Tod Whittemore calling with the Sugar River Band
8 PM – 11 PM, new dancer orientation at 7:30 PM
1 Grove Street, Peterborough, NH 03458
COVID Policy: http://bit.ly/MFSCOVID
Contra Dance in Peterborough NH on Saturday August 5th.
The Monadnock Folklore Society presents the Peterborough, NH First Saturday Contra Dance on August 5, featuring Tod Whittemore calling with music from the Sugar River band.
Contra dance is a fun, easy style of folk dance which has flourished in New England since the 1700s. Partners form lines and dance a short sequence of steps with their neighbors. Over the course of the dance, each couple travels the length of the line and dances with every other couple. Dancers are welcome to bring a partner or a group of friends but it’s not necessary – traditionally, dancers are encouraged to change partners throughout the evening.
Tod Whittemore has been calling dances for forty years, having been lucky enough to begin his career at the time when famous callers Ralph Page and Duke Miller were still active in the Monadnock Region. He helped start the Peterborough first Saturday and NEFFA Thursday night dances. Tod has called dances all over the world and is known for his humor, energy, and infectious love of dancing. He is known for his singing squares, and sometimes yodeling squares.
Joining Tod on stage is the Sugar River Band. The Sugar River Band is a family band (all now adults) led by fiddler Jane Orzechowski, with her son Francis (on piano or accordion), son Russell and daughter Sophie ( both of whom play fiddle, piano, and accordion). Sarah Bauhan will join the band on flute and whistle.
– The dancing begins at 8:00 PM.
– Workshop for new dancers at 7:30 PM.
– Admission is sliding scale $12-20.
– Traditional gender roles will be used for this evening
– Mask optional.
The dance takes place in the historic Town House in Peterborough, NH at 1 Grove Street. For more information call 603-547-5831 or visit www.facebook.com/peterboroughcontra, or www.monadnockfolk.org. The Monadnock Folklore Society has presented contra dances and concerts of traditional music since 1982.
