October 20th English country dance

Save the date for our Annual Holiday Tea, to be held on December 15th at Camp Pollock!

Talent: Gary Sandler and Yvonne Couvillion calling to the music of Quite Carried Away
Date: Sunday, October 20, 2019
Time: 2:00-5:00 pm, with newcomer’s workshop at 1:30 pm
Location: Camp Pollock, 1501 Northgate Blvd, Sacramento, CA
Cost: $10 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check)

Come and help us celebrate the first anniversary of our Sacramento English country dance with our two favorite local callers and our house band. Yes, there will be cake! Gary Sandler believes in helping dancers get more fun out of their dances, whether through safe and comfortable hand-holds or clear direct instructions.  He likes to vary the dance structures, shifting from lines to circles and squares.  Yvonne Couvillion began calling 30 years ago. She met her husband Andre at a contra dance in Bastrop, Texas 26 years ago. They now live in Sacramento where they attend, teach and host a variety of dance events, including English country dance. Quite Carried Away, is Susan Jones, Arlene Jamar, Sandy Westfall, Jane Kostka, Martin Lodahl, and Dick Holdstock. Ask about their CD!

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:
October 26: contra dance
November 3: English country dance in Roseville
November 9: contra dance

October 12th potluck and special contra dance

Don’t miss the amazing talent at this Saturday’s contra dance! We’ll host two special guests — pianist Jeff Spero of The Syncopaths and fiddler Rodney Miller of The Stringrays — courtesy of the members of our dance community who contributed to SCDS on the Big Day of Giving. And Pam Wade is going to bring chocolate cake for the break!

Talent: Susan Petrick calling to the music of Rodney Miller and Jeff Spero
Date: Saturday, October 12, 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)

We’ll kick off the night’s festivities with a community potluck, starting at 5:30 pm in the Nevada City Room at Coloma Community Center. Please bring a dish to share, along with serving utensils, and whatever you want to drink (non-alcoholic). You may also bring your own table setting to save on disposables. We will provide plates, napkins, and utensils.

Susan Petrick is a regional treasure with national prominence, who tours throughout the country calling for dance weekends and festivals. She is well-known for her clear teaching, efficient guidance, and expert pacing, making even complex dances accessible to all.

Jeff Spero is one of the premiere dance pianists on the west coast. Known for his energetic style and creative arrangements, Jeff has brought his talents to dances and festivals throughout the nation. His accompaniments bring a fresh perspective to traditional forms. Through performances with The Syncopaths and The Rhythm Raptors, along with renowned fiddlers Richard Greene (Bluegrass), Kathleen Keane (Irish), Laura Risk (Scottish), and Tom Sauber (old-time), Jeff’s reputation as a highly sought after pianist has been well established.

Rodney Miller was designated a “Master Fiddler” in 1983 by the National Endowment for the Arts and is widely considered to be the foremost exponent of New England-style fiddling, a unique American blend of French Canadian and Celtic influences. He has toured the US, British Isles, Australia and Denmark, performed at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and appeared on Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion. He founded the influential contra dance band Airdance and is presently enlivening the contra dance scene with The Stringrays, The Rhythm Raptors, and the Blue Ribbon Dance Band.

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:
October 20: English country dance in Sacramento
October 26: contra dance
November 3: English country dance in Roseville

Winters contra and English country dances

We’re hosting two dances at the same time on the afternoon of Sunday, October 6th: a special contra dance in Winters and an English country dance in Roseville. Details for both dances are below.

 

Winters contra dance

Talent: Erik Hoffman calling to the music of Sactown Revelers
Date: Sunday, October 6, 2019
Time: 2:00–5:00 pm, with newcomer’s orientation at 1:30 pm
Location: The Palms Playhouse, 13 Main St, Winters, CA
Cost: $12 for adults; $8 for college students with ID

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 1:30 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, October 6, 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)

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!

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:
October 12: potluck and contra dance
October 20: English country dance
October 26: contra dance

September 28th contra dance

Talent: Yoyo Zhou calling to the music of Chaos Wranglers
Date: Saturday, September 28, 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)

Yoyo Zhou is a caller from Berkeley who is known for his thoughtful teaching and fun dances. He has been calling dances since 2012, sometimes on a few minutes’ notice. He believes in helping dancers get the most out of each dance. Chaos Wranglers (Erik Hoffman, Topher Gayle, and Kenny Blacklock) bring a wild variety of instrumental textures and styles to their music. Spontaneous arrangements of traditional and newer tunes blend in creative, crazy ways. You’ll hear echoes of Topher’s and Erik’s former bands, of course, but the addition of Kenny’s gorgeous violin and piano (and other stuff) will bring new sounds to make your feet happy!

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:
October 6: English country dance in Roseville
October 6: Winters contra dance
October 12: potluck and contra dance

September 15th English country dance

There are a few spots left for Echo Summit Dance Camp on the weekend of September 13-15, featuring Gaye Fifer, Sarah VanNorstrand, Notorious, and Seaglass. Check out their music on a radio program by one of our dancers. Register soon if you want to attend! No walk-ins are accepted.

Talent: Bruce Hamilton calling to the music of Quite Carried Away
Date: Sunday, September 15, 2019
Time: 2:00-5:00 pm, with newcomer’s workshop at 1:30 pm
Location: Camp Pollock, 1501 Northgate Blvd, Sacramento, CA
Cost: $10 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check)

September is Bring a Friend for Free Month! This is a perfect time to bring along a new dancer, as each paying dancer may bring one first-time attendee for free.

Bruce Hamilton is in demand all over the world because of his calling and instructional skills. His program of familiar and new dances will be made all the more pleasurable by our house band, 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. Ask about their CD!

As usual, beginners are welcome and no partners are necessary. All first-timers are eligible to receive a coupon for half off their next dance if they attend our introductory session that begins at 1:30 pm. Please bring a snack to share at the dance.

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

Upcoming events:
September 13-15: Echo Summit Dance Camp
September 28: contra dance
October 6: English country dance in Roseville
October 6: Winters contra dance

September 1st English country dance

We have only a few spots left for Echo Summit Dance Camp on the weekend of September 13-15, featuring Gaye Fifer, Sarah VanNorstrand, Notorious, and Seaglass. Check out their music on a radio program by one of our dancers. Register soon if you want to attend!

Talent: Bonnie Richardson and Alan Winston calling to the music of Quite Carried Away
Date: Sunday, September 1, 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)

September is Bring a Friend for Free Month! This is a perfect time to bring along a new dancer, as each paying dancer may bring one first-time attendee for free.

This week two callers are teaming up to bring us a program that includes a couple of dances from our request list, more time to learn “Prince William,” a dance we re-taught in August, dances written by each of the callers, and more! Bonnie Richardson is a local treasure from Napa who calls frequently for the North Bay Country Dance Society. Alan Winston has called for balls, camps, and special events from Southern California to the Bay Area to Oregon, Washington, and Victoria BC. His clear, cheerful, and witty instruction serve dancers well, and it is Alan’s great joy to share the joy of community through country dance. Our house band, 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.

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 the 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:
September 13-15: Echo Summit Dance Camp
September 15: English country dance at Camp Pollock
September 28: contra dance

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