Details
Community dance downstairs at 6:00 with Margaret Mathews calling to music by the CDR Open Band, led by Micah and Clara, followed by an intro to contra at 7:00, and hot dancing upstairs at 7:30
Honoring the light from the sun and the awakening of the earth, Ostara brings us music from New England and Quebec. Cat Sloboda fiddles, her brother, Matt Sloboda plays fiddle, mandolin and accordion, and Tom Santarsiero strums guitar, mandolin and banjo and accordion, too. All dances taught and called by Katy Heine.
All dances are taught. An introduction to contra dancing is provided at 7:00.
We have a sliding scale admission policy, with a target of $12. 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. Pay more if you can, less if you can’t – come dance!
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!
Band
Ostara
Catherine Sloboda (violin), Matt Sloboda (fiddle, accordion, mandolin, jaw harp), Tom Santarsiero (guitar, mandolin, accordion, foot percussion)
Ostara blends a rich texture of musical traditions from Western Europe, New England and Quebec with modern styles. With their contagious rhythm, Ostara has crafted a style that stirs up the dance floor.
Tom Santarsiero has been influenced by the musical styles of New England, France, French Canada and southern Appalachia. Tom has developed an eclectic approach to playing guitar, mandolin, diatonic accordion and foot percussion. His rhythm anchors musicians and dancers while giving them room for expression. Tom has played in The Groovemongers, Montage and New Brew.
Matthew Sloboda began fiddling in the mid 1990’s after being introduced to the Rose, NY contra dance. Suzuki violin lessons from the tender age of 3 laid a solid foundation for technique and his fiddle style was influenced by New England, Irish and Quebecoise traditions. Matthew developed traditional repertoire on the diatonic accordion and mandolin as a sideline to his fiddling. Current bands include Lake Effect, Glenrose, and the newly formed Ostara.
Catherine Sloboda is a teacher of classical violin. She and her brother, Matthew were introduced to fiddling by their parents. As kids they played for contra, ECD, and Scandi dances with their family band, Glenrose. Since 1995 Catherine has studied and performed in various fiddle styles at many camps in the US and Canada with a special interest in Quebecois repertoire.