Diane Hartzell

The Contragenarians

This Saturday, February 17th

Saturday, February 17th 7:30—10:30pm

[Beginners’ Workshop at 7pm]

Diane Hartzell & The Contragenarians

Peter Szego—guitar; Richard Smith—mandolin; Ed Jankiewicz—upright bass; Garry Moore—fiddle

Admission $15 [students $5]

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 200 Main Street, Chatham, NJ

All dances called to Larks & Robins

Vaccination and Masks are Optional

It’s not just quadragenarians through octogenarians that love The Contragenarians. Egalitarians, totalitarians, humanitarians, disciplinarians, libertarians, vegetarians, even veterinarians, are carryin’ their dance shoes to The Contragenarians and the clarion calls of Diane the dianetarian. Don’t be a contrarian, barbarian, or antidisestablishmentarian; come be a swinginternarian.

A Salute to Xander Kasten,

Our Booker for 8 Years

Fear not! The excellent talent you have come to expect at Swingin' Tern will continue. Jon Justin is taking over the booking position. Jon is one of our sound reinforcement gurus. He has been called the "mayor" for his welcoming nature on the dance floor. Let him know your favorite bands and callers. You can expect more amazing calling and music from our stage!

You have seen Xander Kastan on the dance floor and on the stage as MC/Head Staff. But it is Xander's behind-the-scenes position booking the talent for the past eight years that has had the greatest impact on shaping Swingin' Tern. Endless hours are spent contacting, scheduling, and bringing the excellent callers and bands that grace our stage.

A huge thank-you to Xander!

For those callers and bands interested in being booked at Swingin' Tern, email booking@swingintern.org

Upcoming Dances at Tern

Our dances are held on the first and third Saturday year-round, plus NYEve. Regular dances run from 7:30 to 10:30pm with a beginners' lesson at 7pm.

Click here for complete information on our upcoming dances.

March 2 - TBA & Riverside

March 16 - Karen Justin & Torrent

Order Your 40th Anniversary

Name Button

The Swingin' Tern's 40th Anniversary Name Buttons have arrived! What? You don't have one? Well, you're in luck. Name buttons will remain available for $3 apiece on an ongoing basis. You may order buttons online or at any dance. Completed buttons will be at the front desk within two or three dances.

Visit one of the 16 Restaurants within Two Blocks of the Dance

All Dances Called to Larks & Robins

Swingin' Tern Dances exclusively uses the non-gendered role terms Larks and Robins.

From the Swingin' Tern Video Vault

Going back to 2015, here's Don Flaherty & Wry Bred. You can find over 150 contradance videos on Doug Heacock's Contradance Channel.

Bringing Back the Baked Goods

Back in Tern, BC [before Covid], we had quite the spread of tasty treats at the break. We welcome the return of home-baked goods [or your favorite store-bought treat] to share at the break—you'll be hungry after all the great dancing.

Please bring your own labeled water bottle which can be refilled at the kitchen sink.

Mass Transit from NYC and beyond

We are thrilled to once again have our dance easily accessible by mass transit. The Chatham train station is just two and a half blocks from the dance hall. Use New Jersey Transit from Penn Station in NYC and take the Morris & Essex line terminating at Morristown or Dover. Convenient train times to Chatham are lv 5:11/ar 6:15pm or lv 6:11/ar 7:15. Return trips leave Chatham at 10:35 and 11:35.

Video from Our December Dance

Our December dance with Donna Hunt & Dance Magnet.

Updated Covid Policy

Proof of Covid Vaccination and Masking is no longer required.

Although vaccines are recommended, we are no longer checking vaccine status. Masks are optional in all dance lines.