Details
All are welcome for an exciting evening of exhilarating fun. Katy Heine calls fun dances drawn from her long experience calling around the Northeast. Long-time dance musicians Sister Haggis understand how to use the music to lift the dancers’ feet, and they’re joined with fiddler Ben Jackson.
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Caller
Katy Heine
Ithaca-based caller Katy Heine has been leading contras and community dances in the Finger Lakes region and beyond for more than 30 years. She’s known for her clear teaching style and for her large repertoire of fun and flowing dances. Whether the hall’s full of experienced dancers or first-timers, they’re sure to have a great time at one of Katy’s dances!
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.