The talented and energetic people who make the music and call the dances. Coloradoans are marked with a ©
Music
"have been playing for contra dances about 20 years and hail from Albuquerque NM. In other settings they play tunes from Mexico, Brazil, and Italy besides their staple of bluegrass and old-time tunes. For the dances you can expect to hear mostly old-time (aka Appalachian-style) tunes with a smattering of Celtic and New England styles. Bruce Thomson plays fiddle and describes his musical background as the Texas-fiddle-contest style. Elliot Rogers plays guitar and moves from the standard boom-chuck rhythm with ordinary chords to a much broader palette of chords and rhythms. Wayne Shrubsall on the banjo frails the old-time tunes and then finger picks the Celtic tunes in a bluegrass style."(Folkmads newsletter, 2001). On Myspace and a Facebook event [11/18}
was a contemporary contra band from the heart of this music, Western Massachusetts and the Connecticut River valley: Rodney Miller, fiddle; Marko Packard, guitar; Mary cay Brass, piano; Stuart Kenney, bass; Sam Zucchini, percussion. Archived ( as of 8/07) website [2/05]
is a Seattle pianist playing 'urban' contra tunes. She tours with Rex Blazer (1998).
"Anita Anderson plays for the dancers, using her gut-thumping rhythmic sensibilities and glancing familiarity with doo-wop, gospel, Scandinavian, Cape Benton, and jazz back up to keep everyone moving. She barely plays a the same way twice but sometimes she does consult the rest of the band on her innovations. Dancers have her full attention as she tailors her back up to the moves and mood of each dance." (Port Angeles contra page) [8/18]
is a popular Seattle musician and English Country dance leader. [1995]
'But I also think it understates life to say that "Laurie Andres &ellip; plays the piano accordion."'
Cathie [Whitesides] and Laurie are legends in the contra dances and dance camps of the NW, California, and nationally. Rocksolid, reliable, innovative. A thrill to dance to. [1997]
adds the flute to local bands when visiting the state. She teaches world music at the University of Oklahoma, plays in the Middle Eastern duo Arabesque, has an interest in Vietnamese music, and is a member of the English Country Dance (and contra) group Ladies at Play. [4/13]
The members of Arís (ar-EESH, Irish word meaning "again") find common ground in the haunting melodies and driving rhythms of the Emerald Isle. Their eclectic backgrounds lead them to play roots music from other parts of the world as well, including everything from bluegrass to Bulgarian. On the fiddle, Ann Federowicz was classically trained starting at the age of 10. She lived in Vail for three years where she played bluegrass with The Minturn Ramblers, later turning to Irish music with Four Mile Stone. On fiddle, banjo and bouzouki, Mark Brissenden started playing Celtic styles after a trip to Ireland in 1991, and currently plays bouzouki and fiddle with Bedlam Abbey and Skean Dubh. Annie Sirotniak began playing guitar at 14, and mandolin 7 years ago. In the Colorado bluegrass community, she's played with Howlin' Dog Moon, and currently plays mandolin and sings with the Sweet Pine Quartet. She plays guitar, bouzouki, mandolin, and fiddle with Arís. [Attic Windows 11/02]
grew up listening and dancing to the music of West Texas. She got her first guitar in high school.She really learned to play while hanging out in Alamosa with other musicians during the summer of 1989. She hasn't put it down since. Linda considers Jeanie McLerie, Paul Katopish, Beverly Smith and Jere Canote as her most important musical influences. She's become a master at playing rhythm guitar for Southern old time dance tunes, Cajun dance melodies, the irregular rhythms of guiachi fiddle music, and Italian cafÚ songs in a variety of bands. Those groups include the Cicadas, the Pasta Tones and the Tune Junkies. She records and tours with Bayou Seco and is a founding member of the Sandia Hots [Harvest Camp 9/03]
In January 2002 the band changed their name forever to the less silly sounding Assembly (says their former website www.popcornbehavior.com).
Have been heard on NPR's All Things Considered in 1998; they now play and tour widely. The group has been receiving rave reviews since the original 3 members released their first album in 1993 at the ages of 10-13. Attic Windows [8/01]
are Christopher Jacoby on guitar or mandolin, Ross Harriss on sax or guitar. [12/13]
perform traditional and contemporary Celtic music. Based in Albuquerque NM, Bailiwick recently performed as part of the Biopark Summer Nights series and other public venues. [7/99]
is Susan Reading on fiddle, Tina Gugeler on hammered dulcimer and John Reading on piano or keyboard. Since 1993 they provide high energy music for dances along the Front Range. Balance & Swing musicians also have performed at festivals and dance camps and can be found lurking in other constellations of bands throughout the region. A website with schedule and more information. [5/19]
Sue Reading - fiddle, John Reading - piano & sax, Tina Gugeler - hammered dulcimer, Marni Rachmiel - flute, vocals, sax [12/02]
organise and play at the Buena Vista dance. One article and another in local papers as well as photo. [2/19]
is a spirited band from Albuquerque whose repertoire includes music for contra dances < SPAN style="font-size:smaller">(1995) They have played 3 times at the renowned Sidmouth (Devon, UK) International Folk Festival. website or Facebook [8/18]
is a Durango-area band that specializes in Celtic music. [1995]
is a fiddler from Juneau. He plays 'urban' contra tunes. He tours with Anita Anderson and is a member of Lift Ticket. His website rexblazer.com Possibly (looking on the net) a Project Analyst-Mining/Timber involved in environmental issues [1998]
is a quintessential New England Dance band featuring piano, violin, and clarinet. BLT plays sensational tune for contra dance plus wonderful waltzes. This trio, who have been featured at major festivals and dance camps, have played together for 20 years and have several recordings. [Attic Windows, 1/98]
Peter Barnes on the piano, Mary Lea on the fiddle and Bill Tomczak on the clarinet are active in heaps of other bands as well. [1998]
was an excellent English group specialising in music for American style contras and squares. Named after the Blue Ridge Mountains of the USA, the group played for more than 30 years. They often appeared at the London Barn Dance Company [9/00]
is Doug Rippey, Duffy Keith, Pierce Martin, Charlie Martin [11/18}
Betsy Branch and Mark Douglass
have been playing for dances together for 15 years, combining Betsy's dynamic and driving fiddle with Mark's jazz chops on piano. Whether they are playing a fiery contra tune or an elegant English dance, their powerful music often causes people to look around the stage for where the other musicians are hiding. Betsy and Mark, based in Portland, OR, also play with the contra dance bands Wild Hair and Night Owl. [Amherst contra, 6/11]
appears in Bluegrass, Celtic and early music groups such as Arís, Bedlam Abbey, Pick-A-Billies, Poultry In Motion and Skean Dubh. He plays more than a dozen instruments (one at a time). [5/03]
lead the popular "Weston Country Dance Band," playing for dances all across the southern part of England. Their styles vary from 17th century English Country Dances to hot American hoedowns and reels. They have appeared at the major festivals in England, and will perform this year at the Sidmouth Festival, England's largest and best-known folk festival. They have been featured musicians at the Christmas Country Dance School in Berea, Kentucky. [4/00]
has been fiddling around for thirty-some years. He played for the first Denver contra dance in 1978. His playing inspired many other Denver musicians to contra tunes. His old-time fiddling can be heard in the bands Dreaded Wolftones and Poultry In Motion He has introducted fresh tunes from Clifftop WV and Mount Airy NC festivals to the Denver scene. [Attic Windows 1/01]
are Joel Hayes, Ed Secor and Rodney Sauer[7/18}
played fiddle in old-time and contra bands. She started the Westminster dance and worked in historic preservation of that area. She continued her work in Manitou Springs. [6/13]
Al says, "The music we do is mostly acoustic (fiddle, mandolin, octave mandolin, guitar). We met in Boulder in 1983 when Emily had a bluegrass band called 'The Tractors'. " [Attic Windows, 9/99]
thecantrellsmusic.tripod.com [11/01]
and her fiddle music have inspired many happy feet at contra dances. debcarstensen.com She played classical violin from age 10. In 1990, she decided that she wanted to play for the fun of it and for the 'right brain' of it. She looked for a teacher who could help her learn to play by ear and improvise, and found Ron Jones at Swallow Hill. Deb says, "He does a great job at teaching classical violinists to play folk music, and therefore fiddle! I immediately was attracted to Celtic music, and here I am today."
