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Contra Dance in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold a contra dance on Saturday, July 17, 2010 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 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! A half hour contra dance workshop will be offered at 7pm.

At the 8:30pm waltz break, again Klondike Ice Cream Bars, the official frozen treat of the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society, will be offered to all dancers courtesy of the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society.

Performing for this event will be the band Contraversial consisting of Cailen Campbell and David Brown from Asheville. The caller is Connie Carringer from Boone, NC. The dance time for the dance on Saturday July 17th will be from 7:30-10:30pm.

Cailen Campbell has been thrilling contra dancers all over the southeast and around the country for over a decade. His innovative, highly improvisational, lyrical fiddling has been heard in numerous acclaimed regional dance bands, including The Atomic City Rhythm Rascals, The String Beings, The Rocket Boys, The Gypsy Hicks, in addition to a dynamic duo with renowned Asheville area guitarist and banjo virtuoso David Brown. Campbell recently played with the Greasy Beans on behalf of the North Carolina Dance Theater at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

Connie Carringer, a recent master’s degree graduate at Appalachian State University in the Community Counseling/Expressive Arts Therapy program, is relatively new to contra dance calling but has shown great progress in her second career. Part of her training was the “Callers Week” at the John C. Campbell Folk School last summer. She also plays old time banjo, sings and writes songs.

Contra dancing is a traditional form of American folk dance that evolved from the long ways 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 and the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society on FACEBOOK

Jonesborough “Days of Dance”

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present three days of dance during the annual Jonesborough Days Celebration on July 2ndt- 4th at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. This year’s event will be sponsored by Mountain States Health Alliance. Admission to the dance can be attained by purchasing a $5 wristband each day allowing dancers to come and go during the day and enjoy the many activities associated with the festival. There will be a variety of dances and workshops offered during the event which will include family dance, square, contra, waltz and swing dance.

The callers will be Beth Molaro, Charley Harvey and Laurie Fisher.

Event organizer, David Wiley states “Being a part of Jonesborough Days gives us a chance to showcase our dance program to everyone in the region. Our dancers come to enjoy the traditional music and dance, get some exercise and to be a part of a dance community that is intergenerational and family oriented. We are very fortunate this year to be sponsored by Mountain States Health Alliance.” Ed Herbert, vice-president of marketing for MSHA states “Mountain States Health Alliance (MSHA) offers comprehensive wellness programs to many businesses which help them lower their healthcare costs while improving the quality of lives for their employees. The Town of Jonesborough employees are one of the success stories in the MSHA wellness program. We also offer a wellness program to our own 9,000 Team Members. Why are we so committed to this wellness initiative? Our region is too obese, suffering from type 2 diabetes and many times the answer is simple; we need to get more active and eat healthier! Through contra dancing, the Dance Society offers an alcohol free, tobacco free and family-friendly event which inspires people to be active through the dance. Come experience contra dancing. MSHA invites the region, but especially our Team Members, to come out and enjoy (name of event). Get moving, get health and have a lot fun in the process.”

The kickoff dance will be Friday night July 2nd at 7:30pm with Toss the Possum playing contra dance and waltz tunes called by Asheville’s Beth Molaro. Toss the Possum is mostly a family band from Radford, VA. The band has written and published, under the direction of Mother Possum, Laura Zisette, a book of 42 original waltzes, jigs and reels. Their book called Possum Tunes will be available at the dance.

The remainder of the Possum band is made up of oldest son Chas on bass. Chas will attend Radford University in January. Rob graduated from Radford High School, plays fiddle and will attend Virginia Tech in fall to major in physics. Sam Athanas is the Possum percussionists. Joining Toss the Possum for the first time will be National Flat-picking Champion guitarist Scott Fore also from Radford, Virginia. Of course, Laura Zisette, band director, is the featured on keyboards.

Cat Fight members are very well known in this area. The band is made up of fiddler/caller Laurie Fisher, Karen Gaughan on Keyboard, Nic Coker on rhythm guitar and Jono Altizer on mandolin.

Rounding out the music lineup will be the Artnoc String Band from Florida. They are actually the same band called Jubal’s Kin who will be performing at the Jonesborough Days main stage at 4pm on Sunday. This manifestation includes 2009 Tennessee Fiddle champion, Gailanne Amundsen, brother Roger Amundsen on guitar, Ninian Bell on banjo and Scarlett Amundsen on bass. Their contra dance set will be on Sunday from 12:00-2:00pm.


Here is the schedule:

Friday July 2
07:30pm-10:30pm Contras & Squares w/Beth Molaro & Toss the Possum

Saturday July 3
09:00am-10:00am Waltz Workshop w/Charley Harvey
10:00am-11:00am Open Waltz w/Toss the Possum
11:15am-12:45pm Advanced Contra w/Charley Harvey & TTPoss
12:45pm-02:15pm Lunch Break
01:00pm-02:00pm Family Dance at Children’s Stage
02:15pm-03:45pm Contra Dance w/Charley Harvey & Cat Fight
04:00pm-04:45pm Swing Dance Workshop
04:45pm-06:00pm Swing Dance w/Screechowl Serenade
06:00pm-07:00pm Dinner Break
07:00pm-07:30pm Beginners Contra Dance Workshop
07:30pm-10:30pm Contra Dance w/Charley Harvey & Cat Fight

Sunday July 4
10:00am-11:30am Open Waltz w/Toss the Possum
12:00pm-2:00pm Contra Dance w/Laurie Fisher & Artnoc String
02:30pm-5:30pm Contra Dance w/Charley Harvey & Cat Fight
05:30pm-07:00pm Dinner Break
07:00pm-9:30pm Contra Dance w/Toss the Cat (both) & Charley
10:00pm Fireworks

Contra Dance in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold a contra dance on Saturday, June 19, 2010,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 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! Open waltzing to recorded music will again be offered from 6-7pm.

At the 9:00pm waltz break, we will have the first “Berry Cookoff”. We are asking all comers to bring their favorite fresh berry recipe using seasonal berries such as blueberry and strawberry. Prizes will be awarded to the best dishes.
Performing for this event will be the Hungry Monks from Charleston, SC. The caller will be Tim Klein from Knoxville. Tim will conduct a class for beginners at 7:00pm where beginners and experienced dancers alike will learn the basic steps, formations and flow of contra dance.

The Hungry Monks are an acoustic group whose instrumentation includes voice, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, bass, and percussion. Based around thr creative talents of Hazel Ketchum and John Holenko, The Hungry Monks have played concerts, clubs, festivals, and private events. The Monks play a variety of traditional musics as well as their own original songs (Hazel's) and instrumentals (John's). As a band and as individuals, we have played rock, folk, Celtic, bluegrass, jazz, Renaissance and Medieval music. Somehow, all of that makes its way into our sets. We have been working with John Kennedy on bass for many years now and he shares our love for everything from Machaut to Jerry Garcia. The Monks wear out fiddle players pretty quickly. The latest in our long line of fiddlers is Bob Culver, who also plays guitar and mandolin and sings (mostly, highly inappropriate material). The Hungry Monks have recorded 2 CD's. Our first CD is called "Organic Tangerines" and features traditional Irish and original music. We also have a Celtic Christmas CD called "All Through The Night". The Hungry Monks fearlessly perform at any venue that will have them, including Charleston's Music Farm, The Piccolo Spoleto Festival, Charleston First Night, The St. Joseph International Guitar Festival, The Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center, and Tommy Condon's Irish Pub. Our recordings have been heard on radio stations throughout the US and we have appeared on TV at morning times when no self-respecting musician would be found awake (unless they had not yet actually gone to bed).

Tim Klein will be coming to the Tri-Cities to call for the first time. Tim has been calling contra dances for community events, parties, and hard-core dance groups in East Tennessee for more than 15 years. He is known for selecting a mix of easy and challenging dances and presenting them with clear directions and enthusiasm.

Contra dancing is a traditional form of American folk dance that evolved from the long ways 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 and Historic Jonesborough Dance Society on FACEBOOK.

“The Best Two-Person Contra Dance Band in the Nation!”

On Saturday, June 5, 2010, the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold its first
Community contra dance of the Summer season. Guest caller, Jeff Petrovich, joins two friends from Maine who call themselves Perpetual e-Motion, . The dance begins at 7:30 P.M. in the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 117 Boone Street. At 7:00 P.M. prior to each dance, the caller conducts a class for beginners where basics of contra dance are taught to new and experienced dancers alike. Admission to the dance is only $7, $5 for HJDS members and $4 for students. All dances are smoke and alcohol free. No partner is necessary.

Perpetual e-Motion brings the surreal sounds of electric fiddle, swirling didgeridoo, driving guitar and foot percussion. This power duo, perched at the convergence of electronic and traditional dance music, is solely the bi-product of two musicians who love to groove and inspire movement.

Perpetual e-Motion begins with the simple statement of traditional, often recognizable dance tunes from Europe and Americas, and proceed to notch it up into a thrilling composition of complex poly-rhythms, melody and counter melody scaffolding exotic and lush chord structures into an amazingly satisfying musical performance drawing from Celtic, bluegrass, jazz and electronic influences. The duo is highly regarded throughout New England for their ability to provide hours of driving, pulsating music for contra dances, which rely on traditional dance tunes as a backdrop.

Born into a musical family, Ed Howe started playing fiddle at the age of 4, learning Suzuki method. His musical interests cover a wide spectrum from Bluegrass to Celtic and beyond and he has been a regular instructor for Maine Fiddle Camp since 2003. Howe has an extensive electronics background, and took an interest in the electric violin. He plays a 5-string NS Designs electronic violin and is a featured artist on the NS designs artist page. Ed makes extensive use of the BOSS RC-50 loop station to layer and orchestrate a variety of sounds from his instrument and watching him play bare footed and operating complex electronic equipment with his feet is a sight to behold.

John Coté is a well-known accompanist for many Maine and New England fiddlers and is very active as a private teacher and at Maine Fiddle Camp. Coté attended the Berklee College of music both for a five week music program in high school and for two years after high school to study film scoring. He later transferred to the University of Maine at Augusta's jazz program and earned a bachelor’s degree in jazz performance. At 22 he took an interest in traditional dance music teaching himself the mandolin and fiddle and helped found the Celtic/world band Wake the Neighbors that has endured to this day. In this duo, Coté plays a Godin acoustic electric guitar connected into synthesizer module adding a wide palette of sounds to the music. Aside from his duties on guitar, Coté simultaneously plays the didgeridoo (an Australian aboriginal instrument) and foot percussion. The result is a very lush and complex orchestration of music that defies what one would expect from just two people.

Perpetual e-Motion toured the Southern Appalachian region back in March and took
the contra dance scene by surprise. Event organizer, David Wiley, states “I really could not believe what I was hearing on stage. These two guys are so incredibly talented. Our dancers will be in for an unforgettable treat”.

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.

For more information about community contra dance, please contact event organizer, David Wiley, at 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org and Historic Jonesborough Dance Society on FACEBOOK.

Contrathon VII is ready to commence on Sunday at 10AM. There are still openings for more dancers. Please arrive early if you have not pre-registerede.

The dance is held at the Mountain Music Jamboree in Glendale Springs, NC about 20 miles East of Boone, NC adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Any questions: 423-534-8879

See you all there!

Contra Dance in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold a contra dance on Saturday, May 29, 2010 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 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! A half hour contra dance workshop will be offered at 7pm.
At the 8:30pm waltz break, again Klondike Ice Cream Bars, the official frozen treat of the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society, will be offered to all dancers courtesy of the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society.
Performing for this event will be Cailen Campbell and David Brown from Asheville. The callers will be a group of volunteers from all over the region who will be attending in conjunction with Contrathon VII which will be held on Sunday, May 30th at the Mountain Music Jamboree in Glendale Springs, NC. The Contrathon is a 12-hour event sponsored by HJDS. The dance time for the dance on Saturday May 29th will be from 7:30-10:30pm.
Cailen Campbell has been thrilling contra dancers all over the southeast and around the country for over a decade. His innovative, highly improvisational, lyrical fiddling has been heard in numerous acclaimed regional dance bands, including The Atomic City Rhythm Rascals, The String Beings, The Rocket Boys, The Gypsy Hicks, in addition to a dynamic duo with renowned Asheville area guitarist and banjo virtuoso David Brown.

Contra dancing is a traditional form of American folk dance that evolved from the long ways 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.

Preceding the weekend contra events will be the final midweek dance of the season again featuring the ETSU Faculty Contra Dance Band led by fiddler Roy Andrade. Calling for the Wednesday evening dance at the Jonesborough Visitors Center will be Fred Park. Admission is $6 and the dance starts at 7:30pm.
For more information, contact event organizer, David Wiley, at 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org and the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society on FACEBOOK.

May is full of Contra Dances in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present a contra dance on Saturday, May 15, 2010 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. The featured band will be the Dry Ridge Runners from Asheville with Rob Harper 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. A workshop for beginning contra dancers will be led by the caller at 7:00pm. The dance will run from 7:30-10:30pm with a waltz break at 9:00pm where, once again, Klondike Bars will be served to all who attend.

Caller Rob Harper hails from Atlanta. He has been calling for the Chattahoochee Country dancers for many years.

The Dry Ridge Runners consists of Roy Andrade on fiddle, Adam Tanner on guitar, Parrish Ellis on banjo and Stephanie Wolf on bass.

Roy Andrade, faculty member in the ETSU Bluegrass, Country & Old Time music program, played banjo and performed vocals for the acclaimed string band, The Reel Time Travelers, from 1999-2007. In addition to teaching music, Andrade has many other responsibilities including coaching four student bands.

Adam Tanner can usually be found performing with Mark Jackson as The Twilite Broadcasters. Having come together to sing and play in Weaverville, North Carolina in 2009, the group continues the longstanding tradition of two part rural harmony vocals with simple acoustic string instrument accompaniment once common in the Southern part of the United States (starting in the 1930's). The fundamental components of lead and harmony vocal in tandem with guitar and mandolin are the seminal sounds that set the stage for a variety of American musical styles to come, including: Bluegrass, Folk, Country and Rock n' Roll. The Twilite Broadcasters bring new shadings and highlights to the old songs they present.

Parrish Ellis is a guitarist, banjoist, singer and songwriter specializing in the piedmont style of country blues, and other strains of traditional African-American music. He tours full-time with the acoustic trio, The Wiyos, playing "vaudevillian-ragtime-jug band-blues and hillbilly swing". In addition to finger-picking country blues, he's a proficient rhythm player in the swing and old-time Appalachian music idioms. He has recorded two solo albums and three CDs with The Wiyos.

Stephanie Wolf has been the musical mainstay in the Asheville area old time music scene for many years teaming with many noteworthy musicians to the delight of dancers and listeners.

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. All dances are taught by the caller. No partner is necessary and you are encouraged to dance with as many different people as possible.

Many of the basic moves resemble square dancing—swings, allemandes, do-si-dos—but contra dancing are 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. You are encouraged to dress comfortably and stay hydrated with lots of water.

HJDS will hold three other dances during the month of May. Wednesday, May12 will have Cailen Campbell and David Brown with caller Terry Doyle. On May 26, the ETSU Faculty Contra Dance band will play with Fred Park calling the dance. Finally, on May 29, Cailen Campbell and David Brown will return to play. Guest callers will be sharing the calling duties.

For more information, please contact event organizer, David Wiley at 423-913-3246, visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org. And FACEBOOK on the web.

Contra Dancing In Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present a contra dance on Saturday, April 17, 2010 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. Performing for the dance will be Dennis Spring and the “Sons of the Full Moon” from Charlotte called by Dean Snipes. The dance will run from 7:30-10:30pm with a country waltz and Klondike Bar break at 9:00pm. No partner is necessary and all dances are taught by the caller. Every contra dance is smoke and alcohol free and family oriented. Admission to the dance is $7, HJDS Members $5 and students $4.

Dennis Spring and the Sons of the Full Moon are made up of Dennis Spring, Buddy McManus and Tim Mace. The band plays a broad range of traditional and Irish music and has performed in popular contra dance locations such as Charlotte, River Falls, SC, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Boone and Columbia, SC. Buddy McManus plays guitar and mandolin, and has written much of the music that the band plays in their contra dance sets. Tim Mace plays mandola, banjo, guitar and fiddle. In addition to being an accomplished musician, he makes beautiful mandolins. Dennis plays guitar as well as fiddle, sings, and has written waltzes and jigs.

