Details

This is an exciting special event at Alan Fish’s barn. Hot old-time musicians Aaron Lipp and Richie Stearns & Co will bring driving, exciting music. Margaret Mathews calls the square dances. It will be a true old-time dance, with hootin’ and hollerin’ and foot stomping.

Aaron Lipp, fiddle, Richie Stearns,  banjo, Ric Robertson, guitar, and Brian Williams, bass

Caller

Margaret Mathews at the microphone

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. When not calling, Margaret plays bass in Wild Root String Band, a Southern Old Time band.

Bands

Aaron Lipp

Aaron Lipp (old time fiddle)

Aaron is from Naples, NY and has been a professional musician since age 16. From performing on stage, recording in the studio and teaching lessons, he has found his place in music . Throughout a multitude of different genre adventures and instrumentation, he has found home in songwriting with genre-defying sounds and lyrics.

Since early winter 2013, Aaron has taken an extended hiatus from touring to pursue several musical projects as well as diverse original songwriting. He has been the frontman and principal songwriter of the local group The Cabin Killers who have performed at many regional venues and festivals. Aaron also spends time working on several Bluegrass and Old Time musical projects with members of The Henrie Brothers. He can be found playing regionally with bands such as The Cabin Killers, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, The Campbell Brothers, Axis Armada, Richie Stearns & Rosie Newton, South Hill Cider String Band, The Prickers and The Henrie Brothers, just to name a few.

Richie Stearns

Richie Stearns (banjo, fiddle)

Richie is a well-established singer and banjo player in the Ithaca community, having performed around the world with bands like Bela Fleck, Pete Seeger, David Byrne, Billy Bragg & Wilco, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Joan Baez. In addition to releasing two solo albums, Richie continues adding to his endless discography, which includes three Natalie Merchant records, multiple collaborations with Jim Lauderdale and Donna The Buffalo, The Horseflies and Carrie Rodriguez.

Brian Williams

Brian Williams (upright bass)

Brian Williams is a very popular bassist, playing with a gypsy jazz group, Djangoners, a rockabilly group, Bobby Henrie and the Goners, a bossa nova group, Bossa Nova Bradley Brothers, as well as with old time musicians.