin' in time.

Charley Harvey will lead us in contras, a few squares and perhaps other types of group dances this month. Charley has been calling dances for more than 30 years, from Denmark to Japan, and calls dances throughout the Southeast on a regular basis. Charley is noted for clear and concise teaching (he is great with beginners) and an enthusiasm that is contagious. Says Charley, "My goal as a caller is very simple: deliver the most fun to the most people possible."

Beginners are encouraged to arrive by 6:30pm for the instruction, and experienced dancers are on hand to help those new to contra dance get started with the movements. The dance is from 7-9pm. A suggested donation of $10-20 per person goes to pay the band, caller, printing flyers — as well as venue and sound tech when we need to hire those; kids age 14 & under are free; children over age 8 who are game to participate, or sit and watch with an adult may also attend.

The Macon County Public Library is located at 149 Siler Farm Rd, Franklin, NC.

Bring a closed water container and a snack if you wish. Smooth-soled shoes work best for dancing on wood floors. Please do not wear perfume or other scents to the dances. Visit and follow us here on facebook.com/FranklinContra for photos and details about our summer dances on June 18 (Thursday), July 19 (Sun) and August 20 (Thursday). And/or email us to be put on the email-notification list: [email protected].

04/16/2026

Dance callers Annie Fain Barralon and Wendy Graham, with music from Bal Iti, lead us in Bal Folk and contra traditional dancing this Sunday at 2:30! Cowee School, 51 Cowee School Drive, Franklin, NC. You'll have a smile as wide as Wendy's even if you can't click your heels like Annie!

04/16/2026

Remember, Contra and Bal Folk dance at Cowee School this Sunday, April 19 at 2:30! Gonna be great fun! Beginners welcome, ages 8-98!

04/03/2026

And, John C. Campbell Folk School will have a whole weekend of Bal Folk dancing May 29-31. In Brasstown, just 45 minutes west of Franklin, NC! Brought to you by Annie Fain Barralon, Géraud Barralon & Jonah Graves, and Wendy Graham — the very folks who will be leading us in dance on April 19!

So come out and get a taste of Bal Folk at our April 19 dance in Franklin — you may want to spend a weekend with it! Our dance organizer, Cricket, signed up for it months ago! And it's only $175 for the whole workshop. Slots are still available as of today!

If you enjoy the energy of contras and the playfulness of English dancing, you'll love French bourrées! Explore dances from various regions of France and Europe ranging from raucous to rhythmic, from circular or linear in form to partner dances–partner not required. Live music and song will be pr...

04/03/2026

Community Contra & Bal Folk Dance, in Franklin, NC

The next of the spring series of live-music community dances will be hosted by Cowee Arts & Heritage Center, on Sunday, April 19, starting at 2:30pm. This dance will feature both contra and Bal Folk traditions!!

Contra dance is a form of social folk dancing from which square dancing evolved, so it shares many of the same movements, and if you enjoy the energy of contras and partner dancing, chances are high they you’ll enjoy Bal Folk.

Come try this special opportunity to sample dances from various regions of France and Europe ranging from raucous to rhythmic, from circular or linear in form to partner dances. As always, all steps will be taught and called throughout the dance, no partner is necessary, generations mix, all are welcome, and no dance experience or fancy clothing are necessary.

The Bal Folk dances will be taught by Annie Fain Barralon who learned Bal Folk when she married into a French family of dancers and musicians. Wendy Graham, who is the Music & Dance Programs Coordinator at John C. Campbell Folk School, has been dancing and calling for decades will call the contras. Each multi-talented caller will play with the band when not calling.

Live music and song will be provided by Bal Iti: Géraud Barralon and Jonah Graves. Géraud Barralon hails from Ardèche in the Rhône-Alpes region of France. Growing up in the "Bal Folk" culture, Geraud has been dedicating his musical endeavors to the art of European social dancing since 2010, he is one of the main performers and organizers of the event called "Le Bal Itinerant," which takes place in France every year.

Jonah Graves is a multi-instrumentalist from Brasstown, North Carolina, rooted in the rich musical traditions of the Appalachian Mountains. For this dance Jonah will be picking up the octave mandolin to explore the rhythmic and melodic possibilities of tunes for Bal Folk — blending Appalachian sensibility with the vibrant energy of European dance traditions.

Beginners are strongly encouraged to arrive by 2:30pm for the instruction, and experienced dancers are on hand to help those new to contra dance get started with the movements. The dance is from 3-5pm. A suggested donation of $10-20 per person goes to pay the bands, callers, for flyers — as well as venue & sound tech when we need to hire those; kids age 14 & under are free; children over age 8 who are game to participate, or sit and watch with an adult may also attend.

Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center is located at 51 Cowee School Drive, Franklin, NC (just off of route 28, 7 miles north of downtown Franklin).

Bring a closed water container and a snack if you wish. Smooth-soled shoes work best for dancing on wood floors. Please do not wear perfume or other scents to the dances.

The next two dances will be Thursdays, May 21 and June 18, at 6:30pm at Macon County Public Library.. Email us to be put on the email-notification list: [email protected].

This video, of Annie Fain teaching at John C. Campbell Folk School is one of the basic dances that we'll likely be learning!

03/23/2026

Here's a glimpse of our most recent community dance! Our next event is April 19 at Cowee School!

03/04/2026

Community Contra Dance
THURSDAY, March 19, 6:30-9:00
at the Macon County Public Library
with live music by George Paul & Amelia Morgan, and calling by Harrison Keely!

George Paul is one of the premiere musicians for contra dances throughout the southeast. He is well known as the core member of the band Playing with Fyre. George has been playing the piano since he was 3 years old, composed many tunes, and at this point, music just flows from his heart into his hands. Amelia Morgan is primarily a fiddler, and she is also well versed on guitar, mandolin, and tenor banjo. She plays several genres of music and studied Bluegrass music at East Tennessee State University. Both have created several CDs.

You won't believe the energy that comes from only these two musicians, but if you look closely, you can see it in this photo of them!
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Harrison Keely, a community favorite, will call the dance (for the uninitiated, the caller walks the dancers through the steps of the upcoming dance for a few minutes, and then continues to call the moves in time to the music so the dancers know what to do next), to include contras, squares, mixers, and perhaps a few other types of folk dances appropriate to the level of the dancers in attendance. Harrison frequently acts in theater productions in Hayesville, and is known for his clear dance calling instructions, enthusiasm and permanent smile.
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Beginners are strongly encouraged to arrive by 6:30pm for the instruction, and experienced dancers are keen to help those new to contra dance get started with the moves!

The dance is from 7-9pm. We are completely volunteer driven and donation funded! A suggested donation of $10-20 per person goes to pay the band, caller, for flyers — as well as venue & sound tech when we need to hire those. Kids age 14 & under are free; children over age 8 who are game to participate, or sit and watch with an adult may also attend.

The Macon County Public Library is located at 149 Siler Farm Rd, Franklin, NC. Bring a closed water container and a snack if you choose. Smooth-soled shoes work best for dancing on wood floors. Please do not wear perfume or other scents to the dances. The Macon County Public Library generously donates space and the time of a librarian to our dance — we thank them!!

02/22/2026

Our spring dances are booked with awesome bands & callers! Let me make a short introduction for each:

March 19, 6:30, Thursday evening at the Macon County Public Library:
George Paul with Amelia Morgan: George is the very talented root player for several well-known contra dance bands, including Playing with Fyre. Amelia is a multi-instrumentalist well-versed in dance tunes, from Maine but currently in Tennessee studying music.
Harrison Keely, contra and folk dance caller will be calling — we are always delighted to have his enthusiasm and clear calling!

April 19, 2:30, Sunday afternoon at Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center:
This dance will have contras with a few Bal Folk dances! Besides some lively contras, this is a super-special opportunity to learn some easy folk dances from Europe, WITH music by musicians who grew up playing these gorgeous tunes in France! We are lucky to have Géraud Barralon and Johah Graves in Brasstown, NC of the band Bal Iti playing.
AND both Wendy Graham and Annie Fain Barralon of John C. Campbell Folk School calling contras and leading the Bal Folk. Don't hesitate! Come try this!!

May 21, 6:30, Thursday evening at the Library:
Our own local Contra-ry Camellias: musicians Patti Hubbs, Chris Sobek and Cathy Arps will provide lively traditional dance tunes with keyboard, bass and fiddle.
Charley Harvey will be back to share his calling expertise and fun attitude of fun!

01/31/2026

We now have the entire 2026 Contra Dance schedule for Franklin, NC, and I'm booking bands and callers now! Dates:

SPRING:
March 19, Thursday evening at the Macon County Public Library.
April 19, Sunday afternoon at Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center.
May 21, Thursday evening at the Library.

SUMMER:
June 18, Thursday evening at the Macon County Public Library.
July 19, Sunday afternoon at Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center.
Aug 20, Thursday evening at the Library.

FALL:
Sept 17, Thursday evening at the Macon County Public Library.
Oct 18, Sunday afternoon at Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center.
Nov 19, Thursday evening at the Library.