August 25th contra dance

Talent: Kelsey Hartman calling to the music of our Community Band
Date: Saturday, August 25, 2018
Time: 8:00–11:00 pm, with newcomer’s orientation at 7:30 pm
Location: Coloma Community Center, 4623 T St, Sacramento
Cost: $12 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check)

Kelsey is a “contraholic,” who can often be found dancing or calling a contra dance. Her inspiration comes from Nils Fredland, whose workshop in 2012 spurred her down the caller’s path. When calling, she considers herself a conduit between the dancers and the band, helping to channel the joy of the music through flowing, interesting dances. Music for this dance will be provided by our Community Band, led by Claudia Kirkpatrick. All musicians are welcome to play! Send an email to Claudia (kirkmusic@hotmail.com) for a PDF file of the music and the time and place of practice.

A newcomer’s orientation is offered at 7:30 pm, perfect for people who have not contra danced before, or who could use some refresher. Experienced dancers are invited to partner with newcomers during the orientation and early dances to help integrate them into the community.

No partners are needed, so come by yourself or with friends or with family. Potluck snacks are available at the break, and we encourage you to bring something to share. These events are accessible to people with disabilities.

For more information, and lost and found, contact Laura Leonelli, 916-549-7093, or email info@sactocds.org

Upcoming events:
September 8: contra dance
September 9th (second Sunday): English country dance
September 22: contra dance
September 29: zesty contra dance

August 11th contra dance

Talent: Mike Fynan calling to the music of Nanette Fynan and Peter Tracy
Date: Saturday, August 11, 2018
Time: 8:00–11:00 pm, with newcomer’s orientation at 7:30 pm
Location: Coloma Community Center, 4623 T St, Sacramento, CA
Cost: $12 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check)

Hailing from Santa Rosa, Mike Fynan is a flashy and innovative caller. Nanette Fynan has been playing the violin for 47 years and teaching for 32 years. She began playing for dances after the family hosted a dancing fiddling workshop and received a grant from the Country Dance and Song Society in 2010 for the training of young dance musicians. Peter Tracy picked up an acoustic guitar at age 11 and learned from the radio how to play.  When he was drafted, he went off to Vietnam with acoustic guitar in hand. After his return, he struggled with PTSD, but in the mid-eighties, he found his musical spark again with friends who formed The Splinter Group. In addition to contra dances, he performs at Veterans for Peace events.

A newcomer’s orientation is offered at 7:30 pm, perfect for people who have not contra danced before, or who could use some refresher. Experienced dancers are invited to partner with newcomers during the orientation and early dances to help integrate them into the community.

No partners are needed, so come by yourself or with friends or with family. Potluck snacks are available at the break, and we encourage you to bring something to share. These events are accessible to people with disabilities.

For more information, and lost and found, contact Laura Leonelli, 916-549-7093, or email info@sactocds.org

Upcoming events:
August 25: contra dance
September 8: contra dance
September 9th (second Sunday): English country dance

August 5th English country dance & picnic

• Talent: David Newitt calling to the music of Quite Carried Away
• Date: Sunday, August 5, 2018
• Time: 2:00-5:00 pm, with newcomer’s workshop at 1:30 pm
• Location: Polish American Hall, 327 Main St, Roseville
• Cost: $10 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check)

The Picnic: It’s time for our annual potluck picnic! Paul and Patty Larsen have once again invited us to their lovely home for a picnic immediately following this Sunday’s dance. Directions will be available at the dance. The Larsens will provide hamburgers and veggie burgers, and SCDS will provide the condiments, plates, and utensils. Please bring a side dish (appetizer, salad, fruit, dessert) of your choice, plus whatever you want to drink. Don’t forget your swimsuit and towel, so you can enjoy their pool!

The Dance: David Newitt came to Berkeley in 1982 to work on a Ph.D. in physics and to do country and display dancing. He teaches and plays music for regular Scottish and English dances and calls contras and the occasional square dance by night, while doing research in Magnetic Resonance Imaging at UCSF by day. David is one of the most accomplished country dance teachers in the Bay Area, known particularly for his mastery of dance geography and his ability to make complicated dances seem simple.

