Remember learning and dancing to the schottische, butterfly, polka and bunny hop at community dances as a child? Bring the whole family to share these great old time dances, and more, at the Friday Family Dance, October 20 at 6:30 pm at Festival Hall, 4214 58th Street, Red Deer.

This affordable, multi-generational event, with live music by Black Velvet, provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate with your household, extended family and community. Country Pride Dance Club instructors will teach the crowd the polka – a great dance to get you up and moving that is so easy to learn. We will also practice some of the moves we learnt at other family dances! This along with a variety of old-time and contemporary tunes from DJ Lifestyle Audio will ensure there is music for everyone. 

Black Velvet is a Central Alberta band with a passion for playing a variety of music that provides something everyone will enjoy dancing to. As they say:

"Dancing is good for you! And it’s fun! That’s the motto of Black Velvet, a modern Central Alberta Old-Time Dance band. Specializing in familiar and not-so-familiar melodies and songs from the Country, Old Time, Popular Past and Traditional genres, Black Velvet gives new life to memorable music and toe-tappin’ tunes. Led by our own country gent, Steve Potter on lead vocals, rhythm and lead guitar, Black Velvet brings together the brilliant piano and backup vocals of Lynda Purdie, nimble fiddle and vocal harmonies of Linda Bogaert, and the low guitar and versatile vocals of Patricia Smith, frequently supported by Rob Purdie on guitar, Paul Potter on harmonica, and June Potter on point. Teamwork is the essence; harmony is the result, and the fun is infectious!"

Doors open at 6:15 with the DJ starting at 6:30pm and the live band at 7:00pm.

Red Deer Cultural Heritage Society offers hot dogs, pie and ice cream! Snacks and door prizes will enliven the evening. A special door prize will be offered for those buying their tickets in advance online.

Country Pride Dance Club, Red Deer Arts Council, Red Deer Cultural Heritage Society, The City of Red Deer Culture Services and Peavey Mart are pleased to present Friday Family Dances throughout the year. Many members of the partner groups grew up in rural central Alberta where community family dances were very much a part of the cultural heritage. It was here that children learned old-time dances from their parents, grandparents and neighbours. The organizers want to retain this heritage as well as nurture the many other physical, mental and social benefits of dances.

Tickets for the October 20 dance are available at the door or online at www.countrypridedanceclub.ca. $20/family/household of four; $10/adult; $5/youth; 3 years and under free.

For more information contact Rob Ironside, Country Pride, at (403) 403-357-0483 or

Diana Anderson, Red Deer Arts Council, at (403)348-2787