Dennis was exposed to Irish music, dance and poetry at an early age.
His Irish grandmother lived with the family when he was young.
He has taught Irish fiddling to students for over 20 years, won first place in the fiddle category, and 2nd place in the vocal category at the Atlanta Feis, regional qualifying competition for the world final in Ireland.

Dennis was a first violinist with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and the leader of the Symphony String Quartet for over 15 years. He was also the Concertmaster of the Charlotte Pops Orchestra, before it was absorbed the CSO.

As a recording studio musician, he has put together string groups for background tracks on Gospel, Rhythm & Blues, Jazz, Beach, Country, and Folk albums, and radio Jingles and movies. He has performed with nationally-known artists, such as Harry Connick, Jr., Benny Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Smokey Robinson, Dionne Warwick, Doc Severinson, Chet Atkins, The Moody Blues, Beverly Sills and Luciano Pavarotti.

Dean Snipes has been a regular caller in Jonesborough. His enthusiasm and clear calling have made for some very exciting dances. So impressed with our spirit and sense of community, Dean wrote a special dance called “The Jonesborough Way” which he describes as tribute to all the people who have come together to celebrate and enjoy traditional music and dance.

For more information, please contact event organizer, David Wiley, at 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org and Historic Jonesborough Dance Society on FACEBOOK.

Contra Dance Update:

Even though our next regular HJDS sponsored contra dance is not until Wednesday, April 14th, you will have an opportunity this coming Friday, April 9th to contra dance to Sigean, one of the finest Celtic bands in the region as part of the 4th annual USA Raft Tartan Day Festival. The dance, to be called by Asheville's Anne Marie Walter, will start around 7:30pm and go until 10:00pm. The band will play a few celtic songs to build the energy up in the Visitors Center. The cost of the music and dance is $8 per person. Come for the music. Come for the contra. There will also be door prizes.

The Tartan Day Festival is a free event in downtown Jonesborough, with Saturday festivities beginning at 10 a.m. with a parade to the Presbyterian Church for a Kirk’N of the Tartans, or blessing. For more information:

http://www.gotricities.com/article.php?id=7067

Other dance opportunities in the area this week:

The Johnson City Seniors Center will be hosting a Contra dance this Thursday at 6pm! The beginners lesson will start at 6 and then dance from 6:30 till 8:30. PLEASE COME AND SUPPORT THE BEGINNER'S WORKSHOP! J This early evening dance will cost a pleasing $4.00! Our band will be Kris Wallace and David Hayes from Appalachian Storm playing as mind flowing and foot stomping Temperature Rising! Calling alongside this hot duo will be Noah Grunzweig, a new, up-and-coming caller to our area and part of our wonderful Jonesborough family.

Otherwise, we hope to see you all at the "Gypsy to Jonesborough-Midweek Contra" on Wednesday, April 12th with the ETSU Faculty Contra Dance Band led by Roy Andrade with the dance called by Warren Doyle.

Hope to see you all on the dance floor!

Thanks,

David Wiley
www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org
Historic Jonesborough Dance Society on FACEBOOK

Cosmic Otters play contra dance in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present another in a series of contra dances on Saturday March 20, 2010 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. This dance will feature the music of the Cosmic Otters with caller Rachel Shapiro 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 and Klondike Bar 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 four 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 Cosmic Otters love playing for contra dances. Based in Chicago, they
are equally inspired by scratchy archive fiddle recordings, old fashioned dance music from the Midwest and the Celtic fringe and the great New
England dance bands of recent decades. The Otters have a reputation for dance music that is lush, driving, responsive to the dancers and grounded in a solid choice of tunes.

Jonathan Whitall’s driving fiddle sound, honed after years spent playing pubs in the Chicago Irish band Donnybrook, sitting in adulation at the feet of master Cape Breton musicians and dancing to Chicago’s finest old-time bands, gets even the most lethargic dancers jumping. Jonathan not only adds French-Canadian style foot percussion, but wears spectacular pants.

A member of the Otters since 2008, mathematics graduate student, Edward Wallace brings a second fiddle, juicy harmonies and a rich repertoire of Irish music learned around the globe. He has opened the bands ears to the possibilities of Morris dance tunes, yet refuses to wear loud shirts or bells.

Meg Dedolph anchors the Cosmic Otters with her solid rhythm, tast chords and steadfast refusal to bicker with the fiddlers over tune choices.
She discovered contra dancing while working as a newspaper reporter on the Wisconsin tundra and has never looked back. Meg’s drumming, a legacy of her shady past as a percussion major in college, is a big hit with dancers.

Since finding herself in a contra dance line at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival , Rachel Shapiro has dedicated herself to the contra dancing good life in Boston and now in Chicago. She calls fun dances that flow well with short walk-throughs that dancers love.

For more information, contact event organizer, David Wiley at 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org. and on the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society page on FACEBOOK.

Spring Chickens Play Contra in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society welcomes Asheville band “Spring Chickens” and caller Connie Carringer to the next contra
On Saturday, March 6, 2010 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. There will be a class for beginners at 7:00pm followed by the dance from 7:30-10:30pm. There will be a waltz break at 9:00pm at which time Klondike Bars will be offered to all comers. Admission to the dance is $7, $5 for HJDS members and $4 for students.

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 has 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. It’s a group dance where everyone in the longwise set interacts with everyone else during the song which lasts anywhere from seven to ten minutes.

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 Ben Harvey on banjo.

Connie Carringer, a graduate student at Appalachian State University in the Community Counseling/Expressive Arts Therapy program, is relatively new to contra dance calling but has shown great progress in her second career. Part of her training was the “Callers Week” at the John C. Campbell Folk School last summer. She also plays old time banjo, sings and writes songs.

Event organizer, David Wiley, believes that our dance community, which is open to all comers, is growing both in size but more importantly in dance skill. “Our last dance had over 150 dancers, but the dancing was excellent.” adds Wiley. “We are getting dancers from all over the region because of our dance floor and because we are a very friendly and welcoming group”.

“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. The dances are smoke and alcohol free.

For more information, contact David Wiley, event organizer at 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org or Historic Jonesborough Dance Society on FACEBOOK.

All-Women Band plays Contra Dance in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold a contra dance on Saturday, February 20, 2010 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 117 Boone Street. The dance begins at 7:30 PM with music by Asheville based “Fly By Night”. The caller, Barbara Groh, will conduct a class for beginners at 7:00 PM. No partner is necessary. All dance steps are taught by the caller. All events are smoke and alcohol free. Admission to the dance is $7, $5 for HJDS members and $4 for students.

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society (HJDS) is an all-volunteer non-profit organization that was created to continue the tradition of America folk dance and music.
Anyone can become a member by paying a nominal annual fee which gives members a discount on each admission. “Admission fees,” says Wiley, “help us attract the best bands and callers and help promote our dance all over the region. Anyone wishing to join can print a membership form from our website and can mail it or bring to the next dance.” You do not have to be a member to participate in the dances which are open to all comers including children.

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.

“Our dancers are really getting the hang of it, and the skill level is getting amazingly better,” states event organizer David Wiley. “Our dance is for all ages. We are getting high school and college dancers along with families and children coming to learn contra dance. Also, 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 just started our fifth year in existence, have the finest dance floor anywhere in the region and are booking some of the best bands and callers in the business. Our program has been a huge success” adds Wiley.

Fly By Night is led by Karen Gaughan on the piano. Karen is Asheville’s most in-demand contra dance key board player. Gaughan together with her by Fly Night Partners, Laura Lengnick on fiddle, Beth Magill on Flute and Julia Weatherford on Fiddle, provide a full sound, plenty of rhythm and a really good ride for the avid contra dancer or waltzer.

Their repertoire starts with upbeat traditional New England contra dance tunes chosen with care to fit the dance at danceable tempos kept rock solid with Gaughan’s thumping bass hand. The band weaves in lilting Celtic melodies and makes them fly with Beth Magill’s achingly beautiful flute woven through with fiddle harmony. The girls let their hair down with funky, rockin originals. They’ll pull out the percussion toys, and dig deep in to some of their own tunes as well as others to keep the dancers flying. The driving force of the southern fiddle tunes is Laura and Julia who create a small tornado in the room when sawing it down with their twin harmony.

Barbara Groh has spent most of her life in the traditional music and dance scene, starting with square dancing at age 13 and contra dancing at age 18. She also played old-time banjo since college. In 1989, Barbara became Caller Coordinator for the Triangle Country Dancers in Chapel Hill, NC. She learned to call while filling in when there was no one available to call a dance. She became very passionate about calling dances and sharing the joy of contra dancing in venues all over the East coast from Florida to New Hampshire. Her calling experience ranged from small community dances to large dance festivals. She now lives in Asheville, NC, home of one of the most thriving dance communities in the known universe.

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

All-Woman Band plays Contra Dance in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold a contra dance on Saturday, February 20, 2010 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 117 Boone Street. The dance begins at 7:30 PM with music by Asheville based “Fly By Night”. The caller, Barbara Groh, will conduct a class for beginners at 7:00 PM. No partner is necessary. All dance steps are taught by the caller. All events are smoke and alcohol free. Admission to the dance is $7, $5 for HJDS members and $4 for students.

Fly By Night is led by Karen Gaughan on the piano. Karen is Asheville’s most in-demand contra dance key board player. Gaughan together with her by Fly Night Partners, Laura Lengnick on fiddle, Beth Magill on Flute and Julia Weatherford on Fiddle, provide a full sound, plenty of rhythm and a really good ride for the avid contra dancer or waltzer.

Their repertoire starts with upbeat traditional New England contra dance tunes chosen with care to fit the dance at danceable tempos kept rock solid with Gaughan’s thumping bass hand. The band weaves in lilting Celtic melodies and makes them fly with Beth Magill’s achingly beautiful flute woven through with fiddle harmony. The girls let their hair down with funky, rockin originals. They’ll pull out the percussion toys, and dig deep in to some of their own tunes as well as others to keep the dancers flying. The driving force of the southern fiddle tunes is Laura and Julia who create a small tornado in the room when sawing it down with their twin harmony.

Barbara Groh spent most of her life in the traditional music and dance scene, starting with square dancing at age 13 and contra dancing at age 18. She also played old-time banjo since college. In 1989, Barbara became Caller Coordinator for the Triangle Country Dancers in Chapel Hill, NC. She learned to call while filling in when there was no one available to call a dance. She became very passionate about calling dances and sharing the joy of contra dancing in venues all over the East coast from Florida to New Hampshire. Her calling experience ranged from small community dances to large dance festivals. She now lives in Asheville, NC, home of one of the most thriving dance communitites in the known universe.

For more information contact event organizer, David Wiley at 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org or Historic Jonesborough Dance Society on FACEBOOK.

Doubleheader Contra Dance in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold a doubleheader contra dance on Saturday and Sunday, February 6-7, 2010 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. Admission to the dances is $7, $5 for HJDS members and $4 for students. All dances are smoke and alcohol free. No partner is necessary. Families and children are welcome.
Performing for the Saturday event will be Cailen Campbell and David Brown from Asheville. The callers will HJDS members Warren & Terry Doyle from Mountain City, TN. They will also teach a full hour waltz workshop from 6-7pm.
Cailen Campbell has been thrilling contra dancers all over the southeast and around the country for over a decade. His innovative, highly improvisational, lyrical fiddling has been heard in numerous acclaimed regional dance bands, including The Atomic City Rhythm Rascals, The String Beings, The Rocket Boys, The Gypsy Hicks, in addition to a dynamic duo with renowned Asheville area guitarist and banjo virtuoso David Brown. Calien and David will be bringing their unique blend of contra grooves to Jonesborough.
Super Bowl Sunday brings the second event of the doubleheader. It’s the Second Annual Foot Ball. While the fans of the sport of NFL Football are gearing up for the championship game of the season, contra dancers will gather at the Jonesborough Visitors Center to share potluck lunch starting at noon, waltzing from 12:45 to 2:00pm and contra dance from 2:30-5:30pm. “We did this event last year and surprisingly had over 130 dancers come for the afternoon dance” states event organizer David Wiley, President of the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society. The waltz music will be provided by local duo “Feverish” made up of 16 year old pianist Courtnie Magamoll joined by Flutist Cricket Hull.
The afternoon contra dance will feature the band Hot Sonata with Karen Gaughan on keyboard, Mark Mueller on fiddle and Art Shuster on mandolin. Ever popular caller, Beth Molaro from Asheville, will do the dance calling. There will be no beginner workshop for this dance. The dance will conclude at 5:30pm in plenty of time for dancers to change back over to football fans as the Super Bowl Game kicks off at 6:25pm.
Contra dancing is a traditional form of American folk dance that evolved from the long ways 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 an the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society on FACEBOOK.

Our dance for Friday night January 29th has been CANCELLED due to inclement weather in the forecast.

Thanks!

All-Star Old Time Band plays Contra Dance in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present a contra dance on Saturday, January 16, 2009 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. The all-star band will be the Reel HighHoppers from all over our region with Anne Marie Walter 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. A workshop for beginning contra dancers will be led by the caller at 7:00pm. The dance will run from 7:30-10:30pm with a waltz break at 9:00pm where, once again, Klondike Bars will be served to all who attend.

The Reel High Hoppers, consist of Ed Snodderly on guitar, Cary Fridley on Bass, Roy Andrade on fiddle and Doug Dorschug on banjo.

Roy Andrade, faculty member in the ETSU Bluegrass, Country & Old Time music program, played banjo and performed vocals for the acclaimed string band, The Reel Time Travelers, from 1999-2007. In addition to teaching music, Andrade has many other responsibilities including coaching four student bands.

Cary Fridley is the lead singer and bassist for her own band called Down South. Although she is widely known for her powerful vocals, Cary will play bass in the all-star lineup. For many years, Fridley played with old time band, Freight Hoppers.

Ed Snodderly founded and continues to operate the Down Home in Johnson City. He is widely known in the music world as the “songwriter’s songwriter”
Snodderly has made what he has sometimes described as "new hillbilly music" virtually all his life Raised in the rich musical environment of northeast Tennessee, he learned to play several stringed instruments by watching his fiddler grandfather, guitarist father, and a pedal-steel-playing uncle. While appreciating the folk, country, and bluegrass he heard within his family circle during the late 1960s and early 1970s, Snodderly was simultaneously absorbing many other musical influences he heard on the radio, including rock 'n' roll, soul, pop, and, perhaps most crucially, the singer-songwriter scene that followed in the wake of the urban folk revival. The 1980’s saw the emergence of the Brother Boys Band which drew national and international attention. Snodderly continues to travel and perform his style of Appalachain roots music.

Doug Dorschug has played the banjo for over forty years. He received a Grammy nomination in 1988 and is probably best known as a member of the Highwoods Stringband, a band that helped revive nationwide interest in old time music in the 1970’s. Since then he’s appeared frequently at the Barter Theatre, most recently in Fire On the Mountain, and as musical director for the original productions of Keep On the Sunnyside and Man of Constant Sorrow. In 2003, he represented this area at the Smithsonian Festival of American Folklife. Doug produces and records traditional music of this area and lives in Laurel Bloomery, TN.

Anne Marie Walter, from Asheville, is a very popular caller in the area. Anne Marie 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.

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. All dances are taught by the caller. No partner is necessary and you are encouraged to dance with as many different people as possible.

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. You are encouraged to dress comfortably and stay hydrated with lots of water.

For more information, please contact event organizer, David Wiley at 423-913-3246, visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org. and FACEBOOK on the web.

“Contra Dance Returns for 5th Year in Jonesborough”

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will kick off the 2010 contra dance season on Saturday, January 2nd... The dance will be held at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. with a class for beginners starting at 7:00 p.m. The featured band will be “Appalachian Storm” consisting of David Hayes on guitar, Kris Wallace on fiddle, David White on banjo and fiddle and Terrell Jones on bass. Calling the dance will be the ever popular Hank Morris. Admission is $7, $5 for HJDS members and $4 for Students.

“Contra dance is a way for all citizens of the area to 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 30 dances again 2009. In and of itself, 30 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”.

