Greetings to Everyone in the TADAMS community,

The TADAMS Board decided at the August 25, 2025, meeting to retire the role terms Gents and Ladies and adopt the terms Larks and Robins. This decision is the result of more than a year of discussion and deliberation. The Board agreed by consensus to adapt non-gendered terminology. We considered two separate proposals for Larks/Robins terminology and Leads/Follows terminology. The proposal to implement Larks/Robins role terminology passed by majority vote. The Board guides its decisions by the value that TADAMS contra dances are a place where all are welcome to make joyful connections through dance and music. We believe this decision will support the realization of our organization’s values and offer our community an opportunity to grow through connection and innovation.

We will begin using the role terms Larks and Robins at our November 22 dance. Our callers will teach these terms during the beginners workshops and walk throughs to familiarize all dancers with these role terms. This means the dancers on the Left of the dance couple will be referred to as Larks, and those on the Right will be referred to as Robins. If you are accustomed to Gent/Lady role terms but can’t remember their relational positions, the Gent stands on the left (Lark), and the Lady is on the right (Robin). That’s the only change! 

The activity and etiquette of the dance remains the same. Anyone can ask anyone to dance, and conversely, everyone is free to accept or decline an invitation to dance. Each couple decides which dancer will dance each role, and each role is equally empowered to simultaneously lead and follow. The greatest goal of contra dance is to have fun and to help those around us to have fun also. Together, we will continue to pursue joy and connection through dance and music.

See you on the dance floor.

The TADAMS Board of Directors,
Robert, Stephanie, Virginia, Hannah, Lucie, Chris, and Gregg

Greetings to Everyone in the TADAMS community.

It is great to see everyone on the dance floor. In the past year we had several dances with over 80 people in attendance at both Sunday afternoons at LGRA and Saturday evenings at West End Ballroom. Our most recent, July 26, dance had 76 in attendance. This popularity and the donations of several long-time dancers enables TADAMS to better recruit and support the artists that perform for our dances. One example is that Wild Asparagus and George Marshall will be playing for Springforth 2026.

For our newer dancers, this is for you! Wild Asparagus is a New England band that has been around for decades. Their music spans from traditional chestnuts to Caribbean island inspired tunes. Most of their performances are at festivals and multiday events. If you don’t travel to other dance weekends, you may never have another opportunity to hear them. So, mark April 10 -12 with Springforth Ball, and watch for registration to open in January.

Here is a brief description of the band from their website: http://www.wildasparagus.com/about.html

“The heartbeat of Wild Asparagus is Ann Percival on piano, guitar, and vocals. Ann’s playing is highly inventive while still maintaining an irresistible rhythm. David Cantieni, a wood-wind wizard, pours forth lively melodies and liquid harmonies on his flutes, tin-whistle, oboe, saxophone and bombard. Becky Tracy‘s masterful fiddling is that rare combination of energy and beauty. George Marshall is an accomplished English concertina player and also provides driving rhythms on bodhran and bones. [Mark Murphy joins them on bass for Springforth 2026] George also provides excellent instruction and calling for New England style contras.”

See you on the dance floor.

The TADAMS Board of Directors

Hello everyone!

We had a wonderful Fall and Winter season this year. TADAMS has had several dances with over 80 people in attendance, sometimes with as many new dancers as regular attendees. We appreciate the hard work of our callers, bands, and experienced dancers to welcome new dancers into the fold.

To our new dancers, Welcome!  We hope to see you on the dance floor again soon.  We know you have rich lives with diverse obligations, and that few people can make it to every dance.  However, we hope that you will keep coming back when you can.  If you stick with it, you will find that there will come a dance when all the dancers, musicians, and the caller come together to create a magical event.  The kind of rare live experience where together, we create something greater than the sum of our parts. Ultimately, we hope you will come to share our love for dancing in community. 

For our many newcomers of the past two years, a wonderful dance opportunity is coming up on April 11-13.  It is TADAMS’ Springforth Ball dance weekend!  The weekend opens with a Friday evening contra dance.  Saturday is packed with workshops and dance sessions for various experience levels throughout the day, followed by a potluck social dinner, culminating in the evening’s Springforth Ball contra dance.  Sunday starts with a community waffle brunch, followed by a waltz dance/concert, and the weekend closes with a farewell contra dance.

Springforth provides a rich dance experience in many ways. Not only do we recruit exceptional music and calling talent for the weekend, but also the weekend draws many talented dancers from the greater contra dance community.  For a newer dancer, this means there is greater support available from the people around you, and you can enjoy the dance more, with less confusion.  Off of the dance floor, there are ample opportunities for socializing and learning from one another as a community. So come on out and share a weekend with other people who enjoy a variety of traditional folk dance and music.

You can find much, much more information about Springforth, including the schedule and registration options on the TADAMS website. If you’re curious to visualize what an event like this is like, you can check out a photo gallery of Springforth 2024, or watch a video from SFB’24 on our Facebook or Instagram. 

Whether you’re a veteran dancer or newcomer to our community, we would love to see you there.

The TADAMS Board,
Robert, Stephanie, Virginia, Hannah, Lucie, Chris, and Gregg

Greetings Fellow Dancers,

We are excited to welcome the many new dancers who came to our September and October dances. If you are new to contra dance or to TADAMS, we are so grateful you’re here and appreciate the energy you bring!

