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April 14 info on Tunescape Here's the web site for Tunescape: www.myspace.com/tunescape . Rachel Bell is the contact. Email her at: theinstrumentplayer@yahoo.com January 06 Contrarians: ordering their CDThe Contrarians have their own CD now. Paul Epstein has agreed to a reduced price of $14 for those folks who order one with their registration for the August 1 and 2, 2008 Dance in the Middle! You'll be able to pick up the CD at the dance. At the dance the price will be $15. If you can't wait, go to the web site http://pages.suddenlink.net/contrarians or email Paul directly: pepstein@suddenlink.net. December 06 two quotes for the coming new yeartwo ends of the same thoughts:
"There are times in life when a person has to rush off in pursuit of hopefulness." Text by Jean Giono from The Man Who Planted Trees.
"Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want but the realization of how much you already have." Unknown.
Fitting thoughts when starting new ventures. November 22 Dance in Grove City, YMCA, Dec 8, 2007Come for a holiday dance at the Grove City YMCA, beginning at 6:30-7:30 pm, with the elegance of English Country dance, followed by waltzing until 8pm. Allison Thompson will call the EC dances, and Amarillis will play the music for the evening, featuring Allison on concertina, Maro Avakian on keyboard, and Elise Yoder on fiddle. After a break for snacks, there will be two hours of contradance from 8:30-10:30 pm, with Heidi Wettlaufer calling to Amarillis. $8 for adults, $6 for students and seniors over 65, or $24 for a family of 4 or more. For more info, call 724-450-1149 or email: momthebirder@hotmail.com November 02 December 8, 2007 Grove City PA YMCA Contradance, English Country, and WaltzSee dance schedule for the holiday dance in December, and the 2008 schedule. All remaining scheduled dances are at the Grove City PA YMCA. September 24 Oct 13, 2007: Men's folk waltz workshop, musicians jam, potluck and contradance!The October 13, 2007 dance is in a special place, the Wesley Grange.
Downstairs: musicians will jam and explore contradance and folk waltz music from 1 to 7 pm.
Upstairs on the wood floor:
Bonus: Waltz and couples dances 2-7pm.
From 2:00-3:00pm, for a donation of $5, you can come with or without a partner, two right or left feet, and learn from Brian How in a non-threatening and humorous hour of "Men's Folk Waltz Bootcamp" how to realize your secret desire to be able to take the lead and to waltz.
Will you learn? Yes!
Will you sweat? Yes!
Will women get that weird,dreamy look when they waltz with you? Oh, yes!
(Non-judgmental followers are also welcome to the lesson....no waltz is complete without a lead and a follower who are in sync with the music and each other!)
Follow the lesson with two to four hours of open waltz and couples dancing.
5pm: potluck. Bring side dishes, fruit or dessert. Refrigeration and stove available.
Evening contradance: 7pm beginner's lesson.
Caller: Tricia Saad
Band: Black River Ironworks from Oberlin OH, led by Jonah Sidman.
Dance 7:30-10:30 pm. Farewell waltz, cleanup till 11:30pm.
Sign up for 30 minutes at the desk, or to help with clean-up, and attend for free. August 19 info by and about Ted Crane, callerTed Crane was dragged, kicking and screaming, to his first New England Contra Dance in New Hampshire, more than 25 years ago. He loved it and is still amazed by the diversity of the tradition: easily accessible to beginners and flexible enough to challenge inventive experts. Ted has been organizing weekly dances in Ithaca, NY, his hometown and a hotbed of Old-Time and Celtic music, since the early 1980's. These musical influences feed Ted's interest in the energetic rhythm of dancing and music. His characteristic style of calling, incorporating dry New England elements with patter and song, and percussion (visualize a bodhran as a melody instrument) follows the flow of the music as it renews the dancing energy. He composes, "dances with a difference," often crafted to a specific tune, grounded in traditions which allow them to blend with all kinds of music. His dances feel good to dancers. Ted travels extensively, calling for dance communities from the Atlantic to the Gulf and the Great Lakes. When not on the road he publishes Folkstuff, a music and dance newsletter in central New York, and maintains DanceDB on the Internet, a nationwide online database with more than 30,000 cross-referenced entries and photographs describing contra dance organizations, venues, callers, and bands and musicians. And, oh yes, he's a computer consultant specializing in systems analysis and computer graphics, and a photographer. Photos available online: http://tedcrane.com/TedCrane_19981005-BW.jpg1 Grayscale JPEG. The same image as below, cropped and tweaked for better B&W reproduction. http://photos.dancedb.info/T/TedCrane_19981005.jpg1 Color JPEG, 480x640. Primitive digital photo from a couple years ago. My experience suggests, luckily, that when reduced to a 2x3 inch program-sized image (roughly 200dpi) it will look OK. At that size, there's more detail in the image than can easily be printed on an offset press. For human interest, you may also consider: http://tedcrane.com/Photos/GreenManChicken_Med.jpg http://tedcrane.com/PuertoRico/TedCrane_19990517.jpg (also .jpg1) http://tedcrane.com/Photos/Morris/TedMorrisAdderbury100_Med.jpg http://tedcrane.com/Photos/TedIthFest100_Med.jpg http://tedcrane.com/Photos/Morris/Hearts100_Med.jpg Web Site: http://tedcrane.com/ http://tedcrane.com/DanceDB/ http://photos.tedcrane.com/Cards/ August 15 Talking about wandering on the web, look what I foundhere's another Yahoo group for contradance, and some fun with rules of life as applied to contradance. It came through acoustic bob who started a Yahoo group that I belong to, and that is open to other lovers of contradance. (see the YSS feed elsewhere on momthebirder's space) I saw this discussion begin at another contradance site Quote wandering on the web, look what I found August 03 wandering on the web, look what I foundFound this as part of the links on the Dancing Fool Weekend site (to be held the first weekend in Feb 2008), this site is too cute. It indirectly explains the geometry of contradance moves in picture format, in a tongue-in-cheek way.
