Details
Advance registration is required due to limited capacity. This event is sold out. Join the wait list.
Come experience the “transcendance” that is Elixir! Anna Patton, Owen Morrison, Ethan Hazzard-Watkins, Nils Fredland, and Jesse Readlynn have been playing together since 2005. For years Elixir has thrilled dancers with their high energy, rich textures, and playful improvisations. Now, dancing to their live music is a rare treat. The stars aligned in Rochester and they will be playing a full weekend, with all of the swing bravado of their full horn section and the multi-genre-inspired musical madness that sets our hearts and feet aflame. Nils Fredland, one of the most sought-after callers around, will call challenging contras, singing squares, and anything in between. Calling will be gender neutral as much as possible.
If you’ve danced in Rochester since the pandemic, you have likely had the joy of dancing to the newly-minted trio Ostara – Tom Santarsiero, Matt Sloboda, and Catherine Sloboda. With their driving rhythms and Quebecois and New England contra music, you won’t want to stop moving.
Katy Heine, a fabulous caller from Ithaca will round out our talent. A local favorite, Katy is clear, concise, and has a wonderful repertoire of dances. She will call the dances in a gender-neutral style.
We will end early enough for gatherings with friends after the dances at nearby establishments. For lunches and dinners, there are a number of Rochester’s legendary diners within a short drive and many restaurants within walking distance. Sunday will start a little bit later with time for breakfast or a walk in nearby Highland Park or Mt. Hope Cemetery, where you can visit some of our most famous residents, Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass. There will be some special surprises at the dance that you won’t want to miss, as well.
Four contra dance communities of Western NY – Rochester, Syracuse, Ithaca and Buffalo – are uniting for this weekend of stellar music and dancing. Our Covid policy is on the wait list page. We hope to dance with you soon!
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Callers
Nils Fredland
Nils Fredland has been active as a professional musician, dance caller, and choral director for over 20 years. He draws his material from a large and varied repertoire of dances, ranging from the centuries-old “chestnut” contra dances, to the most cutting-edge contra dance choreography being done today. Also a square dance caller, Nils is well known for breathing new life into traditional singing squares from the mid-twentieth century, and has co-authored and edited two books on the topic for the Country Dance and Song Society (CDSS).
In addition to his work as a dance caller, Nils is a trombonist. Since 2006, he has been resident dance caller and trombone player for two bands, Elixir and Maivish. He also works regularly as a caller and sit-in musician with several other popular contra dance bands
As a dance caller, Nils is known for his expertise, skilled leadership, and community-minded approach. He has traveled coast to coast and overseas to call and play for contra and square dancers.
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!
Bands
Elixir
Anna Patton (Clarinet, Vocals), Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (Fiddle), Owen Morrison (Guitar, Foot Percussion), Jesse Readlynn (Trumpet, Flugelhorn), Nils Fredland (Trombone, Vocals)
Elixir blends driving fiddle and guitar with the rich texture and rhythmic excitement of a full horn section. Elegant melodies evolve into raucous dixieland horn riffs; transcendent harmonies, playful improvisations, and rock, swing and reggae-inspired rhythms weave in and out of traditional and original Irish, French Canadian and New England tunes.
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.
