Applications for the 2012 Ithaca Festival are now available online at www.ithacafestival.org.  The Festival invites all members of the Ithaca community to apply for roles including: performer, vendor, green business owner, craftsperson, parade participant and volunteer.

The Ithaca Festival theme for 2012 is Finger Lakes Luau.  This theme is inspired by the Hawaiian tradition of the Luau, a gathering or party that emphasizes friendship, hospitality, music and culinary bounty.  With a focus on a Finger Lakes take on the traditional celebration, the Festival will embrace local foods and food sources, the natural beauty of the area and local cultural and community ties.

For more information contact Marie De Mott Grady: marie@ithacafestival.org or 379-5380

Fri Feb 10th — SYRACUSE NY — Come hear Ithaca’s hottest new trio “Notes Inégales” (pronounced notes inagall) along with Ithaca caller Pamela Goddard. This will be a FUN DANCE! More details: 8:00 - 11:00 pm Friday Feb 10th at The United Church of Fayetteville on 310 E. Genesee Street in Fayetteville, NY. Sponsored by Syracuse Country Dancers! Admission $7- Don’t miss this dance! This is an authentic old New England style venue with a newly refinished dance floor! Bring clean shoes, a water bottle and YOUR FRIENDS! All dances taught, No partner needed. http://www.notesinegales.org/

This will be a fun DANCE PARTY featuring “Notes Inégales”; Ethan Jodziewicz (guitar, bass, banjo and feet) and Andrea Katz (fiddle) along with Mike Ludgate (mandolin) at Bethel Grove Community Center. Calling the dances will be various local callers including David Kaynor and Megan Ludgate. This will be the 4th performance of this fabulous high energy TRIO! http://www.notesinegales.org/

We are lucky to have two new contra dance musicians now living in the ITHACA area, both are students starting their second semesters here. Ethan Jodziewicz (bass, guitar, banjo, mandolin and feet) is studying double bass performance at Ithaca College. Ethan is from Washington state, where he often plays with his band The Retrospectacles. Andrea Katz (from Texas on playing fiddle) is a PhD candidate in applied physics at Cornell University. Andrea played in a variety of contra dance bands in the San Antonio area and has studied with Jay Ungar and David Kaynor. Both are fantastic contra dance musicians and are playing a dance with Ithaca contra musician and music promoter Michael Ludgate under the new band name Notes Inégales. This will be an exceptionally fun dance!

More information about this upcoming dance: Celebrate the START of the spring semester with Notes Inégales contra dance band! A fun DANCE PARTY featuring Ethan Jodziewicz (guitar, bass, banjo and feet), Andrea Katz (fiddle) and Mike Ludgate (mandolin). The contra dance starts at 8:00 and continues throught until 11:00 pm. Ithaca favorite house caller Pamela Goddard will be calling the contra dances; including a singing square or two. Don’t miss this celebration of the roots of New England folk dance. This is an authentic Old New England style venue with a newly refinished wooden dance floor. Bring clean shoes, a water bottle and YOUR FRIENDS. All dances taught, No partner needed. http://www.notesinegales.org/

About the band name: Notes Inégales contra dance band http://www.notesinegales.org/ — “In music, notes inégales (French: unequal notes) refers to a performance practice, mainly from the Baroque and Classical music eras, in which some notes with equal written time values are performed with unequal durations, usually as alternating long and short. The practice was especially prevalent in France in the 17th and 18th centuries, with appearances in other European countries at the same time; and it reappeared as the standard performance practice in the 20th century in jazz.” source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notes_in%C3%A9gales

Additional links …

BAND on WEB http://www.notesinegales.org/
BAND on FACEBOOOK https://www.facebook.com/notesinegales
VENUE WEBSITE http://www.syracusecountrydancers.org/index.html
FACEBOOK EVENT https://www.facebook.com/events/160984294014297/
VIDEOS of the BAND http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Notes+Inegales

GOOGLE MAPS DIRECTIONS to this DANCE — http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode&q=310+E.+Genesee+Street+in+310+E+Genesee+St%2C+Fayetteville%2C+NY+13066&sll=42.44623%2C-76.47966&sspn=0.004061%2C0.009645&ie=UTF8&hq=310+E.+Genesee+Street&hnear=310+E+Genesee+St%2C+Fayetteville%2C+NY+13066&ll=43.028369%2C-76.00713&spn=0.008439%2C0.01929&z=16

DIRECTIONS to this DANCE — From I-481 take exit 3E, and follow Route 5 east for three miles to Fayetteville. The church is at 310 E. Genesee Street, between Walnut Street and Chapel Street. It is a brick church with a very tall, very pointy red steeple. You can get to the parking lot from Walnut Street (one-way going south), the church driveway (on the east side of the church, also one-way going south), or Chapel Street http://www.syracusecountrydancers.org/Directions.html#ucf

PARKING — TONS OF EASY PARKING right behind the church! Zoom in on this link for a look! http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=310+E.+Genesee+Street+in+310+E+Genesee+St,+Fayetteville,+NY+13066&sll=42.44623,-76.47966&sspn=0.004061,0.009645&ie=UTF8&hq=310+E.+Genesee+Street&hnear=310+E+Genesee+St,+Fayetteville,+Onondaga,+New+York+13066&t=h&ll=43.028745,-76.007012&spn=0.001041,0.002411&z=19

