All Past News

Contra Dance Benefit and Silent Auction!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society welcomes Asheville band “Spring Chickens” and caller Fred Park to the next contra
On Saturday, May 17, 2008 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. This event will combine a contra dance and a silent auction in order to continue to raise funds for the new dance floor to be installed at the Visitors Center starting May 25th.

This special afternoon dance will begin at 1:30 p.m. with a workshop for beginners to be held at 1:00pm. Admission to the dance is $7, $5 for HJDS members and $4 for students. Since this is a benefit dance, attendees and patrons of the silent auction can make cash contribution of any size beyond regular admission in support of the drive to raise funds for the new dance floor. Event organizer, David Wiley, states that the fund raising goal is within reach. “We have over $11,000 in commitments with only $4,000 to go. Our organization is all volunteer and non-profit. We are providing this gift to the community and need everyone’s support”. If someone wishes to donate to the silent auction, please contact Wiley at 423-534-8879. Donations for the floor can be made to the Town of Jonesborough and thus are tax deductible.

The beginner’s workshop gives the experienced dancers and first timers
a chance to warm up together. The caller explains many of the calls
such as balance and swing, star left and star right, ladies chain across,
Do-si-do, courtesy turn, allemande and hey for four. Many of these
calls would be familiar to anyone who square danced. The contra
dance employs a longwise set and allows couples to progress up
and down the line to dance with all other couples.

The Spring Chickens known mostly for their hard driving rhythmic old time repertoire will crossover to add contra dance tunes for our dance. The Spring Chickens are lead by regional potters Rob and Beth Mangum from Weaverville, NC., on fiddle and guitar. The remaining members of their group are McLean Bissell on bass, Art Schuster on mandolin and special guest, Roy Andrade on banjo.

Fred Park was once the "bad boy" of the American Country Dance and Song Society for trying such shenanigans as mixing blues and gospel
Music with traditional melodies from Scotland and New England.
He later rose above the roar of the old guard to become a recognized teacher of the highest order.

Many callers and dance leaders have taken to heart his gentle
and patient humor when working with novice or advanced dancers.
His country dance choreography is lean and exquisite in the form of
circles, contras, squares, small set dances and waltzes. "If it’s not a
dance that I personally enjoy dancing I don't teach it!" Fred has been
on staff at most every dance festival in America and several in Canada, Scotland and France.

Fred's involvement in traditional dance predates the recent wave of
interest in contra dance while he is a noted organizer of traditional
arts events including festivals, community dances and teaching or
performing traditional arts in school programs, nursing homes and
prisons nation wide and abroad.

Event organizer, David Wiley, believes that our community building
efforts are paying off. “Our attendance is continually on the rise. We have a core group of regulars, but see many new dancers at every
event”. “We combine traditional live music and dances that anyone can
do” adds Wiley. The dances are held two times per month in the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center. All the dances are taught by
the caller. You don’t have to bring a partner.

For more information, contact David Wiley, event organizer at 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org.

Contra Dance and Waltz Workshop!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold another contra dance and waltz workshop on Saturday, May 3, 2008 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. The dance will run from 7:30-10:30 pm. The waltz workshop will be offered from 6:00-7:00pm. Admission to the dance is $7, HJDS Members $5 and Students $4. The waltz workshop is $3.

A class for beginner contra dancers will be held from 7:00-7:30 pm. Beginners and experienced dancers alike are encouraged to join together in the class. “The class for beginners is just a way to get out of the contra dance starting blocks” offers David Wiley, event organizer. “To enjoy a dance, one must get out on the floor and dance. Those of us who have danced for a while remember how awkward it felt at first”, adds Wiley. It can be a struggle to coordinate hands and feet to the music and manage a few seconds to respond to a patient partner; not to mention the parade of neighbors in your set. Then there are dozens of uncomfortable moments along the line where one zigs while the rest of the world zags. But, by cooperating with each dancer that comes our way, giving or taking guidance as we go, we all eventually enjoy that surrender to the music and motion that captivates our souls and brings us back again and again.

In the class and the dance, it’s the responsibility of good dancers to make better dancers of the people they dance with. And not just their partners. Our good dancers help the people they come in contact with to move on to the next figure with ease and grace. Gentle pressure clearly tells the person where they are going next. If they didn’t know where to go, it will help them figure out the dance. If they did know, they will recognize it as good dancing. The good dancers also appropriately teach the dancers he encounters who are lost. “We all get lost on the dance floor and have this look of desperation” adds Wiley. “So we try to gently and firmly shove the dancers in the right direction with encouraging words. It’s all about teamwork”.

Performing for the dance will be the Reel Magnolias from Asheville. The band includes June Advincula on keyboards, Jane Weaver on fiddle and Suzanne Hosch on Flute. The caller and teacher for the evening will be Hank Morris from Black Mountain, NC.

The waltz workshop will be led by special guest instructors Mary Jellicourse and John Rucker from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. They will be teaching the familiar rotating country waltz.

Hank Morris has been an active part of the very thriving Asheville and Charlotte dance communities for twenty three years. He grew up in Alabama and graduated from Auburn University. He is a dancing and outdoor enthusiast as well. In an effort to give back to the dance community, fifteen years ago, he started calling dance and festivals in the Southeast. Hank Morris makes the dances fun for both the beginner and the experienced dancers.

Our Dance Floor Fund Raising Project is moving along on schedule with donations now exceeding $10,000. “We are two-thirds of the way to our goal and plan to begin installation on May 26th with a large group of volunteers supervised by contractor Marvin Ashburn and Don Connor of Mullican Flooring”, states David Wiley, event organizer. Tax deductible donations can be made by making a check payable to the Town of Jonesborough Dance Floor Fund and mailed to P.O. Box 651, Jonesborough, TN 37659.

Tentative plans for a benefit dance and silent auction are being made for Saturday, May 17, 2008. The details will be released soon.


For more information, contact event organizer, David Wiley or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org

Contra Dance and CD Release Party in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present another contra dance on Saturday April 19, 2008 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. Performing for the event will be the Contrarians from Charleston, West Virginia. Calling for the dance will be the ever popular Beth Molaro from Asheville. The contra dance will run from 7:30-10:30pm with a country waltz break at 9:00pm. Admission to the dance is $7, HJDS Members $5 and students $4. A full hour contra dance workshop will be held from 6:30-7:30pm led by Warren & Terry Doyle.

HJDS is in the middle of fund raising for the planned installation of a sprung dance floor in the Visitors Center. Event organizer and HJDS President, David Wiley, reports that everything is on schedule to start on Monday May 26th. “We are now over half way towards our financial goal of $15,000”. The funds will purchase all of the sub floor materials and other supplies. A tax deductible donation from anyone in the community will help us present this enhancement to the Town of Jonesborough. The Mullican Flooring Company and Ashburn Hardwood Flooring are the major contributors so far.

Beth Molaro will teach each dance before it is actually done to music. The walk through before the dance gives everyone an idea of what to expect so all the movements can be easily executed. Once the dancers appear to have mastered the dance, Beth may stop calling and let the dancers enjoy the movement with music alone. Beth will likely mix in some Appalachian square dances with the contra dances. All in all, there will be lots of fun to be had on the dance floor.

A four-piece band, the Contrarians play contra dance and square dance music on fiddles, guitar, mandolin, piano, upright bass and a bluesy trumpet. The band is made up of Paul Epstein on fiddle, Will Carter on stand-up bass, Gary Reynolds on guitar, trumpet, piano, and John Longwell on mandolin, tenor banjo and fiddle.

Paul Epstein has been playing, writing and performing for over 30 years. His songs cover many styles and topics. He has written and recorded three solo CD’s. “Strawberry Lass” is all original fiddle tunes in Celtic and Appalachian stylings. “Lesson Life Taught Me” are all original songs in folk/blues/country/swing formats with backing by members of WV Public Radio’s Mountain Stage Band.

Having refined their sound for the last eight years, the Contrarians have produced their first self-titled CD, The Contrarians. No expense was spared in producing this CD as it was recorded and mixed by Bob Webb in Charleston, WV. After spending a few minutes listening to this CD, you can hear why the Contrarians are in demand for contra dances from Washington, D.C, to Cleveland, Lexington, KY, and now Jonesborough.

To celebrate their excellent work, all dancers and members of the public are invited to the post-dance CD release party at the Cranberry Thistle, 107 Main Street in Jonesborough. All musicians are encouraged to come and jam with the band that will surely go on past the midnight hour.

As for the dance, everyone across the country will tell you that our caller, Beth Molaro, is GREAT! When she calls, the dance is always a party! Her enthusiasm is contagious and she makes any dance more energetic and exciting. She is truly a dance caller dedicated to the art of traditional American dancing and good fun.

Beth lives in Asheville surrounded by the mountains of western North Carolina with her daughter, Rebecca Grace, where they are an active part of the thriving dance community. Often on the road calling dances all over the place, her clear calling and skilled dance selection have made her one of the country’s most popular and widely traveled callers.

Since 1994, Beth has called hundreds of dances from coast to coast as well as in Denmark and Canada. Beth is in demand as a caller and teacher for weddings, family reunions, community dances, dance weeks, weekends and folk festivals all over the country.

Beth’s vocal style is unique in the dance world. Her ability to sing the calls makes for an exciting blend of music and calls which she accomplishes with both clarity and musical integrity. You will hear elements of blues and jazz in her voice as she sings you from one figure to the next, weaving together various elements of the dance, music, and dancers into a positively charged room of inspired enthusiasm.

Beth calls high energy, turbocharged Appalachian squares and smooth flowing contras. She is known for her quick, no-nonsense walk throughs and effective teaching for both the beginner and the most seasoned dancers. Beth’s dances are always a guaranteed whoop and a holler good time. Dancers are sure to leave with a feel-good dancing high.

For more information, please contact event organizer, David Wiley, at 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org. Contributions to the dance floor fund can be mailed to P.O. Box 651, Jonesborough, TN, 37659. Checks should be made out to the Town of Jonesborough (dance floor).

March 21, 2008

Contra Dance and Waltz Workshop in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold another contra dance and waltz workshop on Saturday April 5, 2008 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. The waltz workshop led by teacher/caller Gaye Fifer from Charlottesville, Virginia, will be offered from 6-7pm and cost $3. Performing for the dance will be an emerging three-piece band from Boone, North Carolina called Hay for Three. The contra dance will run from 7:30-10:30pm with a waltz break at 9:00pm. Admission to the dance is $7, HJDS Members $5 and students $4. A family with all their children gains admission for one price of $15. A contra dance class for newcomers will be held from 7-7:30pm.

At the contra dance, you will be part of a living tradition passed on by the experienced dancers helping the newcomers. The dancers, the musicians, and caller aim for an evening of low-pressure, often energetic, camaraderie. Come alone or with others. We suggest changing partners every dance, although dates who attend together and significant others might dance with each other more than once. Sometimes you choose a partner and sometimes you get chosen. It's acceptable for women to ask men to dance.

Contra dancing is an evening of fun, featuring dancing in "sets" of about a dozen couples. You interact with your partner and everyone else in the set too as you dance with easy walking steps to energetic music. A caller, working with a group of live musicians, guides new and experienced dancers through a variety of dances.

The caller teaches each dance before it is actually done to the music. This walk through gives everyone an idea of what to expect so the movements can be easily executed. The caller calls the dances as they are being performed to the music, so dancers are able to execute each movement to the music. Once the dancers appear to have mastered a dance, the caller may stop calling, leaving the dancers to enjoy the movement with music alone.

