---
events:
  - name: River Rendezvous
    links:
      - "https://riverrendezvous.com/"
      - "https://www.facebook.com/events/656454182128444/"
    start: "2022-07-15T15:00:00-04:00"
    end: "2022-07-17T15:00:00-04:00"
    country: USA
    state: OH
    city: Coshocton
    styles:
      - contra
    workshop: false
    social: true
    bands:
      - Toss the Possum
      - The Mean Lids
    callers:
      - Gaye Fifer
      - Terry Doyle
      - Carol Kopp
    price: $95-$171.50
    organisation: Northeast Ohio Contra Dance
    source: events/usa/ohio.yaml
  - name: Fiddling Frog
    links:
      - "https://www.caldancecoop.org/special-events/fiddling-frog/"
    start: "2023-02-24T19:00:00-08:00"
    end: "2023-02-26T22:30:00-08:00"
    country: USA
    state: CA
    city: Pasadena
    styles:
      - contra
    workshop: false
    social: true
    bands:
      - Root System
      - The Dam Beavers
    callers:
      - Gaye Fifer
      - Jeremy Korr
    price: $85-$190
    organisation: California Dance Co-Operative
    source: events/usa/california.yaml
  - name: Hawaii Contra Dance Week
    links:
      - "https://kalani.com/hawaii-contra-dance-week-march-2023/"
    start: "2023-03-11T16:00:00-10:00"
    end: "2023-03-17T12:00:00-10:00"
    country: USA
    state: HI
    city: Pahoa
    styles:
      - contra
    workshop: false
    social: true
    bands:
      - Tangent
    callers:
      - Gaye Fifer
      - Claire Takemori
    price: $1420-$3100
    organisation: Kalanimua
    source: events/usa/hawaii.yaml
  - name: Whitewater Whirl
    links:
      - "https://www.footmad.org/whirl"
    start: "2023-05-05T18:00:00-04:00"
    end: "2023-05-07T13:00:00-04:00"
    country: USA
    state: WV
    city: Fayetteville
    styles:
      - contra
      - ecd
    workshop: true
    social: true
    bands:
      - Playing with Fyre
      - Trillium
    callers:
      - Gaye Fifer
      - Terry Doyle
    price: $60-$110
    organisation: FOOTMAD
    source: events/usa/fayetteville.yaml
  - name: Fall Dance Weekend
    details: "Come dance to the music of Supertrad and Stomp Rocket with callers Gaye Fifer, Janine Smith, and guest caller Michael Karchar. All are welcome. \nThis is a mask-optional and vaccine-optional dance. While dancing, we will have a mask-required line if enough people show up who are interested. Details and registration will be forthcoming on our website.  \n "
    links:
      - "https://cdss.org/event/pittsburgh-fall-dance-weekend/"
      - "https://pittsburghcontra.org/fdw/"
      - "https://www.facebook.com/events/608965457991737/"
    start: "2023-10-27T20:00:00-04:00"
    end: "2023-10-29T15:30:00-04:00"
    country: USA
    state: PA
    city: Pittsburgh
    styles:
      - contra
      - ecd
    workshop: false
    social: true
    bands:
      - Stomp Rocket
      - Supertrad
    callers:
      - Gaye Fifer
      - Janine Smith
      - Michael Karchar
    price: $60-$120
    organisation: Pittsburgh Contra Dance
    source: events/usa/cdss_2023.yaml
  - name: Pittsburgh Contra Dance
    details: "Come dance to the music of the Lackawanna Longnecks with caller Gaye Fifer. Our free beginner lesson begins at 7:30pm. Complete beginners are welcome! This dance, masks are optional, but we also hold a masks-required dance each month. "
    links:
      - "https://pittsburghcontra.org/"
      - "https://cdss.org/event/pittsburgh-contra-dance-masks-optional-2/"
    start: "2023-12-15T19:30:00-05:00"
    end: "2023-12-15T23:00:00-05:00"
    country: USA
    state: PA
    city: Pittsburgh
    styles:
      - contra
    workshop: true
    social: true
    bands:
      - Lackawanna Longnecks
    callers:
      - Gaye Fifer
    price: $15
    organisation: Pittsburgh Contra Dance
    source: events/usa/cdss_2023.yaml