SALT CITY — “Just after the Revolutionary War, more settlers came to the area, mostly to trade with the Onondaga Nation. Ephraim Webster left the Continental Army to settle in 1784, and Asa Danforth, another revolutionary war hero, and Comfort Tyler, whose engineering skill contributed to regional development, arrived four years later. All three settled in Onondaga Hollow south of the present city center, which was then marshy. Salt was discovered in several swamps in Syracuse, which brought more settlers to the area, and eventually gave the city the nickname “Salt City”.” source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syracuse,_New_York

MORE INFORMATION About Contra Dancing:

About Contra Dancing: WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR FIRST DANCE Contra dancing is easy to learn. It’s so easy to learn that you don’t take lessons. Just show up at a dance and by the end of the first night you’ll have learned all the dance moves and you will be able to enjoy the next dance even more. People are friendly and welcoming to beginners. The age range is from kids to folks that have been around for a while. Both singles and doubles come to contra dances and women as well as men ask people to dance. It is usual that you change partners after every dance. You will meet people in a relaxed, pleasant, smoke and alcohol free atmosphere. The patterns of the dance can be a tad confusing at first but remember everyone had a first time and that other dancers will help you. Listen to the caller and the music and go with the flow of the dance. Some people find they get dizzy at first. Looking directly at the person you are dancing with eliminates this sensation. For many, the music is what keeps them coming back as it is exciting and lively. People come to dance, hear the music, socialize and have a good time.

WHAT TO WEAR? Wear smooth soled shoes and comfortable light weight clothing. Some halls require non-street shoes so make sure the soles of shoes aren’t bringing grit onto the dance floor. Most people bring a bottle of drinking water. Contra dancing is joyous so it’s important that you bring a smile. Adapted from http://www.greatmeadowmusic.com/music.html

http://www.greatmeadowmusic.com/music.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contra_dance
http://tedcrane.com/DanceDB/DisplayDance.com/US_NY_ITH_TCCD
http://hands4dancers.org/
http://www.syracusecountrydancers.org/
http://contra.binghamtondance.org/contra_calendar.htm
http://www.thedancegypsy.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTtEOaruqr4
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128273050

NPR: Youth Flock To Contra Dancing — Contra dancing has been around since the 1700s. If you don’t know it — it’s kind of like square dancing but with long lines of dancers. The dance is having a renaissance around the country thanks to a thriving youth scene and incredibly lively acoustic music. Article by Marika Partridge on All Things Considered NPR July 2nd 2010 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128273050

###

ARCHIE FISHER IN CONCERT, Saturday, February 11, 8 pm

Hollis Cornell Auditorium, Goldwin Smith Hall, Cornell Arts Quad

Archie Fisher is a true legend in the world of Scottish folk music for songs both traditional and his own, which are considered classics. His warm, craggy voice and simple but masterful guitar have an inimitable spirit. Raised in Glasgow, he was influenced by his father’s broad love of ballads, vaudeville, and opera and by the lyrical music of the Outer Hebrides sung by his Gaelic-speaking mother. His attitudes toward music-making and politics were in part shaped by hearing the Weavers (Seeger, Gilbert, Hays, and Hellerman, not the Scottish tweed-makers). Moving to Edinburgh in the 1960s, he formed the Fisher Family band with his parents, sisters Ray and Cilla, and Artie Tresize; they made many treasured and influential recordings on the Folk Legacy label. Archie Fisher also hosted an Edinburgh music club where he played with the likes of Bert Jansch and Robin Williamson and penned songs performed by the nascent Incredible String Band and Steeleye Span. Involved in the Fringe Fest, he went on to run the Edinburgh Folk Festival (1988-1992) and hosted the beloved Travelling Folk traditional music program for BBC Radio Scotland (1983-2010).

It is no small sign of respect that the only songs the late great Stan Rogers recorded but did not write himself were written by Archie Fisher: Witch of the Westmerlands, Final Trawl, and Dark-eyed Molly. Archie Fisher’s discography since 1965 includes seven solo recordings and many with other performers, including Off the Map (1986) with Garnet Rogers. The two share a passion for open spaces, raising horses, and creating story songs with soul. The ballads on Fisher’s 2008 CD, Windward Away, breathe the wild beauty of the Scottish Borderlands.

In the early years, Archie Fisher collaborated and produced recordings with a fine roster, including Bert Jansch, Tommy Makem and Liam Clancy, as well as Silly Wizard. The UK has been his regular performing turf, but since the late1980s, he has toured Canada (and rarely the States) both solo and with John Renbourn, Bert Jansch, James Keelaghan, and Garnet Rogers. Despite his many awards, including the Tradition Bearers, Scots Music Hall of Fame, and MBE bestowed by Elizabeth II, he seems happy to stay below the radar. He considers himself not a celebrity but a low-key journeyman musician, and accepts friend Christie Moore’s advice: “You’ll never be famous because everybody knows you!” Throughout a deeply respected career of making and fostering music, Archie Fisher has remained a quiet giant. Please make him welcome for the first time in Ithaca.

