[[events]] name = "Quiet Corner Contra Dance" details = """ Time: Dance 7:30-10:30pm [short basics session 7:15 pm] This is so wicked fun! We dance to the fiddle tunes of Ireland, Scotland, England, France, Appalachia & America! We often switch partners after every dance so there is no need to bring a partner, and no experience is needed to have a fantastic time! So come enjoy the friendly camaraderie, dance to live music and see everyone’s smiling faces! Clothing & Footwear: Clothing is casual; layers are best for this invigorating exercise. Please wear non-street shoes that move easily on the floor (rubber-soled sneakers are discouraged). Food: Some snacks offered at the break and contributions are welcome and needed! Caller: George Thomson. George is a traditional New England dance leader, calling fun, easy, and family-friendly circles dances, squares, and longways sets for barn and contra dances. He enjoys calling singing squares in the style of the late Ralph Sweet. He also plays the great highland bagpipes!. Live Music: The Dead Sea Squirrels. Don’t be fooled by the unlikely name: You’re gonna love dancing to Cathy Mason on fiddle; Craig Edwards on fiddle, banjo, and mandolin (but not all at the same time!); and Henry Yoshimura on guitar. They play widely for contra dances and are known for their danceable tunes arranged in medleys designed to closely match and enhance the movements of the particular contra dance being taught/called. They tend to push the boundaries of the southern style with fiddle and fiddle/guitar harmonies! Admission: $13.00 per person OR students (with ID, please) pay $6. Donations are greatly appreciated and encouraged! Free Parking: There is plenty of free parking right in front of the hall. Role Terms: “Ladies & Gents” but all dancers are welcome to dance whichever role their heart desires.""" links = ["http://www.hcdance.org/quiet-corner-contra/", "https://cdss.org/event/quiet-corner-contra-dance/"] start = "2024-03-01T19:15:00-05:00" end = "2024-03-01T22:30:00-05:00" country = "USA" state = "CT" city = "Coventry" styles = ["contra"] workshop = true social = true bands = ["Dead Sea Squirrels"] callers = ["George Thompson"] price = "$6-$13" organisation = "Hartford Community Dance" source = "events/usa/cdss.yaml" [[events]] name = "Valley Contra Dance" details = """ Greg Frock calling to Dead Sea Squirrels (Cathy Mason, Craig Edwards, Henry Yoshimura) $15 (members $2 discount) Age 13-21, students: $7.00 Children 12 and under accompanied by an adult FREE""" links = ["https://valleycontradance.org/", "https://cdss.org/event/valley-contra-dance/"] start = "2024-03-23T19:00:00-04:00" end = "2024-03-23T22:30:00-04:00" country = "USA" state = "PA" city = "Bethlehem" styles = ["contra"] workshop = true social = true bands = ["Dead Sea Squirrels"] callers = ["Greg Frock"] price = "$7-$15" organisation = "Valley Contra Dance Society" source = "events/usa/cdss.yaml" [[events]] name = "Susquehanna Folk Festival" details = """ The best weekend of the summer! The Susquehanna Folk Festival returns on the second weekend of August with world-class performers and hands-on fun. Join us at the Appell Center in downtown York, PA for a full weekend of live music, dancing, jams, and family activities.""" links = ["https://www.sfmsfolk.org/festival/SusquehannaFolkFestival.html", "https://cdss.org/event/susquehanna-folk-festival/"] start_date = "2024-08-09" end_date = "2024-08-11" country = "USA" state = "PA" city = "York" styles = ["contra"] workshop = true social = true bands = ["The Contra Rebels", "Dead Sea Squirrels"] callers = ["Janine Smith", "Bob Nicholson"] organisation = "Susquehanna Folk Music Society" source = "events/usa/trycontra.yaml" [[events]] name = "Wednesday Night Contra Dance" details = """ Janine Smith and Susan Taylor call to The Dead Sea Squirrels—Cathy Mason (fiddle), Craig Edwards (fiddle, banjo, and mandolin), and Henry Yoshimura (guitar). The Baltimore Folk Music Society presents Contra and Square Dancing, 8pm-10:30pm on 1st, 3rd, and sometimes 5th Wednesdays at Lovely Lane United Methodist Church. Beginners always welcome! Intro lesson at 7:30pm.  