On the heels of having a proposal to install a professional quality dance floor in the Visitors Center approved by the Jonesborough Mayor and Board of Aldermen, the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society now embarks on a major capital fund raising project to pay for some of the flooring and all of the sub floor materials and miscellaneous supplies to complete the work. Installation is planned for a two week period beginning May 26, 2008. “We are all very excited about having a suitable surface to dance on” offers HJDS President, David Wiley. “The new floor will beautify the auditorium and make the room a more versatile space for dance, exercise, receptions, meetings and concerts. With the support of Mullican Flooring of Johnson City and Ashburn Hardwood Flooring Contractors, our combined gift to the community will have a lasting positive impact” adds Wiley. HJDS will accept cash donations from anyone in the community who supports the community contra dance program now in its third year of existence. A tax deductible contribution letter will be mailed to all donors.

Hay for Three, an old-time dance band from Boone, NC, features the parlor-style string band sound of piano, banjo and fiddle.

Georgie Donovan plays driving piano suited equally for traditional southern dance styles and the newly imported New England contra dances. On banjo is Patrick Heavner, a 21 year old native of Morganton, NC, who expands the traditional southern claw hammer repertoire to include jigs and newly composed dance tunes. And M Mueller, a fiddle player for dances in the southern highlands for the past twenty years, rounds out the band’s sound with expressive playing that takes the old favorite tunes to new levels. Joining the band for their April tour on guitar is Leon Bumanglag, a longtime musical friend and band mate from Santa Cruz, CA.

This combination of instruments, popular where railroads and good flat-top roads provided access for piano deliveries to churches and rare homes in the southern highlands, was never recorded by the mobile studios of the 1920’s and 30’s, but is documented nonetheless. Also called the “ice cream social” sound because it was used on those rare cases where secular music could be played on the church piano for social gatherings, the music drives hard from the piano, with banjo taking frequent claw hammer-style leads, and the fiddle singing out like sister.

Gaye Fifer comes to the area from Charlottesville, Virginia to call our dance, but also gets to visit her mother in Knoxville. Not only an excellent contra dance caller, but Gaye Fifer is also an acclaimed waltz instructor popular at many dance weekends in the Eastern U.S. In the waltz program, Gaye teaches moves with an emphasis on leading and following—connecting with your partner and the music. Many of the workshops that HJDS has conducted have been on the beginner level. On this occasion, however, an intermediate level waltz lesson will be offered. In the contra dance program, Gaye will delight you with her clear walk throughs and smooth flowing dances. Be prepared to be challenged as the night goes on. Her pleasant style and graceful teaching put dancers at ease and set the stage for a great evening.

For more information, please contact event organizer, David Wiley, at 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org. Contributions to the dance floor fund can be mailed to P.O. Box 651, Jonesborough, TN, 37659. Checks should be made out to the Town of Jonesborough (dance floor).

Contra Dance Storm Brewing in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society (HJDS) will hold a special Irish style contra dance on Saturday, March 15, 2008 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. The brewing storm will feature concentrated showers of songs that will pour out of the up and coming band, Appalachian Storm, from Asheville, NC. The music meteorologists predict a steady flow of old-time and Irish jigs and reels with scattered Cajun and original tunes. An added attraction to the evening will be an Irish Set Dance Workshop starting at 6:00pm, led by Dave Polechko, one of the Storm musicians. The ever popular caller Diane Silver will lead the contra dance, beginning with a 30 minute class for beginners and experienced dancers alike at 7:00pm. The contra dance will follow from 7:30-10:30pm with a country waltz break at 9:00pm.

For the Irish culinary experts of the world, we are also hosting an Irish Green Potluck Dinner at 6:00pm. All are encouraged to not only wear green themselves, but to contribute green to the potluck—let your imagine run wild—green salad with green goddess dressing, green pea salad, green tea, parsleyed potato salad, green olive tapenade, green deviled eggs, guacamole, pickle and green olive mix, green rice……. (all natural colors, please).

No partner is necessary. All dances are taught by the caller. Every contra dance sponsored by HJDS is smoke and alcohol free. Admission to the dance is $7, HJDS members $5 and students are $4. The Irish Set Dance Workshop is free.

Contra dance is one of the best ways to interest and initiate people into folk dance. Interest in dance in general is widespread in the Tri-Cities region because of programs aired on public television and the very popular TV hit, “Dancing with the Stars.” For most everyone who tries, contra dance is simple and easy to learn. If you have a good caller, they’ll start the evening with dances with simple but fundamental formations that emphasize a few basic rules which include listening to the music and following the steps that are taught. After a couple of walk throughs, you just dive into the dance. “We have been drawing many beginners lately of all ages,” states event organizer, David Wiley, “It’s a real challenge for the caller, but they manage to make the dance happen very quickly. This further illustrates how contra dance converts just about anyone to a folk dancer in short order.”

Appalachian Storm specializes in Appalachian, Irish traditional and contemporary dance tunes. The band consists of David Hayes on guitar, Dave Polechko on banjo and fiddle, Kris Wallace on mandolin and fiddle, and Terrell Jones on the stand-up acoustic bass.

David Hayes loves to play music. Beginning with piano at age six, switching to trumpet, flute, then on to guitar, harmonica, eventually dabbling in fiddle, banjo, mandolin and various percussives. A long time finger picker, he now focuses his musical energy on traditional and contemporary Celtic and old-time accompaniment. A lifelong fear of dancing was finally overcome after several years of cajoling by friends—and David discovered contra. So, whilst pursuing his newfound dance addiction he became steeped in this wonderful genre of music that comes with it. Now he's hooked on playing and dancing and is busy working out ways to do both at the same time. When not dancing or playing, he catches babies, ("still the most awesome thing I've ever done - each and every time"), loves growing anything he can get to grow, and is obsessed with propagating his beloved fig tree. He also enjoys sailing, canoeing, hiking, traveling way off the beaten path, tries to be active in Veterans for Peace, and is moving slowly toward a low impact, off the grid lifestyle and bankruptcy.

Terrell Jones is an Asheville native who played electric bass for the rock band Freefall in the Raleigh, NC area during the early 80’s before spending 2 ½ years overseas, mostly in Africa. Moving back to the mountains in the late 90’s rekindled his old time, bluegrass and Celtic musical roots. The transition led him to the contra dance scene where he joined Appalachian Storm as bass player. Terrell and wife Sara gave birth to their first child, Violet, on February 28, 2008. He works for the North Carolina Department of Environmental Engineering.

Kris Wallace inherited her love of music from her mother, Kathy. Kathy encouraged Kris to start violin and piano lessons at a very young age. As young children go, Kris opted for the fun of getting dirty in the creek beds rather than struggling over a squeaky violin. Looking back, Kris now wishes she had stuck with the discipline and the practice as she later watched with envy many Irish and old time fiddlers. After years in the business world doing computer programming, she changed gears to spend more time on the Appalachian Trail and playing music. Now an accomplished fiddler and mandolin player for Appalachian Storm, she also continues to work as a rural mail carrier.

Dave Polechko is the veteran contra dance musician in the group. He toured throughout the United States when playing with the band High Society. Enjoying dancing as much as playing, he also ran a dance camp called Angel’s Crossing while living in West Virginia. Born in Pittsburg, PA, he has called Asheville home for the past two years where he works as a handyman. His musical roots go back to Irish and French Canadian styles. In recent years, his interests have turned to old-time and Cajun.

Caller Diane Silver has played a big part in the reintroduction of contra dance to this area. Diane participated in the very first workshops that were held in late 2005 before HJDS offered its first open dance on January 6, 2006. During the past two years HJDS has had the pleasure of having Diane call and teach many times to the delight of all who attended. Diane called the Jonesborough Days “Day of Dance” and participated in our first Contrathon 12-hour dance. She has been a die-hard contra dancer, swing dancer, and kitchen-flat footer for over ten years. With a penchant for hot modern contras and a few active squares, she loves sharing high energy dancing that allows everyone to “play” with the band. Highly acclaimed for her clear, efficient teaching and calling, creative medleys, great positive energy, and spirit of community building, Diane provides a sizzling evening of dance in a friendly, welcoming tone. Diane’s motto: “I can’t believe this much fun is legal!” She leads a monthly family dance at Calvary Episcopal Church in nearby Fletcher, NC.

For more information, contact event organizer, David Wiley at 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org

Old Time Music and Contra Dance in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present another in a series of contra dances on Saturday March 1, 2008 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. This dance will feature the old time sounds of the Blue Ridge Rounders with caller Dean Snipes providing the choreographic direction. A class for beginners will be held from 7:00-7:30pm. Then the dance will take up the rest of the evening concluding at 10:30pm. As always, a country waltz break will occur at 9:00pm.

No partner is necessary. All dances are taught by the caller. All dances are smoke and alcohol free. Admission to the dance is $7, $ for HJDS members and $4 for students. We welcome families with children in hopes of teaching the fine art of folk dance for generations to come.

Contra dance is a group-based social activity that has a long tradition. It is similar to square dancing and the Virginia Reel, usually done in circles or long lines in which partners dance with many other couples in turn throughout a dance set. There are a few basic dance figures, all of which are taught during the beginner’s class, that are combined in a various ways, prompted by the caller. These figures are repeated with all of the dancers in a set. The result is a lot of fun, great exercise, lots of smiling and laughing as the group moves to the music, each person contributing to the shared experience. It is community building at its best!

The rebirth of contra dance in our region began two years ago with a handful of folks who had some experience and lots of beginners. Now it is common to see 125-150 in attendance at the center of contra dance, Jonesborough, Tennessee. If you have yet to experience one of these evenings of “community joy in motion”, the March dances offer wonderful opportunities with terrific bands and great callers. If dancing is not for you, just come and enjoy the music and laughter.

The Blue Ridge Rounders, who hail from what they call “the Dark Corner of South Carolina,” have traversed the region, winning band and individual music contests throughout the Carolinas. They are the 2006 and 2007 Mountain Music Champions, as well as winners of the 2006 North Carolina State Fair Old Time Band contest.

The Blue Ridge Rounders are a hard driving, fun loving old time string band whose music rides the cusp of the old mountain way to the traditional bluegrass sound. The Rounders reach back for the old songs and tunes, and gather up the traditional songs that were carried forward into the newer style of the 1940s. The subtlety of their relaxed presence defies what happens when the Rounders rip through a blazing fiddle tune or mourn a blues-influenced mountain song resulting in a rich program with many songs that are well known by audiences far and wide. The band consists of Bob Buckingham on fiddle, mandolin and guitar, Amy Buckingham on guitar and fiddle, Joshua Johnson on banjo and guitar and Dan Wood on bass, banjo and guitar.

Dan Wood reaches back to his family roots in Madison County, North Carolina, for songs and hymns as well as banjo tunes of that area. It is the same tradition as depicted in the movie Songcatcher. Dan is a masterful bass player, having honed his skill with bluegrass bands in the past. His command of old time banjo playing culminates in an eloquent simplicity with just the right touch of swing.

Joshua Johnson was a classical guitarist who has seen the light and taken up old time banjo. Josh’s approach to banjo is un paralleled in his unique understanding of its potential. He is an impressive guitarist as well.

Amy Buckingham has been singing and playing guitar for many years. She possesses strength and prowess on fiddle, banjo and mandolin. She is modest about her abilities, but they speak well for themselves. Let’s just say that her fiddling will set your feet to tapping and your heart to singing.