Appalachian Storm specializes in Appalachian and Celtic traditional and contemporary dance tunes. Just recently, the band lineup changed when banjo/fiddle player, David White, joined the band as Hannah Seng moved on to other projects and school work.

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.

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 Saturday’s dance or any upcoming events, please call David Wiley at 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org. or Historic Jonesborough Dance Society on FACEBOOK.

Holiday Waltz & Contra Dance in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold a waltz and contra dance on Saturday, December 19, 2009 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. Performing for the waltz and contra dance will be “Toss the Possum” from Radford, Virginia. The waltz will run from 6:00pm-7:00pm. The
Contra dance will run from 7:00-10:00pm. There will be no beginner’s class at this event. Chattanooga’s Vicki Herndon will be the caller for the contra dance. Admission to the event is $7, HJDS Members $5 and Students $4.

David Wiley, event organizer states “We are finishing our fourth year of community contra dances in Jonesborough. Thousands of people have come to Jonesborough to check out the contra dance scene. We have had families and children, high school and college students and all ages participate. This has become a real community dance”.

The evening will be begin with a one-hour waltz from 6-7pm. Couples dancing is very popular right now due to the attention to recent dance competition on network television. “Few places in our region offer waltz to live music” offers event organizer, David Wiley. Toss the Possum has written and published, under the direction of Mother Possum, Laura Zisette, a book of 42 original waltzes, jigs and reels. Their book called Possum Tunes will be available at the dance.

The remainder of the Possum band is made up of oldest son Chas on bass. Chas will attend Radford University in January. Seventeen-year-old Rob attends Radford High School, plays fiddle and will attend Virginia Tech next fall to major in physics. Sam Athanas is the Possum percussionists. Joining Toss the Possum for the first time will be National Flatpicking Champion guitarist Scott Fore also from Radford, Virginia. Of course, Laura Zisette, band director, is the featured on keyboards.

The contra dance will conclude at 10:00pm whereby all dancers are invited to a party and music jam to be held at the Chester Inn at the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough. Guests are invited to bring potluck treats to this event.

For more information, please contact event organizer, David Wiley, at 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org or visit the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society on FACEBOOK.

Contra Dance in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present a contra dance on Saturday, December 5, 2009 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. The featured band will be Big Cranky 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. A workshop for beginning contra dancers will be led by the caller at 7:00pm. The dance will run from 7:30-10:30pm with a waltz break at 9:00pm where, once again, Klondike Bars will be served to all who attend. The six o’clock hour will be time for open waltz to recorded music. There is no extra charge for the waltz time.

Now that contra dance has become so popular all over this country, there are many step-by-step guides on how to do contra dance on the internet. “Even though we teach a brief workshop prior to the dance, there are other resources including contra dance videos, essays and other instruction available all over the web” states event organizer David Wiley. “We also encourage newcomers to partner with experienced dancers for the first few dances to build their confidence and show them how easy and fun contra dancing is”. You can bring the whole family to dance.

“The combination of Beth Molaro calling and Big Cranky playing will make for a fantastic and entertaining dance event” proclaims dance organizer, David Wiley. “We are very fortunate to have a caller/teacher of Beth’s caliber in our area.” adds Wiley. With the energy that comes off the stage from Beth Molaro, there is no way you can’t give that energy right back.

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 recently was a feature caller at the Lake Eden Arts Festival in Black Mountain.

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. Rebecca, at a very young age, has already become a competitive Appalachian flat-foot dancer.

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.

Big Cranky is a popular, contra-conscious old-time band hailing from
Western North Carolina. You can't help but pick up your feet and swing
once the band gets crankin', playing an array of highly danceable
Appalachian tunes from across the Southern mountain states. The band
features the forceful fiddling of David Lynch, rock-solid guitar
playing by Vollie McKenzie, the boisterous banjo picking of Neil
Carroll, all cemented together by McLean Bissell's lively bass line. Bring
your dance shoes for a movement-filled evening.

For more information, please contact event organizer, David Wiley at 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org or Historic Jonesborough Dance Society on FACEBOOK.

Contra Dance and Food Raiser in Jonesborough

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold a contra dance on Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 7:30pm at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. Performing for the dance will be the “Chicken Tractor” from Asheville with caller Barbara Groh. A class for beginners will be held at 7:00pm. Every dancer is encouraged to attend the class to become familiar with dance steps, formations, and flow. Klondike Bars, the official frozen treat of the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society, will be served at the 9:00pm waltz break.

The Food Raiser is being organized to supply non-perishable food stuffs for the Jonesborough Area Ministerial Association Food Bank. Nationwide food bank donations continue to decline. Donor fatigue may be setting in as the economy puts more and more families at risk and unable to feed themselves. “We are asking all dancers and members of the local community to bring non-perishable food stuffs to give to those in need” adds even organizer, David Wiley.

“Our dancers are really getting the hang of it, and the skill level is getting amazingly better,” states event organizer David Wiley. “Our dance is for all ages. We are getting high school and college dancers along with families and children coming to learn contra dance. Also, 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 fourth year in existence, have the finest dance floor anywhere in the region and are booking some of the best bands and callers in the business. Our 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.

The band consists of Laurie Fisher on fiddle, Jono Altizer on mandolin, Karen Gaughan on keyboard and Nic Coker on banjo and guitar Chicken Tractor was formed in the middle of 2008. When asked just how this group came together, band leader Laurie Fisher states that they all met at the Monday night jam at Adam Masters’ real estate office in West Asheville. “There are anywhere from 6-20 musicians that start coming together about 8:00 p.m. and essentially play all night” offers Fisher. “Adam, Jono and Nic all have bluegrass backgrounds. I told them how much fun it would be to play for contra dances. They decided to give it a try” adds Fisher. Laurie has performed many times in Jonesborough with various groups as fiddler and keyboard player. She is also an outstanding contra dance caller and teacher.

Barbara Groh has spent most of her life in the traditional music and dance scene, starting with square dance at age 13 and contra dance at age 18. She has also played old-time banjo since college. In 1989, while living in Chapel Hill, NC, Barbara got roped into being the Caller’s Coordinator for the Triangle Country Dancers. Thus, she learned to call contra dances so that she could fill in when there was nobody available to call a dance. From that accidental beginning, came a passion for sharing the joy of contra dancing in venues all over the East coast, from Florida to New Hampshire where she called dances at everything from small community events to large dance festivals. She now lives in Asheville, NC, home to one of the most thriving dance communities in the known universe.

For more information, contact event organizer David Wiley at 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org and Historic Jonesborough Dance Society on FACEBOOK.

Halloween Contra Dance in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present a contra dance on Saturday, October 31, 2009 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. The featured band will be the Dry Ridge Runners from Asheville with Jesse Edgerton 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. A workshop for beginning contra dancers will be led by the caller at 7:00pm. The dance will run from 7:30-10:30pm with a waltz break at 9:00pm where, once again, Klondike Bars will be served to all who attend. The six o’clock hour will also offer a contra dance workshop for the non-beginner taught by Warren and Terry Doyle. There is no extra charge for this workshop.

It’s Halloween weekend which means that all comers are invited to tap in to
their costume creative talent. Last year’s dance brought the Ostrich Cowboys, Hawaiian Revelers, clowns and cowgirls and many more. “We even had Elvis in the house” offers David Wiley, President of HJDS. At the break, costume contestants will promenade around the dance floor as the judges select the finalists. Then, by applause from the crowd, the winners will be selected. Winners will receive gift certificates from local Jonesborough merchants. Costumes are recommended but not required for the dance.

The Dry Ridge Runners consists of Roy Andrade on fiddle, Adam Tanner on guitar, Parrish Ellis on banjo and Stephanie Wolf on bass.

Roy Andrade, faculty member in the ETSU Bluegrass, Country & Old Time music program, played banjo and performed vocals for the acclaimed string band, The Reel Time Travelers, from 1999-2007. In addition to teaching music, Andrade has many other responsibilities including coaching four student bands.

Adam Tanner can usually be found performing with Mark Jackson as The Twilite Broadcasters. Having come together to sing and play in Weaverville, North Carolina in 2009, the group continues the longstanding tradition of two part rural harmony vocals with simple acoustic string instrument accompaniment once common in the Southern part of the United States (starting in the 1930's). The fundamental components of lead and harmony vocal in tandem with guitar and mandolin are the seminal sounds that set the stage for a variety of American musical styles to come, including: Bluegrass, Folk, Country and Rock n' Roll. The Twilite Broadcasters bring new shadings and highlights to the old songs they present.

Parrish Ellis is a guitarist, banjoist, singer and songwriter specializing in the piedmont style of country blues, and other strains of traditional African-American music. He tours full-time with the acoustic trio, The Wiyos, playing "vaudevillian-ragtime-jug band-blues and hillbilly swing". In addition to finger-picking country blues, he's a proficient rhythm player in the swing and old-time Appalachian music idioms. He has recorded two solo albums and three CDs with The Wiyos.

Stephanie Wolf has been the musical mainstay in the Asheville area old time music scene for many years teaming with many noteworthy musicians to the delight of dancers and listeners.

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. All dances are taught by the caller. No partner is necessary and you are encouraged to dance with as many different people as possible.

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. You are encouraged to dress comfortably and stay hydrated with lots of water.

For more information, please contact event organizer, David Wiley at 423-913-3246, visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org. and FACEBOOK on the web.

Next dance October 31, 2009.
Halloween Contra Dance
Costumes recommend-prizes for costume contest
Caller: Jesse Edgerton
Band: Dry Ridge Runners (Roy Andrade, Parrish Ellis, Adam Tanner, Stephanie Wolf)
Contra Dance Frills & Flourishes Workshop from 6-7pm taught by Warren & Terry Doyle

Here is the latest information concerning the Mountain Madness Weekend. Questions: David Wiley 423-534-8879.



Mountain Madness Dance Weekend

When: October 9-11, 2009

Where: Jonesborough Visitors Center
117 Boone Street
Jonesborough, TN 37659

Bands: Crowfoot, Contrarians, Fine Companions

Callers: Beth Molaro, Bob Issacs

Tickets: Pre-registration recommended

Full Weekend: $50 in advance or at the door.

A-La-Carte: Friday Night $10
Saturday Morning $10
Saturday Afternoon $ 10
Saturday Night $10
Sunday $10




MOUNTAIN MADNESS SCHEDULE

Friday 10/9/2009 VISITORS CENTER STORYTELLING CENTER

5:00pm Registration

6:30-7:30pm Waltz with Fine Companions

8:00-9:50pm Contra with Contrarians w/Bob Isaacs

10:10-Midnight Contra with Crowfoot w/Beth Molaro


Saturday 10/10/2009

9:00-10:15 Workshop-Put Some Zing in Your Swing Workshop-For Callers New & Wannabe
Bob Isaacs Beth Molaro

10:30-12:30 Contra with Crowfoot w/Beth Molaro

12:30-2:00pm Lunch

2:30-3:15pm Workshop-Flatfooting Workshop-10 Steps to Writing a Dance
Beth Molaro Bob Isaacs

3:30-5:00pm Contra with Contrarians w/Bob Isaacs Concert-Crowfoot

5:00-6:30pm Dinner

6:30-7:30pm Waltz with Fine Companions

8:00-9:50pm Contra with Contrarians w/Beth Molaro

10:00-Midnight Contra with Crowfoot w/Bob Isaacs


Sunday 10/11/2009

9:00-10:15 Waltz with Fine Companions

10:30-12:00pm Contra with Contrarians w/Bob Isaacs

12:00-12:45 Lunch

12:45-3:00pm Contra with Crowfoot w/Beth Molaro

Contra Dance in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold another contra dance on September 19, 2009 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. The Visitors Center now had a professional grade dance floor for almost a year. Event organizer, David Wiley, confirms that dancers from all over the region are now trekking to Jonesborough to dance in the Visitors Center. “The sound of dancers stomping, clapping and hollering resonates throughout the room. It’s just a great place for contra dancing now” adds Wiley.

Performing for the dance will be the band Steam Shovel from Asheville, North Carolina. The band is made up of Roger Gold on Guitar and David White on Fiddle and Banjo. Roger and David have performed together for several years on the regional contra dance circuit. The dance will be called by Tom Calwell and Myra Hirschberg from Canada.

Roger Gold grew up surrounded by music. His parents and older sister all sing and play various instruments. He knew at the age of six that he wanted to play guitar and persisted until his parents found a teacher. His interests took his guitar playing from the ever present folk, through electric teen-age-rock, to traditional, Celtic, and more. He likes to "play" with the music; turning waltzes to klezmer, Bach into swing, and doing even stranger things to the tunes he writes. Roger's guitar styles range from classical to hard driving, rhythmic, contra dance music. He enjoys contra dancing, and enjoys playing music for contra dances, and has yet to figure out how to do both at the same time. Roger partners with Mara Shea on fiddle to become the Elftones who just recently performed at the HJDS sponsored Contrathon VI in Glendale Springs, NC on Septembe 6th.

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.’

Tom and Myra from Peterborough, Ontario, have called dances separately
And together throughout the United States and Canada. They are known for their easy-going, low-key teaching style, their out-of-the ordinary dance programs and their quirky original dance compositions. They are currently renovating a house in Asheville and look forward to calling many more dances in the area.

There will be a class for beginners at 7:00pm. The dance will run from 7:30-10:30pm with a waltz and Klondike Bar break at 9:00pm. Admission to the dance is $7, HJDS members $5 and students $4.

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

August 28, 2009

Contra Dance in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold a contra dance on Saturday, September 5, 2009 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 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! A full hour contra dance workshop will be offered from 6-7pm.
At the 8:30pm waltz break, again Klondike Ice Cream Bars, the official frozen treat of the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society, will be offered to all dancers courtesy of the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society.
Performing for this event will be Cailen Campbell and his band Pictish from Asheville. The callers will be a group of volunteers from all over the region who will be attending in conjunction with the Contrathon which will be held on Sunday, Sept 6th at the Mountain Music Jamboree in Glendale Springs, NC. The Contrathon is a 12-hour event sponsored by HJDS. The dance time for the dance on Saturday Sept 5th will be from 7:00-10:00pm for this event only.
It is back to school time, so in order to accommodate the many returning students from area colleges such as Virginia Intermont, Milligan, King and ETSU, there will be a full hour contra dance workshop for beginners conducted by Warren & Terry Doyle from 6-7pm.
Cailen Campbell has been thrilling contra dancers all over the southeast and around the country for over a decade. His innovative, highly improvisational, lyrical fiddling has been heard in numerous acclaimed regional dance bands, including The Atomic City Rhythm Rascals, The String Beings, The Rocket Boys, The Gypsy Hicks, in addition to a dynamic duo with renowned Asheville area guitarist and banjo virtuoso David Brown. Most recently, Cailen and David have been joined by Daniel Chambo on flutes and whistles, and Forest Kelley on percussion to form an exciting new quartet called Pictish. Pictish specializes in a high energy fusion of traditional and modern Celtic dance tunes supported by African and hip hop influenced rhythms and spiced by some jazzy improvisation. Pictish will be bringing their unique blend of contra grooves to Jonesborough.

Contra dancing is a traditional form of American folk dance that evolved from the long ways 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.

CONTRATHON UPDATE:

As of Friday, August 28, 2009, there space still available for Contrathon VI. Please send your registration in or register on site if there is space available on arrival.

Music starts at 10AM with Curious George and Rob Harper calling.

For more information, contact David Wiley 423-534-8879

Contra Dance from Top to Bottom!!

Sporting Pitchforks perform for Jonesborough Contra Dance!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society welcomes Asheville band, “Sporting Pitchforks” and caller Fred Park to the next contra dance
on Saturday, August 15, 2009 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. Admission to the dance is $7, $5 for HJDS members and $4 for students. A workshop for beginners will begin at 7:00pm. The dance will run from 7:30-10:30pm with a waltz and Klondike Bar break at 9:00pm.

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.

Sporting Pitchforks unit three friends who grew up together in the music world. All from North Carolina, the band consists of Hannah Seng on fiddle and banjo, Duncan Wickel on guitar, fiddle and octave fiddle, Jack Devereux on fiddle. Hannah Seng has primarily been playing with the popular contra dance band, “Appalachian Storm” who were headliners during Jonesborough Days “Days of Dance”. She is also an aspiring singer and song writer. Jack and Duncan, both students at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, love to play old time, Appalachian and Irish music. “They only play together a few times each year” states David Wiley, president of the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society. “So it will be a real treat to have this talented group of young musicians playing for the dance in Jonesborough”.