Deb likes playing for dancers, whether contra, or Irish Step dancers or cloggers. She loves dancing herself, and so tries to find music that she would enjoy dancing to. She often plays with Tina Gugeler (hammer dulcimer). The two of them, with various combinations of other people, have formed the bands Highstrung, Unstrung, Restrung, Wellstrung, and Unstrung Heros. "Whatever the band," she says, "I am playing with some of the finest musicians in the area."[Attic Windows 1/00]
was a string band devoted to Appalachian and old-time music. (They have disbanded.) The ensemble loves playing not only for fans of old-time music but also for people who have never heard old-time music before or have never danced before. The musicians: Charlie Martin and Vicky Bunsen on fiddle, Kate Lawrence on banjo, Duffy Keith on guitar, and Keith Akers on bass. [2/07]
(chah-REE vah-REE) from Lafayette, LA has been called by many "the next Beausoleil", and as anyone having seen this band can attest, they well deserve these comparisons to Cajun music's most hallowed ensemble. Rooted in traditional Cajun music but willing to stretch the genre and explore cultural diversity, the band gives their audiences a joyously long night of foot-stomping two-steps, frenetic reels, sensuous waltzes, and a rowdy good time. Last year's highly-praised Rounder Records release, I Want to Dance with You highlighted their exceptional musical styles and proved that they are a band to take notice of. Performing as a trio (ten-button Cajun accordion, fiddle, and guitar), Charivari promises to live up to their name, which is derived from the ancient Cajun tradition of cacophonic revelry designed to prevent, in a teasing fashion, anyone who was getting married for the second time from enjoying the typical pleasures of a wedding night. Retrospective website
featuring Peter Sutherland, Jeremiah McLane and more good musicians have a sound so full with a beat so compelling that even non-dancers hop out of their seats. The band combines hard driving New England sound with "Wild Asparagus" rock, cool jazz and a Caribbean island beat. [Attic Windows 1/01]
Jeremiah is an inspired accordion and piano player. He expands effortlessly on musical possibilities in any style, from Breton and swing to Cajun, zydeco and jazz.[Pinewoods '00]
is a musician and traditional Appalachian clogger. She was playing fiddle for a dance troupe, the Wild Goose Chase Cloggers in Minneapolis. "I didn't know what clogging was and I fell in love with it when I first saw it," she said. "As soon as I joined the group (as a fiddler) I said, 'I want to do that.'" While traveling nationally and internationally with the group of roughly 16 dancers and musicians, Coen taught herself many of the steps and transitioned from musical accompaniment to full-time dancer. Andrea played with Pigs Eye Landing, the Snow Weevils and Catharsis as well as Larry Unger and Frank Lee, and also fills in as a dance caller. She and her husband - singer/songwriter Matthew Coen, are in the Big Meadow band. [4/19]
are the trio of Aeryk Parker, CL Morden and Rodney Sauer [8/18]
Hugh Robertson on fiddle, Steve Hargroder on accordion, Cheryl Hargroder on guitar, Donna Hargroder on triangle, Josie Wales on drums, and Woody on bass. website (archived) [1995]
Her write-up on Dick Oakes' website [8/18]
is Eric Anderson (Seattle → Mountain View) and Eileen Nicholson Kalfass, eileenfiddle.com (Syracuse). Eric's piano playing for contra is “an endeavor that he has pursued from North Carolina to all over the Pacific Northwest.”(PCDC footnotes) His other bands include Celticladda, Fiddlerats and Bandemonium. Eric writes of his playing philosophy “The fiddler's groove keeps the dancers' feet moving. The piano's job is to match up with the phrases of the dance and to keep the excitement building. The dancers want to get into that Zone, where they don't have to think about the next move, they just move.” Eileen Nicholson “grew up contra dancing along the East Coast, from Pennsylvania to New England, so she knows how to keep feet moving for both contra and English country dancing. Eileen's classical technique and rich tone complement her varied approach to violin and fiddle.”(Summer Swing bio) A page of their music. [12/18]
are Kathryn Lunsford (fiddle), Russell Hooten (guitar) and Nick Lawrence (clawhammer banjo)."Old time played straight up since 2017. After attending old time jams in the area for many years, the four of us decided to take it further and become a band. Our love of old time music featuring traditional fiddle and banjo styles creates the core sound with songs of love, betrayal, disaster and murder here and there … for good measure!" 2018 Durango Bluegrass Meltdown
bio for the 2018 Winter Solabration [5/18]
is Deb Carstensen (fiddle) with Rodney Sauer (accordion, key board), Eric Olson (Uilleann pipes, wind instruments) and Mark Brissenden (banjo) [03/04]
was Eric Levine with John and Susan Reading of Balance & Swing, Sue and Eric on fiddle with John on piano. [05/01]
is Joel Hayes, Seth Houston and Rodney Sauer Sue and Eric on fiddle with John on piano. [05/01]
is Boulder based fiddler and violinist. His web-site includes music samples. [04/09]
can include Bonnie Carol, Deb Carstensen, Rodney Sauer, Ed Secor, Dave Firestine[1/15]
are Caroline McCaskey (fiddle), Cole Ingraham (flute, djembe), Terrell Liedstrand (mandolin, guitar), Eric Anderson (piano). On myspace [12/06]
play regularly at the Grand Junction contra on the fiddle, piano, hammered dulcimer, bodhran, Uillean pipes, concertina and penny whistle. Website fifthreelmusicanddance.com. Current band members are Ron Young on hammer dulcimer, Connie Michael on keyboard, Mick Wilson on clarinet and Norm Ashley on fiddle. Other members have included Rachel Rosenberg on fiddle, Robert Rosenberg on guitar, and Harmony Tucker on fiddle. The band overlaps with the Blarney Pilgrim. Enquiries: 970-243-6736. [3/13]
mainly plays mandolin and is also know to appear on the tenor banjo, bodhran and to add vocals. He is in Arizona groups such as Steam and Púca. [8/18]
started through the Boulder Irish music session. They formed the band in the summer of 1998 and have focused on playing for contra dances and ceilis with "high-energy" dance music, much of it Irish and Scottish in origin, and incorporating other influences, such as French-Canadian tunes.