Bob Buckingham teaches are writes about music, plays the fiddle, mandolin, sometimes banjo and sings with the Rounders. He has actively played old time and bluegrass music since finding like-minded musicians while serving in the military many years ago. Since then, he has performed with numerous and various musical groups around the country. He is a respected teacher and writer, knowledgeable about the music, its history and nuances.

Dean Snipes brings eight years of contra dance calling from his home in Charlotte, North Carolina where he works as a handyman. He began calling after all his dance friends prompted him to call because he would never keep his mouth closed during the dance instruction. They said he was better off up on stage leading the dance. Dean loves to teach people how to contra dance. With his unique Southern accent, Dean wastes little time getting the beginners and experienced dancers learning the figures and flow of contra dance. During his brief calling career, Dean has taken the time to write about twenty dances some of which he will be calling on Saturday. To write a contra dance, Dean would take a favorite dance step and build the choreography around it.

For more information, contact event organizer, David Wiley at 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org.

After Valentine’s Day Contra Dance!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will feature the awesome sounds of the New Southern Ramblers on Saturday, February 16, 2008 offering an evening of old-time music and dancing at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 117 Boone Street. The dance will run from 7:30-10:30 pm with a class for beginners at 7:00 pm. No partner is necessary. Phil Jamison, the leader of the band, is not only an accomplished musician and caller, but has been teaching square dance and contra dance since 1975. You can expect an evening of fun with lots of fast moving squares as well as contras. Admission to the event is $7, HJDS Members $5 and Students $4.

The “After Valentine’s” theme will allow us to carry on the feeling of love and romance for two additional days since Valentine’s Day officially occurs on Thursday. “We encourage every one to give their sweetheart the gift of contra dance for Valentine’s Day” offers event organizer, David Wiley. HJDS volunteers will provide a mix of chocolate delicacies at the 9:00pm waltz break. In addition, every lady who attends the dance will receive a long-stem red rose as a gift from one of our supporters. One lucky dancer will win a dozen roses in a drawing during the last waltz of the evening.

The New Southern Ramblers is an old-time string band that plays driving Southern Appalachian dance music. Formed in 1982, the band toured with fiddler Ralph Blizzard of Blountville, TN until his death in 2004. With four recordings to their credit, they have won numerous contests throughout the Southeast and have been featured at concerts, festivals, and workshops throughout the country from Florida to Alaska. The New Southern Ramblers includes Phil Jamison (guitar), Gordy Hinners (banjo), John Herrmann (fiddle), and Meredith McIntosh (bass).

Phil Jamison is a nationally-known dance caller, old-time musician, and flatfoot dancer. Phil calls a mix of fun, fast-paced old-time squares, modern contras and Southern Appalachian big-ring dances. He has called at dances and music festivals throughout the country and overseas. Adept at calling for beginners as well as experienced dancers, he can help first-time dancers take to the floor with confidence. A long time member of the Green Grass Cloggers, his flatfoot dancing was featured in the film, Songcatcher, for which he also served as the traditional dance consultant. In addition to playing guitar with the New Southern Ramblers, Phil plays fiddle and banjo, and he teaches mathematics and Appalachian music at Warren Wilson College, where he also serves as assistant director of the Swannanoa Gathering. He recently completed a Masters degree in Appalachian Studies at East Tennessee State University.

Jamison is an advocate of the traditional dances of southern Appalachia, which at one time were common throughout the region, but are now rare.
Jamison adds “These dances are faster, looser and more improvisational than modern contra dances, which evolved from the New England dance tradition in the early 1980’s and have since spread across the country. I enjoy both dance forms and typically include a mix in my dance programs.”

Gordy Hinners is a veteran of the old-time music and dance scene, known for his distinctive claw hammer style on the fretless banjo and his masterful rhythmic footwork as a buck dancer. He plays banjo with the New Southern Ramblers and for many years was a mainstay of the Green Grass Loggers. Gordy has taught workshops throughout the country. He lives in Weaverville, NC and teaches Spanish at Mars Hill College.

John Hermann has been traveling the world playing old-time music for over thirty years. He plays fiddle with the New Southern Ramblers, but he has performed with many bands including the Henrie Brothers, Critton Hollow, the Wandering Ramblers, and the Rockinghams. Equally adept on banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar and bass, he is known as the “Father of Old-Time Music” in Japan. John has been on staff at numerous music events from coast-to-coast and has completed several European tours with dancer Ira Bernstein. He lives in Marshall, NC.

Meredith McIntosh is known for her rock-solid bass playing. She has a degree in music education and loves old-time music. She also plays fiddle, guitar, flute and piano. Over the years, she has performed with numerous groups including the Wildcats, the Heartbeats, and Balfa Toujours. She lives in Asheville, NC where she is a certified massage therapist and teacher of the Alexander Technique.

For more information, please contact event organizer, David Wiley at 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org

Groundhog Day Contra Dance Ball in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present its first Groundhog Day Contra Dance Ball on Saturday February 2, 2008, at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. Music for the ball will be provided by the band Dot-Dot-Dash (aka Groundhog Day Orchestra) from the New River Valley of southern Virginia. The caller will be Ken Cooper from Hendersonville, North Carolina. Ken guarantees that you will not see your shadow on the dance floor.

The first event of the evening will be a waltz workshop led by the ever popular duo of Warren and Terry Doyle. The waltz workshop is $3 per person. A contra dance class for beginners will run from 7:00-7:30pm where the caller will teach all the basic contra dance formations and steps. The Groundhog Contra Dance Ball will start at 7:30pm and last until 10:30pm with a waltz break at 9:30pm. Admission to the dance is $7, $5 for HJDS members and $4 for students. The dance is smoke and alcohol free and family oriented. No partner is necessary.

German settlers came to Pennsylvania to carry on the Groundhog Day tradition whereby if the groundhog saw his shadow, six more weeks of winter would follow. “After enduring such a cold spell recently, I am sure our dancers would be happy to celebrate the end of winter and the coming of spring” adds event organizer, David Wiley. Rumor has it that we will have a visit from the real Punxatawney Phil who will sit for pictures and autographs and take in a few dances. The most famous Groundhog in the world is also known as Punxatawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator and Weather Prophet Extraordinaire.

A continuous showing of the 1993 Movie “Groundhog Day” will be shown in the community room for those who want a few extra Bill Murray laughs. “There will be plenty of laughing going on the dance floor which is part of the fun of contra dancing” offers Wiley.

Dot-Dot-Dash is a lively quartet inspired by Celtic, Appalachian and Gypsy Jazz traditions. Band members are Joel Keebler on bass, Bill Anderson, fiddle, John Hildreth, guitar, and Matt Livingston on mandolin. The group formed in the fall of 2002 and regularly performs at Virginia and North Carolina contra dances and just recently released a self-titled debut CD album.
The band will be performing old contra dance tunes such as “Devil Eat the Groundhog”, “Up Jumped the Groundhog” and “I Am a Prowling Groundhog”. They will finish out the evening with “Hip Hip Hooray for Groundhog Day”.

Having recently moved to Hendersonville, North Carolina from Tucson, Arizona, Ken Cooper will be calling our dance for the first time. An avid contra and square dancer since 1982, Ken started calling for dances in 2002. In Arizona, he was a board member of the Tucson Friends of Traditional Music. For two years, Ken was also camp director for the “Dance in the Desert”.

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that was created in the fall of 2005 to promote a better understanding of American folk dance, its music, its history and related folklore. The program has grown since its inception where the dances are now attended by large numbers of avid contra dancers of all ages. The coming Groundhog Contra Dance Ball will be a great way to warm up the evening!

Contra Dance and Open Music Jam!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present a contra dance and jam on Saturday, January 19, 2008 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. Performing for the dance will be Boston area band Notorious. The caller will
be Shawn Brenneman from Radford, Virginia. Class for beginners at 7:00pm. The dance will run from 7:30-10:30pm. The attendees and the public are invited to our
monthly post-dance open jam and social at the Cranberry Thistle, 107 Main Street.
Admission to the dance is $7, HJDS Members $5 and students $4. All dances are taught
by the caller and no partner is necessary.

Notorious musicians Eden-McAdam-Somer and Larry Unger bring together traditional
And contemporary acoustic music from around the world, creating a dynamic, swinging sound that is sure to get you on your feet and dancing. With Eden on fiddle and vocals and Larry on guitar and banjo, their music is full of rhythmic drive and melodic candor. Their performance is always new and exciting presenting everything from traditional American and Celtic fiddle tunes to jazz, blues and the group’s original compositions.

At home in the worlds of both classical and popular music, Eden MacAdam-Somer is one of the most exciting and versatile young violinists performing today. She has been a featured soloist with symphony and chamber orchestras, jazz and swing bands, bluegrass, DAWG and American folk groups. Eden is also well versed in the music of other cultures, including Irish music, Gypsy music, Sephardic music, and European music from the Medieval and Renaissance periods. She has been a guest artist at the Aspen and Beijing International Music festivals, soloist at the Texas and Wimberley jazz festivals, performer at the Texas and St. Louis Renaissance fairs, and has appeared on numerous recordings in folk, rock, jazz and classical genres.

Larry Unger has been a full time musician since 1984, and has presented a diverse range of musical performances at contra dances, Scottish dances, waltzes, dance weekends, dance camps, festivals, and concerts all across the United States and in Canada, France, Scotland, Denmark, and Sweden. He's one of the busiest musicians around, playing for more than 150 dances every year.

He has played guitar, banjo, and bass with many top bands for contra dances including Reckless Abandon, Uncle Gizmo, Big Table, and the Reckless Ramblers. He has also accompanied such fiddlers as Elke Baker, Rodney Miller, Alisdair Fraser, Matt Glaser, Ralph Blizzard, and Lissa Schneckenburger to name a few. The bands Larry has been a part of might vary in style from Old-time to New England to Celtic, but they are all lively groups with exciting rhythms and an emphasis on fun. They might also play some of Larry's many original fiddle tunes.

Larry has written more than 600 fiddle tunes and waltzes, many of which have been recorded by one of his bands or by other bands. His tunes are widely played at contra dances everywhere. He has published 2 books of original tunes, as well as one CD of original waltzes (with Ginny Snowe), another CD with the contra dance band Uncle Gizmo, and a brand new CD with the Reckless Ramblers.

Besides playing for contra, waltz, swing, or Scottish dances, Larry also gives solo concerts which include a wide variety of music including finger style blues and slide guitar, rags, old-time banjo tunes, original waltzes and fiddle tunes, as well as melodies played on a handful of unusual instruments like banjo guitar, fretless banjo, and piano harp. He has a great breadth of understanding of traditional music to complement his considerable technical proficiency on stringed instruments, and enjoys telling the stories about the origins of his music and the people who taught him.

Larry has spent countless hours playing blues with Etta Baker, John Jackson, Turner Foddrell, Ted Bogan, and other masters of the style as well as playing at numerous sessions at old time fiddle conventions in the south. He has even played for Bill and Hillary Clinton!

Unger teaches guitar and old-time banjo at the Music Emporium in Lexington, Massachusetts. (He has also been known to teach bass or ukulele lessons.) He also gives workshops at camps and weekend festivals on a variety of topics from guitar and banjo, to dance band workshops and tune writing workshops.