  - name: Wintergreen
    links:
      - "https://bozemanfolklore.org/wintergreen-2025/"
    start_date: 2024-01-24
    end_date: 2024-01-26
    country: USA
    state: MT
    city: Bozeman
    styles:
      - contra
    workshop: true
    social: true
    bands:
      - Turnip the Beet
      - Northern Aire
    callers:
      - Gaye Fifer
      - Koren Wake
    organisation: TryContra
    source: events/usa/trycontra.yaml
  - name: Pittsburgh Contra Dance
    details: "Come dance to the music of the Snappin’ Bug Stringband with caller Gaye Fifer. Our free beginner lesson begins at 7:30. Complete beginners are welcome! At this dance masks are required, but we also have a mask-optional dance each month. "
    links:
      - "https://pittsburghcontra.org/"
      - "https://cdss.org/event/pittsburgh-contra-dance/"
    start: "2024-01-26T19:30:00-05:00"
    end: "2024-01-26T23:00:00-05:00"
    country: USA
    state: PA
    city: Pittsburgh
    styles:
      - contra
    workshop: true
    social: true
    bands:
      - "Snappin' Bug Stringband"
    callers:
      - Gaye Fifer
    organisation: Pittsburgh Contra Dance
    source: events/usa/cdss.yaml
  - name: Bayou Bedlam
    links:
      - "http://www.bayoubedlam.org/"
      - "https://cdss.org/event/bayou-bedlam/"
    start: "2024-02-09T19:30:00-06:00"
    end: "2024-02-11T19:30:00-06:00"
    country: USA
    state: TX
    city: Houston
    styles:
      - contra
    workshop: true
    social: true
    bands:
      - The Dam Beavers
    callers:
      - Gaye Fifer
    organisation: Houston Area Traditional Dance Society
    source: events/usa/trycontra.yaml
  - name: Pittsburgh Contra Dance
    details: "Come dance to the music of GrayScale with caller Gaye Fifer. Our free beginner lesson begins at 7:30pm. Complete beginners are welcome! At this dance masks are optional, but we also hold a masks-required dance each month."
    links:
      - "https://pittsburghcontra.org/"
      - "https://cdss.org/event/pittsburgh-contra-dance-masks-optional-2/"
    start: "2024-03-29T19:30:00-04:00"
    end: "2024-03-29T23:00:00-04:00"
    country: USA
    state: PA
    city: Pittsburgh
    styles:
      - contra
    workshop: true
    social: true
    bands:
      - GrayScale
    callers:
      - Gaye Fifer
    price: $15
    organisation: Pittsburgh Contra Dance
    source: events/usa/cdss.yaml
  - name: Springforth Ball and Dance Weekend
    details: "The Traditional American Dance and Music Society\ninvites you to the\n27th Annual Springforth Ball & Dance Weekend\nApril 12-13-14, 2024 \nFeaturing\nDrive Train\nEd Howe (fiddle)\nBennett Konesni (guitar), and\nNoah Fishman (bass, mandolin & bouzouki) \nwith Gaye Fifer calling \nJoin us for a high energy weekend of food, dance, music, and workshops."
    links:
      - "https://tadamsva.org/springforth-2024/"
      - "https://cdss.org/event/springforth-ball-and-dance-weekend/"
    start: "2024-04-12T19:00:00-04:00"
    end: "2024-04-14T15:00:00-04:00"
    country: USA
    state: VA
    city: Richmond
    styles:
      - contra
    workshop: true
    social: true
    bands:
      - Drive Train
    callers:
      - Gaye Fifer
    organisation: TADAMS (Traditional American Dance and Music Society)
    source: events/usa/cdss.yaml
  - name: Spring Dance Weekend
    details: "Our Spring Dance Weekend features English Country Dance at its finest. Join us for the entire weekend of workshops led by our experienced dance instructors, Gaye Fifer and Olivia Barry. Magical live music all weekend provided by our two featured bands, nationally renowned musicians Rachel Bell, Susan Kevra, and Jacqueline Schwab along with local group, Dame’s Delight. Option for dancers with some prior experience to drop into our Saturday evening community dance for $10."