Michelle Huber - Fiddle: Michelle, a Denver native, began her violin studies in the public school system. A little over four years ago she was exposed to the world of fiddle music and has not put down the fiddle since. Michelle plays mostly Irish and Scottish dance tunes, with a few New England and French Canadian tunes thrown in for good flavor. Her goal is to get those dancing feet up and floating off the ground. She also plays in Banshee, a band geared toward performances and private functions.
Rock Eggen - Flute, pennywhistle, guitar: Rock began playing guitar (rock-and-roll style) at the age of twelve. He gravitated to Irish music, taking up first pennywhistle and then flute, in his twenties. In his native Salt Lake City, he played with an Irish Band, Tenpenny, and also a folk instrumental and sea chantey group, Yankee Clipper. He is a self-taught musician. He is the proprietor of the Eggen Violin Shop, where he makes and repairs violins, violas, and cellos.
Michael Reid - Keyboard and English concertina: Michael has played piano, off and on, since he was six. He started contra dancing in the early 1980s while living in the Washington, D.C. area, and it changed his life . . . literally, as he met his wife dancing! Wanting a more portable instrument on which to play dance tunes, he took up accordion and then concertina, later joining an established band, Tanglefoot. He especially enjoys New England and French-Canadian tunes. His 1903 Wheatstone Aeola concertina is his pride and joy.
was Lucia Thomas (fiddle), Keegan Boyle (keyboard), Aeryk Parker (saxaphone), Ed Secor (sax). A dance video. [11/14]
is John Reading, Bill Tomczak & Susan Reading, [12/08]
Mark Graham and Orville Johnson
from Seattle, love the magic they create when the play together and do the dancers and audience.
Mark Graham has been described as a walking gold-mine of harmonica lore, styles, and a superbly sardonic song writer.
Orville Johnson has played guitar, dobro, and mandolin on more than 100 albums. He has taught guitar at the Port Townsend School and the Puget Sound Guitar Workshop.
[CFOOTMAD Attic Windows, 1998]
plays the hammered dulcimer for Balance & Swing. She features at the Colorado Dulcimer Festival, other festivals, music camps, etc. In 2000 and in 2015 she was the Hammered Dulcimer National Champion. Her website [5/19]
is Joel Hayes, Jeff Haemer & Ron Sommer. On myspace [12/06]
"Jeff spices it all up on mandolin or whatever else he can get his hands on" (Stellar Days & Nights)
Jeff hosts an old-timey jam that's been going for about 20 years. (Okay, maybe 25.) It happens every week at his house, whether he's there or not. After a couple of decades, people have learned that they can just show up on Wednesdays and there will be people there, playing music. (Blog)
Both a muso and a caller. [12/06]
– an Albuquerque contra dance band who now include Irish and other Celtic music. Archived website or on MySpace [12/08
began life as a fiddler in grade school. At the 1989 Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas, he was inspired by the music of Doc Watson and the bands Hot Rize and New Grass Revival. While living in Lawrence, Kansas, he picked up the fiddle and also discovered contra dancing! He attended the "Berea Christmas Dance Week" in Kentucky where Gib Gilbert nudged him into playing for the late night contra dance (his first!). Several musicians, including Joel, formed the great band Contrafusion. Joel is a crossover musician, able to play both New England and Old-Time musical styles. Currently starring in 2 bands: The Off Beats (Joel, Marni Rachmiel, and Rodney Sauer) and Late for the Dance (Joel, Jeff Haemer, and friends). In his day job, Joel is a lawyer for people with disabilities. [10/00]
plays fiddle for contra dances in addition to fiddle or violin in other musical traditions. Her teaching bio. More on her background and talents. [2/19]
– an Albuquerque string band playing in the old-time, Celtic and Quebecois styles used for contra dancing. Linda Vik (fiddle,) Tim Shaffer (guitar), Jane Phillips (fiddle , bass), Chris Carlson (fiddle, banjo). Archived website and on YouTube. [12/08]
focus on traditional American fiddle tunes and early, rural country music predating the onset of Bluegrass in the 1940's. They took second place in the Telluride Bluegrass Band Competition. For photos and more stuff, check out archived site [FoTD 8/02]
"As their name suggests, the `Billies have a deliciously disrespectful, eclectic approach, and ... their premier [CD] recording, not only swings but is full of zest, playfulness and pleasant surprises. Roll back the rug and have some fun!" (from Elderly Instruments Catalog 12/98). A sample of their music in an unusual context from their extraterrestrial website. [7/18]
is a member of Lift Ticket and other groups. He is a music performer, composer and educator and studied at the CU Boulder College of Music. Seth plays piano, keyboard and guitar. His website [8/18]
is a fiddler for contra dances and a violinist for other musical forms. On Facebook [8/18]
is Andrea Earley Coen on fiddle, Seth Roberts on guitar, & Rob Readmond on bass and percussion who also plays with Miner's Creek. [10/11]
plays often at the Colorado Springs dances. With changes in the musicians the band has kept on for several years. [1999]
Jeff Haemer (mandolin), Ron Sommers(guitar), David Brown (bass) [2/16]
is Rachael Ramsey from the Blue Ridge Mountains, Vergil Weatherford on the fiddle-with-frets and the tin sandwich from near Asheville, NC, Jessica Johnson on the upright bass or guitar and Jeff Haemer. More info and photo on a CROMA page. [10/10]
was Don and April Paine and friends. "They were the were the folk duo Mountainsong for nearly ten years in southern New Hampshire. They now play in Colorado, ... for pure fun." (Middle C Magazine) historical website [12/06]
was a versatile and experienced fiddler, playing for more than 25 years. He was a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music. "Eric plays everything from jazz to jigs, rumbas to reels, two-steps to tangos, apples to mangos." Years ago he started a contra dance series that is now the Fort Collins 3rd Saturday dance. In 2007, he won a Grammy Award for his work on Mary Youngblood's Grammy winner "Dance With The Wind". He has toured nationally under the auspices of Columbia Artists playing swing, bluegrass, and folk, as well as played on Broadway in the show "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas". Eric also played Celtic music professionally, and has been on staff at Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp. [2/20]