Calling for the dance will be Shawn Brenneman. Shawn left her full time job at Radford University a year and a half ago to pursue her passions – contra dancing, calling for contra dances, and playing for dances with her contra dance band, House Red. Now that she’s living her dream, Shawn not only calls regularly for dances in her home state of Virginia, but in NC, SC, GA, PA, IN, ME, MA, CA, WA, and CO. as well. She enjoys introducing contra dancing to newcomers, as well as choosing varied, interesting, and challenging material that provides an evening of fun for everyone. Shawn, Eden, and Larry look forward to every chance they can find to work together.

For more information, please contact event organizer, David Wiley, at 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org.




















Larry and Eden maintain a very busy schedule that takes them to Florida, California, North and South Carolina and back home to the Boston area.

“Contra Dance for a Change”

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will kick off the 2008 contra dance season on Saturday, January 5th promoting the theme of “Contra Dance for a Change”. The dance will be held at the Carver Recreation Center at 322 W. Watauga, Johnson City, from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. with a class for beginners starting at 7:30 p.m. The featured band will be “Hot Flash” consisting of Karen Gaughan on keyboards and Laurie Fisher on fiddle. Calling the dance will be the ever popular Hank Morris. Admission is $7, $5 for HJDS members and $4 for Students.

“Contra Dance for a Change” is a call to all citizens of the area who rededicate themselves to New Year’s higher ideas and ideals for diet and exercise changes. “We know from the experts that most people start the year with ambitious goals for weight loss, smoking cessation or other behavioral changes during the first ten days of the New Year”, states organizer David Wiley. “The problem is that many of these commitments fade away in the short term” adds Wiley. “Our contra dance program, even though it is held only twice per month can jump start anyone toward their goals...” We had twenty-four dances again 2007. In and of itself, twenty-four dances won’t make or break anyone’s fitness program, but for many, it made a difference. We have built the foundation for our own dance community.

Hot Flash and Hank Morris performed at the inaugural contra dance on January 6, 2006
and kicked off our program for 2007 as well. Karen, Laurie and Hank will return to the Carver Center to start off our third year. Laurie Fisher and Karen Gaughan will deliver the kind of Hot Flash no one minds experiencing. Multi-talented Fisher is a passionate lover of dance and music and its ensuing magic. She is an original member of Asheville’s Old Farmers Ball. She also founded and produced the Asheville Contradance and the Summer Soiree for 13 years. She began dancing in 1981 at the John C. Campbell Folk School where she learned contra and English Country Dance.
She plays many different instruments including the fiddle, keyboards and bass. Considered an excellent teacher and caller by all, we hope to see her calling for our dances in the near future.

Karen Gaughan is Asheville's most in-demand contra dance side-girl. Fisher and Gaughan together will provide a full sound, plenty of rhythm and a really good ride for the avid contra dancer or waltzer. After hearing the duet, an often-heard comment from the dance floor is an amazed, "I can't believe there's only two of you!" Gaughan has also been playing for dances for the last 15 years. Having retired as an elementary school teacher, she know pursues musical performance and teaching full time.

Hank Morris has been an active part of the very thriving Asheville and Charlotte dance communities for twenty three years. He grew up in Alabama and graduated from Auburn University. He is a dancing and outdoor enthusiast as well. In an effort to give back to the dance community, fifteen years ago, he started calling dance and festivals in the Southeast. Hank Morris makes the dances fun for both the beginner and the experienced dancers.

“We have already scheduled another year of great contra dance bands and callers” adds Wiley. For more information on Friday’s dance or any upcoming events, please call David Wiley at 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org.

Contra Dance and Music Jam and Holiday Party in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present the final contra dance of the year on Saturday, December 15, 2007 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. Performing for the dance will be the Plum Creek String Band from Oberlin, Ohio. The caller and teacher for the beginner’s class at 7:00pm will be Asheville’s Diane Silver. The dance will run from 7:30-10:00pm at which time, everyone will be invited to move over to the Cranberry Thistle, 103 Main Street, for an open music jam and holiday party. There may even be some impromptu caroling on the way over. Musicians will be encouraged to become part of our first after-dance music jam led by the Plum Creek String Band.
No partner is necessary. All dances are taught. The atmosphere is friendly, family oriented, smoke and alcohol free. Dress for an energetic activity; no special attire-unless it’s a Santa hat. Admission to the dance is $7, $5 for HJDS members and $4 for students.
The annual membership drive has begun for 2008. Existing members prospective members are encouraged to join HJDS for next year. Members receive a $2.00 discount at each dance and lend needed financial support to this non-profit organization.

Contra dance is a form of American folk dance in which the dancers form a set of two parallel lines that run the length of the hall. Each dance consists of a sequence of moves and steps that ends with the couples having progressed one position up or down the set.

Many of the basic moves resemble square dancing—swings, allemandes, do-si-dos—but contra dancing is more a sort of amusement park ride that the dancers make for themselves. A square dance set is compromised of only four couples, whereas the length of the hall only limits the number of couples in a contra dance set. To join a set, only a partner and soft-soled shoes are necessary. All that is left is to have fun dancing.

The post-dance party at “Jonesborough’s favorite gathering place” is for socializing as well as sharing food and music. Cranberry Thistle owners, Nancy Colburn, Sister Jo Storie and Nancy’s husband Joseph will prepare an assortment of finger food snacks and treats courtesy of an early Christmas gift to the dance society from Santa Claus. After the dance, we may gather a group to go caroling through town to the Cranberry Thistle.

The open jam, an informal, unrehearsed collective of people making music together, has been called one of the highest forms of social interaction. This will be our first music jam.
Webster defines jam as, " in jazz, to improvise." And to improvise is, "to compose, perform, or sing on the spur of the moment and without preparation." Generally, a "jam" is what musicians (whatever their musical inclination, be it folk, jazz, classical, or bluegrass) call an informal playing situation or "jam session." The music is played by ear and no written music is used. "Open" simply means that anyone is welcome to pick up an instrument and play or sing along. The group is not closed or controlled by any one person or group and musicians are encouraged to try out new tunes and new musical ideas. Who knows? A performance level band might emerge from our jam session, adds
event organizer, David Wiley. Bring your instrument to the jam after the dance.

Plum Creek String Band's sound is described as Appalachian Jamaican groove music; West Virginia meets West Jamaica and goes out dancing. The music of Plum Creek String Band ranges from fiery fiddle tunes to reggae's roots to ballads. With roots in American old-time music from Appalachia, and Mento, a predecessor to Jamaican reggae and ska music, the band's sound combines acoustic rhythm with tight vocal harmonies. Other influences on the band's sound include blues, jazz, classical, and Celtic music. The quartet of musicians known as Plum Creek String Band came together in 2004. All four musicians have a connection to Oberlin College. Banjo player Bruce Comings, guitarist Jamie Davis and bass player Marion Parker were students, and Eric Stewart, who plays fiddle, served on Oberlin's faculty. The band has been featured for years at Northeast Ohio's dance festival Dandelion Romp. Based in Ohio, the Plum Creek String Band features music centered in the Southern old-time tradition with influences from the British Isles and the Caribbean. The combination and reinterpretation of these traditions is the fuel and the inspiration that the band uses to create powerful and irresistible dance grooves.

Caller Diane Silver has played a big part in the reintroduction of contra dance to this area. Diane participated in the very first workshops that were held in December of 2005 before the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society offered its first open dance on January 6, 2006.
Now finishing up its second year, HJDS has had the pleasure of having Diane call and teach on numerous occasions to the pleasure of all who attended. Diane single handedly ran the Jonesborough Days “Day of Dance” and participated in our first Contrathon 12-hour dance. Diane Silver has been a die-hard contra dancer, swing dancer, and kitchen-flat footer for over ten years. With a penchant for hot modern contras and a few active squares, she loves sharing high energy dancing that allows everyone to “play” with the band. Highly acclaimed for her clear, efficient teaching and calling, creative medleys, great positive energy, and spirit of community building, Diane provides and sizzling evening of dance in a friendly, welcoming tone. Diane’s motto: “I can’t believe this much fun is legal!”

For more information, please contact event organizer, David Wiley at 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org.

Contra Dance to Warm Up By!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold a contra dance on Saturday, December 1, 2007 at 8pm at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone St. performing for the dance will be the “Dancing Bears” from Asheville with caller Barbara Groh. A class for beginners will be held at 7:30pm. Every dancer is encouraged to attend the class to become familiar with dance steps, formations, and flow. The “Bears” were one of the headliner bands at the recent Lake Eden Arts Festival in Black Mountain, North Carolina.

Cold weather is now upon us. Here’s a chance to get a head start on burning off some of the holiday calories. The dance runs from 8:00pm until 11:00pm with a waltz break at 9:30pm.

“Our dancers are really getting the hang of it, and the skill level is really getting better,” states event organizer David Wiley. “Our dance is for all ages. For some reason, I hear folks saying that they think our contra dance is geared to the older crowd. We have dancers of all ages from seven to seventy. Plus, you don’t have to have a partner.” The best way to learn contra dance is by asking a more experienced partner to dance. It’s perfectly acceptable for ladies to ask gentlemen to dance. “We are approaching the end of our second year in existence. The program has been a huge success” adds Wiley.

Admission to the dance is $7 for (yet-to-be members), $5 for HJDS members. Students get in for $4. A Family Package has been instituted for members that allows parents and as many children in their core family to get in for only $15. “We’re seeing more children at our dances, and they catch on to the dance real fast,” adds Wiley.


The Dancing Bears consists of Lew Gelfond on fiddle, Mark Langner on guitar, John Culp mandolin and banjo, and Skip Metheny on bass. Lew Gelfond has been playing the fiddle since long before the cows came home. He is a solo performer of old time fiddle and banjo music and also plays swing, ragtime, Celtic, gypsy, country, Klezmer, tangos, and other traditional music. Lew performs at schools, concerts, workshops and festivals and has been a violin, viola and fiddle teacher for over 20 years. Mark Langner started playing keyboards and guitar in a garage rock band in high school. In college, he played coffeehouses as part of a duo which did an eclectic mix of music ranging from Merle Haggard to Grateful Dead to Frank Zappa. Mark’s current interest is in swing and jazz, which colors most things the Bears do. Mark is also a certified hypnotherapist and builds acoustic archtop quitars in an effort to add to the total amount of beauty in the
World. John Culp got his first real guitar on his 16th birthday and has been picking’ strings ever since. Since meeting his bride and favorite caller, Barbara Groh, and becoming submerged in the contra dance community, he has concentrated on mandolin and tenor banjo. If he’s not playing for a dance, you might spot John running the soundboard or even dancing. In addition to playing for festivals and other dances, John is also a general partner of the Asheville Contradance, which produces the Asheville Summer Soiree dance weekend and the Asheville Contra Dance monthly dance. Skip Metheny began playing drums in his early teens with various R&R bands. He was a founding member of the show band “The Doomsday Refreshment Committee” which toured Vietnam entertaining US and allied military folks during the psychedelic era and later became the house band in a Bangkok nightclub. After moving to Asheville, Skip became an avid contra dancer. He has been playing bass and percussion for contra and swing music at various festivals, dance weekends and other events around the Southeast since 1997.

Barbara Groh, a resident of Asheville, NC, has been calling contra dances all over the Southeast since 1989. She has called such festivals as the Charleston Bug Stomp, Gotta Dance, the Summer Soiree, the Black Mountain Music Festival, Moon Dance, and the Gypsy Meltdown. Her smooth style, clear teaching and collection of interesting dances will help you achieve Contra Nirvana.

