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Mike_L · Joined: 06 Apr 2006 Posts: 5061 Location: Canaan Jam Host

Nils Fredland and Magic Foot Contra Dance

Who: Nils Fredland calling, Magic Foot playing
What: Hands Four Contra Dance (and dinner)
When: Saturday, 31 May, 6:00 pm potluck, 7:30 pm workshop, 8:00 pm dance
Where: BJM (Beverly Martin Elementary School), 302 W. Buffalo St., Ithaca
How much: $8 HFDI members/$10 nonmembers

After heating up the South (Glen Echo, Asheville, Atlanta, River Falls), the exuberant New England contra dance band Magic Foot will make its Ithaca debut, along with inventive, wildly popular caller (and trombonist) Nils Fredland. Colin Lindsay on fiddle and concertina, Chris Stevens on button accordion, Brendan Taaffe on guitar, feet, and vocals, and Stefan Amidon on percussion and vocals have a decidedly traditional Celtic bent, but are sure to toss in some surprises, with good humor and great musicality.

Nils wowed the crowd at last year's Fiddlehead Frolic with fun, interwoven dances never before seen in Ithaca, taught clearly and with high spirit. Colin, who fiddles in the sweet Irish style, is on staff at Pinewoods, was a top student of Brian Conway, and has played with the Greenfield Dance Band and members of Wild Asparagus. Chris handles the accordion with tremendous drive and good taste, is prominent in Boston sessions, performs regularly with Wild Asparagus, and teaches for CCE Boston. Brendan, rock-solid and imaginative on guitar, got a Master's in Irish music at the University of Limerick, where he played with All-Ireland champion Danny O'Mahony and fiddler Colin Farrell. He's toured Europe with Northern Harmony and Turtle Dove, played for contra dances throughout the Northeast with top players including George Wilson and Pete Sutherland, and composes fine songs and dance tunes. From a tender age, Stefan has provided percussion for contras, most famously with Popcorn Behavior/Assembly, Lift Ticket, and Lissa Schneckenburger. He's on staff at Pinewoods, did a recent turn on Prairie Home Companion, and has toured Europe with Northern Harmony. Turn out to give these lads a fine welcome!

Preceding the dance is the Hands Four Dancers of Ithaca Annual Meeting, held briefly during a potluck supper 6:00-7:00 pm in the B.J. Martin School cafeteria. Nonmembers are welcome to bring a dish to pass and share in the meal. A newcomers' workshop starts at 7:30 pm, followed by the dance at 8:00 pm. No partner is necessary, and all dances are taught. Please bring clean, soft-soled shoes. For information, visit www.hands4dancers.org or call 607-273-7076.

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Mike_L · Joined: 06 Apr 2006 Posts: 5061 Location: Canaan Jam Host

Hi Dancers,

It’s only 15 days before the next Hands4 Dance at the Beverly Martin Elementary School (302 W. Buffalo Street, Ithaca, NY). The hot Irish band MAGIC FOOT, and the wildly popular caller (and trombonist) NILS FREDLAND will start at 8:00PM, after a beginner’s workshop at 7:30PM.

Here's a rare chance for the Ithaca dance community to get the scoop on the mecca of Greenfield, Massachusetts. Although members of this newly formed band have played with other folks in Greenfield and that region for years, we get to dance to them in Ithaca a month before Magic Foot's first gig in Greenfield. They got rave reviews from dancers in the South, in the Boston area, and northern New England. We are SO looking forward to Nils in combination with this band!

Magic Foot consists of Colin Lindsay on fiddle and concertina, Chris Stevens on button accordion, Brendan Taaffe on guitar, feet, and vocals, and Stefan Amidon on percussion and vocals. The band has a decidedly traditional Celtic bent, but are sure to toss in some surprises, with good humor and great musicality.

The dance on May 31st starts with a POTLUCK at 6:00PM in the cafeteria. We will be holding our annual meeting during the potluck. You are welcomed to bring a dish and share in the meal. If you choose, you may join as a member and start voting right away!

For more information, check our website, www.hands4dancers.org or call 607-273-7076.
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Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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Mike_L · Joined: 06 Apr 2006 Posts: 5061 Location: Canaan Jam Host

Hi dancers,

HFDI is having our members-free dance [sic] and potluck at the Women’s Community Building (100 West Seneca St., Ithaca) on August 9 with music provided by a local favorite, KITCHEN CHAIR with Jennifer Dotson and Gail Blake, and calling by Katy Heine.

For non-members, admission is $8. OR sign up as a member for $12 ($6 for students; free for children 12 and under) and enjoy this dance free.

