Author: MFS

☼ ☼ ☼ English Country Dance in Nelson on Sunday, May 19, 2019

dance

The Monadnock Folklore Society presents the last in its 2019 series of English Country Dances with the theme “Dance Around Monadnock.”

On May 19 from 2:00 to 5:00 PM, the dance will be held at the Town Hall in Nelson, NH, with Sue Rosen teaching dances that will appeal to all, from novice to experienced dancers.

English Country Dance is a form of social dance that harkens back to the days of Jane Austen and “Pride and Prejudice”, but its roots extend further back in time. Its traditions and innovations continue right up to the present.

Lovely music will be provided by the band Seven Times Salt. They are Karen Burciaga, fiddle; Josh Schreiber Shalem, bass viol; and Matthew Wright, lute.

Seven Times Salt is a Boston-based early music ensemble specializing in the repertoire of the 16th and 17th centuries. Praised for creative programming and an “impeccably balanced sound,” STS has performed since 2003 at venues throughout New England including Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Plimoth Plantation, the New England Folk Festival, WGBH radio, and many others.

Hauntingly beautiful tunes, elegant yet simple steps, friendly people and beautiful surroundings combine to make an English Country Dance a pleasant and energizing experience. No special clothing is required, but comfortable clothes and soft-soled shoes are recommended.

Beginners and singles are welcome and all dances are taught throughout the session. Admission is $10. For more information call (603) 876-4211 or visit http://www.monadnockfolk.org. The Monadnock Folklore Society has presented dances and concerts of traditional music since 1982.

Photo of Alex Cumming

☼ ☼ ☼ Contra Dance in Peterborough NH on Saturday, May 4, 2019

Contra Dance

The Monadnock Folklore Society presents the Peterborough, NH First Saturday Contra Dance on May 4, featuring Dave Eisenstadter calling with Alex Cumming, Carol Bittenson and Len Bittenson.

Dave Eisenstadter learned to call contra dances at the Nelson, NH, contra dance and now performs around New England. He is also a journalist who began his career writing for the Peterborough Ledger-Transcript and the Keene Sentinel.

Alex Cumming is a traditional singer and accordionist hailing from Somerset, England who now lives in Boston, MA. Alex has made his mark on the folk scene with his rhythmic danceable accordion style and engaging stage presence. Carol and Len Bittenson are both dynamic fiddlers.

Contra dance is a fun, relaxed 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. 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.

The dancing begins at 8:00 PM. The dance also hosts a free jam session for beginning and intermediate musicians at 6:30 PM and a workshop for new dancers at 7:30 PM.

Admission is $10 or $7 for students and seniors.

The dance takes place in the historic Town House in Peterborough, NH at 1 Grove Street. For more information call 603.762.0235 or visit www.monadnockfolk.org. The Monadnock Folklore Society has presented contra dances and concerts of traditional music since 1982.

☼ ☼ ☼ Mari Black Trio | Nelson Town Hall on Friday May 3

About

Join us on Friday, May 3 for a 7:30 PM concert with the Mari Black Trio playing two sets of music featuring fiddling from around the world. Mari will be joined by Conor Hearn on guitar and Jesse Williams on bass. Admission is $15/$12(Sr/Jr).

Called “One of the brightest fiddlers around today” by WGBH radio A Celtic Sojourn’s host Brian O’Donovan, multistyle violinist and champion fiddler MARI BLACK has been delighting audiences across the country and around the world with her energetic playing, sparkling stage presence, and dazzlingly virtuosic fiddling. Raised on a rich blend of traditional musical styles, Mari made her entrance onto the international stage when she became Scotland’s Glenfiddich Fiddle Champion, 2-time U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion, and 2-time Canadian Maritime Fiddle champion, all within a three-year period. Ever since then, she has been spreading her love for dance-based music, performing as a featured artist at Celtic festivals, Scottish Highland Games, celebrated folk venues, world music concert series, and acclaimed classical concert venues including Carnegie Hall. Mari’s passion for traditional music extends far beyond the concert stage, as reflected in her work as a teacher, performance coach, dancer, competition judge, and musical ambassador dedicated to connecting people through music. Known as a master teacher with a playful and unconventional approach to helping students expand their horizons, Mari has taught workshops at the Acadia Trad School, the Jink & Diddle School of Scottish Fiddling, the Mark O’Connor fiddle camp, the Tanglewood Festival, the Yale School of Music, and more. Currently touring nationally with her trio, Mari’s favorite thing to do is sweep her audience away on a spirited musical adventure featuring dance music from around the globe: Celtic, American, and Canadian fiddling, jazz, tango, klezmer, folk, original works, and more!

