Details

Community dance downstairs at 6:00, followed by an intro to contra at 7:00, and hot dancing starting at 7:30.

Returning to our stage, The Gnu Riders of the Rose Room Stage, delighted us in December. We’re looking forward to a chugging good time with them. Our beloved Margaret Mathews will be calling dances well matched to the old-time style of the band. Come to this dance!

Admission is charged on a sliding scale, with $12 as the suggested donation. Our admission fees don’t cover all our costs, so feel free to pay more if you can. We offer an introduction to contra dancing starting at 7:00.

Caller

Margaret Mathews at the microphone

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. As a musician, Margaret has played with Homage Quebecois, Wildroot String Band, and others.

Band

Gnu Riders of the Rose Room Stage

Chris Machanoff (mandolin, guitar), Billy Henrie (Fiddle), Jordan Kleinman (bass), Dan Palmer (guitar)

Chris Machanoff is a longtime contributor to the Rochester and Finger Lakes folk music community and is joined by Billy Henrie (Sutton String Band), Jordan Kleiman (Crooked North, Kubrick’s Rubes), and Dan Palmer (PossumTone String Band). Together, this special ensemble brings musicians from several well-known Upstate New York string bands for a lively mix of mandolin, banjo, fiddle, and guitar, drawing on deep roots in the regional bluegrass and folk scene.
  • Genre: Bluegrass, folk, acoustic jams, old-school country.
  • Origin: Grew out of backyard jams in Rochester’s South Wedge neighborhood.
  • Activities: Play local breweries and venues (like Grist Iron Brewing) and collaborate with musicians from other bands (like Sutton String Band).