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. For this event, Fred Park, dance master, will call contra dances from top to bottom during the evening. Dancers in this area prefer contra over all other traditional dance forms.

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. Everyone dances with everyone.

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

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will return to Jonesborough for the Annual Summer Harvest Potluck Dinner & Contra Dance on Saturday August 1, 2009. 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 7:00 pm. The dance will run from 7:30-10:30 pm with a waltz and Klondike Bar break at 9:00pm. Coming to Jonesborough to perform for the first time will be Irish Fiddle band “Red Wellies” from Asheville. Calling for the dance will be the ever popular Anne Marie Walter from Asheville.

The Summer Harvest Potluck Dinner will begin 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. If you are not a home gardener, support your local Farmer’s Market including the Jonesborough Farmer’s Market held every Saturday from 8 am until noon in the parking lot by the Jonesborough Public Library.

The Red Wellies specialize in Irish traditional music. Fiddlers Beanie O’Dell, Duncan Wickel with Vincent Fogarty on the bouzouki have made a wonderful debut CD that will be enjoyed by any fan of Irish music. This recording combines superb musicianship, great feeling and a rock solid sense of rhythm and style. Beanie and Duncan have been playing together for some thirteen years the result of which is a near-unison playing, with a few harmonic departures here and there which is very reminiscent of the Kane sisters but with its own original sound. Their tune list includes quite of few well known melodies.

Anne Marie is a very popular caller in the Asheville area and just recently called the Old Farmers Ball New Year’s Eve dance which was attended by over three hundred dancers.
Anne Marie 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.

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.

SUMMERTIME CONTRA!

Contra Dance in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present a Contra Dance on Saturday July 18, 2009 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. Performing for the dance will old time string band, Jupiter Road, from Asheville. The caller/teacher for the event will be Nick Boulet from Knoxville. A class for beginners will be held at 7:00pm. The contra dance will run from 7:30pm-10:30pm with a waltz and Klondike Bar break at 9:00pm. No partner is necessary. All the dances are taught and walked through before the music begins. All HJDS events are smoke and alcohol free and family oriented. Admission to the dance is $7.00, $5 for HJDS Members and $4 for students.

Musicians and string band music fans will love the sounds of Jupiter Road which consists of Jacques Lewin on fiddle, Bill West on banjo, Hilary Dirlam on guitar and Hunt Mallett on bass. Jupiter Road has recently performed at the Old Farmers Ball at Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, the Grey Eagle in Asheville and at the River Falls Lodge in Marietta, SC. This trip will be their second to Jonesborough. Jupiter Road plays mainly acoustic old-time music. String bands were popular in the United States prior to the 1930’s when trends in music switched to country music and bluegrass. There was a revival of interest in this type of music during the late 60’s that coincided with the same folk movement that made artists like Bob Dylan famous. And now this type of music is played at square dances and contemporary contra dances all over the country.

Caller Nick Boulet is an accomplished dance caller. He is a musician and song writer but also loves to teach the social dance called contra. For less than what it costs to go to a movie theater, you can come and learn traditional dances such as contra and waltz. Contra dance can be vigorous but can involve graceful walking as well as aerobic conditioning. The caller is there to walk you through each dance before the music starts. People of all ages and lifestyles are welcome including children. First time dancers will likely find experienced dancers very friendly and helpful.

Dancers who attend will find a beautiful new dance floor which was constructed in late May of 2009 by volunteers. The floor is suspended by thousands of round rubber cushions that diminish the effect of impacting the floor while dancing. In addition to being an air-conditioned facility, HJDS provides large fans to help cool the dancers who are enjoying all the ambiance of the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center. Beginners are welcomed by the experienced dancers and the caller. Contra dances are held on the first and third Saturday of each month.

The waltz break gives dancers a chance to cool down a little and enjoy complimentary Klondike Bars while visiting with fellow dancers.

Visitors to Jonesborough can take in the storyteller-in-residence at the International Storytelling Center. The Saturday afternoon performance is at 2pm. For more information visit www.storytellingcenter.com.

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

Jonesborough Days “Days of Dance”

Four the fourth year, the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present their “Days of Dance” during the annual Jonesborough Days Celebration. This year’s featured bands are Appalachian Storm and Dot-Dot-Dash. The caller/teachers will be Diane Silver and Charley Harvey.

The “Days of Dance” program is open to all comers. Dancers can purchase a wristband for $5 per day which allows them to pick and chose any or all of the dance workshops and dances which start with a “Kick off Contra Dance” at noon on Friday, July 3rd.

Following the opening contra dance, Diane Silver will lead our Family Dance from 2:30pm-3:30pm. Family Dance is aimed at beginning dancers and families with children. No experience is necessary and all ages are welcome to participate. Diane will teach circles, mixers, contras and squares.

There will be many more dances during Friday, but those who wish to learn to contra dance can participate in an hour long introduction to contra from 6:00-7:00pm.

Saturday will have a waltz workshop and an open waltz followed by a very popular flat footing and clogging workshop taught by Diane Silver.

The balance of Saturday will be contras and squares with a short program on the Salty Dog Rag at 2:00pm taught by Charley Harvey.

Originally based in the Radford and Blacksburg areas of Southwest Virginia, Dot Dot Dash began performing in the fall of 2002. In the months following, the band was soon playing events and festivals throughout the area, as well as coffee houses, radio and local contra dances. Originally a trio of fiddle, guitar and mandolin, the group welcomed Joel Keebler on double bass in early 2004. In the time since, the group has become spread out geographically, with members living in Boone, NC, as well as Roanoke, Abingdon and Pembroke, VA. The guys recorded an album's worth of tunes in December 2004 and January 2005, and released their first CD in early April 2005. Their follow-up disc, 'Dot Dot Dash 2,' was released on March 1, 2009.

Dot Dot Dash primarily plays contra dances in Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee, although they can be seen performing at other musical events from time to time.

Appalachian Storm specializes in Appalachian, Irish traditional and contemporary dance tunes. The band consists of David Hayes on guitar, Kris Wallace on mandolin and fiddle, and Terrell Jones on the stand-up acoustic bass and singer and song writer Hannah Seng from Asheville.

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.

Overall, the “Days of Dance” program is a way to introduce many of the festival goers to traditional American music and dance which is why the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society was formed in the fall of 2005. Event organizer, David Wiley, and the members of the board, hope everyone will come and give it a try. The complete schedule can be found at www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org or the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society on Facebook or right here on this page:

FRIDAY JULY 3rd
12:00 Noon- 2:30 pm Kick-off Contra (Dot-Dot-Dash)
2:30 pm- 3:30 pm Family Dance (Dot-Dot-Dash)
3:45 pm – 5:00 pm Squares/ Big Set / Circle Dances (App Storm)
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Dinner Break
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Introduction to Contra Dance
7:00 pm – 9:30 pm Contra Dance (App Storm)
10:00 pm Fireworks

SATURDAY JULY 4th
9:00 am – 10:00 am Waltz Workshop
10:00 am – 11:00 am Open Waltz ( Dot-Dot-Dash)
11:00 am- 12:30 pm Flatfooting / Clogging Workshop
12:30 pm – 4:00pm Contra Dance (Dot-Dot-Dash & App Storm)
Salty Dog Rag 2-2:30pm
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Squares (Dot-Dot-Dash)
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Dinner Break
6:30 pm – 10:00 pm Contra Dance (App Storm)
10:00pm - ------------ After Dance Party & Jam

Contra Dance in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold another contra dance on Saturday, June 20, 2009 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. Performing for the dance will be a four-piece band from the Tri-Cities area called the Cider Hill String Band. 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.

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.

The Cider Hill String Band is a Washington County TN-based string band with family ties to the area that goes back several generations. Jeff Benedict and Jeff Winegar play as if they have grown up together, attended the same schools and shared the same circle of friends. Amy, on guitar, has played old-time music for half her life, and Steve Cook started playing bass in high school to perform at assembly programs with friends. The group has the energy and power that would be expected from a much younger bunch. For 30 years they have played their music with the enthusiasm that tends to give the impression they have just recently fallen in love with the music. The band now consists of Jeff and Amy Benedict, Steve Cook and Jeff Winegar.

Hank Morris is one of the most popular dance callers in the area and hails from Black Mountain, NC.

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

Contra Dancing In Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present a contra dance on Saturday, June 6, 2009 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. Performing for the dance will be Dennis Spring and the Sons of the Full Moon from Charlotte.
Calling for this event will be Dean Snipes. A class for beginners will be taught by Snipes from 7:00-7:30pm. The dance will run from 7:30-10:30pm with a country waltz and Klondike Bar break at 9:00pm. No partner is necessary and all dances are taught by the caller. Every contra dance is smoke and alcohol free and family oriented. Admission to the dance is $7, HJDS Members $5 and students $4.

HJDS unveiled a new dance floor exactly one year ago in the Visitors Center. The dance society raised over $12,000 and with the help of a steady flow of volunteers under the supervision of hardwood flooring contractor, Marvin Ashburn of Asheville, the sprung floor was installed
in record time. Has the new dance floor made a difference for the dance society and the town of Jonesborough? Event organizer, David Wiley, president of the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society says “The new hi-tech dance floor has been easy on the feet, sounds great, and adds color and warmth to the room. In addition, dancers have come from all over the region to join our contra dance movement”.

Dennis Spring and the Sons of the Full Moon are made up of Dennis Spring, Buddy McManus and Tim Mace. The band plays a broad range of traditional and Irish music and has performed in popular contra dance locations such as Charlotte, River Falls, SC, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Boone and Columbia, SC. Buddy McManus plays guitar and mandolin, and has written music that the band has incorporated into their contra medleys. Tim Mace plays mandolin, mandola, banjo, guitar and fiddle. In addition to being an accomplished musician, he makes beautiful mandolins. Dennis plays guitar as well as fiddle, sings, and has written waltzes and jigs.

Dennis was exposed to Irish music, dance and poetry at an early age.
His Irish grandmother lived with the family when he was young.
He has taught Irish fiddling to students for over 20 years, won first place in the fiddle category, and 2nd place in the vocal category at the Atlanta Feis, regional qualifying competition for the world final in Ireland.

Dennis was a first violinist with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and the leader of the Symphony String Quartet for over 15 years. He was also the Concertmaster of the Charlotte Pops Orchestra, before it was absorbed the CSO.

As a recording studio musician, he has put together string groups for background tracks on Gospel, Rhythm & Blues, Jazz, Beach, Country, and Folk albums, and radio Jingles and movies. He has performed with nationally-known artists, such as Harry Connick, Jr., Benny Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Smokey Robinson, Dionne Warwick, Doc Severinson, Chet Atkins, The Moody Blues, Beverly Sills and Luciano Pavarotti.

Dean Snipes has been a regular caller in Jonesborough. His enthusiasm and clear calling have made for some very exciting dances. So impressed with our spirit and sense of community, Dean wrote a special dance called “The Jonesborough Way” which he describes as tribute to all the people who have come together to celebrate and enjoy traditional music and dance.

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

Hot Sonata performs for Jonesborough Contra Dance!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society welcomes Asheville band “Hot Sonata” and caller Fred Park to the next contra dance
On Saturday, May 16, 2009 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. Admission to the dance is $7, $5 for HJDS members and $4 for students. A workshop for beginners will begin at 7:00pm. The dance will run from 7:30-10:30pm with a waltz and Klondike Bar break at 9:00pm.

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.

Hot Sonata unites four old friends in the music world. The band consists of Mark Mueller on fiddle, Art Shuster on mandolin and Karen
Gaughan on keyboard.

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. For this event, Fred Park, dance master, will write some special dances that will include longwise sets, squares, circles and three couple dances.

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. Everyone dances with everyone.

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

Spring Time Contra Dance in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold another spring contra dance on May 2, 2009 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. The Visitors Center now had a professional grade dance floor for almost a year. Event organizer, David Wiley, confirms that dancers from all over the region are now trekking to Jonesborough to dance in the Visitors Center. “The sound of dancers stomping, clapping and hollering resonates throughout the room. It’s just a great place for contra dancing now” adds Wiley.

Performing for the dance will be the band Steam Shovel from Asheville, North Carolina. The band is made up of Roger Gold on Guitar and David White on Fiddle and Banjo. Roger and David have performed together for several years on the regional contra dance circuit. The dance will be called by Jennie Wakefield from Greenville, SC.

Roger Gold grew up surrounded by music. His parents and older sister all sing and play various instruments. He knew at the age of six that he wanted to play guitar and persisted until his parents found a teacher. His interests took his guitar playing from the ever present folk, through electric teen-age-rock, to traditional, Celtic, and more. He likes to "play" with the music; turning waltzes to klezmer, Bach into swing, and doing even stranger things to the tunes he writes. Roger's guitar styles range from classical to hard driving, rhythmic, contra dance music. He enjoys contra dancing, and enjoys playing music for contra dances, and has yet to figure out how to do both at the same time. Roger partners with Mara Shea on fiddle to become the Elftones who will be performing at the HJDS sponsored Contrathon IV in Glendale Springs, NC on August 31st

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.’

There will be a class for beginners at 7:00pm. The dance will run from 7:30-10:30pm with a waltz and Klondike Bar break at 9:00pm. Admission to the dance is $7, HJDS members $5 and students $4.

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

Contra Dance in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold a Contra Dance on Saturday April 18, 2009 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 117 Boone Street. Class for beginning contra dancers start at 7:00 pm. The dance will run from 7:30-10:30 pm with a waltz and Klondike Bar break at 9:00pm. Fresh from performing at the region’s newest contra dance weekend will be “Toss the Possum” from Blacksburg, Virginia. Calling for the dance will be the ever popular Charley Harvey from Charlotte, NC..

The energetic twirling and swaying that occurs on the first and third Saturday nights at the Jonesborough Visitors Center, is currently known as “contra dancing”. Contra dancing is a very old form of traditional dance done by unschooled dancers of all ages and abilities joining to share community spirit and joy. The music has roots as old or older than the dance form itself and is often of Celtic or Appalachian origins. The tunes are most often jigs and reels.

Contra dancing has evolved from the French and English Country Dancing of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, according to dance historian Bob Dalsemer, director of dance at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC. Contra dancing uses figures common not only to those two genres but also to Irish Country Set Dancing and American Square Dancing. The Irish sets developed from the dances of Brittany. The term “contra” is descended from a French corruption of the English term “Country” Dance.

Originally tunes and dances were paired together, but often the music's matching steps were lost. New dances have been written to dance tunes possibly dating as far back as a genre known as “Early Music,” the first uniquely western music. Throughout a long evolution both the music and the dance figures have adapted to the culture and values of the time and locale in which they were performed. A similar dance form is found in Martinique, home to descendants of Irish immigrants, where a typical Caribbean style of movement has been added to a grouping of facing couples. In the United States a band of young musicians incorporates jazz elements with traditional tunes.

Today, contra dancers in groups of two pairs begin the dance in two long lines of facing partners. Each group of two couples steps through the dance one time before progressing either up or down the line to dance with a new couple. The eight to ten figures in a dance are then repeated. Participants dance with everyone in the line. New dance figures have been developed by choreographers, yet some of the oldest dances are still popular. Dancers practice the dance in a “walk through” instructed by a caller who will continue to cue the dance once the music starts until it is well learned. Dancers today add their own flourishes and especially enjoy the opportunity for flirting that the dance provides. Children often pick up dancing more readily than adults. Newcomers often dance an entire evening when they discover how easy it is to learn the figures and how much help is available from others. Lately more and more teen-agers and young adults are filling the ranks along with the baby boomers and grandparents.

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 17, 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 19, 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 21, 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 five 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. Many of their fine waltz tunes are original compositions.

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!

Calling the contra dance will be Charley Harvey. Charley began dancing in Berea, Kentucky over twenty years ago. He has called dances far and wide, teaching American folk dance in Denmark and leading local dances throughout the eastern U.S. A founding member of Berea’s monthly contra dance, Charley enjoys a reputation as an exciting and enthusiastic dance caller while being good with beginners. No matter how much or how little experience you have as a dancer, Charley will lead an evening of dance that will leave you smiling!