We are starting at 6:30PM with a potluck. A newcomer’s workshop will begin at 7:45PM. And the dance will extend from 8:00 to 11:00PM. For more information, check www.hands4dancers.org or call 607 273-7076.

Please bring a dish to share, clean dancing shoes, and your enthusiasm to join us in fun and dance. Let’s celebrate another hot summer night together in the cool of the Women’s Community Building!

Don’t forget that there are weekly Friday and Monday (summer months only) night contra dances. Check www.tedcrane.com/TCCD for more information. Contranella will be playing on Friday, Aug. 8 at Bethel Grove Community Center, starting at 8:00PM on the weekend of our members-free dance.
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The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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Mike_L · Joined: 06 Apr 2006 Posts: 5061 Location: Canaan Jam Host

KITCHEN CHAIR

What: Contra dance with Kitchen Chair and Katy Heine
When: Saturday, August 9. potluck 6:30 pm, newcomer's workshop 7:45 pm,
dance 8-11 pm
Where: Women's Community Building, 100 W. Seneca St., Ithaca
How much: Free to Hands Four (HFDI) members; $8 nonmembers

To celebrate summer's bounty, bring a dish to share and dance all night (in
air-conditioned comfort) to KITCHEN CHAIR, the delectable, perfectly
attuned duo of Gail Blake (guitar) and Jennifer Dotson (fiddle). Known for
inventive arrangements of new and traditional tunes delivered with respect
and rock-solid musicianship, their range is broad (Celtic, French Canadian,
Scandinavian, and American contras, and luscious waltzes) with spot-on
tempos: lilting, dramatic, or playful. Katy Heine will call dances in her
smooth, inimitable style. Beginners are welcome; no partner needed. A
newcomers' workshop at 7:45 pm will show the simple steps and patterns, and
each dance is taught. Bring clean, soft-soled shoes. In appreciation,
members of Hands Four Dancers of Ithaca will be admitted free (including
those who join at the dance). Info: www.hands4dancers.org or call 607
273-7076.
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Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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Mike_L · Joined: 06 Apr 2006 Posts: 5061 Location: Canaan Jam Host

To celebrate the start of school and Fall, we are bringing you GIANT ROBOT DANCE, an exciting, energetic and talented group of musicians. You probably know at least a couple of them – Andrew and Noah VanNorstrand (of the Great Bear Trio). They join the Marcus brothers, Aaron and Andrew, and Michael Ferguson. Together, they play a huge range of instruments from fiddle, mandolin, guitar, piano, drums, trombone, ham dulcimer and concertina to didgeridoo. The music is going to be spectacular!

Carrying it over the top is David Kaynor, our caller for the evening. David, a long time favorite, comes to us from Greenfield MA. What an evening it’s going to be!

So, let’s get together and dance on Saturday, September 20th at Beverly J Martin School (302 West Buffalo Street, Ithaca NY).

The evening will start with a POTLUCK at 6:30PM (please bring a dish to share); a newcomer’s workshop at 7:45PM and the dance will begin at 8:00PM going full-bore till 11:30PM.

Mark you calendars and shine up your dancing shoes. Giant Robot Dance and David Kaynor will be here before you know it. For more information, check our website: hands4dancers.org or call 607 273-7076.
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Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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Mike_L · Joined: 06 Apr 2006 Posts: 5061 Location: Canaan Jam Host

Hi dancers,

If you don’t know who the band is, then don’t miss out on hearing them for the first time! If you’ve heard them already, you don’t need to be convinced.

GIANT ROBOT DANCE is a group of very talented and energetic musicians – Andrew and Noah VanNorstrand (of the Great Bear Trio), Aaron and Andrew Marcus and Michael Ferguson. Together, you’ll hear a blend of lively notes emanating from a huge range of instruments from fiddle, mandolin, guitar, piano, drums, trombone, ham dulcimer and concertina to didgeridoo. DAVID KAYNOR will lead us through fun dances with his expert and gentle calling.

So JOIN US on Saturday, September 20th, at the Beverly J Martin School (302 West Buffalo Street, Ithaca NY).
We will start at 6:30PM with a POTLUCK. Bring a dish to share AND bring your own plates and utensils so that we have less plastic and paper waste. And of course, clean soft-soled dancing shoes.

A beginners workshop starts at 7:45PM and the dance will go from 8:00PM to 11:30PM.

To help you plan your next months, the following Hands4 dances are confirmed:

* October 25: Wild Asparagus with George Marshall calling. There will be an experienced dance session from 3:30 – 5:30PM, a beginner’s workshop at 7:30 to 8:00PM and a night of dancing from 8:00 to 11:30PM. A potluck to re-energize you from 5:30-7:30PM.
* New Year Eve Dance: being organized, stay tuned.
* January 31: Contradictions with Vikki Armstrong calling.