Tickets: Ithaca Guitar Works, GreenStar, Autumn Leaves Bookstore, Bound for Glory, and online at www.cornellfolksong.org/. $15 advance/$17 door; $3 rebate for members, seniors, teens; children 12 & under free. Cornell students $10/$12. Info: 607-279-2027 or website.

– Margaret Shepard

Festival Description & Schedule

ITHACA NY - In just over a week, the music will begin.   We are excited to welcome you to La Tourelle Resort & Spa for a warm winter weekend of great music from Friday, January 27 to Sunday, January 29.  Following is the latest information on the festival.

TICKETS
Tickets are still available for all events. Only 30 or so weekend passes ($85) remain with over 100 sold. Plenty of tickets are available for the Saturday night concert at the Hangar Theatre, though we anticipate that this 350 seat venue will be filled. Tickets are available at www.ithacaevents.com or can be purchased directly from the www.wintervillagebluegrass.org

ITHACA NY Fri Jan 20 2012 — Contra Dance with David Kaynor and Notes Inégales at Bethel Grove. Nationally renowned musician and dance caller David Kaynor will join Ethan, Andrea and Mike as Notes Inégales for a more-fun-than-usual contra dance! This will be a fun DANCE PARTY featuring “Notes Inégales”; Ethan Jodziewicz (guitar, bass, banjo and feet) and Andrea Katz (fiddle) along with Mike Ludgate (mandolin) at Bethel Grove Community Center. Calling the dances will be various local callers including David Kaynor and Megan Ludgate.  This will be the 3rd performance of this fabulous high energy TRIO.

We are lucky to have two new contra dance musicians now living in the Ithaca area, both are students starting their second semesters here. Ethan Jodziewicz (bass, guitar, banjo, mandolin and feet) is studying double bass performance at Ithaca College. Ethan is from Washington state, where he often plays with his band The Retrospectacles. Andrea Katz (from Texas on playing fiddle) is a PhD candidate in applied physics at Cornell University. Andrea played in a variety of contra dance bands in the San Antonio area and has studied with Jay Ungar and David Kaynor. Both are fantastic contra dance musicians and are playing a dance with local contra musician and music promoter Michael Ludgate under the new band name Notes Inégales. This will be a fun dance!

More information about this upcoming dance: Celebrate the START of the spring semester with Notes Inégales contra dance band!  A fun DANCE PARTY featuring  special guest DAVID KAYNOR with Ethan Jodziewicz (guitar, bass, banjo and feet), Andrea Katz (fiddle) and Mike Ludgate (mandolin) at Bethel Grove Community Center. The contra dance starts at 8:00 - 11:00 pm. Local favorite house callers will be calling the contra dances; including visiting guest David Kaynor and Megan Ludgate. All at 1825 Slaterville Road (Rt 79 about 4 miles east of Ithaca) Ithaca NY dancing from 7-11 pm. Admission $6- (discounts for students and new dancers). Sponsored by: TCCD - Tompkins County Country Dances. Don’t miss this celebration of the roots of New England folk dance. This is an authentic Old New England style venue with a newly refinished wooden dance floor. Bring clean shoes, a water bottle and YOUR FRIENDS. All dances taught, No partner needed.

Additional links …

BAND Notes Inégales contra dance band http://www.notesinegales.org/
VENUE http://tedcrane.com/DanceDB/DisplayDance.com?key=US_NY_ITH_TCCD
VENUE’S POSTER http://canaaninstitute.org/photos/TCCD_Insert_current.pdf
FACEBOOK EVENT https://www.facebook.com/events/204383522985229/

DIRECTIONS to this DANCE http://tedcrane.com/DanceDB/DisplayVenue.com?key=US_NY_ITH_BG Bethel Grove Community Center 1825 Slaterville Road (NYS Rt.79) (from Ithaca take State Street east to Rt. 79, about four miles from the Ithaca Commons; a few hundred yards past the Bible Church)

GOOGLE MAP link to VENUE http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode&q=1825+Slaterville+Rd%2C+Ithaca%2C+NY+14850&sll=42.41161%2C-76.29505&sspn=0.008523%2C0.01929&ie=UTF8&hq&hnear=1825+Slaterville+Rd%2C+Ithaca%2C+Tompkins%2C+New+York+14850&ll=42.40552%2C-76.432515&spn=0.034097%2C0.077162&z=14

About the band name: Notes Inégales contra dance band http://www.notesinegales.org/ — “In music, notes inégales (French: unequal notes) refers to a performance practice, mainly from the Baroque and Classical music eras, in which some notes with equal written time values are performed with unequal durations, usually as alternating long and short. The practice was especially prevalent in France in the 17th and 18th centuries, with appearances in other European countries at the same time; and it reappeared as the standard performance practice in the 20th century in jazz.” source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notes_in%C3%A9gales

MORE INFORMATION About Contra Dancing:

http://www.greatmeadowmusic.com/music.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contra_dance
http://tedcrane.com/DanceDB/DisplayDance.com/US_NY_ITH_TCCD
http://hands4dancers.org/
http://www.syracusecountrydancers.org/
http://contra.binghamtondance.org/contra_calendar.htm
http://www.thedancegypsy.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTtEOaruqr4
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128273050

NPR: Youth Flock To Contra Dancing – Contra dancing has been around since the 1700s. If you don’t know it — it’s kind of like square dancing but with long lines of dancers. The dance is having a renaissance around the country thanks to a thriving youth scene and incredibly lively acoustic music. Article by Marika Partridge on All Things Considered NPR July 2nd 2010 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128273050

###

The Contradictions

SATURDAY, 21 JANUARY 2012: CONTRADICTIONS Dance and Dessert (last contra at WCB!)

