Country Dance NY Presents Spring Fever Dance with WILD ASPARAGUS, 4/28

Country Dance*New York will present a special Spring Fever dance on Saturday, April 28, 2012 with inventive, high energy live music by the leading U.S. contra dance band, Wild Asparagus. There will be a contra dance for experienced dancers from 4:00pm to 6:00pm; a brown bag dinner from 6:00pm to 7:45pm; a beginner's workshop from 7:30pm to 8:00pm; and an evening contra dance for all from 8:00pm to 11:00pm. George Marshall, a member of the band and a highly regarded caller, will lead the proceedings at PS 199, 270 West 70th Street, Manhattan.

Contra dancing is having a renaissance around the country, thanks to a thriving youth scene; high energy, acoustic music; and joyful, fast-paced, aerobic dancing. There is plenty of swinging your partner and lots of fun, flirting and eye contact. Some men wear kilts or skirts. Women dance with men, men dance with men, and women dance with women. No previous experience is required. From 7:30pm to 8:00pm there is a beginner's workshop, and the caller walks everyone through the patterns of each dance.

Wild Asparagus is a five-person band from Western Massachusetts. Drawing upon music from New England, the British Isles, and Canada, as well as classical sources, Wild Asparagus takes an original approach to traditional dance music. Using their unique blend of instruments, creativity and skills, they thrill dancers and concert audiences throughout the U.S. by offering exciting and powerful yet sensitive performances. The band has appeared at numerous major festivals and dance events in the U.S. and Canada. Wild Asparagus currently has seven recordings available.

The heartbeat of Wild Asparagus is Ann Percival on piano, guitar and vocals. Ann's playing is extremely creative while still maintaining an irresistible rhythm. David Cantieni is a woodwind wizard, pouring forth lively melodies and liquid harmonies on his flutes, tin whistle, oboe, saxophone and bombard. Becky Tracy's masterful fiddling is a rare combination of energy and beauty. George Marshall is an accomplished English concertina player and also provides driving rhythms on bodhran and bones. Mark Murphy, an excellent bass player, completes the line-up.

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 long lines of dancers facing their partners and moving briskly in patterns to live music, sometimes changing partners.

General Information: Admission for the afternoon experienced dance, when the patterns are likely to be complex and the instruction abbreviated, is $12 general public, and $10 for full-time students with ID. Admission for the evening dance (for dancers at all levels from beginners to experienced) is $16 general public, and $12 for full-time students with ID. Admission to both dances is $25 general public and $20 for full-time students with ID. First timers get a free pass to use to come another time. For more information visit the Country Dance*New York website, www.cdny.org or call The Dancephone at 212.459.4080. Attendees are asked to bring a separate pair of clean, soft-soled shoes for dancing.

Traveling to 270 West 70th Street (between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues) via subway: Take the 1 or 2 subway train to the 72nd Street stop.

Photo Credit:  Toby