is Tina Gugeler, Sue Reading & Mandy Bush [2004]
are Sue Reading - fiddle, John Reading - piano, Marni Rachmiel - flute, vocals [12/02]
Scott Mathis, Linda Askew, Dave Brown, Anita Schunemann [01/201]
's motto is: "Fiddle tunes infiltrated by foreign agents." They play contra dances everywhere to rave reviews and hail from Seattle. www.kgbmole.com/kgb/
(For a flavour of pacific northwest 'subversives' check out Ernest Callenbach's book Ecotopia.) [1998]
plays Celtic, Renaissance, and baroque music. Featuring Ruth Chaikin, Marianne Gibbs, and Ana Mettler. They have a melodious webpage at The-Kindred-Spirits.com with MP3, info on their CD, etc.[1/03]
can't make up her mind whether to call or to be in the band. She has, however, recently relocated to Colorado. She know a number of punny steps. Archived website [12/07]
from New England (mostly) feature Kate Barnes (piano, guitar, flute), Bill Tomczak (clarinet, sax, drum) and Dave Langford (guitar, fiddle) Website [8/18]
"Dynamic fiddler w/ his Seattle-based acoustic trio (guitar & bass). Winner of the 2002 U.S. National Scottish fiddle championships. 'Jamie instills the traditional music of Scotland, Ireland, Quebec and Brittany with a vigorous and intensely passionate energy'"(sfcelticmusic.com) "His music is flavored with classical, jazz and folk styles" seafolklore.org. His website [8/18]
was Lucia Thomas (fiddle) and Rodney Sauer (accordion, key board). [8/18]
Lift Ticket (formerly New Balance)
from along the West Coast are Brian Perkins, Seth Houston and Rex Blazer. Further information on Rex' page [2011]
who plays with Western Massachusetts bands such as Magic Foot and Hip Bone, came to CU Boulder for research. Further musical background [8/18]
is Dave Brown, Thom Curdts, Dave Parman and Tyler Rusco [8/17]
of Flagstaff, Arizona are a contra band playing traditional Irish and Ceili tunes. Carl Brehmer - Fiddle, Toni George - Flute, Kimbal Babcock - Bass guitar, Mike Bartell - Guitar [12/03]
are Joel Hayes, Rodney Sauer and Dave Firestine [2/13]
play for the Colorado Springs English Country dances and other events: Anne Cowles (archived) and Charla McGaugh. [02/09]
is a violinist and fiddler from Houston, Texas and sometimes Massachusetts. Eden's website [7/05]
string band are Larry Edelman, Jason Dilg, Jessica Johnson and Ellen Rosenberg. [5/07]
has probably been a musician in all of his lives. This time around, he did the right thing by joining a rock and roll band in the 60s. The music hasn't stopped since. It just turned acoustic. Since the 70s, he's added talent and many dimensions to the Albuquerque acoustic scene. He has been a member of the Movin Henry Band, the Goat Heads, the Tune Junkies and the Virginia Creepers. Scott says prominent influences on his music include the work of Albert King, Cleofis Ortiz, Elliot Johnson, and Lotus Dickey. He records and tours with Bayou Seco and is a founding member of the Sandia Hots [Harvest Camp 9/03]
plays fiddle and violin individually and in groups such as StringFire! and the Fiddlerats. She also performs on the saw: website or review. [8/18]
is a Celtic and bluegrass band in Nederland, Colorado. They are 5 musicians on fiddle, banjo, mandolin, string bass and guitars.[1/07]
is a legendary Scottish fiddler. He was a founding member of the Battlefield Band. The following is from a Dirty Linen article after he left the band in 1990:Brian talks about his solo tour - "I'm coming back through with a completely different show. It's based on Scottish history and is going to be music, speech, and visuals. It's called The Back of the North Wind because historically Scotland was known as the land behind the wind. I've taken six examples of famous and not so famous Scots who've come to America and written songs around them. I intend to present the history of what they were and why they came to America.
Holly Williams – hammered dulcimer, Richard Jones – fiddle, Tim Macomber – mandolin, and Kim Harris – piano. On Facebook [4/10]
"play an eclectic mix of music, mostly focused on original and traditional Celtic and American tunes, but also throwing in a number of swing, and folky songs to mix things up. They have surprised and impressed audiences across the Midwest, with their unique stylings and dynamic performances all while sporting their signature head attire." (Folk & Roots Festival] Their – Miriam Larson, Ben Smith, Matt Turino – website [8/18]
is the lead for the Western Slope contra and celtic group Fifth Reel and the founder of the Grand Junction contra. Her web bio. [2/16]
is a well known old-time fiddlers. Bruce's high-spirited music melds the archaic sound of Appalachia, the power of blues and the rhythmic intricacies of traditional African music. Sing Out! says that his fiddling "combines precision and abandon so perfectly that it raises the hairs on the back of your neck."
www.brucemolsky.com [CFOOTMAD Attic Windows, 2001]
© Mont Alto Ragtime & Tango Orchestra
formed in 1989 to play at the first Columbine Ball. The band is led by pianist Rodney Sauer and includes violinist Susan Hall, cellist Kevin Johnson, clarinetist Brian Collins, singer Susan Rogers, drummer Chris Kermiet, and newest member James Becker on cornet. Mont Alto takes its name from a small station on the narrow gauge Switzerland Trail railroad that used to run from Boulder to Ward. On the day in 1898 when Mont Alto Park's dance pavilion opened, the businesses in Boulder were closed for the day so that people could go picnicking and dancing.
Mont Alto's plays ballroom dance music with taste, style and humor while avoiding kitsch. They for rare and forgotten pieces, especially those of the teens and twenties, and their repertoire of almost a thousand dance orchestrations runs from ragtime one-steps and two-steps to romantic tangos and waltzes.
During Rodney's searches for dance music he discovered the forgotten genre of "photo play music," written for silent film accompaniment. In 1994 Mont Alto scored its first silent film, and since has created scores for over 20 movies. Mont Alto's scores have attracted national attention. They have recorded scores for seven silent films on video releases. Mont Alto has four recordings: dance music on Oh Me! Oh My! and Notoriety; and silent film music on Cinema: Silent Film Music by J.S. Zamecnik, and their most recent project Cinema 2: Destiny.