Beginner’s Workshop 7:00 pm, Dancing 7:30-11:30 pm, Dessert potluck 10:30 pm

Women’s Community Building, 100 W. Seneca Street, Ithaca

A feast of music, dancing, friends, and fabulous desserts are all part of the Ninth Annual “Dance and Dessert Potluck” hosted by Hands Four Dancers of Ithaca. Contra dancing (7:30-10:30 pm) will be followed by a dessert potluck and schottisches, hambos, and waltzes, 10:30-11:30 pm. Step lively and you just might 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 sparkling Vikki Armstrong calling. Their irresistible fiddle harmonies and imaginative, hot rhythms will drive winter away, at least for one night. Having performed together for over a decade, they’re revered for tight playing; nary a contradictory note. Their peppy mix of Appalachian and Irish jigs and reels, bluegrass, driving French Canadian tunes, lilting Swedish dances, 1930s and Texas swing, and sophisticated tango-waltzes has brought joy to dancers from the Saratoga Dance Flurry, the Brattleboro Dawn Dance, and Ashokan, to the Finger Lakes, where the Contradictions reside.

Beginners of all ages are always welcome; a workshop at 7:00 pm will teach the basic moves. 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. Info: 607-539-3174 or www.hands4dancers.org. Admission: $8 HFDI members; $10 nonmembers.

Amid the sweetness, the evening will be a little bittersweet. The Women’s Community Building, which has been the site of many Hands Four dances, including the annual Contradictions dance, will be torn down for a new building that will not have a large space for events. On behalf of the contra dance community, Hands Four extends its thanks and fond farewell to the WCB staff for supporting such a diversity of fine events and programs over the years.

– Margaret Shepard

MORRISVILLE NY - O’Shanigans contra dance band will be playing high energy fiddle tunes with Tim Ball on fiddle, Phil Robinson on guitar and Mike Ludgate on mandolin at Madison Hall in Morrisville for the Syracuse Contra Dance on Saturday December 3rd 2011. The fantastic caller, David Smukler will teach the dances. Madison Hall is on the National Register of Historic Places. A symbol of the town of Eaton and village of Morrisville the building sits in the center of Morrisville, NY 13408 on Historic US Route 20. Madison Hall was constructed in 1865 and was once the county center for Madison County in New York State. See  the links below for dance location and sponoring dance group. See http://www.oshanigans.org/ for more about the band! December 3rd 8-11 pm $7-

Sponsored by Syracuse Country Dancers! Admission $7- Don’t miss this dance! This is an authentic (registered historic site built in 1865) old ballroom style venue with a newly refinished dance floor! Bring clean shoes, a water bottle and YOUR FRIENDS! All dances taught, No partner needed.

DIRECTIONS to this DANCE — Historic Madison Hall is 4/10 mile east of the traffic light on Rte. 20 in Morrisville, NY, about 10 miles east of Cazenovia. Madison Hall is on the south side of Rte 20. Parking is available across the street on the north side of Rt 20.

PARKING — TONS OF EASY PARKING right across the street! Parking is available across the street on the north side of Rte 20. http://www.syracusecountrydancers.org/Directions.html#madison

BAND on WEB http://www.oshanigans.org/
BAND on FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com/oshanigans (please click “like”)
VENUE WEBSITE http://www.syracusecountrydancers.org/index.html
EVENT POSTER http://canaaninstitute.org/docs/Oshanigans_current_poster.pdf
FACEBOOK EVENT https://www.facebook.com/events/304382226252350

GOOGLE MAPS DIRECTIONS to this DANCE — http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Madison+Hall+Morrisville+NY&ll=42.898462,-75.641406&spn=0.009321,0.01929&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&fb=1&gl=us&hq=Madison+Hall&hnear=0×89d97e3dfcce6591:0xbd7e214b46903be3,Morrisville,+NY&cid=0,0,973169564827262547&t=m&z=16&vpsrc=0

DIRECTIONS http://www.syracusecountrydancers.org/Directions.html#madison

PARKING — TONS OF EASY PARKING right across the street! Parking is available across the street on the north side of Rte 20. http://www.syracusecountrydancers.org/Directions.html#madison

FROM THE DANCERS AND MUSICIANS about O’Shanigans — “The O’Shanigans rocked the hall tonight! You guys sure know how to throw a party!” “I was really glad to get to dance to your music- that was tons of fun!!” “Super dance on Friday! You guys were peppy, and there were some imaginative arrangements that made even old, familiar tunes sound fresh. Hooray for the O’Shanigans!” “It was invigorating music, great company and fun caller!” “Do play for us again!” “It was fun dancing and even more so to the tunes of O’Shanigans!” “It was great!” “Mike, you and Phil and Tim were SOLID! I had a blast and my daughter had fun too! Thanks for playing, and thanks Ray for the goodies!” “We’ve heard great stuff about you guys: We’d love to have you play at our dance!” “Wow! I have not seen that kind of energy at the Friday Dance in long time, you guys were great!” “That was the most amazing medley … was there something Middle Eastern in there?” “You guys were way out there like in Hungary or somewhere? … then you brought it back home with that old-time tune … the best version of that I have ever heard!” “The band was absolutely wonderful last night!”

