Join us for an evening of contra dancing at American Legion Post #43, 143 Church Street in Belfast. The fun begins 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 featured caller is David Millstone. David started contra dancing with Dudley Laufman in the early 1970s and for 40 years has called dances throughout the US, Canada, and Europe. His monthly dance in Norwich, Vermont, with the band Northern Spy, had one of the longest runs of any dance series in New England: 1980–2015. With a repertoire ranging from traditional New England chestnuts to high-energy recent compositions, David calls contras, squares, and interesting dances in odd formations. He is known for his clear and supportive teaching style, the breadth of his repertoire, his sense of humor, and his ability to pick dances that offer the right level of challenge for all audiences. Sharing the Flying Shoes stage with David will be …
The Organic Family Band
One of the joys of contra dancing in Belfast is the thriving multi-generational community that gathers every First Friday on the Flying Shoes dance floor. So we’re always excited to welcome a band that mirrors our multilayered demographic, and that’s what we’ll do this month with the Organic Family Band. Based in Baltimore, MD, the band consists of 13-year-old lead fiddler Rebekah Geller, father (and experienced jazz musician) Michael Raitzik on guitar, brother Jakob Raitzik (18) on fiddle and foot percussion, and mother Juditch Geller on French horn. They describe their style as “blending jazz, Irish, Quebecois, Klezmer, New England, ragtime, rock, and more to create a soundscape that’ll keep you moving and grooving all night long!”
Rebekah Geller—fiddle
Jakob Raitzyk—fiddle & foot percussion
Michael Raitzyk—guitar
Judith Geller—french horn
Sound provided by Eric Johnson
Admission to the Community Dance is $2 for adults and $1 for children. Admission to the Contra Dance 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 email us at [email protected], or find us on Facebook.