Cooperstown Contra Dance

February 3rd Contradance

2012-01-21T21:36:00.003-05:00

Our next monthly contradance will be held on Friday February 3rd at the Presbyterian Church in Cooperstown. Hilton Baxter will be calling to music by Peter Blue & Friends.

Hilton began calling contradances in the late 1990's and was the founder of the Contradance in Binghamton.
He has called with many of the great contra musicians, primarily in Eastern Pennsylvania and Upstate New York.

Peter has been playing for contradances for many years. His skills include playing a variety of percussion instruments, diatonic accordions and the nyckelharpa and his repertoire spans traditional and contemporary,
with a special love for Quebecois and Swedish music.

Peter plays with many 'Friends', musicians from the local area. For this dance, we are expecting Carol Mandigo on guitar and a surprise fiddler. Whoever he brings, he always provides an exciting evening of music
and fun.

January 6th Contradance

2012-01-04T09:05:00.000-05:00

Our first contradance in 2012 will be held on Friday January 6th at the Presbyterian Church in Cooperstown. Peter Blue will be calling and music will be provided by Erik House and Carol Mandigo,

Both Erik and Carol are local performers who have been playing for more that 30 year each. Erik, a familiar face from Springfield Center, has been fiddling most of his life. Carol plays guitar and frequently teams up with other area musicians. Their repertoire is primarily a mix of Irish, French Canadian & American dance tunes.

Peter Blue has been calling contradances throughout the Northeast for years. He has an easygoing calling style and sense of humor that makes the dances enjoyable for everyone at all levels of dance experience.
In addition, he occasionally joins with the band, adding his percussion & instrumental skills.

We're looking forward to another great year ofmusic and dancing...hope to see you Friday!

December 2nd Contradance

2011-11-22T21:08:00.014-05:00

As we head into the holiday season, the ODS December dance will feature Casey Mullaney calling and music performed by August Wheat. The dance will be held Friday December 2nd at the Presbyterian Church in Cooperstown at 8:00 pm.

August Wheat, one of the featured groups at this year's Phylla Mae Festival, is composed of fiddlers Hope Grietzer and Eileen Nicholson and Tom Hodgson on guitar.

Hope is a recent inductee into the NYS Fiddlers' Hall of Fame and, in addition to performing, is a popular fiddling teacher. (See more about Hope on her website http://happyhollowmusic.com/ ).

Eileen grew up playing both violin and fiddle and adds a smooth sound to the trio.
Tom's innovative guitar embellishment has accompanied many of the great fiddlers, and he plays regularly with Hope and Eileen, as well as for the Contradictions and other bands.

Casey is an up-and-coming young caller from Niskayuna, NY. She is a student at Hartwick College and after becoming involved in the Pine Lake dance series, her love of dancing led her into becoming a caller. Since then, she has been calling at dances throughout Central New York.

November 4th Contradance

2011-10-16T10:36:00.000-04:00

For this month's dance, Bob Nicholson calling for the band Smash the Windows.
Band members include Bruce Young on fiddle and guitar, Peggy Shutes, piano and dulcimer, and Patty Lambert, playing flute, concertina and whistles.
Their music features Sligo-style Irish and New England jigs and reels, as well as bluegrass and traditional old-time tunes.

Bob Nicholson is a popular caller from the Syracuse area. His easy-going style always makes the dance fun. And he is especially well-known for making newcomers feel welcome and proficient.

For more information about Smash the Windows, check out their website at
http:www.myspace.com/smashthewindows/ .

This should be a rousing evening, filled with great music and fun for both experienced dancers and beginners as well.

October 7th Contradance

2011-09-25T14:39:00.000-04:00

After a great kick-off to the fall season in September, we will be continuing our dances with the young and exciting band Tunescape.
Band members include our local favorite Peter Blue on button accordion, percussion and nyckelharpa as well as musicians Tim Ball on fiddle, Nadine Dyskant-Miller on flute, Jodi Austin on keyboard and Rachel Bell on accordian.
Tunescape's creative approach is inspired by music from Ireland, New England, Quebec, Sweden and Appalachia, and will offer you an unforgettable dance experience!

Calling for Tunescape will be Katy Heine from Ithaca, who has been calling in the Finger Lakes region for many years. She's known for her clear teaching style and for her large repertoire of fun and flowing dances.
For more information about Tunescape, check out their website at http://tunescape.org/ . And Katy's website is http://katyheine.com .
With a combination like Tunescape and Katy, it should be a fun-filled evening, full of surprises and great music! Looking forward to another great crowd.

September 2 Contradance

2011-08-02T13:39:00.000-04:00

Summer's coming to an end and we will kick off the Fall schedule with a contradance on Friday, September 2. Casey Carr will be calling, with music by Miss Marty & SGB.

Casey has been calling zesty contras and squares for more than 25 years at major festivals throughout the Northeast and, more recently, in and around Ithaca and Central New York. Her interesting dance selection enables beginners to feel at ease and confident while also including more compelling ones for experienced dancers. And look for her at next year's Flurry in Feb. 2012!

Ms. Marty Blodgett brings her lively and creative fiddling from Ithaca, NY. She is joined by her 'Smokin' Good Band', made up of Jess Youngquest on guitar, mandolin and vocals, Tod Sukontarak on mandolin, and Joe Crumm on bass. Their fun-loving style includes fiddle tunes and rags, with an occasional vocal, and should make for a great evening!

Start your Labor Day weekend festivities with us at 8:00 pm Friday.
(if you are new, be sure to arrive promptly, since there is more teaching during the early dances.)