Details

Valentine’s Bliss: A Contra/Couples Dance Revelry

This is a special night of music, dance, and fellowship to help celebrate Valentine’s Day weekend – great fun and family-friendly!

Schedule:

6:30 pm – Beginners Lesson (taught by members of Rochester Callers Collective)
6:45-8:00 pm – Lake Effect (Chuck Abell, Matt Sloboda & Rowan Wolf) – contras & more
8:00 – Break – light refreshments provided
8:15-10 pm – Techno-Lite Contras w/ DJ Abell (as seen at the Thanksgiving Festival 2017!)

Free admission – Donations accepted

Also note that, for the Techno dance, there will be no strobe effects and volume will be kept at a reasonable level. There will, however, be plenty of variety for all musical tastes – alternative, R&B, pop, swing, etc., plus, of course, tasteful house/techno music!

Please wear soft-soled shoes for dancing. There is a free parking lot next to the venue for the first 20 cars or so; all parking on the street is free after 6 pm. (Parking garage is also available but may cost a bit…)

Caller

Chuck Abell

In his caller persona, Chuck Abell brings us challenging dances that will exercise your mind and tickle your fancy with their intricate beauty. Chuck organizes the monthly caller meetings in Rochester to workshop new dances. He debuted his “DJ Abell” persona at our 2017 Thanksgiving Festival, with a Taste of Techno Contra session.

Band

Lake Effect

Matt Sloboda (fiddle), Chuck Abell (guitar)

For nearly five years, Lake Effect has been honing its sound while playing for dances and concerts both locally and in New England and along the Eastern Seaboard. Founded initially by Matt Sloboda and Chuck Abell, the band has grown to include Eastman Jazz graduates Grace Frarey and frequent collaborator Jack Courtright. With a shared vision that encompasses the best in folk, Celtic, swing, and World Music, the band has melded seamlessly into a unique and soulful ensemble which values both precision and musical variety.