Details

The special dance scheduled for Saturday, January 13, has been CANCELLED due to inclement weather.

Contras and Couples Dancing with Lake Effect (various local callers)
Community Potluck Dinner
Techno-Lite with DJ Abell

Special Pricing:

  • $5 w/ dish, dessert, and/or beverages to share
  • $7 w/out potluck item to share
  • Kids under 13 for free
  • $20 maximum per family

Schedule:

5:15-5:30 – Beginners Lesson (taught by members of Rochester Callers Collective)
5:30-7:00 – Lake Effect (Chuck Abell, Matt Sloboda, & Eric Metzgar) – contras & more
7:00-7:45 – Community Potluck (Paper/plasticware, coffee/tea, and hot/cold cups provided)
7:45-9:30 – Techno-Lite Contras w/ DJ Abell (as seen at the Thanksgiving Festival 2017!)

This is a special night of music, dance, and fellowship

  • Help inaugurate the New Year with festive dancing and socializing!
  • Note that there may be limited resources for heating up food so plan accordingly and label food to help those with allergies!!
  • Also note that, for the Techno dance, there will be no strobe effects, and volume will be kept at a reasonable level
  • This is an all-ages/family- friendly event
  • Join the fun!

Callers

Chuck Abell

In his caller persona, Chuck Abell brings us challenging dances that will exercise your mind and tickle your fancy with their intricate beauty. Chuck organizes the monthly caller meetings in Rochester to workshop new dances. He debuted his “DJ Abell” persona at our 2017 Thanksgiving Festival, with a Taste of Techno Contra session.

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.

Band

Lake Effect

Matt Sloboda (fiddle, mandolin, accordion, bouzuki), Chuck Abell (guitar), Catherine Sloboda (fiddle)

For nearly seven years, Lake Effect has been honing its sound while playing for dances and concerts both locally and in New England and along the Eastern Seaboard. Founded initially by Matt Sloboda and Chuck Abell, the band has grown to include Catherine Sloboda. With a shared vision that encompasses the best in folk, Celtic, swing, and World Music, the band has melded seamlessly into a unique ensemble which values both precision and musical variety.