Give them English country dance music to play, and they’re Quite Carried Away. The band is Dick Holdstock on octave mandolin and banjo, Susan Jones and Sandra Westfall on concertinas, Arlene Jamar on piano, Jane Kostka on whistle, Martin Lodahl on viola da gamba, and David Wright on fiddle and mandolin. Their new CD will be available for purchase!

We often feature one dance each afternoon with little or no teaching or calling, “for those who know.” Since “The Fandango” was taught at the June dance, we will feature it as this month’s FTWK dance, so that those who learned it will have a chance to practice. In addition, David will teach a previous FTWK dance, Companions, to everyone.

As usual, beginners are welcome and no partners are necessary.  If you are bringing, or know of any, first-timers, please urge them to come at 1:30 for the introductory workshop that precedes the dance.  All dancers are welcome at the workshop, but first-time attendees receive a coupon for half-off admission at their next dance!

For more information, and lost and found, call Laura Leonelli, 916-549-7093, or email info@sactocds.org.

Upcoming events:
August 11: contra dance
August 25: contra dance
September 8: contra dance
September 9th (second Sunday): English country dance

July 28th contra dance

Talent: Mark Goodwin calling to the music of Reno Ceilidh Band
Time: 8:00–11:00 pm, with newcomer’s orientation at 7:30 pm
Date: Saturday, July 28, 2018
Location: Coloma Community Center, 4623 T St, Sacramento, CA
Cost: $12 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check)

 

Mark Goodwin began calling contra dance in Chico in 2001 and has called for local regional dances, including Nevada City and Newcastle. His aim is to call programs that bring everyone along for the ride, with dances that are memorable, have intuitive transitions, and weave familiar and interesting elements into a variety of dancer interactions. The Reno Ceilidh Band is Bob Kastelic and Scott Cozen.

A newcomer’s orientation is offered at 7:30 pm, perfect for people who have not contra danced before, or who could use some refresher. Experienced dancers are invited to partner with newcomers during the orientation and early dances to help integrate them into the community.

No partners are needed, so come by yourself or with friends or with family. Potluck snacks are available at the break, and we encourage you to bring something to share. These events are accessible to people with disabilities.

For more information, and lost and found, contact Laura Leonelli, 916-549-7093, or email info@sactocds.org

Upcoming events:
August 5: English country dance
August 11: contra dance

July 14th contra dance

Talent: Talib Huff calling to the music of Thomas Angell, Dane Miller, and Lauren Leverone
Time: 8:00–11:00 pm, with newcomer’s orientation at 7:30 pm
Date: Saturday, July 14, 2018
Location: Coloma Community Center, 4623 T St, Sacramento, CA
Cost: $12 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check)

Talib Huff has been calling dances for over 20 years. He currently calls primarily in the Sacramento region and has led dances for local groups, schools wedding, festivals and dance communities.

A newcomer’s orientation is offered at 7:30 pm, perfect for people who have not contra danced before, or who could use some refresher. Experienced dancers are invited to partner with newcomers during the orientation and early dances to help integrate them into the community.

No partners are needed, so come by yourself or with friends or with family. Potluck snacks are available at the break, and we encourage you to bring something to share. These events are accessible to people with disabilities.

For more information, and lost and found, contact Laura Leonelli, 916-549-7093, or email info@sactocds.org

Upcoming events:
July 28: contra dance
August 5: English country dance
August 11: contra dance

Truckee contra dance & English country dance

We’re hosting two dances this weekend: a special contra dance in Truckee on Saturday, June 30th, and an English country dance in Roseville on Sunday, July 1st. Details for both dances are below.

 

Truckee contra dance

Please join us for a special dance held jointly with the contra dance communities in the Foothills and Reno! Note that the location and time are different from usual. Some people will be staying in the area and may be hiking on Sunday. Please contact Barbara Gebhart at bgebhart2000@yahoo.com or 916-761-3021 for info about camping.