Those folks in Seattle are too cool! July 14 updated schedule for contradances in Grove City PAFor sure, seriously look at the info about the Third Annual Dance in the Middle coming on July 28 !! (see the May 11 entry) If you preregister, there's a discount over the last minute suggested donation. Please note that 10% of all (gross) intake for this day of dance activities is being donated to the Grace Community Food Pantry in Grove City.
Other scheduled dances are:
August 25, with Magic Feet playing and Ted Crane of Ithaca NY calling. 7pm at the YMCA in Grove City PA
September 15, 2007: contradance twice. First, there will be a free demonstration contradance at 12 noon at the Slippery Rock Heritage Festival, and I need experienced dancers to help out (for about one hour). Then there will be a potluck at Ruth Anne's (like old times) to fill the afternoon until time for an evening contradance extravaganza at the YMCA, 6pm to 11p: with one hour of waltz, followed by two sessions of contradance. This will be a fundraiser for the support of these dances. The bands and callers are donating their services so that there will be a little pool of reserves available to pay for dances that fall short on expenses. I've been the sole organizer and source of funding for two years, and have really only broken even on two of the dances. Friends who want to see these dances survive are helping to organize this one.
The remainder of the fall schedule is a work in progress. July 02 links for Pittsburgh, Meadville, WV, and Cleveland dancesPittsburgh's regular contradances are on Friday nights, 8-11pm, with a lesson at 7:30pm. Check site for exceptions around holidays. June to August dances are every other Friday. The annual Fall dance weekend is held in November (Nov 9-11, 2007).
http://www.pittsburghcontra.org/ (includes directions to Swisshelm Community Center at 1050 Windermere Drive )
Pgh dance hotline for cancellations, etc: 412-731-8661
Pittsburgh's English Country dances are held monthly except in summer. 412-422-7265
Meadville contradances are held on Wednesdays at 8pm at Allegheny College in the Montgomery Gym during the college fall and spring semester. They are lucky enough to have Toppish playing every week, with Rachel O'Brien teaching and calling the dances. See Toppish's web site for up to date info. http://toppish.com/index.html
Cleveland area contradances are held in several venues on a regular basis. One way to get info is to sign up for the email announcements:
You can also go to www.NEOhioContraDance.org
Slovenian and other waltz venues in the Cleveland area can be found at:
Dances and other music events in WV and other nearby states can be found at:
see other entries on the blog for links to other national contradance info and dance schedules
June 19 links for travelling contradancers, and videos of contradanceGood sites for locating dances anywhere (regular dances and dance events):
http://www.contradancelinks.com/festivals.html (this site, minus 'festivals' is a basic database as well)
The following are mainly about contradance, though the Philly sites have some ballroom and waltz. http://www.pfs.org/PFS_8.php (a comprehensive site for the greater Philadelphia area) http://www.phillydance.com/ (a seven day listing of all kinds of stuff) http://tedcrane.com/DanceDB/ (ted crane's site. this might give you trouble....I always get bumped to a verizon customer page when I google this at home. If it works for you, it's simplicity itself to find a dance on any day of the week, anywhere) http://www.io.com/~entropy/contradance/dance-home.html (Kiran's dance site...mostly contradance based....and from Massachusetts too!) It says on the site it was last updated in 2000....but take a look....many links may give you good info) This site tells you to check Bob's site (possibly no longer functional) and Gary Shapiro. http://mywebpages.comcast.net/herschel.nelson/links.htm this one is Virginia-based, but has major national sites linked to it (I just tried some of them and they don't work...Bob's contradance site must be defunct because every other place listing a link didn't work either.) there is a saying on the TADAMs site: If you aren't dancing you are wasting your feet! Yessirree! http://www.ssmg.net/ the Ziggy site for ballroom and other dances nationally for Cincinnati Ohio dances: www.cincinnaticontradance.org or call 513-681-4768
for south/central NY: http://hands4dancers.org/links.html (Ithaca, Cornell and more)
here's one of a dance at Warren Wilson College: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leKGF_aksi0&NR=1
