Contra Dance in Peterborough NH on Saturday October 5th., mask optional, gender-neutral calling with “Larks and Robins”.
Featuring Don Veino calling with Crossover, musicians Alex Cumming on accordion on piano, Carol Bittenson on fiddle, and Len Bittenson on fiddle, viola, recorders.
The dancing begins at 8:00 PM until 11 PM.
Workshop for dance basics at 7:30 PM.
Admission sliding scale $12-20, $30 family, or pay what you can.
Open jam 6-7:30 in the lobby.
We have some free admission slots in exchange for home baked goods, contact kelly.strauss@gmail.com
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.
Don Veino brings joy to dancers through clear teaching and calling. He is a prolific & innovative dance composer as well as an organizer and volunteer for dance related groups. Don strives for that perfect concoction of rhythm, harmony and flow which lifts the spirits of all in the hall.
Crossover have been performing for over 6 years, playing for Contra, English Country Dances and Ceilidhs across New England and beyond. With Carol and Len’s driving New England fiddle style and glorious harmonizations and Alex’s robust and rhythmic backing, you are in for an exciting and very danceable few hours of music. Outside of Crossover you can find Alex performing with Bellwether, Stuart Kenney’s Red Case Band as well as solo work. Carol can be found performing with Free Association and the mighty Not Enough Fiddles along with Len.
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