Barbara has been immersed in the traditional music and dance scene for three decades. She became an avid square dancer at age thirteen. In college she fell in love with contra dancing and learned to play old-time banjo. As a caller, her patience and ability to give precise dance instructions stem in part from her 15 years as a classroom teacher and private tutor. She currently works with children of all ages who have dyslexia.

For more information, contact event organizer David Wiley at 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org.

CONTRA DANCE and “Food Raiser” for Jonesborough Area Food Bank

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society invites all contra dancers to a pre-Thanksgiving contra dance and Food Raiser on Saturday, November 17, 2007 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. The featured band will be Feral Broccoli from Asheville with Beth Molaro as caller. Admission to the dance is $7, HJDS Members $5, Students $4. No partner is necessary. All dances are taught by the caller. All dances are smoke and alcohol free. From 6:00-7:00pm, back by popular demand, Warren & Terry Doyle will lead another waltz workshop costing an additional $3.

Sponsors for this event are Jonesborough general dentists, J. Alan Burleson, D.D.S and his new associate, Travis Wiles, D.D.S. Their office is located at 222 Headtown Road. “Supporting community contra dance and the collection of food for the Food Bank in Jonesborough is a great fit for us” states Dr. Burleson. “We see this event as wholesome, family oriented and gladly lend our support”.

The food-raiser will benefit the Jonesborough Area Ministerial Association
FOOD BANK located on the grounds of the Wetlands Park, just to the left and up the hill, as you enter the park. Food is disbursed on Thursday mornings supervised by director, Elmer Gillespie. The JAMA churches and ministers are Bob Roberson, Central Christian Church; Brad Scott, Jonesborough United Methodist Church; Beth Yarborough, Jonesborough Presbyterian Church; Joel Cook, First Baptist Church of Jonesborough; and Chuck Griffin, Fairview Methodist Church.

The JAMA Food Bank serves the entire region and needs food items all year long, not just during the holidays. If everyone brings in a can or two or a bag full of canned goods, we can make a big difference for the families in need. If you are not coming to dance, bring your donations anyway or drop them by Dr. Burleson and Wiles office at 222 Headtown Road in Jonesborough. Their office is open Monday through Thursday. Food banks struggle to meet the needs of our community and are facing significant increases in the number of people accessing their services.

“The person who brings in the most number of canned goods will receive an IPOD Shuffle donated by one of our members” states event organizer, David Wiley.

As for the dance, everyone across the country will tell you that our caller, Beth Molaro, is GREAT! When she calls, the dance is always a party! Her enthusiasm is contagious and she makes any dance more energetic and exciting. She is truly a dance caller dedicated to the art of traditional American dancing and good fun.

Beth lives in Asheville surrounded by the mountains of western North Carolina with her daughter, Rebecca Grace, where they are an active part of the thriving dance community. Often on the road calling dances all over the place, her clear calling and skilled dance selection have made her one of the country’s most popular and widely traveled callers.

Since 1994, Beth has called hundreds of dances from coast to coast as well as in Denmark and Canada. Beth is in demand as a caller and teacher for weddings, family reunions, community dances, dance weeks, weekends and folk festivals all over the country.

Beth’s vocal style is unique in the dance world. Her ability to sing the calls makes for an exciting blend of music and calls which she accomplishes with both clarity and musical integrity. You will hear elements of blues and jazz in her voice as she sings you from one figure to the next, weaving together various elements of the dance, music, and dancers into a positively charged room of inspired enthusiasm.

Beth calls high energy, turbocharged Appalachian squares and smooth flowing contras. She is known for her quick, no-nonsense walk throughs and effective teaching for both the beginner and the most seasoned dancers. Beth’s dances are always a guaranteed whoop and a holler good time. Dancers are sure to leave with a feel-good dancing high.

The Feral Broccoli band is a popular, dancer-friendly old-time string band hailing from Western North Carolina. You cannot help but pick up your feet and swing once Feral Broccoli kicks into high gear playing an array of highly danceable traditional tunes from North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and West Virginia. The band features the driving fiddling of David Lynch, rock-solid guitar playing by Vollie McKenzie, the boisterous banjo picking of John Hermann and a rollicking bass line offered by Amy Hobbs. Bring you dancing shoes and prepare to have a big time!

For more information, please contact event organizer, David Wiley at 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org

Fall Contra Dances Continue in Jonesborough


The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society welcomes all dancers to the next in
A series of fall contra dances on Saturday, November 3, 2007. The dance will be held at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. Performing for the dance will be the Brasstown Bonobos. The caller will be Knoxville’s Nick Boulet. A class for beginners will be held at 7:30pm with the dance following from 8:00-11:00pm. No partner is necessary. The dance is smoke and alcohol free. Families with children are welcome. Admission to the dance is $7, $5 for HJDS members and $4 for students.

The Brasstown Bonobos are made up of Linda Allen on fiddle, her son Abel Allen on guitar and mandolin and J.D. Robinson on bass and guitar. Linda has been playing fiddle for contra and old-time dances for the last eighteen years. During that time, Linda also became a proficient dance teacher and caller. Her son Abel was brought up in the dance community and often slept comfortably under the piano while Mom played or called. Able started playing guitar nine years ago and has played in several area bands. He is now a freshman at Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, North Carolina where he focuses on music study and sings in the Warren Wilson Chorale. His biggest musical influences have come from New England and Southern Old Time styles. Abel is also on the board of the Old Farmers Ball, one of the longest running contra dances held in the Bryson Gym on the Warren Wilson campus every Thursday. J.D. Robinson is a fixture in the John C. Campbell Folk School community. J.D. first toured professionally at the age of 18, playing banjo with Grand Ole Opry legend Clyde Moody. J.D. sings and plays guitar, bass, pedal steel guitar and drums in a wide variety of ensembles including the “Reach of Song” and Georgia Mountain Fair house bands. J.D. believes that positive encouragement and a friendly atmosphere are important factors in learning to play music. J.D. is also on the faculty at the John C. Campbell Winter Dance Week, the Folk School’s popular year-end folk dance and music celebration.

“Our contra dances continue to draw people from far and wide” adds event organizer, David Wiley. “We may be the only family oriented community dance in the area. Just recently we had a couple come to our dance that had just moved here from Vermont. The combination of great live music, excellent dance instruction and a welcoming dance community have kept our program growing. We are about to finish our second year. Things are going great” says Wiley.
“We have a ten person board of directors and many volunteers who help with publicity and day-of-dance responsibilities. The teamwork is really great!”

For more information, please contact event organizer, David Wiley at 423-534-8879 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org

October 17, 2007

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present their annual Halloween Contra Dance and Costume Ball on Saturday, October 27, 2007 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. Admission to the dance is $7, $5 for HJDS members and $4 for students. A family package for HJDS members allows parents to bring all of their own children for a total of $15.

Halloween dances bring out the greatest amount of creativity in the dance community. Prizes will be awarded for originality and creativity and most unusual costumes.

Prior to the dance at 6pm, Warren & Terry Doyle will conduct a waltz workshop until 7:00pm. Cost is $3. Then, at 7:30pm, a contra dance class for beginners will be led by caller, Hank Morris, from Asheville. No partner is necessary,
All dances are taught. This event is smoke and alcohol free.

Headlining the event will be Anam Cara, a celtic band from Charlotte, NC. Anam Cara means “soul friend” in Gaelic. The band unites four players with many collective years of performance experience. Instruments played include the bodhran, guitar, trumpet, mandolin, concertina, doumbek and fiddle.

Dr. John Harding plays the trumpet and the bodhran. John is a professional trumpet player and enjoys playing the bodhran which is a handheld Irish frame drum usually made with goatskin and played with a stick. He has taught at UNC Charlotte, UNC Chapel Hill, University of Miami, New Mexico State University and the American College in Cairo, Egypt. John has peformed as principal trumpet with several symphony orchestras and as lead trumpet for a number of big bands.

Troy Conn is a versatile guitarist and musician with a variety of styles under his belt. He received his Bachelors of Music Performance at UNC Charlotte where he studied classical guitar and performed with the Guitar Ensemble, Big Band, Jazz Combo and orchestra. Troy has played in local and regional rock bands and jazz orchestras and is currently enjoying his role in Anam Cara. He is also guitar instructor at the L.A. Guitar Factory in Charlotte.

Taylor Caton is Anam Cara's doumbek player. The doumbek is a goblet shaped drum. One hundred years ago Taylor would have jumped freight trains or stowed away on tramp steamers. He would have written novels in the manner of Jack London, painted portraits of exotic womanhood as did Paul Gauguin, and he would have been a guide through steaming jungles in the furthest outposts of civilization. In these days of the jet plane, Taylor uses the doumbek to express his deepest desires. Taylor has enough energy to power a small fleet of motor vehicles. It's a fuel that burns full-throttle, ignited by the heat of his soulful rhythms and the power and passion of his performance.

Kelly Harding plays the fiddle and mandolin and sings vocals. She took up the viola many years ago in California when there were no flutes left to give out and the viola was the one remaining instrument left in the instrument room. After moving to Atlanta, her mother dragged her to a yard sale and found a violin glued to a picture frame with the asking price of two dollars. Her mother bought it, had fun cleaning it up, and presented it to her daughter, and Kelly has been playing it ever since.

For more information, visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org or call event organizer, David Wiley at 423-913-3246.

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present a contra dance on Saturday October 13, 2007 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. The dance will feature the band “Curious George” consisting of fiddler Laura Lengnick and Paul Moore on keyboards and accordion. The dance will be called by Asheville’s John Combs. There will be a class for beginners at 7:30pm. The dance will follow from 8-11:00pm. All dances are taught. No partner is necessary. All dances are smoke and alcohol free. Admission to the dance is $7, HJDS members $5 and students $4.

For more information, contact event organizer, David Wiley at 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org.

Contra Dance comes to Washington College Academy!

On Saturday, September 29, 2007, as part of the annual celebration of Washington College Academy’s founding in 1780, the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present the first ever contra dance on their campus. The dance will commence at 7:30 p.m. with a class for beginners followed by the contra dance from 8:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m.
Performing at this dance will be the Burning Desire String Band with calling by Fred Park.

The Burning Desire String Band is Frederick Park, M Mueller, Don Pedi
and Rob Hinson. These seasoned musicians have a combined history of
more than a century of participation in dance music. M has been engaged
as both a fiddler and guitarist with dance bands in the Asheville area
as a player, instructor and music organizer since the 80's. He is a
founding member of the notoriously high-energy "String Beings". Don
Pedi, long lauded for his radio program of traditional music, "Close To
Home", airing on WCQS out of Asheville since 1985, is a one-of-a-kind
lap dulcimer player. In a virtuoso class all his own, Don has a deep
reserve of traditional tunes and the folk traditions of string band
music. Rod Hinson has a jazzman's ear and technique while focusing on
musical genres ranging far into various ethnic traditions. He has been
a teacher of some of the best guitar and mandolin players around while
continuing to keep his hand in live engagements nationally. Frederick
Park, your dance caller, is part of the rhythm section of this quartet.
He is primarily a teacher and student of the dance traditions of the
Southern Mountains though America, England, Scotland and France all
hold sway in his diverse repertoire. These guys are a serous dance
party waiting to happen!

For more information, contact event organizer, David Wiley at 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org. Washington College Academy is approximately 8 miles West of Jonesborough on State Hwy 354 in the Limestone Community.