Come as you are; wear soft flexible shoes for dancing. Come to dance 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.

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

“Contra Cowboys” return to Jonesborough

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold a contra dance on Saturday, April 4 , 2009, at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. Performing for the dance will be the Contra Cowboys from the Tri-Cities area. The caller will be Asheville’s John Combs. There will be a class for beginners at 7:00pm. The dance will run from 7:30-10:30pm with a waltz break at 9:00pm. Admission to the dance is $7, $5 for HJDS Members and $4 for students. No partner is necessary. All dances are taught by the caller. The event is smoke and alcohol free and family oriented. Klondike Bars are served at the break.

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.”


The Contra Cowbowys are a brand new band on the contra dance circuit. Each member of this group has years of experience playing for dancers and listeners alike in a wide variety of musical styles and venues.

Joel Keebler is featured on upright bass and melodica, and will be familiar to many as the bassist for the popular contra dance ensemble, Dot Dot Dash. He has been an enthusiastic member of the dance community for a number of years now. He spent earlier days in Knoxville, where he performed with Robinella, in the group, The Stringbeans. He currently resides in Mendota, Virginia, where he helps count hawks during their migration, from the nearby fire tower, and thoroughly enjoys the country life. Virginia Highlands Community College in Abingdon, is where he plies his profession, teaching horticulture.

Mike Knowles, of Johnson City, is featured on guitar, mandolin, and the occasional vocal. You may recognize him from his participation in the local Jonesborough dance scene, for the past two years. In days past, he has spent much time pursuing different musical interests and paths, including a summer attending every old time festival and competition in the area. Currently performing with the New Orleans rhythm and blues outfit, the Mudbugs, on piano and vocal, Mike also has been employed as member of a 10 piece band on a cruise ship. Several other bands have included his guitar and vocals, including Matrix, the Groovemasters, and the Normaltones.

Sid Jackson, rounds out the trio, with his excellent banjo picking. Sid makes his home in Piney Flats, and makes dance hall appearances with the Ransom McCoy Band. He also has many years and genres of musical experience, including Rock and Roll in the fifties, folk music in the sixties and bluegrass in the seventies and eighties. He and Mike first got together to pick fiddle tunes, nearly thirty years ago. Sid also performed with the Rainbow Valley Boys, the Cherokee Mountain boys, and Snake and the Grass. Along the way, he found some time to play Dixieland, hot jazz, and teach mathematics.

John Combs from Asheville is a very popular caller in the area. He is one of the founding members of the Old Farmers Ball dance community in Asheville.

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

Vermont Band to Visit Jonesborough for Special Sunday Contra Dance
And Benefit Concert for WETS-FM

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold an afternoon contra
Dance on Sunday, March 29, 2009, at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. Admission to the dance is $7, $5 for HJDS Members and $4 for students. There will be no workshop for beginners at this event.

New England roots music ensemble Atlantic Crossing will be appearing from
1:30-5:30 p.m. Based in the Champlain Valley of Vermont, Atlantic
Crossing has performed songs and instrumental music of New England,
Canada, and the British Isles, as well as original material inspired by
these musical traditions, for over a dozen years. Viveka Fox, Rick
Klein, Peter Macfarlane and Brian Perkins between them play fiddle,
guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, tenor banjo, low whistle, cornet, bodhran,
djembe, and Quebec-style foot percussion. Featuring rich harmonies and
driving rhythms, Atlantic Crossing’s arrangements show a deep love for
the tradition along with a high level of creativity, emotional expression and just plain fun.

Atlantic Crossing is among a small group of Vermont musicians who are
bringing to life the music of the Helen Hartness Flanders Collection of
traditional songs. Flanders was Vermont's most important folklorist,
recording hundreds of traditional songs from an older generation of
singers in the 1930s and '40s. The members of Atlantic Crossing gather
material from the archives of field recordings at Middlebury College and
then arrange the songs for the contemporary listener. They also
research, write and perform material related to Vermont history. Their
ability to tell the stories of ordinary men and women living in
extraordinary times has led to collaborations with the Mount
Independence state historical site, the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum,
and the Lake Champlain Quadricentennial Commission. In 2007, Atlantic
Crossing was recognized by the Vermont Arts Council with an American
Masterpieces designation for their program exploring the cultural
heritage of the Champlain Valley through music.

The three Americans and one transplanted Englishman all cut their teeth
as dance musicians, and have appeared at many of the major contra dance
series in the U.S. Contra dancing, which has its roots in the English
and Scottish social dancing of colonial New England, came into its own
in the 19th Century. Traditional Yankee fiddlers swapped tunes with
newly arrived Irish and French-Canadian immigrants, while furloughed
army band musicians brought their fifes, flutes and brass instruments to
village dances. Now-classic dances, like Hull's Victory and
Sackett's Harbor, were written to commemorate American victories in the
War of 1812. Later in the century, new rhythms, popularized by
African-American minstrel shows, ragtime and early jazz, began to
infiltrate dance halls. By the end of the 19th century, contra dancing
was popular with both rural and urban New Englanders. But with the
advent of radio and television, this homemade form of entertainment
began to fade away. It remained underground until the back-to-the-land
movement of the 1970s, when young New Englanders began to seek out and
value contra dancing for its community spirit. Since 1980, contra
dancing has exploded onto the national scene, gaining popularity across
the United States in an updated, high-energy form.

Due to other commitments, Atlantic Crossing performs mainly in New
England and northern New York, but makes the time to do an extended tour
each March. This will be their 5th trip to the mid-South. They were
drawn by the region's reputation for having a lively contra dance scene
(not to mention much better weather than Vermont in late March!) and
have not been disappointed. There is a great atmosphere of fun at
southern dances, and they are a little rowdier (in a good way) than most
of those in the frozen North. Nearly all the dances done in the south
are modern contras (written since 1970), so there is not quite the sense
of history or tradition that callers and dancers in New England have.
But one thing which Atlantic Crossing has found to be universal is the
joyful connection between dancers and musicians which makes contra
dancing so appealing.

On March 29, Atlantic Crossing will play for an hour of waltz and swing
dancing beginning at 1:30, followed by a contra dance led by renowned
Asheville caller Beth Molaro. Beth has a national reputation for her
skill in getting a roomful of people up and dancing together, and her
infectious enthusiasm which makes every dance a party. With Beth,
Atlantic Crossing will be exploring the range of moods contra dance
music can take, from frenetic to cheerfully bouncy, majestic to playful,
driving to downright funky. Their repertoire of authentic traditional
New England, Canadian and Celtic pieces sprinkled liberally with their
own compositions is sure to get you moving, so dust off your dancing
shoes and welcome spring with one of New England's best contra dance
bands and one of the South's best callers!

In addition, on Tuesday, March 31st, Atlantic Crossing will perform a concert for the benefit of radio station WETS-FM at the Visitors Center in Jonesborough at 7:30pm. The concert is sponsored by the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society, the Town of Jonesborough and WETS-FM. Admission is free to the public. Donations to WETS will be accepted at the door.

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

“Skirts and Shirts” Fashion Contra in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society welcomes Asheville band “Spring Chickens” and caller Rodney Sutton to the next contra
On Saturday, March 21, 2009 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. There will be a class for beginners at 7:00pm followed by the dance from 7:30-10:30pm. There will be a break at 9:00pm where dancers will parade down the runway showing off their colorful skirts and Hawaiian-style or tie-dyed shirts. Klondike Bars will be offered to all comers. Admission to the dance is $7, $5 for HJDS members and $4 for students.

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 has 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. It’s a group dance where everyone in the longwise set interacts with everyone else during the song which lasts anywhere from seven to ten minutes.

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 Ben Harvey on banjo.

Rodney Sutton, a former Junior High teacher, is a traditional dancer, caller, musician, and storyteller. He was both a member and director of the Green Grass Cloggers in their early years, and co-founder of and principle dancer with the Fiddle Puppets (now known as Footworks). In demand nationally as both a caller and teacher of traditional dance styles, he has been on staff at numerous music and dance weeks including Pinewoods, Augusta, Ashokan, and the Swannanoa Gathering. He served as president of the Madison County Arts Council for five years, and he currently produces MCAC’s Bluff Mountain Music Festival, held each June in Hot Springs, N.C. Rodney's friendly style of sharing his love of clogging and flat footing, along with his welcoming "put you at ease" calling, has made him a favorite at festivals, conventions, and retreats for over 30 years.

The “Skirts and Shirts” fashion idea came from the fact that many women shop for the prairie or stagecoach skirts at thrift stores, yard sales and other second-hard shops. While twirling, the skirts splay out into a beautiful display of color and style. For the men, you will see many wear flowered or multicolored tie-dyed shirts. What fun it will be to see all the colors twirling down our center floor runway. Some door prizes will be awarded for the most creative and colorful. Of course, anyone can come dressed in the most casual and comfortable attire for dancing.

Event organizer, David Wiley, believes that our dance community, which is open to all comers, is growing both in size but more importantly in dance skill. “Our last dance had a group of 110 dancers or so but the dancing was excellent.” adds Wiley. “We are getting dancers from all over the region because of our new dance floor and because we are a very friendly and welcoming group”.

“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. The dances are smoke and alcohol free.

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

EVENT DATE: March 7, 2009
CONTACT: Event Coordinator, David Wiley 423-913-3246 or 423-534-8879
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Asheville band, Chicken Tractor, in Jonesborough for Contra!

JONESBOROUGH, TN - The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society welcomes Asheville band “Chicken Tractor” and caller Jesse Edgerton to the next contra dance, Saturday, March 7th at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center located at 117 Boone Street. Admission is $7 per person, $5 for HJDS members and $4 for students.

The evening will begin with a “Contra Frills and Flourishes” workshop led by Warren and Terry Doyle. This workshop is for the non-beginner and will focus on techniques that will allow the experienced dancer to all a little pizzazz to their dance moves. Two topics that will be covered are what to do when you are out at the end of a longwise set and a gypsy hey. In addition, they will cover how to dance to the dynamics of the music such as loud versus soft or fast versus slow. Warren and Terry have frequently offered their time at no charge to the dance community to help those who want to develop their dance skills for both contra and waltz.

At 7:00 p.m, caller Jesse Edgerton will conduct a class for beginners where both experienced and new dancers will go over the basic steps and formations. This workshop will lead into the beginning of the dance at 7:30 p.m. There will be a waltz and Klondike Bar break at 9:30 p.m. The dance concludes at 10:30 p.m.

The band consists of Laurie Fisher on bass, Jono Althizer on mandolin, Adam Masters on fiddle and Lawrence Dillingham on guitar. Chicken Tractor was formed in the middle of 2008. When asked just how this group came together, band leader Laurie Fisher states that they all met at the Monday night jam at Adam’s real estate office in West Asheville. “There are anywhere from 6-20 musicians that start coming together about 8:00 p.m. and essentially play all night” offers Fisher. “Adam, Jono and Lawrence have bluegrass backgrounds. I told them how much fun it would be to play for contra dances. They decided to give it a try” adds Fisher. Laurie has performed many times in Jonesborough with various groups as fiddler and keyboard player. She is also an outstanding contra dance caller and teacher.

Consummate fiddler, Adam Masters, is a protégé of the legendary Bobby Hicks. Masters played guitar in rock and roll bands in high school. Later he became an accomplished mandolin player before picking up the fiddle. He works in real estate and property management along with running a small farm in Madison County where he raises chickens, goats, pigs and horses. Adam has decided to get in the business of manufacturing chicken tractors which are small, portable holding pens for laying chickens. Small scale urban poultry farming is on the rise in the Asheville area. “You will see one of my prototype units at your dance on March 7th just in case anyone wants to purchase” adds Masters. The cost is about $150.

Jono Althizer plays bass guitar and mandolin in both bluegrass and Celtic traditions. He has black belt in several martial arts fields and teaches as well.

Lawrence Dillingham is a true native of Madison County. He started playing bluegrass guitar as a teenager. He and his family live in Weaverville where he works for the county highway department.

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.
All dances are taught by the caller. No partner is necessary and you are encouraged to dance with as many different people as possible

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. You are encouraged to dress comfortably and stay hydrated with lots of water.


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

Contra Dance Storm Brewing in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society (HJDS) will hold contra dance on Saturday, February 21, 2009 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. . Dean Snipes 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.

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.

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, Kris Wallace on mandolin and fiddle, and Terrell Jones on the stand-up acoustic bass and special guest, singer and song writer Hannah Seng from Asheville.

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.

Dean Snipes is a favorite caller of the Jonesborough dance community. He is known for his great choice of dances, easy teaching and brings a sense of generosity and great enthusiasm to the dances.

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 will hold another contra dance on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. 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 and Klondike Bar break at 9:00pm. Admission to the dance is $7, HJDS Members $5 and students $4. A contra dance class for newcomers will be held from 7-7:30pm.
The dance will be called by Asheville’s Anne Marie Walter.

Coming off the largest attendance in over two years, event organizer, David Wiley, claims that contra dance is “attracting all ages from all over the region including the Tri-Cities area, Knoxville, Boone, NC, Asheville and Southwest, Virginia. We are welcoming college student, families with children and avid dancers from everywhere. Of course, our new high-tech floor in the Visitors Center makes Jonesborough the ideal place to come contra dance and our core group of experienced dancers help make all the newcomers feel right at home”.

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.


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 22 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.

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.

Anne Marie is a very popular caller in the Asheville area and just recently called the Old Farmers Ball New Year’s Eve dance which was attended by over three hundred dancers.
Anne Marie 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.

Contra Dance & Music Jam in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present a contra dance on Saturday, January 17, 2009 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. Performing for the dance will be Jamie Laval and Roger Gold from Asheville. Calling the dance will be Laurie Fisher.

A class for beginners will be held from 7:00-7:30pm. The
dance will run from 7:30-10:30pm with a country waltz and Klondike Bar break at 9:00pm. No partner is necessary and all dances are taught by the caller. Every contra dance is smoke and alcohol free and family oriented. Admission to the dance is $7, HJDS Members $5 and students $4.

Jamie and Roger return to Jonesborough after helping to dedicate the
recently installed dance floor back in June of 2008. Since the dedication, dancers from all over the region have flocked to Jonesborough to check it out.

Winner of the 2002 U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Championship, Jamie
Was recently herald in Scotland as “A new star for the Old World”. The Olympian newspaper reported, “A fantastic fiddler…Laval captures the essence of Celtic sentiment and yearning.” And Virginia concert promoter Deborah Greer raved, “I’ve been producing shows here for 10 years and I have never seen a standing ovation after the first tune. Unbelievable! I have never seen a better band on this stage.”

Jamie’s music making is born out of his Scottish and Irish heritage. After his student years at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, he traveled extensively, immersing himself in a wide variety of musical styles including classical, jazz, and folk. Jamie now resides in Asheville and performs throughout the U.S. with mandolinist Ashley Broder and regionally with the very talented guitarist, Roger Gold.

Multi-talented Laurie Fisher comes to this event as dance caller and teacher. Laurie is a popular fiddler and keyboard player but also is an excellent caller.

The contra dance is for all ages and does not require a partner. The caller forms the dancers in the longwise sets and demonstrates each dance. It is social dancing, lots of fun and vigorous exercise. The steps to each dance are repetitive, so if you make a mistake, it’s easy to catch up. If you are a good dancer, you can add flourishes to make it fun. This dance form is unique in that it allows you to dance with lots of people.

After the dance, everyone is invited to come to the Cranberry Thistle, 105 Main Street and enjoy a music jam and social. Finger food snack will be available courtesy of the members of the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society. Musicians are encouraged to bring their own instruments and join in the music making.

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

“Contra Dance Returns for 4th Year””

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will kick off the 2009 contra dance season on Saturday, January 3rd. The dance will be held at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. with a class for beginners starting at 7:00 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 is a way for all citizens of the area to 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 2008. 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 Jonesborough to start off our fourth 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 & Waltz in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold an afternoon waltz and contra dance on Sunday, December 21, 2008 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. Performing for the waltz will be Mark Mueller on fiddle and Laurie Fisher on keyboards. The waltz will run from 1:30pm-2:30pm. Performing for the contra dance will be the band Fiddlewitch. In addition to Mark and Laurie the band includes Skip Metheny on percussion and Art Shuster on mandolin. The contra dance will run from
2:30pm-5:30pm. There will be no beginner’s class at this event. Warren Doyle will be the caller for the contra dance. Admission to the event is $7, HJDS Members $5 and Students $4.

