Details

We welcome the mid-Atlantic String-band, Vandalia, to the Rose Room this week. This accomplished trio bring a new approach to the great dance music of Appalachia.

Experience the magic of contradancing, where all are welcome, and no partner or experience is necessary. Bring your friends, family, and fellow dance enthusiasts for a night of lively music, connection, and community.

We have a sliding scale admission policy, with a target of $12. Pay more if you can, less if you can’t – come dance!

In addition, Vandalia will be in concert the next day at the Skylark Lounge with our friends, Clinton’s Folly (Clara’s old-time band).

  • Vandalia in concert with Clinton’s Folly
  • 8:00 pm, Friday, January 24, 2025
  • Skylark Lounge, 40 South Union St, Rochester, NY

Caller

Margaret Mathews at the microphone

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.

Band

Ellen seated with cello, Gabriel standing with guitar, Dakota seated with fiddle.

Vandalia

Dakota Karper (fiddle), Ellen Gira (cello), Gabriel Furtado (guitar)

Vandalia is all about exploring the world of American String-band music. They’re inspired by tradition, but they’re not stuck in the past. They’ve found a special place in both the old-time community and the wider arts world. It’s a fresh take on traditional acoustic music that’s both familiar and exciting. Each of the brings something all-their-own to the trio

  • Born and raised in West Virginia, Dakota is steeped in that fiddling tradition as the protege of master fiddler Joe Herrmann.
  • Ellen has made a reputation for herself in both the D.C. and Glasgow music scenes as one of the most versatile cellists in the trad world, adding her hallmark chop to countless ensembles and recordings, and stretching the boundaries of style with elements of the Scottish, Irish, American, Scandinavian and Canadian traditions.
  • A classical-to-bluegrass guitar crossover, Gabriel is well known for his front-of-the-beat rhythm playing and driving pocket, heard at countless square dances, bluegrass festivals and jazz clubs in the greater Philadelphia area and beyond.