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
join our email list to get the latest information.
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 Sanlon, Alex Fortier, and Noah VanNorstrand.
Callers
TBA
Placeholder
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.
Bands
Missing Lynx
Oliver Scanlon (fiddle, feet), Alex Fortier (keys)
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. Together, they rock the dance hall.
Both have been studying American music since they were small and have attracted the mentorship of great figures in traditional music.
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.
Jane and Cat
Jane Knoeck (piano), Catherine Sloboda (violin)
Peregrine Road
Rachel Bell (Accordion), Karen Axelrod (Piano, Accordion)
RACHEL BELL (accordion) has been gracing the stages of contra dance halls, concert venues and bal folk dances for many years. Pair Rachel up with pianist KAREN AXELROD, widely known for her lyrical and powerful English Country Dance playing, and you get Peregrine Road.
These two seasoned musicians provide an exhilarating dance experience infused with energy and variety. Vivacious reels, quirky French-influenced groove tunes, dreamy jigs, and fiery improvisations will keep your contra dance feet going all night long. At an English country dance, you’ll soak up sounds that are beautifully matched to the dances, with just the right balance between finesse and zing.