☼ ☼ ☼ English Country Dance in Dublin NH Sunday, April 21, 2019

dance

The Monadnock Folklore Society presents the fourth in its series of English Country Dances with the theme “Dance Around Monadnock.”

On Sunday, April 21 from 2:00 to 5:00 PM, the dance will be held at the Town Hall in Dublin, NH, with Mary Jones teaching dances that will appeal to all, from novice to experienced dancers. Lovely music will be provided by the band Peregrine Road.

English Country Dance is a form of social dance that harkens back to the days of Jane Austen and “Pride and Prejudice”, but its roots extend further back in time. Its traditions and innovations continue right up to the present.

Peregrine Road features two seasoned and versatile musicians who are quickly becoming known together as a creative duo capable of an incredible range of styles. Karen Axelrod and Rachel Bell share a passion for crafting tunes and arrangements that are eminently danceable, with just the right mix of exquisite beauty and raw energy.

Hauntingly beautiful tunes, elegant yet simple steps, friendly people and beautiful surroundings combine to make an English Country Dance a pleasant and energizing experience. No special clothing is required, but comfortable clothes and shoes are recommended.

Beginners and singles are welcome and all dances are taught throughout the session. Admission is $10. For more information call (603) 876-4211 or visit http://www.monadnockfolk.org. The Monadnock Folklore Society has presented dances and concerts of traditional music since 1982.

☼ ☼ ☼ Peterborough Play Ball on Saturday, April 6, 2019

Contra Dance

The Monadnock Folklore Society presents the Peterborough, Play Ball on April 6, featuring Adina Gordon calling with Maivish (Jaige Trudel, Adam Broome and Matthew Olwell) and Steve Zakon-Anderson calling with CoinciDance (Susan Creighton, Eric Martin, Eric Buddington, Josh Pisano and Tony Pisano).

The dancing begins at 6:00 PM with waltzing to music by Maivish. Adina will call with Maivish from 6:30 PM until 8:50 PM. Steve Zakon-Anderson will call with CoinciDance from 9:10 PM until midnight.

Admission is $15-18 or $12 for high school students.

The dance takes place in the historic Town House in Peterborough, NH at 1 Grove Street. For more information call 413-369-4369.

 

☼ ☼ ☼ High Drive | Nelson Town Hall on Sunday, March 24, 2019

Concerts, Dance Music, Events, Songs

On Sunday, March 24 at 3:00pm in the afternoon the band High Drive will perform a concert anchored in Celtic music, with some enticing diversions into folk songs, gospel,  and original fiddle tunes at the Nelson Town Hall. Admission is $18/$15(Sr/Jr).

The band is a result of fiddler Bonnie Bewick and pianist Gordon Peery meeting at Maine Fiddle Camp. After playing a single set of Scottish tunes together they knew they wanted to have the opportunity to play a full concert, exploiting their broad and diverse musical experiences. Filling out the band is bassist Larry Wolfe.

Bonnie Bewick enjoys playing many different musical genres. She has been a violinist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra since 1987. She plays with the folk orchestra Childsplay, and performs in a folk duo, “Frame”, with her brother, singer-songwriter Ken Bewick. The concert will feature several of her original tunes.

Larry Wolfe once conducted an ensemble of eighty bass players at Disneyland in his own arrangements of Disney tunes.  As a composer, he has numerous popular songs and three musicals to his credit. Larry is the assistant principal bassist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Gordon Peery’s piano playing brings an orchestral energy to performances. He was a founding member of the bands Fresh Fish (with fiddler Kerry Elkin), the New Hampshire Fiddlers Union, and Trip to Nelson. He also plays in jazz, blues, and rock and roll ensembles.

The trio will be joined by singer Jazimina MacNeil for some songs.

