Details
Cancelled for 2020
Realizing that the coronavirus is going to be with us longer than we thought and that it’s increasingly unlikely that mass gatherings for social dancing will be safe by late fall, it is with great sadness that we are cancelling the 2020 Thanksgiving Festival. We look forward hopefully to a potential festival in 2021.
Caller
Alex Deis-Lauby
A NYC-based folk dancer, caller, teacher, and organizer, Alexandra calls dance weekends, camps, and festivals all over the country. She tours, calling local dances for both contra and English Country Dance. She also calls community, teen, and family dances as well as weddings and parties.
Her clear teaching, smooth voice, and fun dance selection delight dancers coast-to-coast (and once in Paris, France!). Alex is excellent with all levels of dancers whether they just walked in the door or have been dancing since before she was born. She enjoys challenging the brains of experienced dancers and making dance accessible for new folks. She has dances for all the folks!
She mentors new callers, both one-on-one and in workshop form. When she is not calling or dancing, she can be found sword dancing with Half Moon Sword, singing choirs (with the Oratorio Society of New York and Florilegium Chamber Choir), playing the piano, dance organizing, and learning new fiber arts. During the work week, she works with Village West Design, an interior design firm founded by a fellow NYC dancer.
Band
The Gaslight Tinkers
Emerald Rae (Fiddle, Vocals), Jopey Fitzpatrick (Drums), Garrett Fitzpatrick (Bass), Peter Siegel (Oh you know - Guitar, banjo, mando, vocals and stuff)
African, Caribbean, Funk, Reggae, and Latin grooves meet traditional fiddle music. It’s the genre-bending future of the music of the past.
The Gaslight Tinkers’ blend of global rhythms creates a joyously danceable sound around a core of traditional New England old time and celtic fiddle music, merging boundless positive energy with melody and song. Since its formation in 2012 the band has lit up the East Coast, the West Coast, and the Caribbean, headlining clubs, dances, and major festivals.
Playing what The Valley Advocate describes as “Music that consistently fizzes and pops with unexpected textures and turns,” The Gaslight Tinkers’ shows are packed with delightful surprises, elated crowds, and exuberant musicianship. The sound and energy of Emerald, Jopey, Garrett, and Peter are universally irresistible.