LEWISTON — The folk group Catharsis will perform for Lewiston’s final contra dance of the summer on Friday, Aug. 13, in Callahan Hall at the Lewiston Public Library.

Taking its name from a popular contra dance tune, the band describes itself as a “convivial contingent of professional and paraprofessional musicians who love working up a good rhythm as well as a good lather.”

Band members, who maintain careers in law, medicine and agriculture, respectively, are pianist Zeba Weidler, guitarist/percussionist Fred White and fiddler Michele Roy. Based in southern and Central Maine, they have been playing together for nearly 20 years, performing at dances, weddings, corporate functions and farmers markets. They are crowd favorites at the annual DownEast Country Dance Festival in Topsham. Joining the trio on this occasion will be fiddler Pam Weeks.

Caller Maggie Robinson will lead attendees in an assortment of traditional New England contra dances. No prior dance experience is required; people may come with or without partners. Comfortable, low-heeled shoes are recommended, as well as water bottles. “Contra dancing provides a good aerobic workout,” said Robinson.

The dance will be from 8 to 11 p.m. Admission is $5, $2 for full-time students. The library is at 200 Lisbon St.

This is the final offering in the summer dance series put on by the DownEast Friends of the Folk Arts. For more information, call 782-0386 or 513-3134.