Details
Celebrate Boxing Day at the contra dance! Cat and Clara will fiddle up a storm backed by the skillful, twinkle fingers of Alex. Margaret Mathews will be calling the dance moves.
Experience the magic of contradancing, where all are welcome, and no partner or experience is necessary. Bring your friends, family, and fellow dance enthusiasts for a night of lively music, connection, and community.
We have a sliding scale admission policy, with a target of $12. Pay more if you can, less if you can’t – come dance!
Caller
Margaret Mathews
With more than 35 years experience as dancer, musician and caller, Margaret’s easy-going, engaging style gets everyone out on the dance floor. Her ability to smoothly adjust the dances to the experience level of the dance community make it a fun and accessible evening for everyone. In addition to contra dances, she calls for traditional Old Time square dances, Civil War reenactments, hoedowns, weddings and other joy filled occasions. Her dance calling has taken her up and down the East coast, from the Carolinas to Vermont, as well as the Northwest and Canada. When not calling, Margaret plays bass in Wild Root String Band, a Southern Old Time band.
Band
Cattail
Catherine Sloboda (fiddle), Clara Riedlinger (fiddle), Alex Fortier (keyboard)
This is a new (2024) addition to the Rochester lineup of contra dance bands. Catherine Sloboda goes deeply into the contra dance experience from her childhood playing with Glenrose, the Sloboda family band. Her passion for dance music has taken her through classical training, Quebecois traditions, English country dance and more. Clara Riedlinger brings an old-time perspective to the band. She’s played with Clinton’s Folly and hosts a weekly old-time jam. Alex Fortier is a master of multiple styles, from traditional to jazz and alt-rock. He’s taught at Maine Fiddle Camp, and brings a solid rhythmic foundation to the band.