Photos by Doug Plummer

The Nelson dances happens every Monday night in the Nelson town hall, as well as on the second Saturdays of each month. Nelson is located in the Monadnock region - the southwestern part of the state, just northeast of Keene. The dances in Nelson are legendary. They have been happening in the same hall for nearly two centuries. Many stories have been told and written about dances here, such as Petronella by Dudley Laufman.

Photo by Rich Hart

The number of dancers in the hall varies from a half dozen on an icy winter night to hundreds on a warm July evening. The mike and stage are open to any musicians and callers who show up. And many do show up, from Harvey Tolman (below), Bob McQuillen (right), and Mary DesRosiers, who live just a few miles from the hall to visitors from across the US and Canada.

Photo by Rich Hart

Beginners and experienced dancers are welcomed. Some evenings all the dancers are very experienced, while other evenings nearly everyone is a beginner. Sometimes all the dancers are local, while other dances are like the one last summer where, among the many dancers, 20 countries were represented along with 19 US states.

• All Dances Taught
• Beginners welcome
• Every Monday, 8:00-10:30 PM; Second Saturdays 8:00-11:00 PM
• $3/person on Mondays; $8/person for the Saturday dances
• Smoke and Alcohol free.
• Sponsored by the Monadnock Folklore Society.

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