Admission is $10 for members, $15 for non-members, Under 21 and full-time students with IDs: free. Online payment only.""" links = ["https://www.bfms.org/squarecontra.php", "https://cdss.org/event/wednesday-night-contra-dance/"] start = "2024-09-18T19:30:00-04:00" end = "2024-09-18T22:30:00-04:00" country = "USA" state = "MD" city = "Baltimore" styles = ["contra"] workshop = true social = true bands = ["Dead Sea Squirrels"] callers = ["Janine Smith", "Susan Taylor"] price = "$10-$15" organisation = "CDSS" source = "events/usa/cdss.yaml" [[events]] name = "Norwich Contra Dance" details = """ Join us for a traditional New England contra dance at Tracy Hall in Norwich. All dances are taught, and beginners and singles are always welcome. We offer potluck snacks at the break, so please feel free to bring something to share. Our caller will offer a introductory / refresher session at 7:15 pm for newcomers or those who want to review the basics. Please bring clean non-marking shoes to help protect our dance floor! Masks are optional and welcome; vaccination strongly encouraged; please stay home if you have been exposed or are experiencing symptoms. Sliding Scale Admission: $20 Dance Supporters $12 General Admission $8 Students Under 16 free""" links = ["https://cdss.org/event/norwich-contra-dance/2024-10-12/", "https://www.facebook.com/events/3386096971699634/"] start = "2024-10-12T19:15:00-04:00" end = "2024-10-12T22:30:00-04:00" country = "USA" state = "VT" city = "Norwich" styles = ["contra"] workshop = true social = true bands = ["Dead Sea Squirrels"] callers = ["Hannah Johlas"] price = "$8-$20" organisation = "Muskeg Music" source = "events/usa/cdss.yaml" [[events]] name = "Swingin' Tern" details = """ Our contra dances are held every first and third Saturday evening year-round from 7:30pm–10:30pm, with a beginners’ workshop at 7pm. We have occasional double dances along with a New Year’s Eve dance. $15 adults/$5 students Caller: Qwill Duvall In Qwill Duvall’s words: I am a contra dancer and caller from the Midwest. I began contra dancing in 2015 shortly after moving to Chicago. A couple years later I began regularly traveling for dancing and I started calling in 2019. I called regularly in the Chicago area during 2019 and the beginning of 2020, and I was just thinking about going on tour when the pandemic hit. Since my work is now remote and dances have started back up, I am now on the road and touring! I’ve been at it since the beginning of 2023. I’ve called from the Midwest to the both coasts including NEFFA this past spring Band: The Dead Sea Squirrels The Dead Sea Squirrels play widely for contra dances and are known for their danceable tunes arranged in medleys designed to closely match and enhance the movements of the particular contra dance being taught/called. They tend to push the boundaries of the southern style with fiddle and fiddle/guitar harmonies. Since all the musicians are also dancers, they understand the importance of the interaction between dancers and musicians, and how to use rhythm and dynamics to augment the feel and excitement of a dance. The Dead Sea Squirrels features Cathy Mason on fiddle, Craig Edwards on fiddle, banjo, and mandolin, and Henry Yoshimura on guitar. Useful Information: Newcomers are welcome to come at 7pm for an introductory lesson on the basics of contra dancing. No partner is necessary. All dances are taught with a “walk-through” by the caller. We no longer require vaccination. Masks are optional. All dances at Swingin’ Tern are called to the gender-neutral terms Larks & Robins. Dance whatever role you’re comfortable in. We are air-conditioned. We have windows on three sides when we want to let the breeze come in. Our dance is two blocks from the Chatham station on the Morris/Essex line out of Penn Station, NYC. We welcome contributions of home-baked [or not] goodies to share at the break. Please bring your own water bottle. Water bottles may be filled at the kitchen sink. Wear comfortable clothing. Contra dancing is aerobic. We prefer you carry in your shoes. We are a friendly, inclusive group. Pack plenty of smiles!""" links = ["https://folkproject.org/swingin-tern/", "https://cdss.org/event/swingin-tern-contra-dance-3/"] start = "2024-11-02T19:00:00-04:00" end = "2024-11-02T22:30:00-04:00" country = "USA" state = "NJ" city = "Chatham" styles = ["contra"] workshop = true social = true bands = ["Dead Sea Squirrels"] callers = ["Qwill Duvall"] price = "$5-$15" organisation = "Swingin' Tern Dances" source = "events/usa/cdss.yaml"