Details
Wear Hawaiian clothing to tropic like it’s hot on the dance floor!
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. Music this week is by our good friends, Audrey Potter, Daphne Pickens and Jane Knoeck, with calling by Bob Nicholson. Bring your friends, family, and fellow dance enthusiasts for a night of lively music, connection, and community. All dances are taught
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
Bob Nicholson
Bob is a veteran caller from Syracuse. He’s totally focussed on fun, accessible dances. His dance repertoire is deep and his memory is amazing. A versatile caller, Bob handles both Contra and English Country dances with ease, and events from advanced to weddings to introductory workshops.
Bands
Audrey Potter
Audrey Potter (fiddle)
Fiddler Audrey Potter enthusiastically plays for our contras. A former member of Ginger Majority, she is an alumna of the Kanack School of Musical Artistry before going on to study Violin Performance and Music Education at the Fredonia School of Music. She now teaches Orchestra & General Music at West Irondequoit CSD.
Jane Knoeck
Jane Knoeck (piano, accordion)
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.
Daphne Pickens
Daphne Pickens (fiddle)
Fiddler Extraordinare! Daphne has played for Rochester contras since high school, when she and Casey Murray played for us, and also with Ginger Majority. Daphne has her BA from the Oberlin Conservatory and her master’s from Eastman. Daphne now teaches music in the Penfield Schools and the Kanack School of Musical Artistry.
With strong roots in folk and classical styles, she currently performs with The Crooked North and Birch Trio. She has released one folk 2013 album to date with her best friend and bandmate, Casey Murray, titled To Zamir. In addition to her roles as a performer and teacher, Daphne is also an avid composer, arranger, and visual artist. In 2016, Daphne collaborated with the Great Bear Trio, composing and recording string parts for their album, Magic Fantasy Dream Dance. Her drawings are featured in Basslines & Fantasies by Alice Kanack.
In her free time, Daphne enjoys spending quality time with her friends and family, playing board games, knitting, attending contra and blues dances, and creating art out of broken, unusable musical instruments.