Contra Dance in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold another contra dance on Saturday December 6, 2008 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. HJDS welcomes back husband and wife duo, Hands Four from Boone, North Carolina with special guest fiddler, Pearl Mueller. 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 contra dance class for newcomers will be held from 7-7:30pm. The caller for the event will be Charlotte’s Dean Snipes.

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.

Georgie Donovan plays driving piano suited equally for traditional southern dance styles and the newly imported New England contra dances. 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 this dance on fiddle is M’s daughter Pearl Mueller.

Pearl carries on a family tradition in music and dance, playing currently with Blue Eyed Girl and with her mother, Julia Weatherford, in Firefly, with another mother-daughter couple Barbara Davis and Laurel Willoughby.

“This is living tradition,” M says. “Pearl has gone beyond the style of her parents and has created a new voice for her generation, keeping a ground in the old time ways while acknowledging the present generation’s enormous musical universe.”

As M. says, “It took my daughter to teach me the musical difference between playing with musical virtuosos and with people bound together by love-one may be exciting in a technical way, but the other adds the warmth of love to the music, and that is definitely shared with the dancers.”

Dean Snipes is a favorite caller of the Jonesborough dance community. He is known for his great choice of dances, easy teaching and brings a sense of generosity and great enthusiasm to the dances.

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

Contra Dance and Food Raiser in Jonesborough

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold a contra dance on Saturday, November 15, 2008 at 7:30pm at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. Performing for the dance will be the “Dancing Bears” from Asheville with caller Barbara Groh. A class for beginners will be held at 7:00pm. Every dancer is encouraged to attend the class to become familiar with dance steps, formations, and flow. Klondike Bars, the official frozen treat of the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society, will be served at the 9:00pm waltz break.

The Food Raiser is being organized to supply non-perishable food stuffs for the Jonesborough Area Ministerial Association Food Bank. Nationwide food bank donations continue to decline. Donor fatigue may be setting in as the economy puts more and more families at risk and unable to feed themselves. “We are asking all dancers and members of the local community to bring non-perishable food stuffs to give to those in need” adds even organizer, David Wiley.

“Our dancers are really getting the hang of it, and the skill level is getting amazingly better,” states event organizer David Wiley. “Our dance is for all ages. We are getting high school and college dancers along with families and children coming to learn contra dance. Also, 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 third year in existence, have the finest dance floor anywhere in the region and are booking some of the best bands and callers in the business. Our 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.

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. 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.

CALLING ALL GHOULS AND GOBLINS!

Halloween Contra Dance in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present a contra dance on Saturday, November 1, 2008 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. A workshop for beginning contra dancers will be led by the caller at 7:00pm. The dance will run from 7:30-10:30pm with a waltz break at 9:00pm where, once again, Klondike Bars will be served to all who attend. The six o’clock hour will be time for open waltz to recorded music. There is no extra charge for the waltz time.

It’s Halloween weekend which means that all comers are invited to tap in to
their costume creative talent. Last year’s dance brought the Ostrich Cowboys, Hawaiian Revelers, clowns and cowgirls and many more. “We even had Elvis in the house” offers David Wiley, President of HJDS. At the break, costume contestants will promenade around the dance floor as the judges select the finalists. Then, by applause from the crowd, the winners will be selected. Winners will receive gift certificates from local Jonesborough merchants. Costumes are recommended but not required for the dance.

“The combination of Beth Molaro calling and Feral Broccoli playing will make for a fantastic and entertaining dance event” proclaims dance organizer, David Wiley. “We are very fortunate to have a caller/teacher of Beth’s caliber in our area.” adds Wiley. With the energy that comes off the stage from Beth Molaro, there is no way you can’t give that energy right back.

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 recently was a feature caller at the Lake Eden Arts Festival in Black Mountain.

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. Rebecca, at a very young age, has already become a competitive Appalachian flat-foot dancer.

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

“Contra Cowboys” debut in Jonesborough

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold a contra dance on Saturday, October 18, 2008, at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. Performing for the dance will be the Contra Cowboys from the Tri-Cities area. The caller will be Asheville’s Anne Marie Walter. There will be a class for beginners at 7:00pm. The dance will run from 7:30-10:30pm with a waltz break at 9:00pm. Admission to the dance is $7, $5 for HJDS Members and $4 for students. No partner is necessary. All dances are taught by the caller. The event is smoke and alcohol free and family oriented.

The Contra Cowbowys are a brand new band on the contra dance circuit. Each member of this group has years of experience playing for dancers and listeners alike in a wide variety of musical styles and venues.

Joel Keebler is featured on upright bass and melodica, and will be familiar to many as the bassist for the popular contra dance ensemble, Dot Dot Dash. He has been an enthusiastic member of the dance community for a number of years now. He spent earlier days in Knoxville, where he performed with Robinella, in the group, The Stringbeans. He currently resides in Mendota, Virginia, where he helps count hawks during their migration, from the nearby fire tower, and thoroughly enjoys the country life. Virginia Highlands Community College in Abingdon, is where he plies his profession, teaching horticulture.

Mike Knowles, of Johnson City, is featured on guitar, mandolin, and the occasional vocal. You may recognize him from his participation in the local Jonesborough dance scene, for the past two years. In days past, he has spent much time pursuing different musical interests and paths, including a summer attending every old time festival and competition in the area. Currently performing with the New Orleans rhythm and blues outfit, the Mudbugs, on piano and vocal, Mike also has been employed as member of a 10 piece band on a cruise ship. Several other bands have included his guitar and vocals, including Matrix, the Groovemasters, and the Normaltones.

Sid Jackson, rounds out the trio, with his excellent banjo picking. Sid makes his home in Piney Flats, and makes dance hall appearances with the Ransom McCoy Band. He also has many years and genres of musical experience, including Rock and Roll in the fifties, folk music in the sixties and bluegrass in the seventies and eighties. He and Mike first got together to pick fiddle tunes, nearly thirty years ago. Sid also performed with the Rainbow Valley Boys, the Cherokee Mountain boys, and Snake and the Grass. Along the way, he found some time to play Dixieland, hot jazz, and teach mathematics.

Anne Marie Walter from Asheville has become a popular caller in the area. She is very excited about teaming up with the Contra Cowboys on their debut dance.

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

Contra Dance at Carver Center

Jonesborough becomes the Mecca for storytelling during the weekend of October 3-5th with the National Storytelling Festival. Our dance hall at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center will become the place of registration for all attendees. Therefore the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold their bi-monthly contra dance on Saturday, October 4th in Johnson City at the Carver Recreation Center at 322 W. Watauga Avenue near the Down Home.

Performing for the dance will be the Anam Cara band from Charlotte, North Carolina called by Knoxville’s Nick Boulet. Nick will hold a beginner’s class at 7:00pm. The dance will run from 7:30-10:30pm with a waltz break at 9:00pm.

Admission to the event is $7, $5 for HJDS members and $4 for students. The dance location is a gymnasium wood floor. Soft shoes are required. For further information, please contact event organizer, David Wiley, at 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org.

Contra Dance Storm Brewing in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society (HJDS) will hold contra dance on Saturday, September 20, 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. . John Combs 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.

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.

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, Kris Wallace on mandolin and fiddle, and Terrell Jones on the stand-up acoustic bass and special guest, singer and song writer Hannah Seng from Asheville.

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.

Caller John Combs has played a big part in the development of the contra dance scene
in the region. One of the founders of the Old Farmers Ball that is held every Thursday evening at Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC, John has danced and called
for many years.

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

August 29, 2008

Contra Dance in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold a contra dance on Saturday, September 6, 2008 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 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! Open waltzing to recorded music will again be offered from 6-7pm.
At the 9:00pm waltz break, again Klondike Ice Cream Bars, the official frozen treat of the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society, will be offered to all dancers courtesy of one of our most generous dancers.
Performing for this event will be Danny Gammon and the Love Muffins from Knoxville. The caller will be Nick Boulet also from Knoxville. Nick will conduct a class for beginners at 7:00pm 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 the 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.

Jay Manneschmidt can play any musical instrument and play it well. In this band he confines himself to guitar. Along with his good nature and musical skills he is considered to be a Love Muffin by the grace of God.

If you ever wonder why they are called Love Muffins, you can blame it on Kathleen McGregor-Williams. Kathleen plays bass, but in another life she’s a banjo player. In yet another life, she’s a Hominy Mama, a Mumbillie, and married to an accordion playing lawyer. Kathleen’s been playing for contra dances for many years.

Brian Sward can also play anything. And not only that, he knows every song. And he has his very own Jazz Band. Brian plays mandolin with the Love Muffins by the grace of Brian.

Helene Vachon is a traveling book-peddler, a drummer with the Love Muffins, and an accordion player. Oh and she speaks French, and is kin to all the northern contra-dance musicians. She also plays in a Jazz Band.

Dan Gammon really has been fiddling for contra-dances since the dawn of time. He says, “I don’t know when they switched it from square dancing to contra-dancing. I wasn’t really paying attention to what they were doing out there on the dance floor, but I think it happened sometime in the early ‘seventies.”

Nick Boulet has become one the favorite callers for the Tri-Cities contra dancers. “With our new dance floor, contra dancers
Are traveling over 100 miles to join our dance community” offers event organizer, David Wiley. Nick calls regularly for the Monday night contra dance in Knoxville and does a great job of teaching and calling.

Contra dancing is a traditional form of American folk dance that evolved from the long ways 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.

Contrathon Time!!!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present Contrathon IV, a day of contra dance in the Blue Ridge Mountains, on Sunday August 31, 2008. The event will take place at the Mountain Music Jamboree in Glendale Springs, North Carolina. Directions can be found at www.mountainmusicjamboree.com.

The event is open to the public. Tickets can be purchased at the door. The dancing starts at 10:00am and finishes at 10:00pm with a one-and-one half hour break for dinner at 6:00pm. Here is the schedule:

10:00-12:30pm Contrarians with Darlene Underwood calling

1:00-3:30pm Elftones with Darlene Underwood calling

4:00-6:00pm Elftones with Shawn Brenneman calling

7:30-10:00pm Contrarians with Shawn Brenneman calling.

Plenty of space left for dancers. A full or half day ticket is offered.

See you on the dance floor!

Contra Dance and Waltz in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present a Contra Dance and Waltz on Saturday August 16, 2008 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. Performing for the dance will old time string band, Jupiter Road, from Asheville. The caller/teacher for the event will be Mark Langner from Burnsville, NC. A class for beginners will be held at 7:00pm. The contra dance will run from 7:30pm-10:30pm with a waltz break at 9:00pm. No partner is necessary. All the dances are taught and walked through before the music begins. All HJDS events are smoke and alcohol free and family oriented. Admission to the dance is $7.00, $5 for HJDS Members and $4 for students.

Musicians and string band music fans will love the sounds of Jupiter Road which consists of Jacques Lewin on fiddle, Bill West on banjo, Hilary Dirlam on guitar and Hunt Mallett on bass. Jupiter Road has recently performed at the Old Farmers Ball at Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, the Grey Eagle in Asheville and at the River Falls Lodge in Marietta, SC. This trip will be the first into Jonesborough. Jupiter Road plays mainly acoustic old-time music. String bands were popular in the United States prior to the 1930’s when trends in music switched to country music and bluegrass. There was a revival of interest in this type of music during the late 60’s that coincided with the same folk movement that made artists like Bob Dylan famous. And now this type of music is played at square dances and contemporary contra dances.

Caller Mark Langner plays guitar for the Dancing Bears band but is also an accomplished dance caller. Mark is a certified Hypnotherapist, counselor and guitar builder and lives in Burnsville. He and his wife Karen do education and counseling using horses as facilitators.

Dancers who attend will find a beautiful new dance floor which was constructed in late May of this year by volunteers. The floor is suspended by thousands of round rubber cushions that diminish the effect of impacting the floor while dancing. In addition to being an air-conditioned facility, HJDS provides large fans to help cool the dancers who are enjoying all the ambiance of the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center. Beginners are welcomed by the experienced dancers and the caller. Contra dances are held on the first and third Saturday of each month.

Even though there is a waltz/rest period at 9:00pm, dancers have asked for more waltz time. So, there will again be an open waltz period from 6-7pm to recorded music. Waltzing is a great way to warm up for the more vigorous contra dance and is lots of fun.

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

Contra Dance and Summer Harvest Potluck!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold another Summertime Contra Dance on Saturday August 2, 2008 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. To salute all the merchants and growers at the local Farmers’ Markets, HJDS will invite all comers to a Summer Harvest Potluck Dinner at 6pm before the dance. Buying local has many benefits. First of all, it supports the local grower. Buying local can shorten the distance a food item travels between the farm and your home thus saving many energy dollars. Besides, buying local means you can talk directly to the farmer growing your food and find out what they do and how they do it. Nothing beats the freshness and quality of food grown in your home area. The Jonesborough Famers Market which is held on Saturday mornings in the Library parking lot is just one of many tailgate or farmers markets offered in the region. “Business has been excellent this year” states Curtis Buchanan, one of the organizers of the program in its first year. “We have everything from organic chocolates, fresh breads and pastries and, of course, fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables” add Buchanan.

During the potluck dinner, another open waltz will be available to the dancers free with admission to the dance. Performing for the dance will be Karen Gaughan on keyboards and Mark Mueller on fiddle. Calling the dance will be the ever popular Laurie Fisher from Asheville. “The recent addition of a new sprung dance floor to the Visitors Center has attracted dancers for waltz and contra dance from far and wide” states event organizer, David Wiley. “As the hot summer days wear on you, it’s nice to come to an air-conditioned facility and dance in style” adds Wiley.

A class for beginners will be taught by Laurie Fisher at 7:00pm. New dancers are encouraged to arrive early, get checked in and be on the dance floor on schedule. To assist the newcomers, HJDS now offers a series of Videos For New Dancers. The link can be found on the home page at www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org. Admission to the dance is $7, $5 for HJDS members and $4 for students.

Summer Contra Dance in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold another summertime contra dance on July 19, 2008 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. The Visitors Center now has a brand new profession style dance floor built by volunteers and funded by many contributors. With the air conditioning system and the new dance floor, the Visitors Center is now the ideal dance facility in the region. Event organizer, David Wiley, confirms that dancers from all over the region are now trekking to Jonesborough to dance in the Visitors Center. “The sound of dancers stomping, clapping and hollering resonates throughout the room. It’s just a great place for contra dancing now” adds Wiley.

Performing for the dance will be the band Steam Shovel from Asheville, North Carolina. The band is made up of Roger Gold on Guitar and David White on Fiddle and Banjo. Roger and David have performed together for several years on the regional contra dance circuit. The dance will be called by Knoxville’s Nick Boulet. There will be one hour of open waltzing to
Recorded music before the dance. “Our waltz workshop during Jonesborough Days was so well attended that we need to create more opportunities for dancers to practice and enjoy what they have learned” adds Wiley.

Roger Gold grew up surrounded by music. His parents and older sister all sing and play various instruments. He knew at the age of six that he wanted to play guitar and persisted until his parents found a teacher. His interests took his guitar playing from the ever present folk, through electric teen-age-rock, to traditional, Celtic, and more. He likes to "play" with the music; turning waltzes to klezmer, Bach into swing, and doing even stranger things to the tunes he writes. Roger's guitar styles range from classical to hard driving, rhythmic, contra dance music. He enjoys contra dancing, and enjoys playing music for contra dances, and has yet to figure out how to do both at the same time. Roger partners with Mara Shea on fiddle to become the Elftones who will be performing at the HJDS sponsored Contrathon IV in Glendale Springs, NC on August 31st


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.’


There will be a class for beginners at 7:00pm. The 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.

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

Summer Contra Dance in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold another summertime contra dance on July 19, 2008 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. The Visitors Center now has a brand new profession style dance floor built by volunteers and funded by many contributors. With the air conditioning system and the new dance floor, the Visitors Center is now the ideal dance facility in the region.

