Details
At 7:00, we’ll have an orientation session to the contra dance form.
Starting at 7:30, experience the magic of contra dancing, where all are welcome, and no partner or experience is necessary. Exceptional and exciting music this week is by our good friends, Jane & Eileen, AKA Sister Haggis. We have a special treat this week, with visiting caller, Gaye Fifer. Bring your friends, family, and fellow dance enthusiasts for a night of lively music, connection, and community. All dances are taught. An introduction to contra dancing is provided around 7:00.
We have a sliding scale admission policy, with a target of $12. Pay more if you can, less if you can’t – come dance!
Caller
Gaye Fifer
Gaye Fifer (Pittsburgh, PA) hasn’t stopped dancing since she found contras in 1979. Introduced to the community in St. Louis, she has found dancing wherever she goes. Gaye learned to call contras in Charlottesville, VA and has been traveling to call and dance for the past 25 years. After 15 years of dancing, she finally realized that someone had to be doing work to make the dances happen. She began serving on her local dance committee, organizing her local dance weekend, serving on the CDSS Board and leading workshops for other organizers. Gaye is also a passionate teacher and dancer of waltz, having led workshops with her partner, Wayne, at numerous dance weekends around the country. She participated in a course at Pinewoods several years ago to learn how to call English Country dances and now includes that in her repertoire of offerings. She now lives in Pittsburgh, PA. where she retired from a 30 year elementary school teaching career.
Band
Sister Haggis
Eileen Nicholson Kalfass - fiddle, Jane Knoeck - piano, accordion
Known as Sister Haggis, Eileen Kalfass and Jane Knoeck have been making music together for over 15 years. Bringing their wealth of experience to both Contra and English dance, Eileen’s lilting fiddle and Jane’s dynamic piano provide both high energy and exceptional musicality to the dance floor. Their repertoire features both traditional and modern tunes and draws from a number of musical traditions. Together, and with other ensembles including the Groovemongers and Continental Drift and New Brew, they have travelled the US, Canada, the Caribbean and Europe, playing for numerous dance weeks, camps and festivals.