Swingin' Tern❤️Donna Hunt💜Riverside💙March 2💚Tom Banwell💛Mamma Bear

Donna Hunt

Riverside

This Saturday, March 2nd

Saturday, March 2nd 7:30—10:30pm

[Beginners’ Workshop at 7pm]

Donna Hunt & Riverside

Rachel Givner—clarinet; Paul Morris—guitar; Sean Rosenberry—fiddle, tenor guitar, mandolin

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

Going to put on my dancing shoes,

Down by the riverside,

Grooving to Riverside,

Dancing to Riverside,

Going to put on my dancing shoes,

Down by the riverside,

Going to dance at Swingin’ Tern.

Going to listen to Donna call,

Down by the riverside,

Donna and Riverside,

Will take us for a ride,

Going to listen to Donna call,

Down by the riverside,

Going to dance at Swingin’ Tern.

Going to meet all my dancing friends,

Down by the riverside,

Across the floor we glide,

Smiles a mile wide,

Going to meet all my dancing friends,

Down by the riverside,

Going to dance at Swingin’ Tern.

Donna Hunt

Having garnered an excellent national reputation, we are proud that Donna Hunt developed her calling chops at Swingin’ Tern Dances. Calling contras with interesting choreography and variations, Donna is known for utilizing clear, concise instructions to minimize teaching time and maximize dance time. Donna infuses the dancers with confidence, regardless of their skill level, and she enjoys guiding new dancers and challenging experienced ones.

Donna Hunt at Swingin' Tern

Riverside

Riverside has hit the ground running last year as one of New York City’s newest bands! The trio features Paul Morris on guitar, Sean Rosenberry on fiddle, tenor guitar, and mandolin, and Rachel Givner on clarinet. They hail from a variety of musical backgrounds, and the resulting combination of styles brings out a creative, playful approach to their music-making. In addition to their performance experience, all three are seasoned contra and folk dancers, and Paul calls contra dances in the NYC metro region.

Sending Love to Tom Banwell

Tom Banwell in 2008 and in 2024

Many of you remember Tom Banwell who did sound reinforcement for Swingin' Tern for thirty years. Tom is known for his quiet demeanor and excellent dancing whether it be contra, folk, Scottish or Irish dancing. Unfortunately, a neurodegenerative took Tom off the dance floor five years ago. He is now in hospice at home. Tom is lucid and would love to receive phone calls or cards. Please contact his wife Lisa at deanfam@monmouth.com or Doug at dheacock@aol.com for phone calls. Cards may be sent to 316 Ford Street, Howell, NJ 07731. A pillar of the Swingin' Tern family, Tom would love some love.

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 16 - Karen Justin & Ten Gallon Cat

April 6 - Chloe Levine & Contra Intuitive

July 6 - Sue Gola & Midnight on the Water

A Tribute to Mamma Bear

from the Swingin' Tern Video Vault

We lost a member of the contra family just over a week ago. Kim Yerton, aka Mamma Bear to Andrew and Noah VanNorstrand, provided the piano backbone of Great Bear Trio that allowed her sons to go wild. My favorite story of Kim was standing next to her keyboard during one of my first videos at The Flurry. Andrew handed her an index card and said "Here's the chord progression. You decide when to rock out, Mom". This video of Great Bear Trio at Swingin' Tern with Sara VanNorstrand goes back to 2013. You can find over 160 other contradance videos on Doug Heacock's Contradance Channel with plenty of videos from Swingin' Tern and The Flurry in Saratoga Springs.

Order Your 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. Online button orders made by Thursday, February 29th will be ready at the March 2nd dance.

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

Click here for Printable Page of Nearby Restaurants

All Dances Called to Larks & Robins

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

Click here for more info and FAQ on Larks & Robins

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.

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.

Good Things to Know

Contra dancing is aerobic. Wear comfortable, cool clothing. To protect our wooden floor, please bring non-marking, non-street shoes to change into.

Volunteers are what make our dance run. Click the volunteer email link below to help out and get free admission to a future regular dance.

Make a gift to Tern by sponsoring a dance which is a great way to celebrate your special occasion. Click the Sponsor email link below.

Hungry before or after the dance? There are several restaurants within two blocks of the dance on Main Street: Indian, Italian, Pakistani, Chinese, Malaysian, Mexican, and American cuisines.