www.mont-alto.com. Attic Windows[8/00]
are Sue Reading - fiddle, Eric Levine - fiddle, John Reading - piano, sax, Tina Gugeler - hammered dulcimer, Marni Rachmiel - flute, vocals, sax [12/02]
is a member of the (Colorado) Colcannon band. His webpage. [12/13]
are Mark Brissenden, Meg York on clarinet, Barb Kirchner on keyboard and Brett Bowen (percussion). Their CFOOTMAD page. [8/18]
a fast-rising star in the New England contra dance scene, has won the enthusiasm of dancers from Maine to California. Website. [Augusta Dance Camp, 1996]
, formerly Nimble Fingers, are musicians on banjo, fiddle, guitar, mandolin and bass from Pueblo. They play traditional tunes for contra dances and square dances north along the Front Range and south into New Mexico. Website fiddletoons.com. [6/09]
are Joel Hayes, Ed Secor and Larry Clyman. [6/16]
of Albuquerque are Gary Papenhagen and Graham Daily on fiddle, Lou Blackwell on bass, Cleve Sharp on flute, Peter Wegner on guitar, Lou Blackwell on double bass [08/07]
most notably plays the Uillean pipes. Eric is active in the Irish music scene. He brings such tunes and instruments to contra dance.He is a member of Skean Dubh and Deb & the Pariahs. A web Bio [6/09]
plays fiddle and by vocation is a luthier with a shop Pomeroy Instruments in Glenwood Springs. He plays at many Western Slope venues. Don plays with Defiance String Band and leads the Wooden Nickel String band, the house band of the Carbondale / Glenwood Springs dance. He was an organiser of Last Minute String Band. Before moving to Colorado, he was in the group Mountainsong in New Hampshire. [4/19]
are Berkeley (California) locals. Harpist, guitarist, fiddler. Brian, the fiddler, loves to play for dancers and the tunes positively lilt off his fingers. We're missing him at our local ceili while Paradise Lost is on tour. [Lee M.Thompson-Herbert, 1997]
are Joe Depaolo (drums), Neil Pearlman (piano) and Lilly Pearlman (fiddle) whose diverse musical backgrounds are shared playing for dancing. They combine high energy Scottish and Cape Breton fiddle music with Latin and Funk influenced piano and drum grooves. [12/13]
was an old-time music trio. Their web page [2/04]
2 fiddles, guitar, mandolin/banjo and base. They play swing, old-time and Irish, as well as traditional bluegrass. Good fun! Webpage: pickabilly.com. E-mail: [6/99]
are "from the frozen depths of St. Paul, Minnesota come to spread their eclectic blend of traditional American, Irish, old-timey, and new-traditions music across the Front Range. The Pig's have appeared at numerous contra dances and folk festivals across the country. Archived website FOTD [2/03]
was the "house band" for the Westminster Grange Hall oldtime community dance. They have disbanded.[2/07]
is now know as Assembly
One of Colorado's hottest old-time bands, Poultry in Motion plays sizzling fiddling tunes from Appalachia and the Midwest. Members include Larry Edelman and Dave Brown on fiddles, Thom Curdts on banjo, Ellen Rosenberg on guitar, and Mark Brissendon on upright bass. For information, contact Larry at (303) 871-8277. [3/99]
are Barb Kirchner, Mark Brissenden and Steve Winograd [5/10]
are Dave Firestine (mandolin), Kate Kerr (fiddle), Phil Norman (cello), Rodney Sauer (piano and accordion), and Bonnie Carol (hammered dulcimer). [2/17]
was Vicky Bunsen (fiddle) and gypsy jazzists Don and Stefan Doucette (guitars and stand-up bass) playing contra tunes with a new flavor. [1/07]
is Viki Lawrence, Vicki Tiedeman, Ed Secor and Kim Harris. [12/10]
are Linda Askew on guitar; David Cahn on accordion, fiddle, or bass; Larry Edelman on mandolin, fiddle, or octave mandolin; and Scott Mathis on mandolin, banjo-uke, or guitarron. Their playing features old-time American fiddle tunes from the South and Midwest, melodies from the Southwest, including runes from Mexico and the Rio Grande valley of Colorado and New Mexico. Ragtime and other world music can appear at their performances. Their CD. [5/10]
now of Seattle, plays flute and saxophone in numerous bands. She is the dance coordinator for Folk Alliance Region West (FAR-West) described as “a long-time Contra and English Country dance musician, tune composer, and 'dance gypsy'. She plays flute, piccolo and saxophone in the touring band Contra Sutra and in numerous other groups in Seattle. Marni has a degree in Music History/Musicology from the University of Michigan and an MA Naropa University in Boulder. She serves on the board of the Seattle Folklore Society. Contra dancing led to her first getting involved in FAI as a volunteer in 1995, and she's passionate about ... participatory dance.”[3/19]
is Teri Rasmusson, Julia Hayes, and Phil Norman (cello) [3/20]
was born into a musical family in Newfoundland, Canada, and began playing harmonica and "button box" at an early age. She went to school in Scotland where she learned to play clarinet. Teri also plays piano, guitar, flute, and mandolin, as well as writes dance music, performs for kids and adults and has published a tune book!
After college she worked as a fire fighter for the National Forest Service, and was transferred to Colorado to fight fires. In 1980 she started a contra dance at the Niwot Grange and then joined forces with Paula Kermiet and Frances Waller who were holding dances in Denver --- together with several other folks they formed CFOOTMAD. Her sense of community, her longevity, her lack of burnout, her continuing enthusiasm for traditional music and dance, and her service to CFOOTMAD are all quite amazing.[Attic Windows 7/00]
are Nancy Maple on fiddle and foot percussion with a mix of Betty Becker on fiddle, Mike Moorman on guitar and Ron Chalian on djembe, Nan Lederer on fiddle, and Teri Rasmusson [7/15]
are Pat and Kate McCracken of the Toe Dusters with John and Susan Reading of Balance & Swing [4/13]
© Rooster Music
Archived website and on Reverbnation [8/18]
© Rythmantics
began playing in 1998 in the Rio Grande Valley. Website sandiahotsband.com Named for a local variety of chiles, the Sandia Hots ripened into a well-known and respected musical force in the Albuquerque and Santa Fe music and dance communities. Their musical repertoire consists of lively Southern Appalachian dance tunes and songs, cowboy and early 20th century swing numbers, songs, and dance tunes from New Mexico, Mexico and southern Arizona.
