Details
Except for the global COVID pandemic, we have danced contras every Thursday in Rochester, NY since 1976, and English country dances for many of those Sundays. In our 50th year, it’s time for a celebration of the great times we’ve had dancing and the dear friendships we have formed, as well as to look forward to creating more joyous dancing and new friendships! We’re planning a huge celebration for the last weekend of November.
Our weekend program will include contras, English country dance, balfolk, waltz, fusion dance, techno contra and more! Make a donation towards a great celebration of CDR’s half century.
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For English country dancing, we will have Joanna Reiner Wilkinson and Alex Deis-Lauby calling with music provided by Catherine Sloboda and Jane Knoeck, and also Rachel Bell, Karen Axelrod and Audrey Jaber.
For contras, we will have Luke Donforth and Annie Kidwell calling to music provided by River Road, and Oliver Scanlon, Alex Fortier, and Noah VanNorstrand.
Callers
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.
Joanna Reiner Wilkinson
Joanna Reiner Wilkinson has taught English dance, Scottish dance and longsword for over a decade. Her calling has taken her from Amherst to Ann Arbor, from NEFFA to Hey Days, including several sessions at Pinewoods Camp. Joanna led the Philadelphia-based Germantown Country Dancers English dance demonstration team for many years, is an avid dance gypsy, and in her spare time, works to support her dance habit. Her efficient teaching and amazing dance memory are legendary!
Luke Donforth
Luke Donforth is a caller and choreographer based in Burlington, VT. As a caller, he brings warmth to the stage and focuses on facilitating everyone in the hall joyously moving to the music. He runs a monthly family dance in Vermont, and calls at dance weekends around the country. He’s a founding member of the Mad Robin Callers Collective, and has written a multitude of dances for all levels.
Annie Kidwell
Annie Kidwell (they/them) is a dancer, contra caller, and choreographer based in Massachusetts. Originally from Louisville, KY, they have traveled from here to there finding their way through west coast swing, blues, contact improv, fusion, and of course, contra dancing. They are well known for their engaging instruction and abilities to create a joyful space for both new and experienced dancers.
Bands
Rachel Bell, Karen Axelrod and Audrey Jaber
Rachel Bell (accordion), Karen Axelrod (piano, accordion), Audrey Jaber (fiddle)
Rachel Bell is a performer, composer, and music teacher based in Brattleboro, VT. She is in demand throughout North America and abroad for concerts, contra dances, French bal folk dances, English country dances, workshops, and festivals.
Karen Axelrod’s piano playing combines expressiveness, energy, lyricism, and power. She is equally at home with styles ranging from traditional folk melodies to passionate tangos to old world French musette waltzes to 17th century English Country dance tunes and much more. She left behind classical music over 35 years ago, and has happily settled into her musical home…somewhere between folk, classical and improvisation. Her playing is soulful yet touched with humor and whimsy.
You know Audrey Leigh Jaber is performing if the room is buzzing at a higher level. Her fiddling has electrified dance and concert halls across the US and Europe. Audrey’s fiddle playing is rhythmically lively and spontaneous; she’s guaranteed to get you up and dancing. She specializes in English dance, New England, Celtic, and Old Time tunes, and she’s also an audio engineer.
Jane and Cat
Jane Knoeck (piano), Catherine Sloboda (violin)
Entrancing violin and imaginative piano playing from this very experienced duo.
Jane Knoeck is the doyenne of Rochester dance piano for both English country and contra. She is a member of the nationally touring band, The Groovemongers, as well as River Bend, Sister Haggis, and others reaching back over many years. It’s always a great night for dancing when Jane is on stage.
Catherine’s fiddling is energizing, sensitive, and creates music with that elusive quality of danceability. In the early ’90’s, Catherine was a member of the Sloboda family band, Glenrose, who played for many contra and family dances. She is a member of the bands Lake Effect, Bellamira, Quicksilver, and many other combinations of local dance musicians.
River Road
Jesse Ball - guitar, mandolin, foot percussion, Sarah-Hadley Yakir - fiddle, Kristen Planeaux - keyboard
River Road delivers beauty, power, and groove to contra dances with a highly revered mixture of contemporary and traditional tunes with strong influences from Quebecois, New England, & maritime traditions, featuring Sarah-Hadley Yakir on fiddle, Kristen Planeaux on piano, flute, and accordion, and Jesse Ball on mandolin, guitar, accordion, and foot percussion. While they are geographically divided by the Connecticut river, an aptly named River Road connects them to create an energy that is highly sought after in the contradance scene.
This phenomenal trio has taken New England by storm! Here’s a brief example on YouTube.
Missing Lynx feat. Noah VanNorstrand
Oliver Scanlon (fiddle, feet), Alex Fortier (keys), Noah VanNorstrand (fiddle, feet, cajon)
Missing Lynx unites Oliver, a soulful fiddler, mandolinist and spellbinding tunesmith, with Alex, a rocking keys man covering an amazing breadth of styles in depth. For this dance, Oliver and Alex are joined by Noah VanNorstrand, a contra fiddler force of nature. Noah’s intuitive feel for dance music is wide ranging and a constant deligh. Together, the three of them will rock the dance hall.