HISTORY OF MADISON HALL — Madison Hall was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. A symbol of the town of Eaton and village of Morrisville the building sits in the center of Morrisville, NY 13408 on Historic US Route 20. Madison Hall was constructed in 1865 and was once the county center for Madison County in New York State. The current building is the last of three courthouses built on the same site. The original courthouse built in 1817 was a simple wooden structure and was demolished in 1849. It was replaced with a sturdier more attractive building of Greek Revival features and stood for 15 years. On October 11, 1864 it is rumored that the notorious NY Loomis gang set fire to this building because they wanted to destroy county records since a gang member was on trial. Replacing the burned down building, the present building was erected on the old stone foundation, preserving the previous steps and porch floor. In 1909 the county seat was moved north to Wampsville, NY to more closely associate with businesses and travel along Scenic Route 5 Seneca Turnpike. In 1910 the courthouse became the main instructional and administrative facility on the newly established New York State School of Agriculture which later became Morrisville State College. The historic courthouse now sits on the edge of the college campus. http://www.madisonhall.org/

About Contra Dancing: WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR FIRST DANCE Contra dancing is easy to learn. It’s so easy to learn that you don’t take lessons. Just show up at a dance and by the end of the first night you’ll have learned all the dance moves and you will be able to enjoy the next dance even more. People are friendly and welcoming to beginners. The age range is from kids to folks that have been around for a while. Both singles and doubles come to contra dances and women as well as men ask people to dance. It is usual that you change partners after every dance. You will meet people in a relaxed, pleasant, smoke and alcohol free atmosphere. The patterns of the dance can be a tad confusing at first but remember everyone had a first time and that other dancers will help you. Listen to the caller and the music and go with the flow of the dance. Some people find they get dizzy at first. Looking directly at the person you are dancing with eliminates this sensation. For many, the music is what keeps them coming back as it is exciting and lively. People come to dance, hear the music, socialize and have a good time. Adapted from http://www.greatmeadowmusic.com/music.html

WHAT TO WEAR? Wear smooth soled shoes and comfortable light weight clothing. Some halls require non-street shoes so make sure the soles of shoes aren’t bringing grit onto the dance floor. Most people bring a bottle of drinking water. Contra dancing is joyous so it’s important that you bring a smile. Adapted from http://www.greatmeadowmusic.com/music.html

More information About Contra Dancing:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contra_dance
http://tedcrane.com/DanceDB/DisplayDance.com/US_NY_ITH_TCCD
http://hands4dancers.org/
http://www.syracusecountrydancers.org/
http://www.canaaninstitute.org/
http://contra.binghamtondance.org/contra_calendar.htm
http://www.thedancegypsy.com/
http://www.oshanigans.org/
http://www.notesinegales.org/

###

Sarah VanNorstrand

Saturday, 3 Dec., 8-11 pm (beginners’ workshop 7:30 pm)

Beverly J. Martin School, 302 W. Buffalo St., Ithaca

$8 HFDI members, $10 nonmembers

The members of Montage are true to their name; they fuse deep interests in dance music old and new: Breton, English, and Scottish country dance, Parisian café tunes, Renaissance bourrées, hot swing, and music rooted in Scandinavia, Canada, New England, and southern Appalachia. In the few years since Sarah VanNorstrand has been a dance caller, she’s proven her mastery and inventiveness and is in demand across the country at high-powered dance events. She’s also a mainstay organizer of the Syracuse Country Dancers.

Montage is a dynamic trio of well-attuned musicians. Jane Knoeck (piano, accordion), classically trained, discovered contra and other folk dance in the 80s and has performed on the dance circuit ever since; she also plays with the contra bands Riverbend and Groovemongers, where she is both focused and explosively energetic. Rachel Bell (accordion, wooden flute) is earning recognition as a fine composer of quirky, playful, and highly danceable tunes. She’s also a lively member of Tunescape and the Andrew and Noah VanNorstrand Band. Tom Santarsiero (guitar, mandolin, banjo, jaw harp, foot percussion) provides the rock-solid yet eclectic beat that anchors dancers while giving them space for expression; he also plays with Riverbend. The rich sound of Montage has been described as “chocolate cake,” so come hungry to dance!

Hands Four Dancers of Ithaca is pleased to sponsor this event. No need to bring a partner, but please DO bring clean, soft-soled shoes to protect the dance floor. People new to contra dancing or to this area are always made welcome by the dance community. There are just a few basic steps and patterns, easily learned, and every dance is briefly taught. You can join HFDI (a volunteer nonprofit organization) at the event and receive a discount on all our dances. For more info, visit www.hands4dancers.org or call 607-539-3174.

