Details
Line up for an evening of revitalizing contra dance. Eileen, Ben and Alex bring a wealth of dance music experience from different perspectives. The result is an exciting range of styles that will keep you engaged throughout the evening. Our caller, Margaret, teaches every dance clearly and brings the best ones in her caller’s box to the hall.
Everyone is welcome. We charge admission on a pay-what-you-can basis, with a suggesting amount of $12.00.
Intro lesson at 7:00 PM, followed by the dance party at 7:30 PM.
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. As a musician, Margaret has played with Homage Quebecois, Wildroot String Band, and others.
Bands
Alex Fortier
Alex Louis Fortier has been studying and playing piano in various idioms since the age of 6. His traditional accompaniment stylings range between classic New England style (Bob McQuillen, Gordon Peery), Quebecois style (Mario Loiselle, Rachel Aucoin), and Cape Breton style (Neil Pearlman, Jason Roach, Mac Morin, Troy MacGillivray). With a love of tradition and a penchant for harmonic substitutions and development, he’s sure to keep a dance fresh and energetic!
Eileen Kalfass
Eileen Kalfass (fiddle)
Hailing from Syracuse, Eileen Kalfass is a much in demand fiddler with a wide repertoire, from Quebecois, Irish, Trad New England, and English Country. She has been a member of numerous country dance ensembles including Sister Haggis, Seaglass & Montage, and has played all over the US and beyond.
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.