Details
This is a 2nd Thursday – masks are optional at this dance.
Catherine Sloboda joins her brother Matt and Tom Santarsiero for an exciting evening of contra dance music. With Catherine’s fiddle, Matt picks up his accordion and mandolin for added texture. Tom rounds out the sound with his guitar and mandolin. Expect a fine mix of New England contra and Quebecois tunes.
Margaret Mathews, one of our fine local callers, is teaching the dances.
We offer a beginners tutorial before the dance at 7:00 or so. Admission fees are sliding scale with a suggested price of $10.
Caller
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.
Bands
Catherine Sloboda
Catherine Sloboda (fiddle)
Catherine’s fiddling is energizing, sensitive, and creates music with that elusive quality of danceability. She also has long experience in playing for dancing; 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 ECD trio Bellamira and many other combinations of local dance musicians.
Matt Sloboda
Matt Sloboda (Fiddle)
Raised in the tradition, Matt has played with many bands, including Lake Effect and Glenrose. Matt brings a great lift to his style that swings.
Tom Santarsiero
Tom Santarsiero (Guitar, Mandolin, etc.)
One of our favorite pickers, Tom is equally at home with the guitar, mandolin, banjo and other fine instruments. We’ve enjoyed his music in many ways, including with The Groovemongers and Riverbend.