– Margaret Shepard

the date and time 11/11/11 11:11:11.11 (starts at 8 pm)
the math (11 / 11) / 11 = 0.0909090909
the numerology http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/11:11_%28numerology%29
the movie http://1111themovie.com/
the bible http://www.revelationbibleprophecy.org/revelation11.html
the occult http://www.whale.to/b/duke.html
the book http://1111angels.com/TheSearch.html
the dance 11/11/11 until at least 11:11.11 !! Mike-Andrea-Ethan as “Notes Inégales” at Bethel Grove Ithaca for a later than usual contra dance! 2nd performance of this fabulous high energy string trio! Videos from the last appearance by Ben Werner http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Notes+In%C3%A9gales+at+Bethel+Grove&aq=f

Mike-Andrea-Ethan will be providing music as “Notes Inégales” at the Bethel Grove Community Center for a later than usual contra dance! This will be a fun DANCE PARTY featuring “Notes Inégales” with Ethan Jodziewicz (guitar and feet) and Andrea Katz (fiddle) along with Mike Ludgate (mandolin) at Bethel Grove Community Center. Calling the dances will be various local favorites including Megan Ludgate. This is the 2nd performance of this fabulous high energy trio at this old New England style venue located at 1825 Slaterville Road (Rt 79 about 4 miles east of Ithaca) Ithaca NY from 8-11 pm. Admission $6- (discounts for students and new dancers) Sponsored by: TCCD - Tompkins County Country. The building has a newly refinished wooden dance floor and is a popular place for the weekly Ithaca contra dance.

NEW MUSICIANS — Two new musicians to the Ithaca area. Ethan Jodziewicz (bass, guitar, banjo, mandolin and feet) is a music major studying double bass performance at Ithaca College. Ethan is from Washington state. Andrea Katz (from Texas and playing fiddle) is a PhD candidate in applied physics at Cornell University. Both musicians are fantastic contra dance musicians and played for many contra dances in their home states.

“Notes Inégales” - About the band name. This trio previously appeared as “NO’Shanigans”. Usually that name is reserved for permutations of the locally popular O’Shanigans where a substitute musician fills in for Tim. Phil or Mike. But the Ethan-Andrea-Mike trio has such a unique sound the musicians thought it would be fun to have new band name for this combination. They were tossing around ideas of various phrases translated into French … a common theme in the contra dance world because fo the strong French-Canadian influence on this type of dance music. Ethan suggested this phrase “Notes Inégales” which literally means uneven note. Here is the wikipedia article on the phrase. “In music, notes inégales (French: unequal notes) refers to a performance practice, mainly from the Baroque and Classical music eras, in which some notes with equal written time values are performed with unequal durations, usually as alternating long and short. The practice was especially prevalent in France in the 17th and 18th centuries, with appearances in other European countries at the same time; and it reappeared as the standard performance practice in the 20th century in jazz.” source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notes_in%C3%A9gales

Notes Inégales events are LISTED HERE http://www.oshanigans.org/
VENUE http://tedcrane.com/DanceDB/DisplayDance.com?key=US_NY_ITH_TCCD
VENUE’S POSTER http://canaaninstitute.org/photos/TCCD_Insert_current.pdf
BAND’S EVENT POSTER http://canaaninstitute.org/docs/Oshanigans_current_poster.pdf
FACEBOOK EVENT https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=133082890127595

DIRECTIONS to this DANCE http://tedcrane.com/DanceDB/DisplayVenue.com?key=US_NY_ITH_BG Bethel Grove Community Center 1825 Slaterville Road (NYS Rt.79) (from Ithaca take State Street east to Rt. 79, about four miles from the Ithaca Commons; a few hundred yards past the Bible Church)

GOOGLE MAP link DIRECTIONS http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode&q=1825+Slaterville+Rd%2C+Ithaca%2C+NY+14850&sll=42.41161%2C-76.29505&sspn=0.008523%2C0.01929&ie=UTF8&hq&hnear=1825+Slaterville+Rd%2C+Ithaca%2C+Tompkins%2C+New+York+14850&ll=42.40552%2C-76.432515&spn=0.034097%2C0.077162&z=14

MORE general INFORMATION About Contra Dancing:

http://www.greatmeadowmusic.com/music.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contra_dance
http://tedcrane.com/DanceDB/DisplayDance.com/US_NY_ITH_TCCD
http://hands4dancers.org/
http://www.syracusecountrydancers.org/
http://contra.binghamtondance.org/contra_calendar.htm
http://www.thedancegypsy.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTtEOaruqr4
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128273050

An NPR article from recent news: Contra dancing has been around since the 1700s. If you don’t know it — it’s kind of like square dancing but with long lines of dancers. The dance is having a renaissance around the country thanks to a thriving youth scene and incredibly lively acoustic music. Article by Marika Partridge on All Things Considered NPR July 2nd 2010 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128273050

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Mike Merenda and Ruthy Ungar Merenda

Saturday, 19 November, 8 pm

Hollis Cornell Auditorium,

Goldwin Smith Hall, Cornell Arts Quad

Theater in NYC drew them together, but it is music that has found sweet union in this couple. For seven years, Ruthy Ungar Merenda and Mike Merenda made an impressive worldwide splash as founders, with Tao Rodriguez-Seeger, of The Mammals, a “subversive” acoustic string band (who gave a riveting concert for the Cornell Folk Song Society back in 2004). They’ve played with Arlo Guthrie on his 40th Anniversary Alice’s Restaurant tour and for Pete Seeger’s 89th birthday appearance on Letterman. Mike & Ruthy tour with Jay Ungar (Ruthy’s father) and Molly Mason (of Ken Burns’ Civil War and contra and swing dance fame); this stellar Family Band did a great show for CFSS back in 2008. Ruthy also performs with her mother Lyn Hardy, Abby Newton, and Rosie Newton (local old-timey darling of the Pearly Snaps and Evil City) as the Mother Daughter String Band.