For more information on the September 20th dance, check our website: hands4dancers.org or call 607 273-7076.

See you at BJM on September 20th! Remember that this is a BUSY dance weekend near Ithaca. Check www.tedcrane.com/TCCD for details on Ithaca’s regular Friday night dance. Also check the posting for a Sunday dance in Owego on our “From our Members” page, with David Kaynor, Kitchen Chair and Nancy Spero, with calling by David Smukler.
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Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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Mike_L · Joined: 06 Apr 2006 Posts: 5061 Location: Canaan Jam Host

Giant Robot Dance with David Kaynor

What: Hands Four Dancers Contra Dance
When: Saturday, September 20; 6:30 pm (potluck), 7:45 pm (newcomers),
8-11:30 pm (dance)
Where: B.J. Martin School, 302 W. Buffalo St., Ithaca, NY
How much: $9 HFDI members, $12 nonmembers

photo montage by Bryant Adams:

What exactly is Giant Robot? It's the gargantuan creation of five young men who have reveled in music and dance since early childhood, in genres from classical to contra, jazz to klezmer, Latin to English, and who have put their own stamp on a highly infectious strain of contra dancing. They promise us "outlandishly rocking music and bizarre fashion experiments." For years, the Robot members have thrilled contra dancers in such guises as Great Bear Trio, Jiggermeister, and Gift of the Marcii. Michael Ferguson on trombone, didgeridoo, and hammered dulcimer, Aaron Marcus on piano and concertina, Andrew Marcus on accordion, Andrew VanNorstrand on guitars, fiddle, and bass, and Noah VanNorstrand on percussion and fiddle (and just about any other instrument) pool their collective energies into a formidable and thoroughly pleasing sound. Perennially youthful veteran caller David Kaynor (of western Massachusetts fame) will keep pace with iconic flair. True talent, as shown by these musician-dancers, is ageless. Please join HFDI in welcoming the Robots' debut in Ithaca. No partner is needed. All dances are taught. Please bring clean, soft-soled shoes (and a scrumptious dish to pass). Info: www.hands4dancers.org or call 607-273-7076.
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CALENDAR ENTRY

DANCE

Saturday, September 20

Giant Robot Contra Dance with David Kaynor, B.J. Martin School, 302 W. Buffalo St., Ithaca. High-energy music with members of Great Bear Trio and Jiggermeister. Potluck 6:30 pm, newcomers 7:45 pm, dancing 8:00-11:30 pm. All dances taught, no partner necessary. Please bring clean, soft-soled shoes. See www.hands4dancers.org or call 607-273-7076.

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_________________
Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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Mike_L · Joined: 06 Apr 2006 Posts: 5061 Location: Canaan Jam Host

Hello dancers,

It is THIS Saturday (Sept. 20th).

GIANT ROBOT DANCE will be playing with DAVID KAYNOR calling at the Hands4 dance in the Beverly J Martin School (302 West Buffalo Street, Ithaca NY).

Here’s the schedule:

6:30PM: Potluck (bring a dish to share with your fellow dancers; and plates and utensils for yourself so that we will generate much less waste)
7:45PM: Newcomer’s workshop
8:00 – 11:30PM: Dance

Check our website: hands4dancers.org or call 607 273-7076 for more details.

See you this Saturday. I can’t wait!

And don’t forget, there’s lots of dancing this weekend near Ithaca. Check www.tedcrane.com/TCCD for details on the Friday night dance – David Kaynor will be running a workshop at 5:00PM there and playing with a number of your local musician friends and neighbors for the dance starting at 8:00PM (potluck in between). Also check the posting for a Sunday dance in Owego on our “From our Members” page, with David Kaynor, Kitchen Chair and Nancy Spero, with calling by David Smukler.
_________________
Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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Mike_L · Joined: 06 Apr 2006 Posts: 5061 Location: Canaan Jam Host

WILD ASPARAGUS DANCE

Wild Asparagus, George Marshall calling
Contra dance, Hands Four Dancers of Ithaca
Saturday, 25 October, 3:30-5:30 (experienced dancers) and 8:00-11:30 pm
Beverly J. Martin School, 302 West Buffalo Street, Ithaca
How much: Both sessions, $12 members/$15 nonmembers; afternoon only, $6/$8; evening only, $9/$12.

