Details
For the evening dance at 7:30, long-time dance musicians and good friends, Eileen and Jane perform as Sister Haggis. They understand how to use the music to lift the dancers’ feet. Fiddler Ben Jackson will join them. We expect exhilarating dual fiddle harmonies tonight. Rochester caller, Evan De Smitt, teaches and calls the dances.
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
Evan De Smitt
One of Rochester’s seasoned callers, Evan brings great timing from his experiences playing saxophone in marching bands. His lovely, clear, resonant voice carries well, and he is very attentive to the dancers.
Bands
Sister Haggis
Eileen Nicholson Kalfass - fiddle, Jane Knoeck - piano, accordion
Known as Sister Haggis, Eileen Kalfass and Jane Knoeck have been making music together for over 15 years. Bringing their wealth of experience to both Contra and English dance, Eileen’s lilting fiddle and Jane’s dynamic piano provide both high energy and exceptional musicality to the dance floor. Their repertoire features both traditional and modern tunes and draws from a number of musical traditions. Together, and with other ensembles including the Groovemongers and Continental Drift and New Brew, they have travelled the US, Canada, the Caribbean and Europe, playing for numerous dance weeks, camps and festivals.
Ben Jackson
Ben Jackson (fiddle)
After decades as a classical violinist, Ben Jackson has recently discovered the joy of making dancers’ feet fly across the floor. Since first encountering the country dance world four years ago, he has appeared at English and contra dances across the country with bands Forgery and Blind Carbon Copy, and other frequent collaborators including Jeff Spero, Dave Bartley, Audrey Jaber, and more. Ben is currently enrolled in a graduate program in violin at the Eastman School of Music here in Rochester. He will delight you with his fiddle wizardry.