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 easy 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 Vermont-based Mary Wesley. Mary is a dance leader, caller, and organizer for contras, squares, morris, and family and community dances. A native of Vermont, she travels throughout New England and beyond to share her friendly enthusiasm and love of dance. When she isn’t calling, Mary works at the Vermont Folklife Center, in Middlebury,
Sharing the Flying Shoes stage with Mary will be:
Maivish
Maivish taps a deep vein of musical tradition that spans from the British Isles to North America. Fiddler Jaige Trudel grew up in Vermont, in a musical family, and has performed professionally since 2001. Guitarist Adam Broome was raised in the Cotswolds in west central England and has pursued a lifelong passion for traditional English dance music and song. (Trudel and Broome were also two thirds of the dance trio Crowfoot.) Matthew Olwell, on blackwood flute and percussion, has been performing and teaching as a dancer and percussionist at festivals and theatres across North America and Europe since 1996. Maivish is celebrated for a powerfully rhythmic and lyrical sound that is honed to perfection for dancing. The name Maivish comes from an English colloquial term for the song thrush.
Jaige Trudel—fiddle
Adam Broome—guitar
Matthew Olwell—flute, percussion
Sound provided by Eric Weest 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.