TOPPISH's caller, Rachel O'Brien, teaches a weekly contra dance at Allegheny College, in NW PA. Rachel is an Assistant Professor of Geology at Allegheny College and has been a contra dance caller for several years. The weekly contra dance, in Meadville, PA, is open to both students and the public. Contra dancing is truly community dancing and is very popular throughout the US and Canada. The dancing has its roots in French, English and Irish folk dance, and a New England tradition that incorporates many of the moves used in square dancing. It doesn’t require a partner, isn’t competitive, allows a person to dance with several individuals, is aerobic, and promotes community building and interaction with diverse groups of people, and, best of all, it’s fun.

You can contact Rachel for Calling or TOPPISH gigs by sending an email and describing the event that you are planning.