Springing up in the 1980s in the heart of the Pioneer Valley, Asparagus Capital of Massachusetts, the renowned band WILD ASPARAGUS has been vital in the contra dance renaissance. Their monthly “first-Saturdays” at Greenfield (dance mecca) are packed. Over the years, these top musicians have put their individual stamp on traditional tunes from New England, Canada, the wider Celtic world, and beyond. Their hallmark is playfulness: imaginative arrangements and dynamic pacing that draw on sources from medieval Brittany to pop to hot Latin grooves. You won’t want to miss this unique blend of skilled musicianship, creativity, and energy! Becky Tracy on fiddle shows incomparable flow and soul; David Cantieni, woodwind wizard, provides exuberant melody with flutes, tin whistle, oboe, saxophone, and bombard; Ann Percival on piano, guitar, and vocals is the essential heartbeat of the band; George Marshall, gifted at English concertina, bodhran, and bones, brings drive and does double duty as a caller renowned for simple, elegant teaching and an excellent selection of dances.

Beginners are welcome; no partner needed. A newcomers' workshop at 7:30 pm will cover basic steps and patterns. All dances taught. Bring clean, soft-soled shoes to protect the floor. And bring a dish-to-pass for a potluck at 5:45 pm. Info: 607-273-7076 or www.hands4dancers.org.

-- Margaret Shepard
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CALENDAR BLURB

SATURDAY, 25 OCTOBER: DANCE

Big contra dance with renowned New England band Wild Asparagus, George Marshall calling, at B. J. Martin School, 302 W. Buffalo St., Ithaca. 3:30-5:30 pm, session for experienced dancers; 5:45 pm potluck; 7:30-8:00 pm instruction for newcomers; 8:00-11:30 pm dancing for all. No partner needed. Clean, soft-soled shoes, please. Info: 607-273-7076 or visit www.hands4dancers.org.
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The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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Mike_L · Joined: 06 Apr 2006 Posts: 5061 Location: Canaan Jam Host

BLOG http://canaaninstitute.org/mikesmusicblog/?p=493
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Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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Mike_L · Joined: 06 Apr 2006 Posts: 5061 Location: Canaan Jam Host

New Years Eve Gathering

We want to alert you to the New Year’s Eve dance being held at Bethel Grove Community Center on Route 79 near Ithaca (1825 Slaterville Rd., 4 miles east of Ithaca Commons), sponsored AND gifted (the dance is free!) by Tompkins County Country Dances. Thank you Ted and Pamela.

The evening’s festivities start at 6PM with a potluck supper. Waltzing at 7:15 and contras, squares and English Country dancing from 8PM to midnight. There will be a dessert break around 9:30PM to raise our blood sugar levels. At midnight, a toast of sparkling cider, a few New Year’s songs and a bit more dancing will help us welcome in the New Year.

Music and calling will be brought to you by the more talented in attendance! So, if you fit that category, bring your instruments and your dance calls. For those who enjoy the talented in our dance community, bring your dancing shoes. Everyone: bring a large dish of something yummy for the potluck and an extra something for the dessert break.

And in the meantime, there are two Friday night dances left at Bethel Grove Community Center before the New Year’s Eve dance – one on the 12th with Miss Marty and SBG and another on the 19th with Tunescape. For more information on all of these, go to www.tedcrane.com/TCCD.

PS: Please save Saturday, January 31 for a Hands4 dance with the Contradictions, starting at 7:15PM with a beginner’s workshop, and ending with a dessert potluck and couples dances to finish at 11:30PM.

And since you have gotten out your 2009 calendar to jot down the date for the Contradictions dance, flip to April and mark down our next Fiddlehead Frolic date of Saturday, April 4th. Another twelve hours of dancing fun being planned!
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Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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Mike_L · Joined: 06 Apr 2006 Posts: 5061 Location: Canaan Jam Host

Contradictions on Saturday, January 31

Hands Four Dancers of Ithaca will be doing its annual dance/dessert potluck with the Contradictions on Saturday, January 31, at the Women's Community Building. Beginners' workshop at 7:15, contras 7:30-10:30, dessert and couples dancing 10:30-11:30. Am attaching a flyer and a photo of the band.

POSTER http://canaaninstitute.org/photos/CONTRADICTIONS.pdf

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The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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Mike_L · Joined: 06 Apr 2006 Posts: 5061 Location: Canaan Jam Host

Facebook Group for Ithaca and Upstate NY Contra and Square Dancing!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=31552309563

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Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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Mike_L · Joined: 06 Apr 2006 Posts: 5061 Location: Canaan Jam Host

Hello fellow dancers,

Plan to thaw out with us by joining us on January 31st at the next Hands4 dance with a local SIZZLING favorite: THE CONTRADICTIONS with caller VIKKI ARMSTRONG!