A Request for Experienced Dancers

We need your help welcoming new dancers. We strive to have the workshop from 6:45 to 7:15 to provide a 15 minute break for new dancers to mingle and find a partner before the first dance at 7:30. If possible, please arrive early in the evening, mix with new dancers, and invite them to dance for the first dance or two of the evening. If you can show up to help with the workshop as well, even better.

Pricing and Membership for 2025

TADAMS will maintain our current pricing for dances and memberships in 2025.  Dances are $15 for non-members, $10 for members and students, and free for children aged 14 and younger. Annual memberships are now open for 2025 renewal at $56 and run from January through December.  As always, membership prices are prorated on a quarterly basis for those joining after the first quarter.

Return to Lewis Ginter Recreation Association (LGRA) for 2^nd Sundays

With the return of cool weather we have resumed 2nd Sunday afternoon dances at LGRA.  Please, check our calendar carefully, as LGRA has not been available every month. TADAMS has a long tradition of dancing at LGRA, however changes to their business model have resulted in large price increases, particularly for weekend evenings.  TADAMS chose Sunday dances at LGRA as a way of continuing to use the hall at a sustainable rate.

Role/Position Terminology Survey

Thank you to everyone who participated in our June survey regarding alternatives to “Gents and Ladies” terminology.  Most respondents (60%) expressed a willingness to attend a dance regardless of terminology.  Those who did have strong opinions were evenly split between using “Gents and Ladies” versus alternative terms. The Board decided there was not strong consensus to change terminology at this time.  TADAMS dances will continue using “Gents and Ladies” for now.  As always, dancers are welcome to partner and dance in whichever role/position they choose.

AED

The TADAMS Board is seeking advice and guidance on acquiring an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).  We do not own one and neither does either of our venues. If you can provide guidance or connect us with resources, please email tadamsvacontra@gmail.com or talk with a board member. 

Opportunities to Volunteer

• Hosting Talent: If you are able to occasionally provide housing to callers or bands, please email Stephanie at tadamsbooking@gmail.com.  
• Setup, Cleanup and Door Volunteers: We always need an extra hand and it’s so easy to help. Simply ask the dance host how you can help at the next dance, or email us to find out more.
• Dance Hosts: Volunteering to be a superstar Dance Host just once a year would make a huge impact. Dance hosts help lead volunteers in set-up and clean-up, as well as help run the front table (door). Talk to Virginia or Robert at an upcoming dance to learn the ropes.

Springforth Ball 2025

Plans are well underway for SFB 2025, which will feature music by Playing with Fyre with calling by Bob Isaacs.  Save the dates April 11-13, 2025 for a fun weekend of dancing, workshops, food, and fellowship! Registration will open in early December.

Thank you all for your support and we’ll see you on the dance floor.

The TADAMS Board

Robert, Stephanie, Virginia, Hannah, Lucie, Chris, and Gregg

June 3, 2024

I hope you have recovered from Springforth Ball.  What a ride!  We sold out and had full turnout all three days.  Thank you to everyone who helped out.  Your contribution made a difference.  If you couldn’t make it this year, we hope to see you on the dance floor next year. 

Summer Schedule

Now Spring has sprung, we are moving into our summer schedule.  Over Summer we will dance once a month on 4^th Saturday evenings at the air-conditioned West End Ballroom (WEB).  Dances on 2^nd Sundays will resume in October at Lewis Ginter Recreation Association (LGRA).  In addition to our regularly scheduled dance series, I am excited to share the news of upcoming special events!

Special Events

 Join us June 16^th for a Ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee) at LGRA for a mixture of Scottish, English County and Contra dances (3^rd Sunday, June 16, 2-4:30).  Wyndreám will be playing with all dances taught and call by Ben Allbrandt, (footwork is optional).  This is an excellent opportunity to try a couple of the folk-dance traditions that contra grew out of. 

On July 10th we will dance to ContraForce at WEB with Calling By Brian Hamshar (2^nd Wednesday, July 10, 7-10:30 pm)!  ContraForce is a nationally recognized powerhouse band, known for blending traditional and original folk tunes with new age rock stylings, creating wildly energizing contra dance music.

Let’s Talk About Non-gendered Role Terminology

In the past decade, many groups across the nation have adopted new terms as an alternative to the traditional terms of “Gents” and “Ladies”.  Non-gendered terms recognize that a dancer may choose to dance in either role for any reason, thus new terms have been deliberately developed to minimize stereotyping and unwanted connotations.   These changes have been widely accepted and welcomed by younger generations.

Most non-gendered terminology follows a simple rule of thumb.  The term for the person in the left-hand position, traditionally referred to as the “Gent’”, starts with an “L,” as in “Lark on the Left.”  The term for the person in the right-hand position, traditionally referred to as the “Lady”, starts with an “R”, as in “Robin on the Right.”  This adaptation is short, simple, and integrates well with existing calling traditions.    

Non-gendered terms, particularly “Larks and Robins” have become widespread throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.  I think the time has arrived for TADAMS to make a formal decision on what terms we want to adopt for the future.  The TADAMS Board of Directors will devote the Monday, June 24^th Board meeting to a discussion of terminology, which our community is invited to participate in.  Please see our website calendar for details. 

Thank you all for your support and time.  We look forward to seeing you on the dance floor.

Robert Linkous
President, Traditional American Dance and Music Society