Time to Dance: Reflections from Terrence

The Quality of the Connection

When Magic Happens

Creating Joy

Being in the Moment

A blog for the Ely Folk School, written by Terrence Smith, contra dance caller.

Reflections on the June 8, 2025 10th Birthday Contra Dance

Held at Ethel's Acres

Terrence Smith calling the 10th Birthday Community Dance for EFS. Photo by Brett Ross

It happened again last night. I was invited to call the dance and run the sound. It was a Community Dance, in a barn, outside of town. It was the 10th Anniversary of the Ely Folk School, where we jammed and potlucked before the dance. I'd been with EFS dances since the start, and in these last years, have really enjoyed the fruition of these years working with like-minded friends. In these later years of my folk livelihood, I savor the relationships with all those who keep the traditions alive, and am grateful for all those musicians who cross my path. I'm out to share the simplicity of creating music and dance and I'm addicted to the joy it brings to all of us. A dancing movement is a winning movement, and the least we owe each other is to celebrate the moment. 

“Joe and his Posse “is a local band willing to play the old tunes for the reward of making the people dance. They are galvanized by a guy who felt the tradition in his youth, then landed at Camp Widjiwagan where he collided with me, and I ran the sound while he formed the band with the “young energy”. With the present crew we have done over a half dozen dances, and working together is pretty seamless. All of the dances have had that high energy component, with plenty of hooting and hollering, and the band has been champion in putting up with all the commotion. I’ve gotten better at using the monitor and through the night, things gradually settle a bit, allowing the music to emerge and dominate, as it should. Typically once we are done folks are ready to call it a night and the next time I'll really connect is at a jam session before the next dance. I make it a point to have the crowd honor the band during the dance, and then as I’m wrapping up the cords, to express my deep appreciation for the solid, uplifting music. Such joyful teamwork is a gift and a blessing. 

The band is lucky to have three excellent fiddlers keeping the melody

It’s the teamwork that brings the magic. I have become acutely aware of all the components in this process, and this allows me to tap into everyone’s role and to direct their goodwill and skill. I am a catalyst that is still able to provide that service, and I am the beneficiary of the magic as much as everyone else. Over 10 years a maturity of working together set in, and this reassures me. We do our best work when we are relaxed! 

In this case, the venue has all the right stuff that says “Saturday Night Dance”. It’s a barn close to town with a warming fire on a magnificent Summer’s night. There is a potluck beforehand, friends and neighbors flow in, conversations are lively and animated. When I have the sound set up, the band arranges itself, and that first tune ignites the party. The barn is a small one, and soon it is packed. I seize the moment, and do those figures which use the space wisely. Beginner dancers in the Midwest have not yet developed the skills to dance in cramped spaces, but the veterans have, and they pass those skills along quickly with the right dance. At the end of that first dance I can build on that by advising small steps, watching out for those around you, listening and flowing with the music. The second dance is still plenty crowded, but since the first one was short, I can add to new figures, and keep doing plenty of interactions with the neighbor as well as the partner. The long-time dancers in Ely are all very nice people, and again, this is the magic of the dances. Every caller should have a group of “ringers” like this. If you pick the right dance, you really can’t miss. 

I did Molly and Timothy’s wedding dance two years ago, and I noticed when they showed up at the Ely Folk School Community Dances, since I’d had my eye out for someone who might be able to lead the dances from the area. Over the years, I have been keen on passing along these skills because it is a gift I was given that expanded my joy in life, and requires only a bit of courage and practice. Molly was willing to give it a try. We did a workshop, and she would call a song or two during the Community Dances. We had talked before this most recent dance so for her turn to call, I picked the Longways Reel. She was up for the task of the crowded barn! 

Molly and friend, Julie, at the EFS Birthday Potluck the night before the dance

Those of you who have helped a child with their first few steps as they learn to walk know the apprehension of a possible fall, as well as the complete joy as they move forward with confidence. Looks like my job here is done. Molly is in the groove, the music is cooking, the dancers are having a good time. When my daughter Laura was at that stage I remember thinking: Some day this person will surpass me and bring the dancers to places I can only imagine. That, my friends, is a very good feeling. The tradition is on solid ground. I have lived long enough to see it with Laura and several others, and now it has happened again with Molly. 

We did an open waltz after that, and then I took the reins again to finish out the night, which for the record was running strong and would have gone on and on. Better to end a little after closing time to keep the hosts happy, the band in good shape for the next one, and me back to my own bed in Duluth at a reasonable hour. There will be more dances in the future and folks were happy to linger by the fire, tuck in the corners with friends, and call it a night. I enjoyed a few words with the band, wrapping up my cords, packing up, hanging by the fire, taking in the whole scene. More and more I want to savor these moments, be in the moment, appreciate all the good things that came my way. The good jam, the good sponsors, the terrific band. Molly’s refreshing energy, outstanding spirit, and smile. The warmth of the fire and hosts with open hearts. 

Ah, on the way home I think of all these things and say to myself: You should really take some time to write it all down, just to capture it if you can. The troubadour’s life has these golden moments, and you want your grandchildren to know their lives will too, if they listen to their heart, love those around them, share the good times while they are there.