 
Drawing of English Country Dancers

☼ ☼ ☼ English Country Dance in Walpole on Sunday, March 17, 2019

dance

The Monadnock Folklore Society presents the third in its series of English Country Dances with the theme “Dance Around Monadnock.”

On March 17 from 2:00 to 5:00 PM, the dance will be held at Hastings Parish House in Walpole, NH, with David Millstone teaching dances that will appeal to all, from novice to experienced dancers.

Lovely music will be provided by performers Carol Compton, piano and Thal Aylward, violin.

English Country Dance is a form of social dance that harkens back to the days of Jane Austen and “Pride and Prejudice”, but its roots extend further back in time. Its traditions and innovations continue right up to the present.

Hauntingly beautiful tunes, elegant yet simple steps, friendly people and beautiful surroundings combine to make an English Country Dance a pleasant and energizing experience. No special clothing is required, but comfortable clothes and shoes are recommended.

Beginners and singles are welcome and all dances are taught throughout the session. Admission is $10. For more information call (603) 876-4211 or visit http://www.monadnockfolk.org. The Monadnock Folklore Society has presented dances and concerts of traditional music since 1982.

 

☼ ☼ ☼ Peterborough First Saturday Contra Dance on Saturday March 2, 2019

Contra Dance

The Monadnock Folklore Society presents the Peterborough, NH First Saturday Contra Dance on March 2, featuring Luke Donforth calling with the band Anadama.

Anadama is Amelia Mason (fiddle), Emily Troll (accordion), and Bethany Waickman (guitar). The trio finds its roots in the traditional music of New England, Ireland, and Quebec. Infusing old and new tunes alike with a distinctly modern kick, it is dynamic, earthy music.

Dance caller Luke Donforth started contra dancing a decade ago in New York and has called and shared his love of contra dancing from California to Texas to Vermont. He’s an emerging choreographer of new dances and draws on the wealth of dances and dance traditions from everywhere he travels.

The dancing begins at 8:00 PM. The dance also hosts a free jam session for beginning and intermediate musicians at 6:30 PM and a workshop for new dancers at 7:30 PM.

Admission is $10 or $7 for students and seniors.

The dance takes place in the historic Town House in Peterborough, NH at 1 Grove Street. For more information call 603.762.0235.

Drawing of English Country Dancers

☼ ☼ ☼ English Country Dance in Peterborough on Sunday, February 17, 2019

dance, Events

The Monadnock Folklore Society presents the second in its series of English Country Dances with the theme “Dance Around Monadnock.”

On February 17 from 2:00 to 5:00 PM, the dance will be held at the Monadnock Center for History and Culture’s Bass Hall in Peterborough, NH, with Chris Levey teaching dances that will appeal to all, from novice to experienced dancers.

Lovely music will be provided by performers Kate Barnes, piano and Eleanor Lincoln, violin.

English Country Dance is a form of social dance that harkens back to the days of Jane Austen and “Pride and Prejudice”, but its roots extend further back in time. Its traditions and innovations continue right up to the present.

Hauntingly beautiful tunes, elegant yet simple steps, friendly people and beautiful surroundings combine to make an English Country Dance a pleasant and energizing experience. No special clothing is required, but comfortable clothes and shoes are recommended.

Beginners and singles are welcome and all dances are taught throughout the session. Admission is $10. For more information call (603) 876-4211 or visit http://www.monadnockfolk.org. The Monadnock Folklore Society has presented dances and concerts of traditional music since 1982.

 

Drawing of English Country Dancers

☼ ☼ ☼ English Country Dances in 2019

dance, Events

The Monadnock Folklore Society announces its 2019 series of English Country Dances with the theme “Dance Around Monadnock.”

Feb 17, Bass Hall at Monadnock Center for History and Culture, 19 Grove St, Peterborough 03458: Chris Levey calling; Kate Barnes, Eleanor Lincoln

March 17, Hastings House (Walpole Unitarian Church), Union St, Walpole 03608: David Millstone calling; Carol Compton, Thal Aylward

April 21, Dublin Town Hall, 1120 Main St, Dublin 03444: Mary Jones calling; Karen Axelrod, Rachel Bell

May 19, Nelson Town Hall, Nelson 03457: Sue Rosen calling; Seven Times Salt