We dance mostly New England style contras and other traditional styles every Thursday at Covenant United Methodist Church. We offer an easy and friendly pre-dance lesson every week at about 7:40 or so for newcomers.

UPCOMING Contras

Thursday, May 30, 2013 - Contra Dance

Caller:  Maxine McDonald
Band: Barbara Dyskant and Nadine Dyskant-Miller

This will be a fun dance with music by a terrific mother-daughter band.  Nadine will be playing flute and feet (foot percussion!) and Barb will work her magic on the keyboard.  Well-chosen dances called with spot-on timing.  A fun evening!

Thursday, June 6, 2013 - Contra Dance

Caller: Bob Nicholson
Band: Nor’Easter!

Can’t beat this combination:  traveling band Nor’Easter will bring their own high-energy music with Boston area musicians Cedar Stanistreet, fiddle, Max Newman, mandolin, guitar, and Julie Vallimont, piano, accordion.  Bob Nicholson always provides a great collection of dances, clearly taught and expertly called.

Thursday, June 13, 2013 - Contra Dance

Caller: Casey Carr!
Band: Tempest!

Tempest is a jazzy, Latin, rockin’ cool band led by Chuck Abell on guitar and Tim Ball on fiddle.  Casey Carr travels from Ithaca tonight to call some of her favorite dances.

Thursday, June 20, 2013 - Contra Dance

Caller: David Smuckler
Band: Jaige Trudel and Adam Broome

Two fabulous musicians who will be on our main stage this year at our Thanksgiving festival are currently on tour.  You’ll love their uplifting, rhythmic and hypnotic dance music.  Calling tonight is the long-time, well-respected caller from Syracuse, David Smukler.

 

Thursday, June 27, 2013 - Contra Dance

Caller: Sharon Perry
Band: Daphne Kanack, Casey Murray, and Donal Sheets

Another fabulous night of music!  Daphne plays the fiddle with imagination and drive, Casey and Donal both play cello and they may pull out a few other instruments as well.  Well selected dances by our own Sharon Perry.

 

Thursday, July 11, 2013 - Contra Dance

Caller: Margaret Mathews!
Band: Esteemed Clams

We dance every Thursday; you’ll always have a good time at the Contra Dance!

Thursday, July 18, 2013 - Contra Dance

Caller: Sarah VanNorstrand
Band: Perpetual eMotion!

Wow!  A band like no other makes a stop in Rochester tonight.  Perpetual eMotion is on the cutting edge of contra  music, electrifying dancers with their exciting music: Ed Howe on 5-string electric violin and John Coté on acoustic electric guitar and didgeridoo.  Great dances called by enthusiastic Sarah VanNorstrand.

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English Country dances are held 1st, 3rd and 4th Sundays at First Baptist Church, with an advanced dance on 2nd Sundays. Pre-dance intro to English dancing session offered at 6:10 pm for newcomers.

 

UPCOMING English DANCES

Sunday, May 26, 2013 - English Dance

Caller:  Richard Sauvain
Band:  Happy Endings

With Eileen Nicholson on violin, Rachel Bell on accordion and Jane Knoeck on piano, we’ll have music that will lift your heart!  Our caller draws on a wealth of experience.

Sunday, June 2, 2013 - English Dance

Caller: David Smukler
Band: Serendipity

Start summer right by coming to enjoy a great caller and super music from Serendipity: Barb Seppeler on piano, Laurie Giroux Williams on flute, Molly Jaynes on violin and Laurel Sharp on winds.

Sunday, June 9, 2013 - English Dance

Caller: Bob Nicholson
Band: Kathy Selby, Gordon Bonnet & Gail Blake

A talented trio of Ithaca musicians — playing violin, flute & guitar, and a friendly & skilled caller. This is a regular ‘all welcome’ dance, not an advanced dance (even though it is a 2nd Sunday).

Sunday, June 16, 2013 - English Dance

Caller: Carmen Giunta
Band: Contrapasso

Passionate, inventive music from Tim Ball and Roberta Truscello, and a caller with a great repertoire.  And if that weren’t enough, it’s our annual Strawberry Shortcake Night!

Sunday, June 23, 2013 - English Dance

Caller: Dan Seppeler
Band: Barb Seppeler

Our own local calling and playing couple, both passionate about English Country dance!  They are becoming more and more well known and in fact will be touring all over the Northeast for three weeks in July.

Sunday, July 7, 2013 - English Dance

Caller: David Smukler
Band: tba

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