Connecting people with dance and music…

After taking a short break from calling, usually between November 15 to January 15, with the holidays, it’s always nice to spend some extra time with family and friends, I’m happy to be back on the road again and but of course with Perpetual e-Motion, Ed Howe and John Cote.  This power duo continues to take the nation by storm, packing hall after hall across American.  It’s a pleasure to take the stage with them night after night.  Here is our upcoming schedule.

January 19 – Contra Dance @ Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA

January 20 – Contra Dance @ Glenside Memorial Hall, Glenside, PA

January 21 – Contra Dance @ Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MD

January 22  - Contra Dance @ Lewis Ginter Recreation Center, Richmond, VA

January 23 – Contra Dance @ Greenwood Community Center, Greenwood, VA

January 24 – Concert @ The Lion’s Den, Stockbridge, MA

Next weekend we will be here:

January 29 – Contra Dance @ Capital City Grange, Montpelier, VT

January 31 – Contra Dance @ Concord Scout House, Concord, MA

When I first started calling for contra dances, five year ago, I set a goal.  My goal was to call for the Brattleboro Dawn Dance by 2010.  On Monday, September 6, 2010 @ 3:30am, Nor’easter: Cedar Stanistreet, Max Newman, Julie Vallimont, joined by Stefan Amidon and myself took the stage for the final set of the Brattleboro Dawn Dance.  We setup and were ready to go.  As I looked out onto the floor filled with dancers, there was no doubt I was a little nervous, but there was the sound of “four potatoes” and we were off.  We proceeded to put up 16 sets, all no-walk throughs, for a non-stop, breathtaking conclusion.  The dance and tunes combinations were carefully planned, the programmed mapped out, and all and all everything was beautifully executed.

A couple of people have asked me for my 16 dance, no-walk through program, so here it is:

1. Kitchen Stomp – Becky Hill

2. Leave The Wine – Rick Mohr

3. Rod’s Grits – Bill Olson

4. Chuck The Budgie – Rick Mohr

5. Fisher’s Jig – Tom Hinds

6. Small Potatoes – Jim Kitch

7. Balance To My Lou – Becky Hill

8. Sleepless In Pinewoods – Bob Isaacs

9. Saturday Night Line – Joseph Pimentel

10. Cranky Ingenuity – Bill Olson

11. Square Affair – Becky Hill

12. Chorus Jig

13. Comfort Deluxe – Rick Mohr

14. Petronella’s Pin – Dave Colestock

15. Heart Of Glass – Carey Ravitz

16. The Baby Rose – David Kaynor

A special thank you of course to Nor’easter: Cedar Stanistreet, Max Newman, Julie Vallimont, joined by Stefan Amidon.  Your performance was nothing less then amazing, it was a honor and a pleasure sharing the stage with you.  I look forward to the next time.  Thank you to all the dancers.  You have an endless amount of energy and it showed when I saw five sets at 6:30am.  Thank you to all the performers.  You have been an inspiration to me and I hope I can make as much of a contribution to our tradition as you have already done.  And thank you to Brattleboro Dawn Dance Committee.  You are a dedicated group of volunteers that make this dawn dance happen year after year after year.  Thank you.

On Thursday, July 8, 2010, Nor’easter: Cedar Stanistreet, Max Newman, and Julie Vallimont, and myself took the stage at the Concord Scout House.  After three days of 90+ degree weather, it finally broke for a cooler 85 degrees, though the weather was hot, this didn’t keep away the dancers of the Concord Scout House.  With the usually three lines from the top to the bottom of the hall, it was a fun evening for all.

All and all, it seemed like the evening was a bit of a struggle for me, It was hot and I was at less then 100%.  I feel fortunate to take the stage night and night, and as every performer knows we try to put our best stuff out there, sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn’t happen, we make mistakes, we are human.  With that said, it was a good opportunity to work with Cedar, Max and Julie.  We tried some different things, some things worked, some things didn’t work, but we learned a lot.  We are looking forward to take the stage at the Brattleboro Dawn Dance on September 5-6 from 3:30am-7:ooam.  Hope to see you there.

In the upcoming weekend I will be back on the road with the Rhythm Method, a Southern style string band: Cathy Mason on fiddle (in picture above), Craig Edwards on fiddle and banjo, Erica Weiss on guitar, and Dedo Norris on bass.  This high energy string band will fill an evening with driving reel after driving reel and is sure to keep the dancers moving.  With so many different influences on traditional dance music, it is a pleasure to see this group bring their Southern style to the stage.

I had the pleasure of meeting Cathy Mason over five years ago at the Smithtown Contra Dance on Long Island.  As a new dance caller, it was always exciting to meet new people and visit new places and this was no exception.  Since then, I have had the opportunity to work with Cathy and many of her musical collaborations and it has always been a fun evening both on and off the stage.  I look forward to rejoining her on the first stage we shared together.  The Rhythm Method and myself will be in Smithtown, NY on Friday, February 12 and Greenwich, CT on Saturday, February 13.

Be a part of my new Twitter Project!!  In hopes of reaching out to more and more people about calling and dancing, my new Twitter Project is dedicated to connection with new people.  Received updated news and info, and just the day to day happenings of my life..  EXCITING!!  I know  My goal is 300 new followers in 30 days, so be a part of it at www.tweetpetrotweet.com.  Stickers coming soon!!  Connecting more and more people with dance and music.