    links:
      - "https://www.folkschool.org/2024/02/01/spring-dance-weekend-2024/"
      - "https://cdss.org/event/spring-dance-weekend/"
    start: "2024-04-26T15:00:00-04:00"
    end: "2024-04-28T12:00:00-04:00"
    country: USA
    state: NC
    city: Brasstown
    styles:
      - ecd
    workshop: true
    social: true
    bands:
      - "Dame's Delight"
    callers:
      - Gaye Fifer
      - Olivia Barry
    price: $256
    organisation: CDSS
    source: events/usa/cdss.yaml
  - name: Whitewater Whirl
    details: "The Whitewater Whirl returns for its 17th year in West Virginia’s New River Gorge area. Gaye Fifer and Janine Smith call to the tunes of Hot Coffee Breakdown: Tom Cunningham (fiddle), Luis de Leon (percussion/harmonica), Kate Sanders (keyboard)—and Brazenkeys, with Tadhg Ó Meachair (all-Ireland champion on accordion), Joanna Hyde (fiddle), and Eric Schedler (piano). \nNew Deal-era dance hall with suspended wooden floor, free tent camping or dorm style bunks, motels and B&Bs in area, meal plan available. Register at WhitewaterWhirl.org. \nSponsored by Kanawha Valley Friends of Old Time Music and Dance (FOOTMAD). \n$115, under 30 $75"
    links:
      - "https://www.footmad.org/whirl"
      - "https://cdss.org/event/whitewater-whirl-contra-dance-weekend/"
    start: "2024-05-03T19:00:00-04:00"
    end: "2024-05-05T15:00:00-04:00"
    country: USA
    state: WV
    city: Fayetteville
    styles:
      - contra
    workshop: false
    social: true
    bands:
      - Brazenkeys
      - Hot Coffee Breakdown
    callers:
      - Gaye Fifer
      - Janine Smith
    price: $75-$115
    organisation: Kanawha Valley Friends of Old Time Music and Dance
    source: events/usa/cdss.yaml
  - name: Spring Dance Romance
    links:
      - "https://tcdancers.org/sdr"
    start_date: 2024-05-24
    end_date: 2024-05-26
    country: USA
    state: NC
    city: Carrboro
    styles:
      - contra
    workshop: true
    social: true
    bands:
      - The Mean Lids
      - River Road
    callers:
      - Gaye Fifer
      - Alex Deis-Lauby
    organisation: TryContra
    source: events/usa/trycontra.yaml
  - name: Dance Trance Weekend
    links:
      - "https://www.dancetrance.ltda.us/"
      - "https://cdss.org/event/dance-trance-in-lexington-ky/"
    start: "2024-06-07T20:00:00-04:00"
    end: "2024-06-09T15:00:00-04:00"
    country: USA
    state: KY
    city: Lexington
    styles:
      - contra
      - ecd
    workshop: true
    social: true
    bands:
      - Hot Coffee Breakdown
      - Dreamdance
    callers:
      - Gaye Fifer
      - Joe Wilkie
    price: $50-$115
    organisation: Lexington Traditional Dance Association
    source: events/usa/trycontra.yaml
  - name: Swing into Summer
    links:
      - "http://www.swingintosummer.org/"
    start_date: 2024-06-14
    end_date: 2024-06-16
    country: USA
    state: MA
    city: Plymouth
    styles:
      - contra
      - ecd
    workshop: true
    social: true
    bands:
      - Countercurrent
      - "Miranda Weinberg, Aaron Marcus, & Carrie Rose"
    callers:
      - Gaye Fifer
      - Adina Gordon
    price: $100-$260
    organisation: TryContra
    source: events/usa/trycontra.yaml
  - name: Roanoke Railroader
    links:
      - "http://www.roanokerailroader.com/"
    start_date: 2024-07-04
    end_date: 2024-07-07
    country: USA
    state: VA
    city: Salem
    styles:
      - contra
    workshop: true
    social: true
    bands:
      - Toss the Possum
      - The Latter Day Lizards
    callers:
      - Will Mentor
      - Gaye Fifer
    price: $95-$160
    organisation: TryContra
    source: events/usa/trycontra.yaml
  - name: Rochester Thursday Night Contras
    details: "We are a welcoming contra group, dancing every week to live music. Please come! Check our website in case of last minute changes, and check out our videos on our Country Dancers of Rochester YouTube channel!"