On the fiddle, Liz Stevens, a regular for CFOOTMAD dances since 1989. Michael Gallagher, five-string and tenor banjos, fiddle and button accordion, was a regular the Philadelphia area since 1975 with bands such as the Jubilo String Band and the Sly Dogs. Scott Mathis, mandolin, in the 60's joined a rock and roll band and hasn't stopped since. Linda Askew, guitar and vihuela, from West Texas, brings in rhythm guitar for southern old time dance tunes, Cajun melodies, the irregular rhythms of guiachi fiddle music, and Italian cafe songs Attic Windows [2/02]
appears in many Colorado bands. He is pianist and principal score compiler for the Mont Alto Ragtime and Tango Orchestra which he founded in 1989. Rodney is widely known for his work scoring and playing for silent movies. [8/13]
are a band from the Roaring Fork Valley. Musicians include Dana Wilson (fiddle), Natalie Spears, Hayley Olsen (mandolin), Matt Haslett and Lyn Byars (percussion). [2/13]
"has been doing carpentry and project management for a historic restoration contractor for about two years now. He says it's a great company with good coworkers and interesting work, although he is traveling a little more than he would like. He's taking music to new levels by playing in two dance bands (Contra and English country dance), as well as playing clarinet for fun in a classical trio. This summer he expects his 13-year old son, who is nearly as big as he is, to leave him in the dust on their 150-mile charity bike ride." Carleton Geology Newsletter 2007 [9/15]
"[F]ell in love with music from an early age, first listening to the 70's folk albums in his mother's record collection then journeying on to rock music and heavy metal after which passing through the realms of electronic dance music making his way on to West African percussion and finally landing in the world of traditional Irish music. Jon holds a BA from Naropa University in Music and an MA in Irish Traditional Music Performance from the University of Limerick" (Durango Celtic Festival). His Facebook page. [6/18]
Viki Lawrence, Vicki Tiedeman, Emily Verplank [10/07]
is Deb Carstensen, Rodney Sauer and Ed Secor [6/10]
is a fiddler who plays for dances in Moab and Western Colorado. She has played with the Wild Asparagus band. She is also a specialist in dog behaviour and adoption. [3/13]
is Caroline McCaskey and Ben Cohen [11/18]
is Anita Schuneman, Kate Lawrence, Doug Rippey, Keith Akers. Archived website. [7/18]
are Kate Kerr, Ed Secor and Barb Kirchner [7/15]
studied at the Lamont School of Music and played (when not dancing) at contras in the metro area. She led the group Gypsy Caravan. Lucia now appears in Chicago groups such as the Chicago Folklore Ensemble and Baba Yaga's Stew. Her website on Reverberation. A video playing in Denver's city centre. [8/18]
moved to Colorado from the New England heart of contra and now has resides in Portland — Website. [6/13]
features Bill and Patti Cummings of Flagstaff (Arizona). Website & CD information [7/07]
is Amy Sebesta Self bringing Balkan tunes and who plays in Barbelfish, Mark Brissenden and Rodney Sauer. [10/11]
is Betty Becker, Mike Moorman, Pat Danscen and Duffy Keith. [9/03]
plays banjo and guitar. He plays with the well known east coast band Uncle Gizmo. His website is www.larryunger.net [4/02]
is Deb Carstensen, Tina Gugeler & Rodney Sauer [12/03]
are Doug Woody, Kim Harris and Tim Macomber. A photo with Tim, Bill McKay, Doug and Kim at Fort D.A. Russell Days [4/08]
is now Fifth Reel [8/02]
has played Irish music with Joe Cooley and Kevin Keegan, and has played for contra dancing throughout the United States, in Canada and Russia. She is a fiddler for square and contra dances who has recorded Cape Breton and original fiddle tunes withBarbara Magone, Slavic and Rumanian tunes with Hatsegana, and has toured the former Soviet Union presenting square and contra dances. She has two recordings. Her cassette, "The Glasnotes," is a dance favorite.[1996]
Cathie and Laurie [Andres] are legends in the contra dances and dance camps of the NW, California, and nationally. Rocksolid, reliable, innovative. A thrill to dance to. [1997]
is the extremely popular contra band from the Western Mass / Vermont / New Hampshire contra dance centre of the universe. Website [7/18]
plays classical and folk music from all over the world. She teaches the "Mozart y Mariachi" violin in the the Santa Fe Youth Symphony, is the Santa Fe Community Orchestra, and a co-choreographer for the dance troupe "Djun Djun Dance Santa Fe". Karina also plays in the Orchestra of St. Francis. Karina enjoys traditional American, English, and African music and dance. [12/10]
plays in early music consorts, for the Early English Country Dance as well as hot tunes at contra dances. bio. [7/18]
plays classical violin and fiddle and the Swedish nyckelharpa, a bowed instrument with 16 strings and keys like the piano. She has two CDs, Joy and It's About Time . She also plays with the Filippo Gambetta Trio. sandrawongmusic.com [8/05]
plays the violin in traditional and Irish styles. She is an accomplished step dancer, both Irish and Cape Breton. She played with her family's band Celtic Spring [4/15]
plays the clarinet for contra, as well as classically, in the klezmer tradition, and as part of world music styles. Her website. She is a member of the bands New Rhythm Rangers and Blue Magpie. [12/13]
© Zukes of Zydeco
play Cajun tunes as well.
The Dance Magicians
is a well travelled Fort Collins native. Ben is now based in Richmond, Virginia. [6/02]
hails from Dayton, Ohio and is an annual visitor to the Colorado contra dances. She has written numerous dances including: Carmen's Hat, The Deep Well, The Long Road, Southern Nights, Swing Into Matrimony, Weave the Line. [1997] She has been calling and writing dances since 1982. She is best known for her energetic, challenging squares, odd-formation dances, and quick, clear teaching, and enthusiasm. She calls dances regularly throughout the Midwest, and at dance camps and festivals all over the U.S. and Canada. [Augusta Dance Camp,1996]
was a well known caller in both western / modern square dance and contra. Dick Oakes' biographical sketch of Don or another on CallerLab. Don authored books on contra and square dancing, e.g. “The Caller/Teacher Manual for Contras” as well as “I Flew Them First: A Test Pilot's Story”. A video of Don teaching and calling Shadracks Delight [5/19]
is a well known Irish dance teacher. Further details. [10/17]
lists occupation as storytelling and lawn mower repair. From Taylorsville, Kentucky, Chris is also a dance caller and banjo picker. His website [8/18]
is from the Monterey, California area. When not calling, he deals with atmospheric physics. His blog. On Facebook [8/18]
is a lively and energetic caller who includes recently written dances. He specializes in American Vernacular Dance and also dances of the early 20th century. Jim organised CFOOTMAD's Sunday Tea Dances and has a strong interest in Argentine Tango. [1995]
Jim was a featured teacher at the 19th annual dance festival at the Folk Center in Mountain View Arkansas [5/97] Caller, teacher, and performer. His long list of artistic pursuits includes teaching historic social dance in far flung venues, hosting the annual spring Columbine Ball in Denver, serving on the building committee of the Village Arts Coalition in Boulder, and helping establish the Rocky Mountain Ragtime Festival. He first caught the dance bug at a contra dance in his last year of college. In Montana Jim learned to call squares because of dire necessity Ü the local caller was about to leave town. Attic Windows[7/03]
started dancing with the Calico & Boots square dance group, joined their performance team, then started calling for the team. He says, "I’ve always loved calling. Like music, it’s a mix of the artistic and the technical." Through this connection he started contra dancing in 1983. [Attic Windows 9/06]
is a contra dancer and contra and square dance caller. She joins the band on the piano when neither dancing nor calling. www.shawnbrenneman.com [4/02]
organised the Colorado Springs English Country Dancing, the Little London Assembly. She was the ECD teacher at the Rocky Mountain Dance Roundup. Originally from Glasgow, she also leads Scottish Country Dance and ceilidhs. On LinkedIn. She moved east a few years ago. [8/18]
On the second Friday of each month you will find the London Barn Dance Company in session at Cecil Sharp House [London, England]. This lively dance community was founded in 1982 by Bernard Chalk, Tom Holloway, Jac Solomons, and Anne Willcocks `to encourage the enjoyment of traditional music and dancing in all its forms'. With Bernard and Blue Mountain Band as the most frequent lineup in the early years, a `mid-Atlantic' style soon developed and most evenings include a mixture of squares, contras and patter calls with one or two traditional English dances thrown in. [LBC 1997]
Bernie Chalk is England's foremost caller of American square and contra dances and is regarded as one of the world's most travelled and experienced callers. Bernie, who began calling at the age of sixteen, was strongly influenced by the calling of Ricky Holden. In the 50's, Ricky was one of the leading callers of the square and contra dance revival that began in New England. Bernie Chalk and the London Barndance Company were instrumental in popularizing American dance in England. [Attic Windows 5/99]
