Join us for an evening of contra dancing at American Legion Post #43, 143 Church Street in Belfast. The festivities begin at 6:30 pm, with a Community Dance called by Chrissy Fowler and with music by the All Comers Band. All musicians are welcome to sit in. Fun and simple dances will be taught, giving beginners the opportunity to learn new skills and offering experienced dancers a chance to brush up on their steps. The Contra Dance begins at 8:00 pm.
This month’s caller is Belfast’s own Chrissy Fowler. A founder and leading light of the Belfast Flying Shoes dance series, Chrissy called her first dance in 1999. Since then, she has cheerfully guided people through the steps of contra dances at festivals, schools, dance series, and special events throughout New England. She is especially gifted at introducing the joys of traditional dance to the uninitiated in educational, community and professional settings. Chrissy is committed to building community and sees traditional dancing as a vital means to connect people of all ages and levels of experience.
Sharing the Flying Shoes stage with Chrissy will be:
Cedar Stanistreet, Jonathan Cannon, and Ness Smith-Savedoff
Cedar and Ness are well known and loved in contra dance circles across North America, playing with a variety of bands such as Cloud Ten, Nor’easter, Nova, and Gallimaufry. Jonathan is a multi-talented musician, teacher, and organizer steeped in both Klezmer and contra dance traditions (as well as computational neuroscience and game design). Together they create a vivid blend of musical styles, weaving melodies, harmonies, and rhythmic riffs to propel the dance.
- Cedar Stanistreet—fiddle
- Jonathan Cannon—fiddle and guitar
- Ness Smith-Savedoff—percussion
Sound provided by Eric Weest Johnson
Admission to the Community Dance is $2 for adults and $1 for children. Admission to the Contradance is $10 for adults, $8 for ages 13 to 20 and adult All Comers, and $5 for children. Bring along a window fan and get $1 off. For more information: call 338-0979, email us at [email protected], or find us on Facebook.