    links:
      - "https://cdrochester.org/events/thursday-night-contra-213/"
      - "https://cdss.org/event/rochester-ny-thursday-night-contras/2024-07-18/"
    start: "2024-07-18T18:00:00-04:00"
    end: "2024-07-18T22:30:00-04:00"
    country: USA
    state: NY
    city: Rochester
    styles:
      - balfolk
      - contra
    workshop: false
    social: true
    callers:
      - Gaye Fifer
    price: $5-$10
    organisation: Country Dancers of Rochester
    source: events/usa/cdss.yaml
  - name: Flying Shoes Community Dance & Contra Dance
    details: "Everyone is welcome at this two-part monthly dance series. From neophytes to lifelong participants, and so many other demographic variations, we all collaborate to make this community-building participatory arts program a joyful success. See you at the dance! \nSchedule:\n\n6:00 pm ~ Musicians Warmup ~ Tunes on the All Comers Band page\n6:30-7:30 pm ~ Community Dance ~ Lisa Newcomb & Chrissy Fowler calling with the All Comers Band, led by Benjamin Foss & Willy Clemetson ~ Community Dance admission is $1 kids, $2 adults\n8:00-11:00 pm ~ Contra Dance ~ We use the terms lark and robin to identify the dance roles. (More on roles here.) ~ Contra Dance Admission is $20 – $15 (a sliding scale lets us cover expenses and compensate performers; please pay as much as you can!)\n\nLocation: First Church in Belfast UCC, 8 Court St, Belfast (enter via Spring St) \nPolicies:  See Community Care Policy and First Friday FAQ ~ BFS programs are chem free (please be sober) ~ Stay home if you don’t feel well \nSponsors: Artisan Builders, Belfast Community Co-op, Colburn Shoe Store, Daisychain Farm, First National Bank, Grace Chiropractic, The Green Store, Searsport Shores Oceanfront Camping, Thomas Fowler PE, Trillium Caterers, and Worth Real Estate"
    links:
      - "https://belfastflyingshoes.org/calendar/"
      - "https://cdss.org/event/flying-shoes-first-friday-community-dance-contra-dance/2024-08-02/"
    start: "2024-08-02T18:00:00-04:00"
    end: "2024-08-02T23:00:00-04:00"
    country: USA
    state: ME
    city: Belfast
    styles:
      - contra
    workshop: false
    social: true
    bands:
      - All Comers Band
      - Stomp Rocket
    callers:
      - Chrissy Fowler
      - Lisa Newcomb
      - Gaye Fifer
    price: $15-$22
    organisation: Belfast Flying Shoes
    source: events/usa/cdss.yaml
  - name: Cascade of Music & Dance
    links:
      - "https://camp.cdss.org/camp-weeks/cascade-of-music-dance-at-louise/"
    start_date: 2024-08-12
    end_date: 2024-08-18
    country: USA
    state: MD
    city: Cascade
    styles:
      - contra
    workshop: true
    social: true
    callers:
      - Wendy Graham Settle
      - Gaye Fifer
    organisation: TryContra
    source: events/usa/trycontra.yaml
  - name: Rocky Mountain Rendezvous
    links:
      - "https://cfootmad.org/rendezvous"
      - "https://boulderdance.org/event/rocky-mountain-rendezvous-contra-dance-weekend-4/"
      - "https://boulderdance.org/event/rocky-mountain-rendezvous-contra-dance-weekend-6/"
      - "https://boulderdance.org/event/rocky-mountain-rendezvous-contra-dance-open-dance/"
      - "https://boulderdance.org/event/rocky-mountain-rendezvous-contra-dance-weekend-7/"
    start: "2024-08-30T18:00:00-06:00"
    end: "2024-09-02T13:30:00-06:00"
    country: USA
    state: CO
    city: Boulder
    styles:
      - contra
    workshop: true
    social: true
    bands:
      - Nova
      - The Dam Beavers
    callers:
      - Gaye Fifer
      - Jacqui Grennan
      - Will Mentor
    organisation: TryContra
    source: events/usa/trycontra.yaml
