Monadnock Center for History and Culture and Toadstool Bookshop are holding a contra dance Friday, May 12, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Monadnock Center

The dance celebrates the launch of New Hampshire author Thomas Curran’s new book, “All Join Hands: Dudley Laufman & the New England Country Dance Tradition,” about renowned contra dance caller Dudley Laufman. 

“There has been a continuous tradition of contra dancing in New England for over 200 years,” said Monadnock Center Executive Director Michelle Stahl. 

Contra dances, called country dances in England, started in Europe and were brought to New England with the first European settlers. Some contra dance tunes are more than 200 years old, and the dances were traditionally accompanied by a fiddle, sometimes including penny whistle, mandolin and concertina. Later, piano was a commonly played at contra dances.

The caller “calls out” or communicates the steps to the dancers. Although both also include a caller, Stahl explained that square dancing and line dancing are “related but very distinctly different” than contra dance. Square dancing became popular in the 20th century and is tied to country-and-western culture.

“There’s still an enormous contra dance scene in the region,” said Stahl.

The Nelson Town Hall holds dances every Monday  night. On June 3, the Monadnock Folklore Society will restart contra dances at the Peterborough Town House the first Saturday of every month after stopping during the COVID pandemic. Contra dances have been held at the Monadnock Center for History and Culture, as well.

At the contra dance Friday, Toadstool owner Emerson Sistare said Curran will talk about his book, there will be a book-signing and then the contra dance will start with 93-year-0ld Laufman as caller.

The event is free, but people who would like  to attend the event are asked  to regis ter beforehand at monadnockcenter.org.

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