This Saturday’s Big Scioty dance is special for two reasons: One, it’s our last contra dance of 2025, as we’ll be busy next month hosting Columbus’s annual dance weekend, Winter WarmUp. And two, it’s your last chance to register for Winter WarmUp at the “Early Bird” rate! (More on that below.)
Saturday’s dance is also special for its talent. Dayton’s Margaret Ann Goodman will call the dances, with music provided by The Hollertones, a quartet that garnered praise as one of the featured bands at last year’s Winter WarmUp. As a bonus, Margaret will offer a brief waltz lesson for anyone who’s ever felt left out because they’ve never had a chance to learn this classic ballroom dance.
When, where: 8 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1 (the day after Halloween—costumes are welcome!) at Clinton Heights Lutheran Church, 15 Clinton Heights Ave., Columbus. If you’re new to contra dance or a little rusty, plan to arrive at 7:30 p.m. for a quick and easy lesson.
Cost: $10 ($7 for members), $5 ($3) for ages 12-26, free for children under 12. There is still renew your membership and enjoy dancing at a discount while helping to support Big Scioty. Annual memberships are $15 for ages 27 and over, $5 for ages 12-26. Also available are sponsorships (beginning at $100, $50 for ages 12-26), which entitle you to free admission to all eight of this season’s dances.
Role terms: Most of our callers use the non-gendered terms “larks and robins” rather than the more traditional “gents and ladies.” But no matter which terms are used, dancers are welcome to choose whatever roles they prefer. These are, after all, simply roles!
Miscellaneous: Parking is available in the church lot or on neighborhood streets. Feel free to bring a snack to share, and please bring a water bottle for your own use.
Remember: Saturday is your last chance to register for WWU at the “Early Bird” rate of $60 for ages 26 and below, $110 for ages 27 and up. Registration forms will be available at the dance, and payment can be made via cash, check (made out to Big Scioty) or Zelle. At the same time, you can also order one of our cute possum-tossing T-shirts ($22).
Those who are interested can also sign up to help out by either hosting out-of-town dancers, donating baked goods for the Winter WarmUp café, or spending an hour or so volunteering at tasks such as setup, tear-down or working at the registration desk or in the kitchen. Details on volunteer opportunities will be available at Saturday’s dance, or you can sign up online at https://bigscioty.com/volunteer-for-winter-warmup
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