Performing for the dance will be the band Steam Shovel from Asheville, North Carolina. The band is made up of Roger Gold on Guitar and David White on Fiddle and Banjo. Roger and David have performed together for several years on the regional contra dance circuit. The dance will be called by Knoxville’s Nick Boulet.

There will be a class for beginners at 7:00pm. The dance will run from 7:30-10:30pm with a waltz break at 9:00pm.

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

Jonesborough “Days of Dance”

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present two days of dance during the annual Jonesborough Days Celebration on July 4th and 5th at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. Admission to the dance can be attained by purchasing a $5 wristband each day allowing dancers to come and go during the day and enjoy the many activities associated with the festival as well. There will be a variety of dances and workshops offered during the event which will include, family dance, square, contra, waltz and swing dance.

The callers will be Diane Silver from Asheville and Janet Shepherd from Atlanta.

Here is the schedule:

July 4th
12:00 Noon-2pm Family Dance with Diane Silver (for parents
And children) Children under age 12 FREE.
Music by: Temperature Rising
2:00pm-3:00pm Flatfooting Workshop with Travis Anderegg
3:00pm-5:00pm Appalachian Square Dance with Diane Silver
& Janet Shepherd. Music by Community Old
Time Band led by Roy Andrade.
5:00pm-6:00pm Dinner Break
6:00pm-7:00pm Introduction to Contra Dance
7:00pm-10:00pm Contra Dance with Janet Shepherd. Music by
Roger Gold and Laura Lengnick.
10:00pm-Till Late night open music jam at the Bistro 105
Main Street on the Patio.

July 5th
9:00am-10:00am Swing Dance workshop with Diane Silver
10:00am-12:00pm Swing Dance to recorded music.
12:00pm-1:30pm Beginning Waltz workshop with Warren & Terry
Doyle
1:30pm-2:30pm Open Waltz with Toss the Possum
2:30pm-5:00pm Contra Dance with Janet Shepherd. Music by
Toss the Possum.
5:00pm-6:00pm Dinner Break
6:00pm-9:00pm Contra Dance with Diane Silver. Music by
Celticladda.
9:30pm Fireworks

Contra Dance Makes for Summer Fun!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present a contra dance on Saturday, June 21, 2008 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. There will be a class for beginners at 7:00pm taught by caller Charley Harvey from Charlotte. The dance will go from 7:30-10:30pm with a waltz break at 9:00pm. Admission to the dance will be $7 for the general public, $5 for HJDS Members and $4 for all students. The band will be Far Horizons from Asheville.

HJDS continues their fund raising efforts related to the installation of their new sprung dance floor. “The dance floor is completed and we had a fantastic dedication dance on June 7th, “states event organizer, David Wiley. “We thanked the Town of Jonesborough, the staff of the Visitors Center and the many people who contributed both time and money for this project. We now have the finest dance facility in three states” adds Wiley.
The work is not done, however. “The ramping into each of the rooms still has to be done. We are going to have to raise $2,000 more dollars to reach our goal.” Donations made to the Town of Jonesborough on behalf of HJDS are tax deductible.

Far Horizons is a string band with a southern feel featuring Barbara Davis on guitar and vocals; Art Shuster on mandolin and mandola and Julia Weatherford on fiddle, cello and vocals. They’ve played continuously in the Asheville area for 20 years.

Art Shuster has been playing for contra dances in Western North Carolina and all over the US since he first hooked up with fiddler and dance caller, Laurie Fisher, in the stairwells of Warren Wilson College in 1982. First as a guitar flatpicker, and most recently as a mandolinist. He has added his fiddle-tune-based style to a plethora of bands including the String Beings and Far Horizons. Art has bound his niche in the contra dance scene, and is most happy trying the make his mandolin blend with the fiddles while making the dancers bounce. Art’s wife, Barbara Davis, is the guitar specialist for the Far
Horizons band.

Julia Weatherford is a graduate of Berea College, where she majored in studio art and worked in the weaving and needle craft student industries as well as a traveling summer puppet theater. Julia’s textile work has been featured at Southern Highland Handicraft Guild shops, shows and fairs since 1997 in addition to many other galleries and shops in Asheville, Black Mountain and Berea. Music is also a big part of Julia’s life. She played cello with the Asheville symphony for 13 years, and currently plays fiddle and cello with Fly By Night and Far Horizons which recently performed as one of the featured contra dance bands at the spring Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF). Julia is currently working as assistant director of the Swannanoa Gathering at Warren Wilson College.

Their repertoire includes traditional southern, New England, Cape Breton, bluegrass, Celtic reels and jigs - all stunningly arranged for the contra dance.

Calling the contra dance will be Charley Harvey. Charley began dancing in Berea, Kentucky over twenty years ago. He has called dances far and wide, teaching American folk dance in Denmark and leading local dances throughout the eastern U.S. A founding member of Berea’s monthly contra dance, Charley enjoys a reputation as an exciting and enthusiastic dance caller while being good with beginners. No matter how much or how little experience you have as a dancer, Charley will lead an evening of dance that will leave you smiling!

Some events Far Horizons has played include LEAF in Black Mountain, NC; Old Farmer's Ball in Swannanoa; the Charleston Bug Stomp and dance halls in Birmingham, Atlanta, Greensboro, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Wilmington, Greenville and more. This visit marks the second time Far Horizons has played in the area.

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

Contra Dancing on a new Dance Floor!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present a contra dance on Saturday, June 7, 2008 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. Performing for the dance will be Jamie Laval, Ashley Broder and special guest Roger Gold all from Asheville.
Calling for this event will be Asheville’s Barbara Groh. A class for beginners will be taught by Groh from 7:00-7:30pm. The dance will run from 7:30-10:30pm with a country waltz break at 9:00pm. No partner is necessary and all dances are taught by the caller. Every contra dance is smoke and alcohol free and family oriented. Admission to the dance is $7, HJDS Members $5 and students $4.

HJDS will unveil a new dance floor in the Visitors Center. The dance society raised over $12,000 and with the help of a steady flow of volunteers under the supervision of hardwood flooring contractor, Marvin Ashburn of Asheville, the sprung floor was installed in record time. In addition to the 40’x60’ auditorium, the new flooring was also installed in the community room and behind the hostess counter. “Close to 3300 square feet of pre-finished hardwood flooring was used for this project some of which was donated by local hardwood flooring manufacturer, Mullican Flooring of Johnson City”, reports HJDS President, David Wiley. The new floor will be more suitable for a variety of activities such as Yoga, Tai Chi and many other movement programs including other dance forms besides contra dance. There will be a brief dedication ceremony prior to the dance to recognize all contributors and volunteers.

Jamie Laval and Ashley Broder return to Jonesborough having been a part of the Tartan Days event earlier in the year. Having moved to the Asheville area from the west coast last year made it very easy to take short trips to the Tri-Cities area to perform. “I saw them perform at a contra dance in early December of 2007 and invited them to come and play for us” says Wiley. With Roger Gold accompanying them on guitar, Jamie and Ashley produced a dazzling array of fiddle and mandolin tunes that amazed the contra dance crowd. “They both enthusiastically accepted our invitation to come and play here”.

Winner of the 2002 U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Championship, Jamie
Was recently herald in Scotland as “A new star for the Old World”. The Olympian newspaper reported, “A fantastic fiddler…Laval captures the essence of Celtic sentiment and yearning.” And Virginia concert promoter Deborah Greer raved, “I’ve been producing shows here for 10 years and I have never seen a standing ovation after the first tune. Unbelievable! I have never seen a better band on this stage.”

Jamie’s music making is born out of his Scottish and Irish heritage. After his student years at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, he traveled extensively, immersing himself in a wide variety of musical styles including classical, jazz, and folk. Jamie now resides in Asheville and performs throughout the U.S. with mandolinist Ashley Broder.

Jamie and Ashley meet in 2005 and this combo produced a frenzy of creative inspiration resulting in a colorful, exciting, and completely unique approach to roots-based progressive acoustic string music.

The partnership began in a jam session in the wee-hours of the morning at the National Old Time Fiddle contest in Weiser, Idaho. Jamie and Ashley connected instantly on both musical and personal levels and have fueled each other’s creativity ever since.

Today, violinist Jamie Laval and mandolinist Ashley Broder form a stunning instrumental duo rendering traditional Irish, Scottish, Bretagne, Cape Breton and Quebecois tunes with hints of classical refinement and ethnic music from around the world. They tour full time throughout the U.S. and Scotland, performing at esteemed venues. Their mix of intense passion and tenderness together with coy, playful interaction has become their trademark. Their recent CD release “Zephyr in the Confetti Factory” has received the highest praise. One fan stated “This is a rich and inviting album! The music is original and unusual, the chemistry between the two is captivating and the performances are virtuoso”. This work has allowed them to reach the finals of the Independent Music Awards.

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

Time for Contrathon III

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present the third
Edition of the Carolina Contrathon, a 12-hour special event dance on Sunday May 25th at the Mountain Music Jamboree in Glendale Springs, North Carolina.

There will be two bands and two dance callers alternating throughout the day beginning at 10:00 A.M. Starting off will be Steam Shovel, a two person band from the Asheville area consisting of Roger Gold on Guitar and David White on Fiddle and Banjo. The opening caller will be Hank Morris from Black Mountain, North Carolina.

At 1:00 P.M., following a short lunch break, Fiddlewitch will play their first of two sets called by Diane Silver of Asheville.
Fiddlewitch is composed of Laurie Fisher on fiddle, Karen Gaughan on keyboards, Skip Metheny on percussion and Art Shuster on mandolin.

At 4:00 P.M. following a short snack break, Steam Shovel returns with Diane Silver calling.

The dinner break will run from 6:00 P.M. to 7:30 P.M.

The final performance of the evening will be Fiddlewitch with Hank Morris calling. The dance concludes at 10:00 P.M.

Admission to the day of dance is $20 in advance $30 at the door. A half-day dance is $12 in advance and $15 at the door.

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

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.

June 6, 2007

Contra Dance in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will return to the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 117 Boone Street on Friday, June 15, 2007 to present the gift of community contra dance to all comers. From Asheville, the Goosebone Prophets will bring their musical expertise and high energy to Jonesborough along with the very talented Beth Molaro as caller. Come to the dance or come to listen to the music. No partner is necessary; all dances are taught by the caller. All dances are smoke and alcohol free. A class for beginners always precedes the dance at 7:30pm. New and experienced dancers will mix and mingle for thirty minutes of “how to contra dance”. Admission to the dance is $7, HJDS members $5 and students $4. Families with children are welcome. A special family package price of $15 admits parents with children.
The dance will run from 8-11pm with a waltz break at 9:30pm.

The Goosebone Prophets consist of Roger Gold on guitar and percussion, Laura Lengnick on fiddle and Jeff Hersk on upright bass.

Laura Lengnick is a star on the regional contra dance fiddling scene. Known for a spontaneous and wildly fun fiddling style, Laura delights dancers with her jazz-inspired improvisations on dance tunes from the Northern, Southern and Celtic fiddling traditions. In addition to being a full professor of sustainable agriculture at Warren Wilson College, you will find Laura busy with several bands including Fly By Night, Laura and the Lava Lamps and Land of Sky who will be performing at the Jonesborough Days “Day of Dance” on June 30th.

Jeff Hersk is an upright bassist who resides in Asheville. After several other career changes, Jeff has spent the last 8 years focusing on playing the bass. He played guitar in rock bands in Canada and California in the 70’s, but finally found his passion as a bassist. He studied bass and jazz in general with the Nashville Jazz Workshop from 1999-2002. After moving to Asheville, Jeff became the bass player for banjoist, storyteller and 4-time Grammy winner David Holt. Another big part of Jeff’s life is participation in the annual Swannanoa Gathering, a music camp that takes place every summer on the campus of Warren Wilson College where some of the greatest musicians get together to share musical ideas, jam and perform for hours on end.

Roger Gold grew up surrounded by music. His parents and older sister all sing and play various instruments. He knew at the age of six that he wanted to play guitar and persisted until his parents found a teacher. His interests took his guitar playing from the ever present folk, through electric teen-age-rock, to traditional, Celtic, and more. He likes to "play" with the music; turning waltzes to klezmer, Bach into swing, and doing even stranger things to the tunes he writes. Roger's guitar styles range from classical to hard driving, rhythmic, contra dance music. He enjoys contra dancing, and enjoys playing music for contra dances, and has yet to figure out how to do both at the same time. Roger partners with Mara Shea on fiddle to become the Elftones who will be a big part of the Jonesborough Days “Day of Dance on June 30th.

Dancers from coast-to-coast will tell you that 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 including the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, Dance Flurry, Florida Snowball, Charleston Palmetto Bug Stomp, Moondance (Greenville, SC), Winter Warm-Up (Columbus, OH), Butterball, Brattleboro Dawn Dances, Gypsy Meltdown, Spring Dance Romance, Feet Retreat, Spring Thaw, CDSS English & American Dance Week at Buffalo Gap and Timber Ridge, Contra Dancer’s Holiday Delight Week, Dance Rhapsody Dance Weekend and many more.

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.

In addition to calling, Beth is a skilled and exuberant foot percussionist in the Appalachian flat-foot style.

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. You are encouraged to dress comfortably and wear
Soft soled shoes.

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

May 28, 2007

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will travel to Kingsport, Tennessee on Saturday June 2, 2007, to present the gift of contra dance to our neighbors to the North. The dance will be held in the gymnasium at the Kingsport Renaissance Center at 1200 E. Center Street at 8:00 PM. Performing for the event with be the Contrarians from West Virginia. The caller is Knoxville’s Nick Boulet. A class for beginners will be held at 7:30 PM. All dances are taught. No partner is necessary. Every contra dance event is smoke and alcohol free. Families are welcome. Admission to the dance is $7, HJDS members $5 and students are $4.

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.

“This will be our first visit to Kingsport” adds event organizer David Wiley. “We have been staging contra dances all over the region so that everyone can have a chance to come and give contra dance a try”. 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.

Event organizer, David Wiley, says “this will be the Contrarians only visit to the area this year.” “I saw them at the Pigtown Fling last year in Cincinnati, met Paul Epstein and invited the band to come to the Tri-Cities”. The Pigtown Fling is a contra dance weekend sponsored by the Cincinnati Contra Dancers. Fiddlers and old-time music fans will love the sound of the Contrarians.



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

May 21, 2007

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present the Carolina Contrathon on Sunday, May 27, 2007 at the Mountain Jamboree near Glendale Springs, NC just off the Blue Ridge Parkway at exit 261.

The dance will run from 10:00 AM until 10:00 PM with short waltz break between the sets which will run about two and one half hours each. Here is the schedule:

10:00 AM- 12:30 PM Laura and the Lava Lamps with Diane Silver calling

1:00 PM- 3:30 PM Footloose Members (David, Pete and Jubal) with Beth
Molaro calling

4:00 PM- 6:30 PM Laura and the Lava Lamps with Beth Molaro calling

7:00 PM- 10:00 PM Footloose Members (David, Pet and Jubal) with Diane Silver
Calling.

Admission to the event is as follows:

All Day Dance 10AM-10PM $20
10AM-4PM $12
4PM-10PM $12
Children under 12 are half price.

Primitive tent camping will be allowed on the site. Leave no trace policy in effect.
Restrooms will be open in the dance hall.

Any questions, contact David Wiley at 423-534-8879 or 423-913-3246.

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society and the Andrew Johnson Bank of Greeneville will bring contra dance to Greeneville, Tennessee on Saturday, May 19, 2007 as a part of the annual Iris Festival. The dance will be held at the Trinity United Methodist Church at 524 Tusculum Boulevard. Starting at 6:00pm, teacher/caller, Diane Silver, from Asheville will conduct a class for beginners.
The class will cover the basic skills, calls and formations that make up a contra dance.
No partner is necessary. All dances are taught with a walk thorough before the music starts. The caller also leads the dance while they are done to music. It’s easier to catch on to the dance if you try to find someone in the group who has some experience at contra dancing. The dance will run from 6:30-9:30pm with a waltz break at 8:00pm.

Admission to the dance is $7, $5 for HJDS members and $4 for Students. A special family package allows parents and all their children admission for only $15.

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.

