Groundhog Day contra dance offered at Memorial Union

Groundhogs love Celtic music, and some of them have been known break out in dance when they hear it.

The dance they do undoubtedly is contra. In contra dancing, a cousin of square dancing, dancers form a series of figures, or moves, with each other and with other couples for a short time. The figures are combined in different ways for each different dance.

A special Groundhog Day Contra Dance will take place at Memorial Union’s Great Hall on Thursday, Feb. 2. Partners are optional. A teacher will be on hand, so no experience is necessary. Festivities will commence at 7:30 p.m. For more information, e-mail trautmann@wisc.edu.

If you want to learn to play traditional Celtic music yourself, the Division of Continuing Studies will offer a class in Irish tunes. You can learn to play in a group, for dancing and/or listening pleasure. The class, which meets at 7:30 p.m. on Mondays in 2531 Mosse Humanities Building, will end with a St. Patrick’s Day dance. The cost is $80. For details, call 265-5629 or e-mail Chelsea Bowles, cbowles@dcs.wisc.edu.