Details
Virtual doors open 6:50, dancing until 8:30.
The dances for tonight are:
Elverton Grove, from The Dancing Master, 1712 a Duple minor longways dance, reconstructed by Tom Cook in 1975
An Early Frost by Philippe Callens 2000. a Duple minor longways to the tune of Midwinter Blossom by Bob Pasquarello 1989
Companions by Victor Skowronski, 2003 to the Tune “Ronde II, Mon Amy” by Tielman Susato (1551)
The composer writes, “The moral behind this dance is ‘If at first you don’t succeed, try, try
again.’’ I had written two previous dances for the tune but neither worked. The third one was a
charm, however.”
Prince William from The Dancing Master, 1731. a three-couple longways dance reconstructed by Pat Shaw, 1960
David’s notes for the dancers are here: deep dive 15
Caller
David Smukler
David Smukler leads evenings of contras and squares, English country dances, family dances, school programs, and special events such as weddings, festivals, etc. He has also presented workshops on numerous dance related topics. His taste in dances is eclectic, and he presents a wide variety of dances. His repertoire includes plenty of New England contras, as well as an assortment of squares, singing calls, mixers, old chestnuts and freshly minted dances. He has a special fondness for English country dances, and his English programs also blend old favorites with new gems.
David grew up singing folk songs with his mom and began dancing contras in New Hampshire as a teen. In 1981 he was drafted to call for his local dance and has been calling ever since. David calls contras and squares, English country dances, and family and community dances, and is also a choreographer.
David is a retired inclusive early childhood and childhood educator who has also taught for years at the college level in a teacher preparation program. He has frequently used dance and song in his teaching, both with children and adults, sometimes to the great surprise of his students. A teacher through and through, David believes that people can always learn and grow. While welcoming change and evolution, David has enormous respect for the value of folk traditions and is the author (with David Millstone) of Cracking Chestnuts: The Living Tradition of Classic American Contra Dances, published in 2008 by CDSS.
Band
Laurel Sharp
Laurel Sharp (recorders, whistles and oboe)
Laurel is a true multi-instrumentalist, equally at home with with recorders, pennywhistle, and oboe, and adding variety to any ensemble she works with.