The birth of their son in 2008 did not slow their music-making, but gave Mike & Ruthy a new focus. Since then, they have performed mostly as a duo. And what a duo! Love infuses their instrumental give and take and the twining together of their voices. Says Ruthy, “I’ve always loved singing harmony. Mike’s voice is very breathy and mine is really strong, so it was a challenge at first. But I think that’s part of what makes us sound different than other duos.” Their interplay creates a “disarmingly laid-back yet tensile feel,” writes Jeff Rosenberg (Willamette Week).

In concert, Mike & Ruthy offer a no-limits repertoire from original to contemporary indie roots-rock, blues, stompin’ honky tonk, and traditional American folk delivered with passion and respect. They’re edgy, sensual, literate, political, and full of heart. Dazzling fiddle, banjo, guitar, and ukulele, and sweet, soulful harmony singing are alive with this young couple’s natural chemistry. Ruthy was raised on a diet of Ashokan folk music camps, swing, and contra dances (as a child, she created the wildly fun “Wizard’s Walk” dance), while Mike grew up honing his lyrical skills as a songwriter and playwright, and playing in alternative and ska bands. They’re willing to experiment, but are solidly planted; their songs have meaning and their music-making is organic, never copied. The Valley Voice declares that “Mike & Ruthy bravely and successfully bring folk music to a new place, while holding on to the timelessness of the of the genre, namely, the telling of a story.”

In addition to their recordings with The Mammals, Mike & Ruthy have produced seven CDs, including the ambitious Million to One in 2010. Of this most recent project, David Bromberg says, “The songwriting, singing, and production are all first rate.” Come hear for yourself the continuing evolution of this surprising and endearing duo. For sound clips and fun photos, check out http://www.mikeandruthy.com/

$15 advance/$17 door; $3 rebate for CFSS members, seniors, teens. Cornell students $10/$12. Children 12 and under free. Tickets: Ludgate’s, Ithaca Guitar Works, GreenStar, Autumn Leaves, Bound for Glory, and online at www.cornellfolksong.org. Info: website or 607-279-2027.

– Margaret Shepard

BROOKTONDALE NY - Music Jam Event at the Canaan Institute (Mike and Raylene’s workshop) with mountain dulcimer musician extraordinaire Bing Futch! Wednesday November 9th 5-10 pm Bing will teach a Mountain dulcimer workshop from 5-7 pm cost is $25. This will be followed by the regular MUSIC JAM at the usual time 7:00-10pm the music jam is FREE. The music jam is also open to ALL instruments! It is OK to come to only the dulcimer workshop OR only the music jam (or both of course). RSVP to mike@cinst.org to reserve a seat at the workshop and for directions.

Some of you may have seen Bing at Old Songs this year. More about this fabulous musician: With roots in both African and Seminole Indian tribes, Bing Futch’s window on America is a unique landscape of music, words and imagery. He began playing Appalachian mountain dulcimer at Knott’s Berry Farm theme park in 1986, working at a Ghost Town shop for Bud & Donna Ford.

That same year, Futch founded techno-punk band Crazed Bunnyz, a trio that grew popular in the international underground college radio scene and has remained a fan favorite long after disbanding in 1988. Since then, he has enjoyed a diverse and prolific solo career, composing dozens of scores for film, theater, themed attractions and television.

After working closely with producers of the hit NBC series “Quantum Leap” while shooting his first documentary in 1992, Futch left his California hometown of Los Angeles in 1993 to pursue production opportunities in central Florida where he set up a multimedia company called J.O.B. Entertainment Inc. Some of his early projects include the travelogue “Disney Overload”, a reality series called “Toastin’”, serving as musical director and composing an original score for the Stage Left Theater production of “Jungle Book: The Musical” and writing/performing portions of the soundtrack for The Castle of Miracles at Give Kids The World Village in Kissimmee, Florida.

In 1999, Mohave was born. The award-winning Americana band has performed in a variety of venues including multiple shows at The House Of Blues at Walt Disney World, Hard Rock Live Orlando, The Bamboo Room, Freebird Live, The Orlando Fringe Festival, The Central Florida Fair and they’ve also opened for national acts Molly Hatchet, Subject To Change, St. Somewhere and The Crests.

As a solo performer, Bing’s high-energy, crowd pleasing shows and unique approach to the mountain dulcimer combined have made him a much-sought national act from California to Connecticut. Named 2006 “Songwriter of the Year” by the Songwriters Showcases of America (with a 2007 “Song of the Year” award for “Crazy Feels Like”), Bing has become a regularly featured artist at festivals, house concerts, Irish and British pubs and other venues across the country. He’s opened for Grammy-award nominated artists Sam & Ruby, bluesman Scott Ainslie, singer/songwriter Larry Mangum, shared the stage with Zydeco king Chubby Carrier, Tom Constanten (The Grateful Dead), national fingerstyle guitar champion Michael Chapdelaine, produced numerous recordings and has published several songbooks.

