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Circle left and do-si-do

 

Editor, Index-Tribune:

    

  There’s a new kind of fun in town to help us forget, for a few hours, the dismal economy and our infantile national politics. The Grange Barn Dance happens every third Saturday, 8 to 11 p.m. The caller teaches the dance before the band strikes up, then keeps calling so people don’t get lost. It’s that easy.

  The whole family will enjoy it – there were eight kids at the January dance, and some high school and college-age young adults too. A $5 to $7 donation is requested, but people under 25 get in free.

  For years there was a “contra” dance in Sonoma, but it moved to Petaluma (first Sundays at the Woman’s Club at B and 5th Streets, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.). We are happy that the new Grange dance takes up the slack. Give it a try.

  When you’re walking forward and back in long lines, or as ladies chain across, or you do-si-do your partner, you realize dancing can be very easy. And as groups of four “star right” or “circle left,” it’s obvious we can get along, regardless of our political leaning. And when the caller tells us to swing our neighbor, suddenly getting our minimum daily 12 hugs is easy. At a barn dance, everyone has a direct experience of the fun that many generations of Americans have enjoyed before us. Hope to see you there some third Saturday.

  Wendy and Matt Metzler

Sonoma