Talent: Andy Shore calling to the music of Star Thistle
Date: Saturday, June 30, 2018
Time: 7:00–10:00 pm, with newcomer’s orientation at 6:30 pm
Location: Truckee Community Center, 10046 Church St., Truckee, CA
Cost: $12 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check)

With over 26 years experience in teaching and leading social dance, Andy Shore has been calling contra dances since 2007. He calls both traditional and “gender role free” contra dances and loves everything from teaching beginners to satisfying seasoned dancers. Star Thistle plays contra dances featuring Celtic, old-time, and other music. The band is Lonna Whipple (fiddle), David Wright (fiddle and mandolin), and Cheryl McKinney (keyboard), with special guest Sue Jones (concertina and recorder).

A newcomer’s orientation is offered at 6:30 pm, perfect for people who have not contra danced before, or who could use some refresher. Experienced dancers are invited to partner with newcomers during the orientation and early dances to help integrate them into the community.

No partners are needed, so come by yourself or with friends or with family. Potluck snacks are available at the break, and we encourage you to bring something to share. These events are accessible to people with disabilities.

 

English country dance:

• Talent: Alisa Dodson calling to the music of Quite Carried Away
• Date: Sunday, July 1, 2018
• Time: 2:00-5:00 pm, with newcomer’s workshop at 1:30 pm
• Location: Polish American Hall, 327 Main St, Roseville
• Cost: $10 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check)

Alisa Dodson has been English country dancing since 1980 and calling since 1990. She was involved in BACDS dance in the Bay Area for many years before moving away, and she now lives in the old gold mining town of Murphys.

Give seven musicians and friends some English country dance music to play, and they’re Quite Carried Away! Our house band is Dick Holdstock on octave mandolin and banjo, Susan Jones and Sandra Westfall on concertinas, Arlene Jamar on piano, Jane Kostka on whistle, Martin Lodahl on viola da gamba, and David Wright on fiddle and mandolin. Their new CD will be available for purchase!

FTWK stands for “for those who know.” We often feature one dance each afternoon with little or no teaching or calling, for folks who have previously learned it. This month, we will be re-teaching “The Fandango” to everyone. This is your chance to learn or master this wonderful three-couple dance, so that you’ll be able to do it without any prompting the next time it’s announced as a FTWK.

As usual, beginners are welcome and no partners are necessary.  If you are bringing, or know of any, first-timers, please urge them to come at 1:30 for the introductory workshop that precedes the dance.  All dancers are welcome at the workshop, but first-time attendees receive a coupon for half-off admission at their next dance!

 

For more information on either dance, and lost and found, contact Laura Leonelli, 916-549-7093, or email info@sactocds.org.

Upcoming events:
July 14: contra dance
July 28: contra dance
August 5: English country dance

June 23rd contra dance

Talent: Kelsey Hartman calling to the music of BLAM!
Date: Saturday, June 23, 2018
Time: 8:00–11:00 pm, with newcomer’s orientation at 7:30 pm
Location: Coloma Community Center, 4623 T St, Sacramento, CA
Cost: $12 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check)

Kelsey is a “contraholic,” who can often be found dancing or calling a contra dance. When calling, she considers herself a conduit between the dancers and the band, helping to channel the joy of the music through flowing, interesting dances. BLAM! is Bob Silberstein on piano and doumbek, Elizabeth Todd on flutes, whistle, bodhran, and foot percussion, and Marta Lynch on fiddle.

A newcomer’s orientation is offered at 7:30 pm, perfect for people who have not contra danced before, or who could use some refresher. Experienced dancers are invited to partner with newcomers during the orientation and early dances to help integrate them into the community.

No partners are needed, so come by yourself or with friends or with family. Potluck snacks are available at the break, and we encourage you to bring something to share. These events are accessible to people with disabilities.

For more information, and lost and found, contact Laura Leonelli, 916-549-7093, or email info@sactocds.org

Upcoming events:
June 30: special Truckee contra dance
July 1: English country dance
July 14: contra dance