Alongside his performing career, Bing has become a popular instructor of the mountain dulcimer and Native American flute and his video podcast, “Dulcimerica”, has been seen and downloaded by over half a million unique viewers.

Along with the music and video, Bing is also an accomplished podcaster, published writer and roller-coaster fan whose music columns in Jam, Ink-19 and Connections Magazine have been a Florida scene staple for over ten years. He and his wife Jae live in Orlando, so close to Walt Disney World that you can see the fireworks from their interstate exit. — bio by Dean Rezzen

Bing Futch’s Website http://www.darkstudios.com
Canaan Institute Website http://www.canaaninstitute.org

Fri Oct 21 2011 ITHACA NY - O’Shanigans dance party with Tim, Mike and Phil at Bethel Grove Community Center. Our local favorite and funtastic Nancy Spero will be calling the dances at 1825 Slaterville Road (Rt 79 about 4 miles east of Ithaca) Ithaca NY from 8-11 pm. Admission $6- Sponsored by: TCCD - Tompkins County Country. Tim Ball (fiddle), Phil Robinson (guitar), Mike Ludgate (mandolin). Don’t miss this celebration of the roots of New England folk dance! This is an authentic Old New England style venue with a newly refinished wooden dance floor! Bring clean shoes, a water bottle and YOUR FRIENDS! All dances taught, No partner needed.

O’Shanigans is Tim Ball on fiddle, Mike Ludgate on mandolin and Phil Robinson on guitar.

BAND on WEB http://www.oshanigans.org
BAND on FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com/oshanigans please “LIKE” :-)
VENUE http://tedcrane.com/DanceDB/DisplayDance.com?key=US_NY_ITH_TCCD
VENUE’S POSTER http://canaaninstitute.org/photos/TCCD_Insert_current.pdf
BAND’S EVENT POSTER http://canaaninstitute.org/docs/Oshanigans_current_poster.pdf
FACEBOOK EVENT https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=172826912801471

DIRECTIONS to this DANCE — http://tedcrane.com/DanceDB/DisplayVenue.com?key=US_NY_ITH_BG Bethel Grove Community Center 1825 Slaterville Road (NYS Rt.79) (from Ithaca take State Street east to Rt. 79, about four miles from the Ithaca Commons; a few hundred yards past the Bible Church)

Google Maps http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode&q=1825+Slaterville+Rd%2C+Ithaca%2C+NY+14850&sll=42.41161%2C-76.29505&sspn=0.008523%2C0.01929&ie=UTF8&hq&hnear=1825+Slaterville+Rd%2C+Ithaca%2C+Tompkins%2C+New+York+14850&ll=42.40552%2C-76.432515&spn=0.034097%2C0.077162&z=14

From the dancers and callers about O’Shanigans –  “That was a delightful contra dance last night in Fayetteville … I truly enjoyed the many subtleties of your musical arrangements. And when Nils Fredland joined in on his trombone, it was polyphonic heaven … ” , “Ithaca’s best contra dance band”, “O’Shanigans rock”, ” … such a fun group of people, and the band was awesome … ” , “What a great dance! Nils called some fun and interesting dances, the band was delightful! The place was packed…” , “you guys really GET the dance thing”, “wow …. WOW! That was inceredible!”, “you guys are so much fun to dance to!”, ”O’Shanigans is Ithaca’s hottest new contra dance band.”, “Tim Ball, Mike Ludgate, and Phil Robinson play with energy and style. It’s party time!” “I was happy to see and hear your band play, it was great! The music was the best I’ve heard at a contra for sure. It really got everyone grooving and elicited hooting and hollering … YEAH!” “The O’Shanigans rocked the hall tonight! You guys sure know how to throw a party!” “I was really glad to get to dance to your music- that was tons of fun!!” “Super dance on Friday! You guys were peppy, and there were some imaginative arrangements that made familiar tunes sound fresh. Hooray for the O’Shanigans!” “It was invigorating music, great company and fun caller!” “Do play for us again!” “It was fun dancing and even more so to the tunes of O’Shanigans!” “It was great!” “Mike, you and Phil and Tim were SOLID! I had a blast and my daughter had fun too! Thanks for playing, and thanks to Ray for the goodies!” “We’ve heard great stuff about you guys: We’d love to have you play at our dance!” “Wow! I have not seen that kind of energy at the Friday Dance in long time, you guys were great!” “That was they most amazing medley … was there something Middle Eastern in there?” “You guys were way out there like in Hungary or somewhere? … then you brought it back home with that old-time tune … the best version of that I have ever heard!” “The band was absolutely wonderful last night!”

More information About Contra Dancing:

http://www.greatmeadowmusic.com/music.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contra_dance
http://tedcrane.com/DanceDB/DisplayDance.com/US_NY_ITH_TCCD
http://hands4dancers.org/
http://www.syracusecountrydancers.org/
http://contra.binghamtondance.org/contra_calendar.htm
http://www.thedancegypsy.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTtEOaruqr4
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128273050

NPR: Youth Flock To Contra Dancing — Contra dancing has been around since the 1700s. If you don’t know it — it’s kind of like square dancing but with long lines of dancers. The dance is having a renaissance around the country thanks to a thriving youth scene and incredibly lively acoustic music. Article by Marika Partridge on All Things Considered NPR July 2nd 2010 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128273050

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