organises the dances in Lexington, Kentucky. HIs website including dance he has devised. [6/99]
called dances in northern California then Colorado and now Seattle from where he travels to call up and down the West Coast. He says, "One of the most rewarding aspects of calling for me is the interaction and rapport with the band and dancers. Contra dancing is a great social connection and each dance feels like a room full of friends!" Another strong draw for Eric is the music. "I really enjoy the reels and jigs that contra dances are done to. For a few years I've been dabbling with playing the mandolin and bouzuki, but recently I've been learning the tunes on the piano, which has been even more rewarding." [3/19]
is a Juneau, Alaska caller. She regularly appears at the Alaska Folk Festival :[10/05]
"has called dances and played music for more than 40 years. As a caller he delights both novice and veteran dancers with his humor, enthusiasm, skillful teaching, knowledge of dance history, and colorful calling. Larry travels widely and has called and played for dances and has taught hundreds of workshops at camps throughout the U.S. and in Europe, including the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes, Ashokan, Augusta, Pinewoods, Lady of the Lake, Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp, Berkeley Old-Time Music Convention, and many more. He has served as the coordinator of Dance Week at the Augusta Heritage Arts Workshop and the Country Dance and Song Society's American Dance Week at Pinewoods and is a Consultant to the Square Dance History Project. As a musician, Larry plays old-time music and tunes from the southwest on the fiddle, mandolin, and guitar and plays in several bands, including the Soda Rock Ramblers, the Percolators, the Fiddle Dogs, and the Prairie Chickens." bio for D2BS [7/19]
started calling in Williamsburg, Virginia, with the hopes of sharing a passion for dancing with others. While working at the Teton Science School in Wyoming and now at the Adventure Unlimited Ranches in Colorado, she's been able to do just that. Eleanor began calling contras, but finds squares, circles, and longways sets are wonderful dance forms for bringing new people into dancing and giving variety to seasoned dancers. She especially enjoys calling for families and kids, including middle schoolers. She started the Stellar Days & Nights dance camp with skiing and other snowy attractions. An article Eleanor wrote on the dance scene. [5/18]
now graces the Boulder dance scene. Her website. [11/11]
for short bio please scroll down on this link. [7/18]
frequently travels from the San Francisco Bay Area to Colorado to call. Web-site as of mid-2008 [12/07]
calls for dances across the western USA. Her short walk-throughs and clear teaching style allow for maximum dance time.
Her most challenging caller experience: Calling for a brass band at a prairie re-enactment where the sound systems failed to show. Using a large soda bottle with the bottom removed, she called over the roar of the band.
Originally from Los Angeles, she moved to Salt Lake City four years ago to marry a dance camp sweetie. While not dancing, calling or organising the local dance, Brenda teaches music and PE and trains for century bike rides. [Attic Windows 8/02]
is a well known and popular New England caller. She calls contras, squares, family dances. In addition she dances Morris and Appalachian clog. At NEFFA 98 she held a 'defensive' contra dancing workshop. She is a former NEFFA president and a founding member of the (Boston) Thursday Night Dance Committee.
Entry in Ted Crane's dance database [NEFFA 98]
's enthusiastic and clear dance teaching and calling have made her a favorite from coast coast. Her love of traditional dance and music is evident in the joy she projects in her dances. Suzanne calls regularly in the Seattle area and tours annually. Suzanne is also an avid performer, choreographer and/or instructor of clogging, Cajun, Zydeco, swing, Balkan and other forms with a dance background that includes training in ballet, modern, jazz and tap dance. [Harvest Moon Dance Festival --- Santa Barbara, 1996]
She took the silver medal in the old-time dance competition (ages 16-49) at the Clifftop square dance festival. [1997]
calls contra, English Country and more; she organizes dances in and around Durango. She served on the CDSS board. She has been on teaching staff at dance camps and festivals across the USA as well as Denmark and the UK. Her Perky Pants Dance website and on Facebook. [5/18]
is returned to Denver, his childhood home, from Oregon. Calling square dances since high school, he attended his first contra dance in New England and gradually became completely hooked. While living in New England he played hammered dulcimer He prefers smooth-flowing, energetic dances with New England or Celtic tunes. He loves to work closely with a band, modulate the energy of the tunes, and make his voice as well as the dancers one with the music. He regularly returns to the Pacific Northwest and to New England as a guest caller; in Eugene they advertised "[his] mellifluous voice and variably patterned dances will send you happily sweeping down the hall". [1995/2000/1]
The Portland (Ore.) contra dancers write "Ed's address seems to change every time he shows up in our newsletter -- he learned and honed his craft in New Hampshire, then commuted awhile to Oregon, and now apparently hails from Colorado! So getting us from one spot on the dance floor to another shouldn't tax him."
His self-descriptive page on the CFOOTMAD site; [1/18]
calls in Phoenix and across Arizona and neighboring states. Her website. [8/18]
hails from Cheyenne, Wyoming. He has been calling since age 14, both squares and contras, throughout the midwest. He has called the Texas Star more than 2,000 times. [1995]
a well known caller in Vermont who has moved to Colorado. He was a founder of the Mad Robin Callers Collective. [11/15]
is the dean of Denver area contra callers. He has a special interest in Celtic dance. (1995). Chris writes on broader (contra) dance topics, including: Some Thoughts on Experienced Dancers (1995) and Building a Dance Community. (1996)
The Colorado Council on the Arts recognised Chris Kermiet as the "Heritage Award/Artist Fellowship" for community dance and community dance calling. The award is presented in recognition of the artist's outstanding abilities and contributions to traditional arts (2000)
Chris Kermiet grew up with traditional dance. His father, Paul Kermiet, ran a summer camp, the Lighted lantern for thirty years (1946-1976) during the time Chris was growing up. The Lighted Lantern camp was a mecca for square and folk dancers who came from all over the United States and Canada to spend a week dancing with some of the finest callers and teachers in the country. Chris learned from all of them, and became intrigued with learning more about the other Celtic dance traditions that influenced American squares and contras. He learned Scottish dance from Bruce McClure and C. Stewart Smith, Welsh form Vyts Beliajus, and English from May Gadd and Genevieve Shimer. During the last five years, as well as being in demand as a caller and teacher of traditional dance, he has created works for a number of performing groups and theater Colorado Council on the Arts for calling and teaching traditional American community dance. (Colo Dance Festival, 2001)
Author of Zany Contras and Other Stuff: For the Gourmet Dancer Over 25 contras, mixers, and squares, mixed with recipes. Includes six "crooked" dances with tunes, and teaching tips. 1995 37pgs | Instruction Included | Written Music Included (CDSS)
Chris' website and Dick Oakes' page on Chris. [8/18]
is a widely appreciated contra caller and also is known to join the band on the clarinet. Her website. This page's webmaster enjoyed hot calls and hot tunes at a hot Greenfield dance featuring SOOZ-A-RAMA(archived page). [8/18]
is an Oregon caller. His caller website. [8/18]
has been energetically involved in American dancing, squares, rounds, and contras for nearly 30 years, starting as the president of a square dance group in college. She began dancing with CFOOTMAD in 1980. In the late 1990's Viki created CFOOTMAD's waltz night and is still the organizer of that popular dance series. Viki also plays with a band that has played for a number of the waltz dances, and has recently taken up calling for contra dances.[Attic Windows 12/01]
has been teaching and calling oldtime dancing for ten years. She works well teaching beginners and showing people how to do things they didn't think could do. She brings her knowledge of Civil War era and colonial dances and tunes. [2/02]
is a joyful, enthusiastic caller of old-time circle, square, contra and folk dances. Often found in the company of the incredible "Plays Well With Others" eight (or more) piece string band. He specializes in calling barn dances for dancers of all ages and skill levels, teaching each dance before it is done.