here's a famous 6 minute clip of a guy dancing to dozens of dances styles (not contra or waltz, but modern dance): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMH0bHeiRNg&mode=related&search=
For a real introduction to contradance, here's a band and caller featured (this one will make you think you are at a lesson): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6immc1rFUs
and one for English Country dancing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lghNoyVe-2o here:s a video of Elftones playing polkas. They have been one of the bands at the Contradancer's Holiday Delight held each winter in Morgantown WV, Dec 26-30. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfW89NhNlXc&mode=user&search= June 09 Talking about summer 2007 dances
Quote summer 2007 dances May 18 here's an interesting quote about dancePRAISE OF THE DANCE
I praise the dance, for it frees people from the heaviness of matter and binds the isolated to community. --From Billy Grant, Rome, GA contra dance I praise the dance, which demands everything: health and a clear spirit and a buoyant soul. Dance is a transformation of space, of time, of people, who are in constant danger of becoming all brain, will, or feeling. Dancing demands a whole person, one who is firmly anchored in the center of his life, who is not obsessed by lust for people and things and the demon of isolation in his own ego. Dancing demands a freed person, one who vibrates with the equipoise of all his powers. I praise the dance. O man, learn to dance, or else the angels in heaven will not know what to do with you. ----------Saint Augustine (A.D. 354 ... 430) May 11 Third Annual Dance in the MiddleTHIRD ANNUAL Dance in the Middle
Saturday July 28, 2007 12 noon to 11 pm
All events to be held at the Air-conditioned Grove City PA YMCA 543 E Main St Ext, Grove City PA 16127 724-458-9781
In a/c comfort, attend afternoon workshops in contra, swing, and waltz:
12 noon to 12:30: beginner contra workshop with Ruth Anne and friends
12 noon-12:30, beginner swing, then 12:45-1:30: 'cool moves' swing workshop with Sandra Jenkins
1:30-2:30 pm: Brian How returns with his witty and elegant waltz workshop
2:30-4:30 pm: Waltz to the lyrical playing of Bobbi Horvath on fiddle and Janet Lamonica on keyboard Snacks, plates, utensils, cups , water and cold beverages will be available all day. Bring blankets/lawn chairs/coolers with ice. (In case of inclement weather, inside dining available) Use of facilities includes showers and lockers. (Bring your own lock and towel.) Plenty of free onsite parking. No partner needed: singles, couples, families welcome.
Swing dance to recorded music through the dinner hours
7:30-10:30 pm: Contradance Performing for the first time in Grove City: Strings & Things www.AllRoadsLeadHome.com 330.667.0208 including Tina Bergmann on hammered dulcimer, guitar and vocals Heather Malyuk on guitar, fiddle, vocals David Rice on harmonica, fiddle, guitar Bryan Thomas on bass, chank-o-matic 6000
with returning caller extraordinaire: Carol Kopp
Donation : Pre-register by July 21st for entire day pass: $20 (25-65 years), $15 (under 25, over 65) Max per immediate family: $50 (for half day: $10 adults 25-65/$8 others /$25 family)
At the door: $15 pp for the afternoon, $15 pp for the evening contradance (and potluck)
(Will return $5 per hour of completed service at info desk, set up or clean up if you commit to a time with your pre-registration.) Early registration recommended. Full refund if you pre-register and then cannot come. For paid registrations received on or before July 21, there will be a drawing for one free family pass and one single person pass to all remaining dances in Grove City for 2007.
Charitable donation of 10% of all money collected will be given to the Grace Community Food Pantry , in keeping with a national initiative started by a dancer in Eugene, Oregon, who wants dancers to share their joy and goodwill for a local charitable cause. Extra donations will be forwarded to GCFP in their entirety.
When you register, indicate whether you are attending the afternoon, evening, or the full day. Include your 1) check or money order, 2) name(s) as you want on your name badge(s), 3) address, and 4) how many hours you wish to volunteer : \For further information call: 724-450-1149 or email: momthebirder@hotmail.com
If you need info about accommodations, or can provide hospitality for an out of town guest or two, please let Ruth Anne know. There will also be an after-dance cool-down party at Ruth Anne's, with brunch at Ruth Anne's on Sunday at 10 am for those staying in the area. Possibly an outdoor waltz as well!