Contra Dance Visits Milligan College!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society has been invited to bring a contra dance to the campus of Milligan College on Saturday, September 22, 2007. The Social Affairs committee, part of the Student Government Association at Milligan College, is co-sponsoring this dance which will be held in field house on campus. There will be a class for beginners at 7:30pm taught by caller Anne Marie Walter from Asheville. The dance will go from 8-11pm with a waltz break at 9:30pm. Admission to the dance will be $1.00 for Milligan students, $7 for the general public, $5 for HJDS Members and $4 for all other students. The band, Appalachian Storm from Asheville is made up of David Hayes on guitar, Kris Wallace on mandolin, Dave Polechko on fiddle and banjo and Terrell Jones on bass.

David Hayes

David Hayes loves to play music. Unfortunately he never stuck with any one instrument long enough to get good at it. Beginning with piano at age six, switching to trumpet, flute, then on to guitar, harmonica, eventually dabbling in fiddle, banjo, mandolin and various percussives, he now sheepishly admits to having mastered.…. nothing! (Although he's rumored to have a great voice – but that comes in real handy at a contra dance – right?!) Still, he just can't help himself. A lifelong fear of dancing was finally overcome after several years of cajoling by friends and David discovered contra. So, whilst pursuing his newfound dance addiction he became steeped in this wonderful genre of music that comes with it. Now he's hooked and trying to brush off old, forgotten skills and pick up a few new acoustical tricks before anyone catches on.

When not dancing or playing, he catches ("moms deliver them – obstetricians just catch") babies, ("still the most awesome thing I've ever done - each and every time"), grows anything he can get to grow, and is obsessed with propagating his beloved fig tree. He also enjoys sailing, canoeing, hiking, traveling way off the beaten path, tries to be active in Veterans for Peace, and is moving slowly toward a low impact, off the grid lifestyle.

Kris Wallace

Kris Wallace inherited her love of music from her mother, Kathy. Kathy was on to a good thing when she got Kris playing violin and piano at a very young age. Yet the young Kris didn't grasp what this good thing was and opted for the fun of getting dirty in creek beds rather than struggling over a squeaky violin. Later in life, the fun in playing music looked very appealing to Kris. The "if only I had stuck with it" regret often weighed on her mind while envying Irish and old-time fiddlers. After years of unfulfilling jobs, Kris realized how fun it would be to actually do something you're passionate about? She quit her job as a computer programmer and fulfilled a life-long dream of getting dirty on the Appalachian Trail. It felt so good to fulfill a dream that she went after her biggest one after returning to society -- her dream to play music. She picked a mandolin first which helped her not to fret over her fiddle playing. Now, after 30 years, she finds time for both playing music and getting dirty in nature.

David Polechko

David Polechko is the most seasoned contra dance musician of the group. He
did a US tour when playing with the band High Society. Enjoying
dancing almost as much as playing, he also ran a dance camp in West Virginia
called Ange's Crossing. He hails from Pittsburg and has made Asheville
his home for the past two years. Crazed at the opportunity to play music in
this mountain city, he lives with two of his band mates. His fiddle and banjo
Playing seems to keep everyone sane. His early roots in music are traced to
Irish and French Canadian while later on, he latched on to old-time and Cajun styles.. When he's not playing or dancing, he may be found floating around the base of a waterfall in a pink inner tube.

Terrell Jones

Bass player, Terrell Jones, 54, is an Asheville native who played electric bass for a rock band called Freefall in the Raleigh area during the early 80s before spending two and a half years overseas, mostly in Africa. Moving back to the mountains in the late 90s rekindled his old time, bluegrass and Celtic roots which then led him to contra dance and playing the stand-up acoustic bass for the Appalachian Storm contra dance band. He and his wife Sarah are expecting their first child in February.

Dr. Charlene Kiser, humanities professor at Milligan College, is a member of the Historic dance to the Milligan students” says event organizer, David Wiley. Dancing is social, athletic, non-competitive and participatory—not many other activities offer this combination. People who think they can’t dance or aren’t athletic at all turn into dancers. “As an organization whose goal is to build community through traditional music and dance, we are excited about the opportunity to teach an enthusiastic, high-energy, mostly able bodied group of students many of whom have already attended some of our dances at the Visitors Center in Jonesborough”, adds Wiley. The upcoming dance at Milligan is the second contra dance to happen there after an introductory event back during the spring semester. The dance is, of course, open to the public.

This dance’s caller, Anne Marie Walter, lives and dances in Asheville, NC where she teaches, goes to school, gardens and plays with fiber. “She has been calling contra dances throughout the southeast for nearly a dozen years,” says Wiley. “She is known for her efficient walk-throughs and her sense of fun.”

“My job is to select the right dances for the crowd,” says Walter. “That way I can get out of the way and let the dancers groove to the tunes.”
Contra dances are community events. At almost any contra you will find people of all ages and all dance skill levels, from young to old, beginner to expert. Contra dancers form a very open and welcoming group of people. You can come alone or with others since it is a tradition to dance with a variety of partners throughout the night. It is perfectly acceptable for either a man or a woman to ask someone they haven’t met before to dance. You will find contra dancing a great way to make new friends.

For more information and directions to Milligan College, contact event organizer, David Wiley, at 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org. Directions to Milligan College: I-26 to Exit 24 to Elizabethton (hwy 67 East), exit right on Milligan Highway, go approximately 3 miles, campus entrance is on the right. Look for the “CONTRA DANCE” signs posted around the campus. Please visit www.milligan.edu to view a map of the campus.

Folk School Legend Leads Jonesborough Contra Dance

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society welcomes the contra dance band, Big Mike and the Omnidirectionals, to the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, Saturday, September 15, 2007 for a dance starting at 8:00 p.m. The center is located at 117 Boone Street. A class for beginners will be held at 7:30 p.m. where visiting caller Bob Dalsemer will teach the basics of contra dance. Admission to the dance is $7, $5 for HJDS members and $4 for students. The dance is smoke and alcohol free and family oriented.

Back by popular demand, Warren and Terry Doyle will hold another waltz workshop from 6:00-7:00pm with an open waltz to follow until 7:30pm. “Many of our dance students who attend the waltz classes are craving the ability to do social dance.” states event organizer, David Wiley. “They want to learn waltz steps, how to lead or follow your partner and so on. Warren and Terry do a great job of teaching the basics and helping the experienced dancer learn new steps.” Cost of the waltz workshop is only $3.

Bob Dalsemer hails from Hayesville, North Carolina in the extreme southwestern corner of the state. Born and raised in Baltimore, Bob co-founded the Baltimore Folk Music Society and started the dance program for the Folklore Society of Greater Washington. He served as President of the Country Dance and Song Society from 1990-1996. In the early 1980’s, Bob became a regular dance instructor at the John C. Campbell Folk School and moved to southwestern North Carolina in 1991 to become Coordinator of Music and Dance Programs at The Folk School. Now with more than 35 years of calling experiences and exceptional teaching skills, Bob Dalsemer has called in 35 states, Canada, England, Denmark, Belgium, Russia and the Czech Republic. His repertoire includes a wide range of American contras, squares and circle dances. Many of his original dance compositions are called at dances throughout the country. At the Folk School, Bob teaches an annual caller’s workshop, organizes more than 50 music and dance classes per year and runs a weekly concert series, a twice monthly community contra dance and a monthly English country dance.

Big Mike and the Omnidirectionals make their first visit to Jonesborough. The band includes Mike Robinson on fiddle, Gretchen Wurth on piano and Bill Porter on wooden flute.

“Big Mike” is fiddler Mike Robinson who lives in Warne, North Carolina. Mike became a fiddle addict a number of years ago and since has spent all his free time practicing, jamming, dancing and playing for dances in a variety of bands including Crosstown Traffic. Mike travels frequently throughout the southeast to play for dances.

Gretchen Worth came back to the piano three years ago with a strong desire to play for dances. Since that time, she has become the rhythmic center of most jam sessions and a number of informal bands around Brasstown, NC. When not playing music, Gretchen is a practicing fiber artist and member of the Southern Highland Handicraft Guild.

Bill Porter is a master of the wooden flute. He has played in many bands in the Atlanta area over the years including Crosstown Traffic with Mike Robinson.

“We have a very talented and well respected group coming to perform in Jonesborough, “adds Wiley. “Summer is over. We are starting to get some college students at our dances including several international students from France and several students from Milligan College”. Our next dance on September 22nd will be back at Milligan after a very successful first-ever contra dance during the spring semester. “The contra dance community is building quickly and we are having lots of fun doing it.”

For more information, please visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org or call Wiley at 423-913-3246.

August 22, 2007

Contra Dance Weekend!

The region will enjoy its first contra dance weekend of sorts starting Friday night August 31, 2007, as the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society holds a contra dance at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street at 8:00pm. The band Holy Coyote made up of musicians from Asheville and Atlanta will perform with Shawn Brenneman, of Blacksburg, Virginia, calling and teaching the beginner’s class at 7:30pm. Admission to the dance is $7, $5 for HJDS members and $4 for students. No partner is necessary. All dances are taught.
The event is family oriented, smoke and alcohol free.

Shawn Brenneman has been calling dances since 1999. She regularly calls dances in Virginia and North Carolina but has performed in 18 other states. When calling, her goal is to help create an atmosphere where dancers can best enjoy the music, each other and the dance. “I do this by choosing good dances, teaching them simply, clearly and quickly, calling in a clear and timely manner, and dropping out when possible to let the music carry the dancer’s forward.” adds Brenneman. “I like to choose a varied and interesting program of well choreographed dances to make the evening fun”. Shawn is also keyboard player for the popular contra dance band House Red. Shawn will perform with House Red
in Greensboro on Saturday night and then catch back up with the weekend series at the Carolina Contrathon on Sunday.

Holy Coyote is four musicians who have played together and apart for contras and couples dancing since the early eighties in various combinations and bands from The String Beings to Red Plum Jam to the Atlanta Swamp Opera. Split between Asheville and Atlanta, the Coyotes bring together New England, French Canadian, and Southern tunes with energy and grace.

Laurie Fisher has been entertaining dancers and inspiring musicians for the past 24 years. Fiddler, piano player, caller, she is best known as the fiddler for The String Beings, an Asheville band known for their relentless edgy rhythm and the good ride that it provides. She also plays with Fiddlewitch, Ants in the Pantry, and The Evil Twins. Her driving fiddle powers Holy Coyote's excitement and thrill. For Laurie's complete schedule,

Dave Marcus, who plays concertina and button accordion, has been contra dancing and playing since 1981. Starting with the Unknown String Band (an inadvertently appropriate name) and continuing for 12 years with Red Plum Jam, whose CD Jump at the Sun was labeled A Pinewoods Favorite by CDSS; he spent the last decade exclusively playing Irish music, and the last year trying to figure out how on earth he stopped playing contra dance music.

Karen Gaughan, who plays piano, has been playing dances from Alabama to New Jersey for nearly 14 years and calling dances longer than that. She has played numerous dance weekends and couple dance events around the Southeast and is one of the busiest dance musicians in the area. She just retired after teaching elementary school music near Asheville for many years and plays regularly in Wild Goose Chase and Fly By Night, as well as the waltz band Fine Companions.

Larry Enloe, who plays percussion and mandolin, is best known as part of the slightly whacky, tireless and talented Atlanta Swamp Opera, a 5-piece band playing high-energy traditional Cajun & Zydeco music with a modern flavor. He brings feet to Holy Coyote's French-Canadian roots as well as mandolin and percussion from around the world, and infuses Louisianan high spirits into everything from jigs to waltzes.

