Cascade Crossing plays contra dance music for the country dance Saturday, Oct. 27, at Netel Grange. The group uses traditional Americana musical instruments and a variety of styles to liven up the dance floor. Submitted photo.

Rich Goss calls a country dance to live music by Cascade Crossing at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Netel Grange.

The evening will consist of traditional contra and square dances which are vigorous, enjoyable and easy to learn. In a contra dance, dancers form two parallel lines and progress up and down the hall while dancing alternately with their partner and every opposite dancer in the line.

Goss moved to Portland from Austin, Texas, a few years ago, and has called contra dances from Seattle to San Diego to San Antonio. He is accompanied by Cascade Crossing, which plays contra dance music influenced by many styles of music, from baroque to klezmer to hard-driving reels to smooth jigs. The group’s style varies from playing with a light touch to incredibly high energy. Cascade Crossing consists of Carl Thor on piano, hammer dulcimer and drum, Goss on guitar, mandolin and percussion, Sarah Goss on bass and whistle and the twin fiddles of Lori Shaffer and Lori Prime.

If you’ve never danced before, a country dance is a great way to start. A beginner’s class is held at 7:30 p.m. to learn the basics; after that, each dance will be taught in turn. All ages, singles, couples and families are welcome. The dance is an alcohol- and smoke-free event sponsored by the Astoria Country Dance Community, with refreshments available. Admission is $5 to $10 on a sliding scale of ability to pay; escorted children younger than 12 are admitted free.

The Netel Grange is located at 90525 Logan Road, just south of Astoria. For more information, call Craig Holt at (503) 325-8207.