CONTRASHOCK: Brings Two Days of High Energy Dancing and Live Music to NYC
By: A.A. Cristi Sep. 15, 2017
On Friday, September 22nd and Saturday, September 23rd, Country Dance*New York (CD*NY) and Brooklyn Contra will present Contrashock!, two days of contra dancing and live, high energy music with three of the most in-demand contra dance bands, Great Bear, The Ripples and Pete's Posse, and two nationally renowned callers, Will Mentor and Maggie Jo Saylor.
All are welcome. No previous experience in dancing is required, and no partner is necessary. Callers teach the patterns of each dance, making contra dancing fun and easy for all.
Dance schedule and locations:
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 with Great Bear and caller Will Mentor
7:30 - 8 pm Contra Dance Lesson for New Dancers
8 -11 pm Contra Dance for All
Camp Friendship
339 8th Street
Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY 11215
(Easy to reach via F, R, G trains. Check http://www.mta.info for service updates)
SAT, SEPTEMBER 23 with The Ripples and Pete's Posse with callers Will Mentor and Maggie Jo Saylor
2:15 - 5:30 pm Challenging Contras for Advanced Dancers
7:00 - 7:30pm Contra Dance Lesson for New Dancers
7:30 - 10:45 pm Contra Dance for All
PS 3: The John Melser Charrette School
(Easy to reach via 1, 2, 3, A, B, C, D, E trains. Check http://www.mta.info for service updates)
Tickets
Tickets are $20 per dance or $55 for all three dances in the weekend pass. Tickets and passes are available online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3021244 and at the door.
Further information online at http://contrashock.org.
Contra dancing is enjoying a renaissance around the country, thanks to: a thriving youth scene; lively, uplifting acoustic music; joyful, fast-paced, aerobic dancing; and a welcoming dance community. Opportunities abound for meeting interesting people. Contra dancing started in New England in the 1700s, but the modern version is a far cry from the Virginia Reel-type dancing done in schools years ago. The current dancing is done in lines, with dancers facing their partners and moving briskly along the line in patterns to live music, dancing with their current partner, and also with everyone they meet.
For more than sixteen years, Great Bear has set the standard and pushed the boundaries of modern contra dance music. They are known all over North America for their epic dynamics, genre-transcending arrangements and deep dance grooves. Andrew VanNorstrand (guitars and fiddle), Noah VanNorstrand (fiddle, mandolin and feet) and Kim "Mama Bear" Yerton (piano) are joined by Chris Miller (saxophones and banjo), Rebecca Bosworth-Clemens (clarinet) and Dana Billings (drums).
Hailing from the Midwest, The Ripples have been earning raves everywhere they go. This young band provides a diverse and satisfying dance experience, incorporating music ranging from world beats to pop while keeping a firm footing in traditional American folk. Come stomp, slink, and slide across the dance floor to their entrancing tunes! Gabrielle Lanza (vocals and percussion), Kristen Planeaux (piano and flute), AnDrew Taylor (fiddle), and Christopher Wood (electric baritone guitar).
Vermont's own traditional roots power-trio, Pete's Posse is composed of acclaimed musician Pete Sutherland (fiddle, piano, banjo, melodica and vocals), his talented protégé Oliver Scanlon (fiddle, viola, mandolin, foot percussion and vocals) and the uber-dynamic Tristan Henderson (guitars, mandolin, jaw harp, foot percussion and vocals). Twin fiddles in tight, wild harmony over high-powered guitar and pounding footwork with mandolin, clawhammer banjo, jawharp and rocking keyboards add their voices to the mix. Songs and tunes, old and new, lyrical and driving is the multi-generational heart and mind of Pete's Posse.
Will Mentor is a beloved contra and square dance caller from Northern Vermont known for his clear teaching, upbeat wit, and relaxed stage presence. Maggie Jo Saylor has been calling contra dances since she was fifteen, and contra dancing since she can remember. She is now in demand at local dances and dance weekends all over the U.S. Maggie Jo's calling is notable for a unique, youthful energy and enthusiasm. She incorporates her theatre and improv performance training into her evenings, which makes for clear, concise instruction and creative programming. Her youthful vibrancy appeals to all ages, from beginners to "cool, hip dancers." She firmly believes that if you're not having fun, then you're not contra dancing!
Country Dance*New York is a vibrant and long-standing intergenerational NYC dance community which involves New Yorkers and others in fun, lively dancing; supports local musicians, callers, and dancers; and hosts weekly English country dances and American contra dances. http://cdny.org
Brooklyn Contra is dedicated to preserving folk traditions through innovative and exciting programming and outside-the-box partnerships that grow contra's audience. http://www.brooklyncontra.org/
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