August 24th contra dance

We have a few spots left for Echo Summit Dance Camp on the weekend of September 13-15, featuring Gaye Fifer, Sarah VanNorstrand, Notorious, and Seaglass. Register soon if you want to attend!

Talent: Talib Huff calling to the music of our community band
Date: Saturday, August 24, 2019
Time: 7:00–10:00 pm, with newcomer’s orientation at 6:30 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)

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. 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 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.

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

Upcoming events:
September 1: English country dance in Roseville
September 13-15: Echo Summit Dance Camp
September 15: English country dance at Camp Pollock

August 18th English country dance

Talent: Alisa Dodson calling to the music of Quite Carried Away
Date: Sunday, August 18, 2019
Time: 2:00-5:00 pm, with newcomer’s workshop at 1:30 pm
Location: Camp Pollock, 1501 Northgate Blvd, Sacramento
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. 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. Ask about their CD!

Did you enjoy a particular dance and want it repeated in a future program? During the dance, step over the whiteboard that lists the dances we’re doing and place a checkmark next to the dance you’d like to repeat. We’ll incorporate requested dances into upcoming programs.

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 24: contra dance
September 1: English country dance in Roseville
September 13-15: Echo Summit Dance Camp

August 10th contra dance

We have a few spots left for Echo Summit Dance Camp on the weekend of September 13-15, featuring Gaye Fifer, Sarah VanNorstrand, Notorious, and Seaglass. Register soon if you want to attend!

Talent: Talib Huff calling to the music of The Reno Ceilidh Band
Date: Saturday, August 10, 2019
Time: 7:00–10:00 pm, with newcomer’s orientation at 6:30 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)

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. (Lynn Ackerson will not be able to join us, as originally scheduled, because of a family emergency.) The Reno Ceilidh Band is Bob Kastelic on fiddle and Scotty Cozen on mandolin, ukulele, and guitar.

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.

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

Upcoming events:
August 18: English country dance at Camp Pollock
August 24: contra dance
September 1: English country dance in Roseville

August 4th English country dance

Talent: David Newitt calling to the music of Quite Carried Away
Date: Sunday, August 4, 2019
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)

David Newitt 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. One of the most accomplished country dance teachers in the Bay Area, David is known for his mastery of dance geography and his ability to make complicated dances seem simple.

Quite Carried Away 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. Ask about their CD!

Did you enjoy a particular dance and want it repeated in a future program? During the dance, step over the whiteboard that lists the dances we’re doing and place a checkmark next to the dance you’d like to repeat. We’ll incorporate requested dances into upcoming programs.

Please bring a snack to share. 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 10: contra dance
August 18: English country dance
August 24: contra dance

July 27th contra dance

Talent: Mark Goodwin calling to the music of Whimsical
Date: Saturday, July 27, 2019
Time: 7:00–10:00 pm, with newcomer’s orientation at 6:30 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)

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. Whimsical is an all female contra dance band, featuring Regan Hemphill on fiddle, Debra Tayleur on piano, Janette Duncan on fiddle, and Beth Christian on cello. The group loves to combine strong rhythmic drive with lilting melodies, combining New England, old-time, Quebecois, and Irish tunes to make dancers’ spirits and feet fill the floor with joy.

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.

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

Upcoming events:
August 4: English country dance
August 10: contra dance
August 18: English country dance

July 21st English country dance

• Talent: David Newitt calling to the music of Quite Carried Away
• Date: Sunday, July 21, 2019
• Time: 2:00-5:00 pm, with newcomer’s workshop at 1:30 pm
• Location: Camp Pollock, 1501 Northgate Blvd, Sacramento
• Cost: $10 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check)

Please be aware that the Army Corps of Engineers is working on levees near Camp Pollock at least until October. You will not be affected if you travel to Camp Pollock via Hwy 160 northbound and exit at Northgate Blvd, or if you take Garden Highway westbound and turn left onto Northgate Blvd. However, Garden Highway eastbound is closed from I-5 to Northgate Blvd. Instead use the Richards Blvd exit from I-5, drive east until it dead-ends at 16th Street, turn left, and immediately take the Northgate Blvd exit.

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 for his mastery of dance geography and his ability to make complicated dances seem simple.

Quite Carried Away 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. Ask about their CD!

Please bring a snack to share. 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:
July 27: contra dance
August 4: English country dance
August 10: contra dance

July 13th contra dance

Talent: Erik Hoffman calling to the music of Sactown Revelers
Date: Saturday, July 13, 2019
Time: 7:00–10:00 pm, with newcomer’s orientation at 6:30 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)

Local favorite Erik Hoffman brings clear teaching and calling, and a sense of humor. Formerly known as Contrapositive, the Sactown Revelers are Cynthia Llano on guitar, Allen Barnes on rhythm mandolin, and Kathrine Gardner, who has been a dedicated dance fiddler since the mid 80’s, and has played in many great Bay Area bands. Many have fallen in love with her ethereal yet driving fiddle playing. 

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.

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

Upcoming events:
July 21: English country dance
July 27: contra dance
August 4: English country dance