Richard grew up listening and dancing to the square dance calling of his father, and has spent over 20 years in clogging, folk and other dance troupes. He has called dances throughout the midwest for festivals, conferences, and other groups. He delights in seeing the "I've got it" look on the dancers faces, and is deeply appreciative of all the assistance and advice given to him by other callers, musicians and dancers. [1999]
appears regularly at the local dances and also calls at out-of-state dances. [2/03]
is a contra and square dance caller in the Boston area. A website. [1998]He has called square and contra dances since 1964 for all ages and abilities of dancers. Dancers in 34 states, Canada and Europe have enjoyed his calling, excellent timing and positive teaching manner. He has beginners dancing 'real' dances within seconds and can keep the experience dancers entertained with an extra degree of challenge. Tony is known for his original dances written in the traditional New England style and has several books and recordings. He lives in the Boston area where he calls community dances and travels extensively. [Attic Windows, 1998]
called for the young and energetic crowds at the Portland Intown Contra Dance and other Maine dances prior to moving to Colorado. The CFOOTMAD entry for Krysten. [7/18]
has contributed to contra and other dancing for many years in Austin. His faculty webpage. [8/18]
has been the coordinator of the Denver Community Dance for more years than he cares to count. Steve also does sound for the Denver and Boulder Community Dances. He frequently teaches the introductory dance lessons.[Attic Windows 12/01]
is a dancer and caller from from Albuquerque. Her repertoire includes contras, English country, and squares. Her dances are often replete with literary quotes, funny quips, and fast swings, gypsies, and medleys. Her gentle, relaxed style puts everyone at ease. A contagiously energetic and enthusiastic manner of calling and high-energy dances leaves people connected to the music, in dance nirvana. Website: merridancing.com [2/07]
started calling contra dances while he was a student at Williams College, in Massachusetts. He had been contra dancing for all of six months when he was asked to take over as the caller for the monthly dance on campus. Besides calling for this dance series, he has called for many other dances throughout New England and Colorado. While calling, he strives to bring his high-energy dancing style onto the stage with him, and to give some of that energy back to the dancers he's calling for. [4/05]
has been a contra dancer since 1990. After developing her love for traditional dance for 12 years in the Colorado contra dance community, Gina began her contra dance calling career in 2002. Gina has called in the Denver, Boulder and Fort Collins After many years away, Gina has recently returned to the Greater Los Angeles area and resides in her hometown of South Pasadena. [Brentwood contra, 4/15]
studies engineering at the Colorado School of Mines where he started and runs the Contra Dance Club. Clifford comes from Connecticut where he also has called. [10/11]
lived in Seattle for a bit and is now returned to Colorado. [12/08]
who is recognised for his dance attire, is now calling. His Facebook page. His bio in the local dance newsletter. [11/18]
began calling out of curiousity as a dancer. His visits to out-of-state dance weekends have brought touring callers to Colorado. The CFOOTMAD entry for Paul. [8/18]
is Boulder based and previously has featured in Southern California, Montana and Kansas. The CFOOTMAD entry for Christa. [8/18}
on the fiddle, annually joins in with Fifth Reel of Grand Junction. She plays violin at church concerts in Fort Collins and is a chemistry instructor at CSU. [5/19]
came across the "Faulty Dog" rag at a Dartmouth College freshman orientation dance twenty years ago, introducingd her to the world of New England dancing and to contra dance. Immediately hooked, Kathy spent her college years contra dancing throughout many little New England towns and continued dancing when she returned to her native Colorado.
A challenge (or rather inspiration) from Suzanne Plaut gave Kathy the courage to call a dance at one of CFOOTMAD's Open Caller nights. Six years later Kathy is a regular and popular caller at Front Range contra dances. In planning an evening's dance, she tries to find interesting dances, maybe with an unusual twist, appealing to both experienced and new dancers.
Music has always been part of Kathy's life. Beginning with piano, she is currently taking violin lessons and five years ago was an original member of the Tobatana marimba ensemble (archived page). [8/18]
started learning to call at all-night dances in Indiana and Illinois around 1980. Because the callers wanted to dance, too, everyone was encouraged to learn so that they could trade off. Since then, he has often been in places where people want to dance and need a caller and he enjoys being able to help make it happen. He calls about ten dances a year at camps, conferences, weddings, and regular contra dances along the Front Range. He loves seeing a roomful of dancers, experienced or not, having great interaction with the band and one another.
As a caller, he chooses the dances he most likes to dance. Contras are his passion, so that is what he usually chooses, but he also likes the interaction in circle mixers.
He encourages dancers to enjoy the music and the feeling of dancing with everyone in the hall, and to help everyone else have a good time. To him, that is the Community spirit that makes old-time dancing so much fun.
E-mail [1995]
of Montrose calls at dances in the region. He also is well known as a swing dance teacher at events such as the FolkMadness camp and WallyFest. [7/06]
of Grand Junction frequently calls at Western Slope dances. When he's not the caller, or on the floor dancing, Young plays Celtic and old-time music on hammered dulcimer or Irish drum with Fifth Reel ( his sub web page. He became interested in contra dancing after he learned to play. "The first time I saw (contra dancing) was at a folk festival in North Carolina. It looked to me like people were having a wonderful, wonderful time. Young, who sometimes dresses in Scottish kilts, for contra dances usually include a few Scottish tunes, and often incorporate Irish elements as well. Once dancers have gotten the hang of [a dance], Young slips onto the stage to play the bodhran, an Irish hand drum played with a tipper, or stick." (GJ Free Press) [11/18]
was a popular caller in New Mexico. A remembrance from Merri Rudd and an obituary from the Santa Fe newspaper
© Eliot Zaiken
has called In Lewisburg WV before moving to Boulder [1996]