The weekend continues as Holy Coyote moves Saturday to the Apple Barn in Valle Crucis, North Carolina, for a contra dance sponsored by the Boone Country Dancers. The dance runs from 8:00-11:00pm.

The Labor Day Weekend would not be complete without a 12-hour dance. The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will sponsor the Carolina Contrathon at the Mountain Music Jamboree, 9331 Highway 16, Glendale Springs, North Carolina (right off the Blue Ridge Parkway). Admission to the dance is $20 for the entire day or $12 for 6-hour segment, 10am-4pm or 4pm-10pm. Open to all dancers, the event will consist primarily of contra dance, Appalachian square dance and country waltz.

“This event is one of our fund raisers that we plan to do twice a year for a long time to come” offers David Wiley, HJDS President. “Our Memorial Day Weekend dance was an artistic and financial success with over 120 dancers from four states participating”, adds Wiley. “We chose the Mountain Music Jamboree because it is located in one of the most beautiful areas of Western North Carolina. There are lots of camping, hiking and other recreational attractions that helped to draw some of our participants from all over the region. The Mountain Music Jamboree, built by area resident, Arvill Scott, is a wonderful dance venue with a wood floor and is perfect for our needs.”

The performing bands will be “Toss the Possum”, a great family band from Radford, Virginia and the “Contrarians” from Charleston, West Virginia. Callers will be Gaye Fifer from Charlottesville, Virginia and Shawn Brenneman from Blacksburg, Virginia. The bands and callers will alternate two-and-one-half hour sets during the 12-hour period with an hour-and-a-half break for dinner.

The name Toss the Possum was inspired by a possum who found itself trapped under a spare dresser drawer in the garage. Chas, upon seeing the upside down drawer moving mysteriously of its own volition around the garage floor, yelled for everyone to come and see. Thus, the first possum the Zisette family ever saw was a very unhappy one!

Rob Zisette, age 15, is the fiddler for Toss the Possum. After playing violin for a year and a half, he entered the fiddle contest sponsored by the Festival of the American West at age 10. He won first prize and has been fiddling ever since. Rob also likes to compose and is a percussionist in the Radford High School Band. Occasionally he’ll pick up the drumsticks at a dance.

Chas, age 17, taught himself to play bass as soon as he realized the family band was forming without him. Sometimes he plays his sax with the band. Chas’ claim to fame is that he can play ‘Ode to Joy’ on 16 different instruments.

Jane, age 19, began playing flute when she was 12. Soon after, she heard Joannie Madsen play her whistles with Cherish the Ladies and decided to add the Irish whistle to her repertoire. Jane plays on Patrick Riordan whistles. Jane also sings with the band. She has been accepted as a flute performance major at BYU Idaho.

Laura (mom) taught Piano at Utah State University until she moved to Virginia. In Utah she played with Barnstorm and Leaping Lulu. Now she’s hanging on for the ride with Toss the Possum.

Charlie, (dad) of course, is the most important member of the band. Not only has he picked up sound engineering and springs for food after the gigs, but the kids have dubbed him the ‘instrument Sherpa".

Toss the Possum has played for all kinds of events, festivals, and dances for the past three years – that is, as many as their busy school schedules have allowed. They especially enjoy playing for contra dances because they know how much fun the dancers are having. The Zisettes have been contra dancing since Rob was four years old, drawn by the terrific live music and the wonderful spirit of the dance community.

This band puts their unique twist on southern tunes, old time, Celtic, jazz and folk. They are known for their energetic, driving renditions of traditional tunes. These teens like to occasionally slip in ‘cameos’ of non-traditional tunes. They also love the excitement of creating color and rhythm on the fly!

A four-piece band, the Contrarians play contra dance and square dance music on fiddles, guitar, mandolin, piano, upright base and a bluesy trumpet. The band is made up of Paul Epstein on fiddle, Will Carter on stand-up bass, Gary Reynolds on guitar, trumpet, piano, and John Longwell on mandolin, tenor banjo and fiddle.

Paul Epstein has been playing, writing and performing for over 30 years. His songs cover many styles and topics. He has written and recorded three CD’s. “Strawberry Lass” is all original fiddle tunes in Celtic and Appalachian stylings. “Lessons Life Taught Me” are all original songs in folk/blues/country/swing formats with backing by members of WV Public Radio’s Mountain Stage Band. “School Bus Comin” is mostly original children’s songs in various folk styles with guitar and fiddle.

A Contrarians event delivers dazzling melody-including some great original tunes – along with a solid yet imaginative approach to rhythm. The band has consistently “wowed the crowd” at dances and dance weekends throughout Ohio-Kentucky-West Virginia and beyond.

They were a big hit at the 2001 and 2006 Pigtown Fling in Cincinnati, the Dandelion Romp in Oberlin, Ohio in 2002; the 2005-2007 Whitewater Whirl as well as other dance weekends. Trips to Glen Echo Park, Maryland for the Friday night dance and the FSGW (Folk Song Society of Greater Washington) dance have brought rave reviews and word keeps spreading.

Hailing from West Virginia, the Contrarians are comfortable in a variety of styles and traditions including Celtic, New England, swing, and of course, old time (Appalachian). They also have written original material. With rhythmic variety, occasional glimpses of ethnic music, and unique improvisations, dancers let loose and never lose interest in the music.

“It’s rare for a band that is not on the road constantly to achieve this level of expertise” says Ron Buchanan, a renowned dance caller who travels nationwide from his home in Pittsburg. “I have known some of these guys for over twenty years since they were playing in string bands that traveled to festivals all over the country. Most of them make their living doing other things, but their first love is music” added Buchanan.

Gaye Fifer has been a caller and teacher at nearly every dance weekend in the Eastern U.S. In her engaging and entertaining manner, she teaches moves with an emphasis on leading and following—connecting with your partner and the music. As a caller, Gaye will delight you with clear walk throughs and smooth flowing contras. Be prepared to be challenged with some tasty dances too! Her pleasant style and graceful teaching put dancers at ease and set the stage for a great evening.

Even though other types of dance, such as square dance and country line dancing abound in the area, contra dance does not come from the Appalachian region at all. Contra dance originated in New England. The name style of dance comes from English country dance. During a contra dance two people partner up and generally remain that way throughout the dance. With the help of the caller, each dancer will do-si-do, balance or allemande with just about everyone in the longwise sets.

The beauty of contra dance comes when the other three members of your set-of-four help you out if you forget the direction of turn or one of the steps of the dance. Most contra dancers point out how easy beginners will find contra dancing.

For more information, please contact event organizer, David Wiley at 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org.

Back to School Contra Dance in Jonesborough!

JONESBOROUGH, TN - The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society welcomes the “Washington County Ramblers” string band for the next in a series of summer contra dances. They will perform in the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street on August 18, 2007; beginning at 8 p.m. Admission to the dance is $7, $5 for HJDS members and $4 for Students. A workshop for beginners led by caller Dean Snipes will begin at 7:30 P.M. No partner is necessary. All dances are taught by the caller. All contra dance events are smoke and alcohol free and family oriented.

The Washington County Ramblers are an old-time string band made up of some of the finest musicians that upper East Tennessee has to offer. The fertile breeding ground for traditional music has been a wealth of fun and inspiration for these four talented musicians. Anchored by the nephew/uncle team Sam Gobble and Bill Ward on fiddle and banjo, the Ramblers ride on the steady rockin’ rhythm section of Tim Pharis on bass and Roy Andrade on guitar.

Sam Gobble, from Mountain City, TN, has been active in the Old Time music scene in east Tennessee, western North Carolina and southwestern Virginia for many years. He began “fiddlin” around in the early 1980’s. Two decades later, he’s accomplished as a fiddler, banjo and guitar player. Along with banjo player, Doug Dorschug, Sam is currently teaching fiddle in the Old-Time Music Program at Virginia Highlands Community College.

Born in Mountain City, TN, Billy Ward was first exposed to old time music by his Uncle Sam Gobble. However, it was not until college that he really developed an interest in playing and studying the history of old time. ETSU’s sociology professor and director of the ETSU Old Time String Band, Dr. Richard Blaustein helped launch Billy’s career. Billy’s love for the banjo and old-time music has continued to grow and evolve through chance meetings at fiddler's conventions, playing with old friends and strangers, and digging through old forgotten recordings. As one of the founding members of the “Half-Runners”, Billy has played as a street musician on corners from Johnson City to Nashville, at Uncle Dave Macon Days, the Down Home in Johnson City and many places in between.

Tim Pharis is in his third year of school in the ETSU Bluegrass, Old-Time and Country Music Program where he is pursuing a degree in History and Appalachian Studies. Originally from South Georgia, this 22-year old has been playing bass for years and has studied classically at Schwob School of Music in Columbus, Georgia. He also plays old-time fiddle and guitar.
Roy Andrade was raised in Asheville, NC. He started playing music at age 5 and studied an assortment of instruments including accordion, piano, trumpet and tuba before discovering stringed instruments in his teens. Roy is a founding member of the popular old-time string band Reeltime Travelers who recorded 2 highly acclaimed records and played over 600 concerts together.

The Ramblers are sure to keep folks shakin’ a leg and grinning from ear to ear with their infectious grooves.

Dean Snipes brings seven years of contra dance calling from his home in Charlotte, North Carolina where heworks as a handyman. He began calling after all his dance friends prompted him to call because he would never keep his mouth closed during the dance instruction. They said he was better off up on stage leading the dance. Dean loves to teach people how to contra dance. With his unique Southern accent, Dean wastes little time getting the beginners and experienced dancers learning the figures and flow of contra dance. During his brief calling career, Dean has taken the time to write about twenty dances some of which he will be calling on Saturday. To write a contra dance, Dean would take a favorite dance step and build the choreography around it.

For more information, please visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org or call dance coordinator, David Wiley at 423-913-3246. Come and join the fun. You don’t have to be a skilled dancer. Remember the phrase “Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly. Get in the game of life” Learn to dance and be a part of our community.

July 24, 2007

Contra Dance & Summer Harvest Potluck Dinner!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will return to Jonesborough for the Annual Yard Sale, Summer Harvest Potluck Dinner & Contra Dance on Saturday August 4, 2007. The potluck dinner and contra dance will be held at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 117 Boone Street beginning at 6:00 pm. Class for beginning contra dancers will follow at 7:30 pm. The dance will run from 8:00-11:00 pm with a waltz break at 9:30pm. Returning to Jonesborough after performing at the 2006 Christmas Contra Dance will be “Toss the Possum” from Blacksburg, Virginia. Calling for the dance will be the ever popular Laurie Fisher from Asheville.

This special fund raising day will kickoff with a yard sale at the home of Gary and Alexis Burkett at 233 E. Main Street in Jonesborough. “Last year’s yard sale raised over $1000
For HJDS, states event organizer, David Wiley. We hope to surpass that mark with greater participation from a fast growing membership group and all our volunteers. We will be ready for sales no later than 8:00 am, but know that early birds will swoop by long before that.” Donations will be accepted by HJDS and picked up by volunteers by calling 423-913-3246.

After a hard days work at the yard sale, all members, volunteers and dancers are invited to celebrate the achievement by attending the Summer Harvest Potluck Dinner at 6:00pm. Nothing brings people together like a potluck, and nothing gets them talking together like the subject of food. Just watch as the buffet table fills up with salads, casseroles, pastas and desserts and you’ll see for yourself. “We are building a community through traditional music and dance. We hope to get our dancers chatting happily, exchanging recipes and telling the story behind each recipe,” adds Wiley. Food talk at a potluck can teach us a lot about each other and the world around us. Prizes will be given to the most creative and mouthwatering dishes as judged by Dogwood Lane Chef and co-owner, David Phillips. “The Dogwood Lane Restaurant has been a huge supporter of our community contra dance. We are delighted that David will take time out of his busy day to come and judge our potluck entries” adds Wiley.