February 02 Talking about news about dancing in Grove City PA
Quote Dance in Grove City Feb 10, 2007: Intro to Swing! 8 to 11pm Contradance FEb 24: college student band from Oberlin OH: Black River Ironworks Caller: Paul Balliet of Ohio. 7-10:30 pm at the YMCA news about dancing in Grove City PA January 13 news about dancing in Grove City PANext dance January 27, 2007. Fundraiser for the library. Come try out contradance and get over your fear of something new while helping 'Friends of the Library' (help yourself have too much fun, socialize in Grove City on a Saturday night, and get a little exercise!)
Sneak preview: swing dance comes to Grove City Feb 10, 2007. Same location: YMCA Grove City 8 to 11 pm October 23 next dances Nov 18 and Dec 16Come alone, come with a friend! come and find out how much fun it is to dance in Grove City at a contradance.
Nov 18 there will be a new band Magic Feet with a wonderful caller, Heidi Wettlaufer.
Dec 16 we'll host Tunescape, a lively band, and Ohio's nationally known caller Carol Kopp.
Come at 7pm for a brief introductory lesson. Other recent beginners will tell you: you will be dancing right away....and loving it!
Looking to 2007: the January 27 dance will be a fundraiser for the library....so get out there and have fun and support the library!
Ruth Anne October 14 Come to the next dance on October 21Be sure and come to the Contradance at the Grove City YMCA on Saturday October 21, 2006!!!
A brief lesson starts at 7pm, and dancing will be from 7:30-10:30pm.
Lovers of waltz will appreciate waltzes played on the break and after the dance.
This month we have a fantastic caller who gets everyone dancing right away....even beginners. Kenny Wilson has experience calling contradances for many years.
The band is back...one of our favorites...Band du Jour...wonderful musicians who play surprising music selections for contradance.
Sue Pellant Moore plays the winds, Rick Moore the fiddle and foot music, Annie Trimble the piano, and Dave Yates the bass.
Special this month: if you have to talk someone into coming to the dance with you, tell Ruth Anne when you pay to get in. There's a reward for 'reluctant partners' to come free their second time.
Ruth Anne 10/14/06 September 06 Welcome to Dancing in Grove City PAWelcome to the web site for contradances in Grove City PA.
Contradances are held monthly, with a few waltzes included at the breaks.
Annually a DANCE IN THE MIDDLE is held in mid-summer, with a waltz workshop, open waltzing, a potluck picnic, and a contradance.
The first DANCE IN THE MIDDLE was held on July 30, 2005, with over 90 happy attendees.
These dances are sponsored by Ruth Anne, a dance gypsy (the contradance term for one who travels as many hours or more as will be spent dancing). Her goal is to get more folks out on the dance floor here in Grove City PA, 'in the middle' of the nearby cities currently offering contradancing. (Those enlightened cities are Pittsburgh and Meadville in PA, and the greater Cleveland area in OH.)
Requested donations help to defray the cost of renting a space, hiring skilled callers, and booking great live bands.
Each dance is scheduled to include 1/2 hour for beginners to learn a few of the dance moves before the real fun begins.
Beginners are always welcomed and made to feel part of the dancing. We were all beginners once. Most contradancers love it so much that they are anxious to get all their friends, relatives, and acquaintances to join them. Contradance is a great community activity, welcoming singles, couples, families, teens and college students to mingle on the dance floor. Children who will be dancing are welcome (usually by age 8-12). Most dances can be enjoyed gender-free, so one does not need to come with a partner. Also, it is customary to ask an experienced dancer to dance (if you haven't been approached already), because you will have someone to guide you through the dances as you learn and have fun at the same time. The pattern of each dance is taught and practiced before the music sets your toes a-tapping.
Warning: wear layers you can shed as you warm up! Jeans or shorts are fine, but swirly skirts add a little pizzazz to your turns. Help to protect the dance floor by wearing or bringing in soft-soled shoes. (Suggestions are dance shoes, tennis shoes, or bowling shoes.) Plan on drinking plenty of water too. You may want to bring a closed water bottle.
Finally, expect to learn how fast three hours can fly by when you are having this much fun. You might not be able to dance EVERY dance the first time, but you'll wish you could. Callers will make sure that the dances are matching the skills of the dancers in the room, so everyone will have fun. Dances are especially easy at the beginning of the evening, so don't think "I'll just watch for a while first." NOT SO! Get out there right away and retrain those two left feet from the start!
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