  - name: "Swingin' Tern Double Dance"
    details: "Peter Buchak—accordion; Miranda Weinberg—fiddle; Ben Kennedy—piano \n3:45 – 5:45 pm **Afternoon Advanced Contras $15 adults/$5 students\n5:45 – 7:00 pm Dinner Break at the many walkable Chatham restaurants\n7:00 – 7:30 pm Beginners’ Workshop\n7:30 – 10:30 pm All-Level Evening Dance $15 adults/$5 students\nAll dances at Swingin’ Tern are called to Larks & Robins\nSt. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 200 Main Street, Chatham, NJ\nOur dance hall is air-conditioned. Vaccination and masks optional. \nIf you don’t pay the Fifer, Gaye will lead all The Orphans and the children of Hamelin off to contra dance. In an Oliver Twist of events, Cinderella, Huck Finn, Tom Sawyer, and Harry Potter find themselves in a ring of four. Don’t Heidi out or be a Pollyanna, wear your Snow White dress and Pippi Longstockings or Tarzan loincloth. Bambi will be waiting. \nGaye Fifer\nGaye Fifer is an accomplished caller from Pittsburgh, PA. An active dancer herself, Gaye understands the subtleties of making dances particularly satisfying for dancers. Her instructions are clear and concise, as she is a teacher by profession. An easy smile and delightful sense of humor are part of Gaye’s relaxed, pleasant style at the microphone. Gaye calls contra and English dances throughout the U.S. and Canada. She is also an enthusiastic advocate and instructor of contra-style waltz. Gaye is the former President of the Board of CDSS. YouTube Video  \nThe Orphans\nThe Orphans are a high-energy trio from the Philadelphia area, featuring Peter Buchak on accordion, Miranda Weinberg on fiddle, and Ben Kennedy on piano. Formed in 2016, they feature a repertoire of French Canadian and Irish tunes to propel you around the dance floor. YouTube Video  \nOur full calendar \nUseful Information:\n\nNewcomers are welcome to come at 7pm for an introductory lesson on the basics of contra dancing before the evening dance.\nNo partner is necessary. All dances are taught with a “walk-through” by the caller.\n**The Afternoon Advanced Contras session is for Experienced Contra Dancers only. You should be familiar with heys, petronellas, Rorey O’More, pass the ocean, etc., with minimal prompting. If not, please join us for the evening dance.\nOur dance is two blocks from the Chatham station on the Morris/Essex line out of Penn Station, NYC.\nFor the dinner break, visit one of the 17 walkable restaurants within two blocks of the dance.  \nWe no longer require vaccination. Masks are optional.\nAll dances at Swingin’ Tern are called to the gender-neutral terms Larks & Robins. Dance whatever role you’re comfortable in.\nWe are in an air-conditioned have along with the option for open windows on three sides.\nWe welcome contributions of home-baked [or not] goodies to share at the break.\nPlease bring your own water bottle. Water bottles may be filled at the kitchen sink.\nWear comfortable clothing. Contra dancing is aerobic. We prefer you carry in your shoes.\nWe are a friendly, inclusive group. Pack plenty of smiles!\n\n$15 adults/$5 students per session"
    links:
      - "https://folkproject.org/mec-events/tern-20240907/"
      - "https://cdss.org/event/swingin-tern-double-dance-gaye-fifer-the-orphans/"
    start: "2024-09-07T15:45:00-04:00"
    end: "2024-09-07T22:30:00-04:00"
    country: USA
    state: NJ
    city: Chatham
    styles:
      - contra
    workshop: true
    social: true
    bands:
      - The Orphans
    callers:
      - Gaye Fifer
    price: $10-$30
    organisation: "Swingin' Tern Dances"
    source: events/usa/cdss.yaml