The name Toss the Possum was inspired by a possum who found itself trapped under a spare dresser drawer in the garage. Chas, upon seeing the upside down drawer moving mysteriously of its own volition around the garage floor, yelled for everyone to come and see. Thus, the first possum the Zisette family ever saw was a very unhappy one!

Rob Zisette, age 15, is the fiddler for Toss the Possum. After playing violin for a year and a half, he entered the fiddle contest sponsored by the Festival of the American West at age 10. He won first prize and has been fiddling ever since. Rob also likes to compose and is a percussionist in the Radford High School Band. Occasionally he’ll pick up the drumsticks at a dance.

Chas, age 17, taught himself to play bass as soon as he realized the family band was forming without him. Sometimes he plays his sax with the band. Chas’ claim to fame is that he can play ‘Ode to Joy’ on 16 different instruments.

Jane, age 19, began playing flute when she was 12. Soon after, she heard Joannie Madsen play her whistles with Cherish the Ladies and decided to add the Irish whistle to her repertoire. Jane plays on Patrick Riordan whistles. Jane also sings with the band. She has been accepted as a flute performance major at BYU Idaho.

Laura (mom) taught Piano at Utah State University until she moved to Virginia. In Utah she played with Barnstorm and Leaping Lulu. Now she’s hanging on for the ride with Toss the Possum.

Charlie, (dad) of course, is the most important member of the band. Not only has he picked up sound engineering and springs for food after the gigs, but the kids have dubbed him the ‘instrument Sherpa".

Toss the Possum has played for all kinds of events, festivals, and dances for the past three years – that is, as many as their busy school schedules have allowed. They especially enjoy playing for contra dances because they know how much fun the dancers are having. The Zisettes have been contra dancing since Rob was four years old, drawn by the terrific live music and the wonderful spirit of the dance community.

This band puts their unique twist on southern tunes, old time, Celtic, jazz and folk. They are known for their energetic, driving renditions of traditional tunes. These teens like to occasionally slip in ‘cameos’ of non-traditional tunes. They also love the excitement of creating color and rhythm on the fly!

Laurie Fisher has been a big part of the resurgence of community contra dance in the Tri-Cities area. She has called several dances and performed as fiddler with “Hot Flash”, “String Beings” and “Ants in the Pantry”. In addition, Laurie has taught two non-credit classes at ETSU. One dancer recently commented, “Laurie Fisher is a great teacher – patient, clear, methodical with marvelous rapport with the dancers”.

Laurie Fisher is just returning from a summer tour of the Midwest with her band “Hot Flash” Fresh from performing in Lexington, Indianapolis, Columbus and Cincinnati,
Laurie will bring her enthusiasm for music and dance calling that will stimulate and challenge all the dancers.

Come as you are; wear soft flexible shoes for dancing. Come to dance, join the potluck dinner or just to listen. No partner is necessary. All dances are taught. As always, our dances are smoke and alcohol free. Admission to the dance is $7, $5 for HJDS members and $4 for students. Families with their own children are all admitted for only $15.

For further information call event organizer, David Wiley, at 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org.

July 10, 2007

Summer Contra Dance in Johnson City

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will return to Johnson City, Tennessee on Saturday, July 21, 2007 to stage another contra dance at the new Carver Recreation Center at 322 W. Watauga near the Down Home. Admission to the dance is $7, $5 for HJDS members and $4 for students. A family package allows parents to bring all of their own children for a total of $15. All dances are smoke and alcohol free. No partner is necessary. Families and children are welcome!

Performing for this event will be Danny Gammon and the Love Muffins from Knoxville. The caller will be Kate Power from Columbus, Ohio. Kate will conduct a class for beginners at 7:30pm where beginners and experienced dancers alike will learn the basic steps, formations and flow of contra dance.

These broadly talented musicians originally formed to play traditional
string-band music, and are in demand for contra dances, but they are not
ashamed to mix it up with the popular music of their era. They have
adapted a variety of musical styles to their string-band format
producing a seamless mix of material that spans such genres as
Hillbilly, British Invasion, and contemporary Americana. They sometimes
play non-contra venues under the alias "Five Miles From Town. In a
fun-filled demonstration of their versatility, they once appeared at a
Bob Dylan tribute as “Plumb Bob,” playing an exclusively Dylan repertoire.

The instrumentation in this band may include, but is not limited to
fiddle, guitar, bass, mandolin, dobro, banjo, accordion and drums.
Members are Danny Gammon, Jay Manneschmidt, Kathleen McGregor-Williams,
Brian Sward, and Helene Vachon.

“I met Kate at the Christmas Country Dance School in Berea, KY in December of 2006” says event organizer, David Wiley. “I found that Kate and I shared a passion for promoting folk dance and community building”. Kate has been a contra dance caller in Columbus, Ohio since 2003. She is known for her clear, simple walk-throughs and imaginative dance choices. Her goal is to bring together people of all ages and skill levels creating a fun-filled, music driven experience.

Contra dancing is a traditional form of American folk dance that evolved from the longways country dances popular in English society centuries ago. Contra dance communities now thrive all over the country. There are websites that can direct you to contra dances in most states. The modern contra dances provide dancers of all ages and experience levels with the opportunity to smile, move, connect, flirt and create an evening of dance nirvana with each other. No previous dance experience is necessary. No fancy footwork is required. If you can walk and count to eight, you can contra dance!

Contra dances are community events. At almost any contra you will find people of all ages and all dance skill levels, from young to old, beginner to expert. Contra dancers form a very open and welcoming group of people. You can come alone or with others since it is a tradition to dance with a variety of partners throughout the night. It is perfectly acceptable for either a man or a woman to ask someone to dance. It’s a great way to make friends with someone they haven’t met before. You will find contra dancing a great way to make new friends.

For more information, contact event organizer, David Wiley, at 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org.

Contra Dance in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society invites all comers to participate in the next community contra dance on Saturday July 7, 2007 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 117 Boone Street. The featured band for this event is the “Shifty Tweeds” from the Carolinas. The caller will be Asheville’s Adina Gordon. Admission to the dance is $7, HJDS Members $5 and Students 4$. A special family package allows parents and their children admission for only $15. No partner is necessary. All dances are taught by the caller. All dances are smoke and alcohol free. There will be a class for beginners at 7:30pm. The dance runs from 8:00-11:00pm with a waltz break at 9:30pm.

Adina Gordon comes to Jonesborough moving quickly down the path of success in the contra dance calling world. Described as a contra dancer and caller—or caller and contra dancer, Adina began her journey at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival when she fell under the spell of the band Wild Asparagus. She went from zero to contra dance addict in less than a minute. Catching the contra dance bug led Adina to the stage to learn to call dances. “I have seen Adina at area dances immersed in her dance manual studying formations, connections and flow of contra dances”, adds event organizer David Wiley. “She is highly motivated professional now”. Adina spends about 50% her time on the road. She considers living in her dark gray 1993 Honda Civic part of the job of the roving dance caller.

Adina believes that teaching the dances clearly and quickly maximizes dance time. As the conduit between the music and the dance, she believes that it is very important you get you dancing and then get out of the way with efficient walk throughs and minimal calling. Even for beginners, Adina thinks that anyone can dance if they want to. “As long as you are smiling and having fun, you’re doing it right” she adds. Now having called dances in 25 different states, Adina considers herself the inveterate dance gypsy. When not calling or dancing, she plays the French horn and enjoys spending time outdoors.

The Shifty Tweeds are Kathy Sheppard on banjo uke, Ken Stott on fiddle, and David White on fiddle, banjo and guitar. Steeped in old time traditional music and dance, The Shifty Tweeds can best be described as a rocking old time band with a locomotive-like drive that is guaranteed to move the dancers. Kathy Sheppard’s banjo uke provides the chug-a-chug chug of this bands drive, blended with Ken Stott’s skillful melodic fiddling and David White’s driving style on fiddle, guitar and banjo. This band rocks!

Kathy Sheppard lives in Spindale, NC, with her daughter Laura. She played piano growing up but is a relative newcomer to traditional music and dance, and was first exposed to old time music when she met Ken Stott in 1999. She is a self-taught musician who learned while sitting on the edges of jams, gradually working her way into the center. Now she is considered one of the premier banjo uke players in our region. Her driving rhythm style lends itself well to contra dance music. She currently plays with Kathy & The Leftovers and The Shifty Tweeds.

Living and growing up in the northern mountains of Rutherford County, NC, exposed Ken Stott to the tradition of being surrounded by mountain music. He got his first guitar in elementary school and his dad showed him the cords. As time went on they started playing together around home and for community events and parties along with the neighbors.

Ken took up the fiddle in the early nineties after being influenced by the older fiddler's who played weekly at Old Fort Mountain Music. That sound of the mountain fiddle soon took hold and started Ken on a journey back to the early settlers and that fiddle style of North Carolina. Most of Ken's tunes come from studying the Southern Appalachian repertoire from other fiddlers and the hard driving down bow that comes with it. Ken has played with old time bands such as Stranded Sally. He currently plays with Kathy & The Leftovers and The Shifty Tweeds. Ken’s fiddling music will put your feet to moving and your body to swaying.

Currently living in Pickens, SC, David White has been playing stringed instruments for almost 30 years. Only in the past 14 years he became rather consumed by contra dancing and the music that drives it. David fell in love with traditional Appalachian old time music – especially that played by bands and musicians that create driving rhythms. That passionate driving style is evident when David plays guitar, claw hammer banjo or fiddle. The fact that David has always loved contra dancing has helped him become a master of creating great dance energy from old time tunes and melodies. He loves to sing as well. David has played in several bands in the past (Reedy River Rhythm Rockers, Corn Bread Heads, Cloudlanders) and more recently the Carolina Tunecroppers, Steamshovel (w/ Roger Gold) and the Shifty Tweeds. His habit of ‘gyrating’ while playing the fiddle while wearing his Dad’s old tweed hat earned him the nickname ‘the Shifty Tweed.’

For more information contact event organizer, David Wiley, at 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org.

Jonesborough Days “Day of Dance”

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present the second annual “Day of Dance” in conjunction with the Jonesborough Days Celebration in Jonesborough, Tennessee, on Saturday June 30, 2007. At the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 117 Boone Street, starting at noon and going on until 9:00pm will be workshops, contra dances and a waltz. The musical lineup will include two Asheville area bands, the Land of Sky and the Elftones. Callers for the dances will be Hank Morris and Diane Silver, both from Asheville. Admission to any or all events is only $5.00. A wristband will be applied to those participants who want to dance and also enjoy the many Jonesborough Days activities. The schedule is as follows:

12:00 Noon-1:15pm Flatfooting Workshop-Travis Aderegg instructor

1:30-2:45pm Waltz Workshop-Warren & Terry Doyle instructors

3:00pm-3:45pm Learn to Contra Dance Workshop-Hank Morris instructor

4:00pm-6:00pm Contra Dance with Land of Sky-Hank Morris caller

6:00pm-7:00pm Waltz with all musicians

7:00pm-9:00pm Contra Dance with the Elftones

9:00pm Fireworks outdoors

For more information, please contact event organizer, David Wiley, 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org.