Laurie Hart playing fiddle; Rick Manning on the fiddle and mandolin; Tom Hodgson on guitar; and Dave Davies on bass will heat us up to a kinetic frenzy while Vikki creates order with her excellently timed calls. All together, we are sure to bring on a sign of spring in the midst of winter.

So bring your radiant selves to the Women’s Community Building (100 West Seneca Street, Ithaca NY) and join us:

7:15PM Beginner’s workshop – if you are a beginner or are bringing a beginner friend, please come on time to ease into contra dancing.

7:30 to 10:30PM : Contra dance

10:30 – 11:30PM: Dessert potluck and couples dancing

Don’t forget to bring a dessert (to replenish all those lost calories) to share, soft soled shoes, AND remember, we are starting EARLIER than usual at 7:15PM!

For more information, check www.hands4dancers.org or call Jennifer at 607 273-7076.

If you are thinking about extended dancing in the Ithaca area on the weekend of Jan. 31st, don’t forget the Friday night dance at Bethel Grove Community Center (1825 Slaterville Road (Route 79), about 4 miles east of the Ithaca Commons. Kitchen Chair (the dynamic duo of Jennifer Dotson and Gail Blake) will be playing with Katy Heine calling on Friday night, Jan. 30th, starting at 8:00PM. For more information, check www.tedcrane.com/TCCD.

REMINDER: Now that you have your 2009 calendar in a visible place, please make sure that you’ve saved April 4th for the Fiddlehead Frolic09. It’s going to be a blast!
_________________
Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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Mike_L · Joined: 06 Apr 2006 Posts: 5061 Location: Canaan Jam Host

Contra Dance and Dessert with The Contradictions
Saturday 31 January, 7:30-11:30 pm; dessert potluck 10:30-11:30 pm

Where:Women's Community Building, 100 W. Seneca Street, Ithaca
(across Cayuga Street from Dewitt Mall)
How much: $8 HFDI members; $10 general admission

Get warm, really warm, at the annual “Dance and Dessert Potluck” hosted by Hands Four Dancers of Ithaca, Saturday, 31 January, Women’s Community Building in Ithaca (100 W. Seneca St., opposite Dewitt Mall). Contra dances are 7:30-10:30 pm, followed by a fabulous dessert potluck and schottisches, hambos, and waltzes, 10:30-11:30 pm. If you’re clever, you may be able to balance your caloric intake and output! Music is by the witty, high-energy Contradictions: Laurie Hart on fiddle, Rick Manning on fiddle and mandolin, Tom Hodgson on guitar, Dave Davies on bass, and the effervescent Vikki Armstrong calling. Their irresistible fiddle harmonies and imaginative, hot rhythms will drive away winter blahs and blues. Performing together since 1990, they bring to the dance floor a lively mix of Appalachian and Irish jigs and reels, bluegrass, driving French Canadian tunes, lilting Swedish couple dances, 1930s and Texas swing, and sophisticated tango-waltzes from Venezuela. They’ve been hits at the Saratoga Dance Flurry, the Brattleboro Dawn Dance, Ashokan, and certainly in Ithaca!

Beginners are welcome, with a workshop at 7:15 to teach the simple steps. No need to bring a partner, but please bring clean, soft-soled shoes and something yummy to share for the grand dessert finale. Hot beverages will be provided.

Admission: $8 for HFDI members, $10 for nonmembers. More info. at www.hands4dancers.org or call 607-273-7076.

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CALENDAR ENTRY

SATURDAY, 31 JANUARY---Contras 7:15-10:30 pm, fabulous dessert potluck and schottisches, hambos, and waltzes 10:30-11:30 pm, with the high-energy Contradictions: Laurie Hart on fiddle, Rick Manning on fiddle and mandolin, Tom Hodgson on guitar, Dave Davies on bass, and spirited Vikki Armstrong calling. Irresistible fiddle harmonies, imaginative, hot rhythms: Appalachian and Irish jigs and reels, bluegrass, driving French Canadian tunes, lilting Swedish couple dances, 1930s and Texas swing, and sophisticated tango-waltzes. Hits at Dance Flurry, Brattleboro Dawn Dance, Ashokan, and Ithaca! Beginners welcome (workshop at 7:15 pm teached the simple steps). Bring clean, soft-soled shoes and a dessert to share.
Sponsored by Hands Four Dancers of Ithaca: $8 members, $10 nonmembers. See www.hands4dancers.org or call 607/273-7076.

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Michael Ludgate - forum administrator
The Canaan Institute http://www.canaaninstitute.org/

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