Modern contra dancing evolved from 19th-century English and Scottish country dance. Contra dance has spread all over the world but it remains the most popular in New England, its birthplace. Many contra dance elements will be familiar to square dancers, but it could be argued the differences are nearly as numerous as the similarities. Contra dancing has essentially zero kinship to the country line dancing found in the local Country-Western hangouts.
Each dance lasts ten to twenty minutes, during which time you and your partner work your way down the line. As you move down the line you and your partner dance with a new opposing couple every 30 or 40 seconds. By the end of each dance you will have spun briefly with every other man or woman in your line. Dancers can (and frequently do) change partners every dance. Women ask men to dance almost as frequently as men ask the women. Dancers run the age range from grade school to post-retirement, so you can usually find a partner in your age bracket. Dances range from moderately aerobic to extremely high-octane depending on the band, the caller, and the location. The dance almost always has a live band. Performing at the Greeneville dance will be the “String Beings” from Asheville. Music ranges from Celtic, New England traditional jigs and reels to some old time Appalachian tunes. The musicians will fiddle and strum, squeeze and pound their instruments churning out traditional music in phrases perfectly mated to the dance floor moves.
There are no judges at a contra dance. The emphasis is on enjoying yourself, getting some exercise and making new friends. Contra dances tend to be whimsical, friendly and playful affairs. Furthermore, you can always county on a smoke-free, perfume-free and alcohol-free environment. People of all ages and lifestyles, including children, are welcome. Children as young as seven can participate in adult contra dances.
Contra dancers make eye contact whenever possible. This adds to the connectedness of the dance, and helps reduce dizziness, especially during the swing. It is also uncomfortable for some. Don't let anyone tell you that you must make eye contact, but give it a try even if it's a little uncomfortable. Expand your comfort zone. You might get used to it and even like it. Remember: they're gazing into your eyes not because they love you but because they want to make the connection, and they don't want to throw up on you.
The String Beings band is made up of Laurie Fisher and Mark Mueller on fiddle, Art Schuster on mandolin and Tom Troszak on guitar.
Multi-talented Laurie Fisher has been entertaining dancers and inspiring musicians full-time for the past 17 years. She can fiddle, play piano, call dances, teach and enthuse with the best of them. The very thriving Asheville contra dance scene has been passionately influenced by her bands and music over the past 22+ years. Laurie just recently taught a seven-week non-credit contra dance class at ETSU during the spring semester.
Tom Troszak is a high energy guitar player who plays with the String Beings and the Rocket Boys, one of the hottest bands in the Asheville area.
Art Shuster plays mandolin and mandola. He is staff counselor and mountain bike coach at Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC.
Mark Mueller has been playing for dances for thirty years. As a member of the String Beings and The Waits, he toured extensively throughout the United States, and with the Bayou Seco Trio, he toured Mexico, Great Britain, Germany, and France including the Bal d’Europe in Gennetines. Mueller has spent much of his life studying folk violin styles from various traditions. Beginning with the traditions of Appalachia and New England, he branched out to the styles of the southwestern U.S., Italy, Mexico, and Scandinavia. Living for a year in Italy and three years in Mexico, Mueller claims “the folk soul of a people speaks through its folk violin.”
The String Beings are known for their edgy rhythm and the good ride that it provides, punctuated by the exciting, well-executed musical tricks of the trade. In addition to contra dance music from many latitudes and eras, the beings can put on a swing or couples dance, concert and the occasion wedding. The have been featured at dance weekends and events for the last 15 years.
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!”

This event is co-sponsored by the Andrew Johnson Bank of Greeneville. For more information, contact event organizer, David Wiley at 423-913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesdboroughdancesociety.org.

Spring Contra Dance in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold a contra dance on Saturday, May 5, 2007 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 117 Boone Street. The dance begins at 8:00 PM with music by Asheville based “Fly By Night”. The caller, Mark Langner, will conduct a class for beginners at 7:30 PM. No partner is necessary. All dance steps are taught by the caller. All events are smoke and alcohol free. Admission to the dance is $7, $5 for HJDS members and $4 for students.

Fly By Night is led by Karen Gaughan on the piano. Karen is Asheville’s most in-demand contra dance key board player. Gaughan together with her by Fly Night Partners, Laura Lengnick on fiddle, Beth Magill on Flute and Julia Weatherford on Fiddle, provide a full sound, plenty of rhythm and a really good ride for the avid contra dancer or waltzer.

Their repertoire starts with upbeat traditional New England contra dance tunes chosen with care to fit the dance at danceable tempos kept rock solid with Gaughan’s thumping bass hand. The band weaves in lilting Celtic melodies and makes them fly with Beth Magill’s achingly beautiful flute woven through with fiddle harmony. The girls let their hair down with funky, rockin originals. They’ll pull out the percussion toys, and dig deep in to some of their own tunes as well as others to keep the dancers flying. The driving force of the southern fiddle tunes is Laura and Julia who create a small tornado in the room when sawing it down with their twin harmony.

“Last summer, Fly By Night provided the music for our first benefit contra dance” offers event organizer David Wiley. “We needed to raise some operating funds because we were caught a little off guard by the lower attendance during the summer months. They came through for us and we raised what we needed to keep the dance going.”

Caller Mark Langner plays guitar for the Dancing Bears band but is also an accomplished dance caller. Mark is a certified
Hypnotherapist, counselor and guitar builder and lives in Asheville. He and his wife Karen do education and counseling using horses as facilitators.

Our first after-dance party and gathering will be at the new Cranberry Thistle at 107 Main Street in Jonesborough. Come and enjoy gourmet coffees, home made pastries and sandwiches after the dance.

Spring Contra Dance in Jonesborough!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold a contra dance on Saturday, May 5, 2007 from 8:00-11:00pm at 117 Boone Street in Jonesborough,TN. The featured band is the all female “Fly By Night” from Asheville, NC. Calling and teaching the 7:30pm class for beginners is Mark Langner.

The band is made up of Karen Gaughan on keyboards, Beth Magill on flute, Laura Lengnick and Julia Weatherford on Fiddle.

Admission is $7, $5 for HJDS members and $4 for students.

Dancers are invited to gather for a post-dance reception at the newly expanded Cranberry Thistle at 107 Main Street in Jonesborough.

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, April 21, 2007. The Social Affairs committee, part of the Student Government Association at Milligan College, is co-sponsoring this dance which will be held at the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse. There will be a class for beginners at 7:30pm taught by caller Hank Morris from Asheville. The dance will go from 8-11pm with a waltz break at 9:30pm. The Milligan College tennis team will man the concession stand to help raise money for their program. 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 will be Far Horizons from Asheville along with favorite caller Hank Morris from Black Mountain, NC.

Far Horizons is a string band with a southern feel featuring Barbara Davis on guitar and vocals; Art Shuster on mandolin and mandola and Julia Weatherford on fiddle, cello and vocals. They’ve played continuously in the Asheville area for 20 years.

Art Shuster has been playing for contra dances in Western North Carolina and all over the US since he first hooked up with fiddler and dance caller, Laurie Fisher, in the stairwells of Warren Wilson College in 1982. First as a guitar flatpicker, and most recently as a mandolinist. He has added his fiddle-tune-based style to a plethora of bands including the String Beings and Far Horizons. Art has bound his niche in the contra dance scene, and is most happy trying the make his mandolin blend with the fiddles while making the dancers bounce. Art’s wife, Barbara Davis, is the guitar specialist for the Far
Horizons band.

Julia Weatherford is a graduate of Berea College, where she majored in studio art and worked in the weaving and needle craft student industries as well as a traveling summer puppet theater. Julia’s textile work has been featured at Southern Highland Handicraft Guild shops, shows and fairs since 1997 in addition to many other galleries and shops in Asheville, Black Mountain and Berea. Music is also a big part of Julia’s life. She played cello with the Asheville symphony for 13 years, and currently plays fiddle and cello with Fly By Night and Far Horizons which recently performed as one of the featured contra dance bands at the spring Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF). Julia is currently working as assistant director of the Swannanoa Gathering at Warren Wilson College.

Their repertoire includes traditional southern, New England, Cape Breton, bluegrass, Celtic reels and jigs - all stunningly arranged for the contra dance.

Some events Far Horizons has played include LEAF in Black Mountain, NC; Old Farmer's Ball in Swannanoa; the Charleston Bug Stomp and dance halls in Birmingham, Atlanta, Greensboro, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Wilmington, Greenville and more. This visit marks the second time Far Horizons has played in the area.

Dr. Charlene Kiser, humanities professor at Milligan College, is a member of the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society. “Dr. Kiser has encouraged us all along to bring the gift of 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, of course, open to the public.

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. Please visit www.milligan.edu to view a map of the campus.

Contra Dance and Waltz Workshop!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold another contra dance and waltz workshop on Saturday, April 7, 2006 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. The dance will run from 8:00-11:00 pm. The waltz workshop will be offered from 6:00-7:00pm with an open waltz to follow. 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 7:30-8:00 pm. Beginners and experienced dancers alike are encouraged to join together in the class.

Performing for the waltz workshop and 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 Gaye Fifer from Charlottesville, Virginia.

Gaye 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.

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

Old Time Contra Dance Magic!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society welcomes Asheville band “Spring Chickens” and caller Margaret Matthews to the next contra
Dance, Friday, March 16th in the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center
Located at 117 Boone Street.

The dance will begin at 8 p.m. with a workshop for beginners to be
held at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $7 per person, $5 for HJDS members
And $4 for students with I.D. A special family package offer to
members admits parents and all their children for only $15.

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, Ben Harvey on banjo and Art Schuster on mandolin.

Margaret Matthews moved to the Asheville area two years ago from
Upstate New York and has become a regular caller on the contra dance
scene in Asheville.

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.

“Celtic, Appalachian Dance & Gypsy Jazz”

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will host the next Contra Dance of the season on Friday March 2, 2007 at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 117 Boone Street at 8 PM. The featured band is D0t-Dot-Dash from the New River Valley in southern Virginia. Asheville’s Laurie Fisher will be on the caller’s stand for this event. Admission is $7, $5 for HJDS members and $4 for students. A special family package for members is now offered for a total of $15. Parents and all of their own children can gain admission for one price.

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.

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 has performed as fiddler with “Hot Flash”, “String Beings” and
the “Ants in the Pantry”. In addition, Laurie has been teaching our
second contra dance class at ETSU. One dancer recently commented,
“Laurie Fisher is a great teacher - patient, clear, methodical with a marvelous rapport with the dancers”.

Come as you are; wear soft flexible shoes for dancing. The caller will teach a class for beginners at 7:30 PM and the dance will run from 8-11 PM with a waltz break at 9:30 PM. Come to dance or come to listen. No partner is necessary. It is customary at contra dances to change partners after each dance. As always, our dances are smoke and alcohol free. Families, students and singles are welcome.

For more information, contact David Wiley at 423-913-3246, 423-534-8879 or david@historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org.

Valentine’s Contra Dance—You’ll Feel The Love!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold a Valentine’s Contra Dance on Saturday, February 17 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.

Our dance will celebrate Valentine’s Day three days late. Barbara Groh will call such
dances as “Heartbeat Contra,” “Sharie’s Valentine,” “Roll in the Hey,” “The Rendezvous,” “The Hussy Bride,” and the “Flirtation Reel” in hopes of sparking romance on the dance floor. Dancers are encouraged to wear something Red, White, or Pink. Smiling, eye contact, and flirtation are part of the fun of contra dancing.

At the 9:30 break, members will provide tasty treats such as chocolate fondue, truffles, cakes, fudge, and other chocolate delicacies. Every lady who comes to the dance will receive a long-stem red rose as a gift from one of our supporters.

“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.

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 pickin’ 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.

January 25, 2007

CELTIC Contra Dance!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will return to Johnson City, Tennessee on Saturday, February 3, 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 for HJDS members allows parents to bring all of their own children for a total of $15.

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 the beginner, there is a class at 7:30pm to teach the basic steps and formations of contra dance. The caller explains the figures for each dance and has everyone do a walk through to get used to the flow of the dance. In addition to the pre-dance class, there is a seven-week course at ETSU that began last week. The classes run from 7-9 pm on Tuesday evenings in the dance studio in the Mini Dome. Cost of the class is $60 and $45 for students.

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 performed 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.

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.”

It is tradition to end the night with a waltz as well as waltzes that take place at the 9:30 pm break. Unfortunately, most contra dancers are not good waltzers. The contra dances are lots of fun but do not really connect you with a partner like a couples dance. Waltz is a romance of unspoken communication—two people speaking with their bodies. The leader provides a strong frame and the follower matches body weight and balance. The music is romantic and styles vary from soft New England country and powerful Strauss to New Age. “We feel the need to offer waltz workshops for our dancers” adds David Wiley, event organizer. “For many of our dances, Warren and Terry Doyle from Banner Elk, NC, and offer waltz lessons before our dances”. This workshop this week will be from 6-7pm with an open waltz to follow until 7:30pm. Cost for the workshop is only $3 with proceeds going to the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society.

For more information on this weeks dance or the non-credit class at ETSU, visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org or call event organizer, David Wiley, at 423-913-3246.

January 7, 2007

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will bring the New Southern Ramblers to town on Saturday, January 20, 2007 for an evening of old-time music and dancing at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 117 Boone Street. The dance will run from 8:00-11:00 pm with a class for beginners at 7:30pm. No partner is necessary as 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.

For those interested, we will have a Potluck Dinner and open waltz from 6:30-7:30pm. We will have access to the kitchen for cold food storage or hot food preparation. Recorded music will be provided for those who wish to waltz. If you are coming to the potluck dinner, please contact David Wiley at 423-913-3246 and state what item you are bringing.

The New Southern Ramblers are an old-time string band who play driving Southern Appalachian dance music. Formed in 1982, the band toured with fiddler Ralph Blizzard of Blountville, Tennessee 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 are, of course, 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.

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 livers in Weaverville, North Carolina 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 (1st Place Galas, 1976), 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, he 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.

“I have been anxiously awaiting this performance and dance,” adds event organizer, David Wiley. “This will be one of the best shows of old-time music that we will see. My first contra dance was two years ago at Merlefest and the caller was none other than Phil Jamison. I am really glad that he made me feel very welcome on the dance floor. His teaching inspired me to learn the dances and thus become a dance organizer in our area”.

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

“Contra Dance for a Change”

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will kick off the 2007 contra dance campaign on Friday January 5th promoting the theme of “Contra Dance for a Change”. The dance will be held at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 117 Boone Street 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 during 2006. 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. Karen, Laurie and Hank will return to the Visitors Center to kick off our second year. Laurie Fisher and Karen Gaughan will deliver the kind of Hot Flash no one minds experiencing. Multi-talented Fisher has been entertaining dancers and inspiring musicians full-time for the past 14 years. In addition to fiddle, she plays piano and calls dances. After calling the dance last week, a dancer posted a comment on the HJDS website that read, “Laurie Fisher is a great teacher - patient, clear, methodical with a marvelous rapport with the dancers.” What a great compliment! Laurie is regionally well known as the fiddler for The String Beings, an Asheville contra dance band whose success has traveled them from Boston to Florida and California to Michigan. Look for The String Beings performance June 10th in Jonesborough with Fred Park returning to call.

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 14 years, working it around her day job as an elementary school teacher near Asheville.

Hank Morris is an active part of the very thriving Asheville dance community. 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.

“Christmas Contra Dance” in Jonesborough

On Saturday, December 23, 2006, the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold its final contra dance of the year. The dance will take place at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street, at 8:00 P.M. From Blacksburg, Virginia, the Zisette family brings their musical expertise in the form of their band “Toss the Possum.” The dance caller is Asheville’s Beth Molaro.
Come to dance or come to listen to the music. No partner is necessary; all dances are taught by the caller. Admission to the dance is $6, HJDS members $5, and students with ID only $3. A class for beginners always precedes the dance at 7:30 P.M. New dancers will mix and mingle to cover the basics of contra dance.

Hearing the name “Toss the Possum”, you might expect this family band to have roots in the South, but in fact, Toss the Possum was founded when the family moved to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia from the snowy mountains of Northern Utah three years ago. Mom, who found herself without a band to play with after the move, recruited the kids.

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 see. Thus, the first possum we ever saw was a very unhappy one!

Rob Zisette, age 14, 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 great percussionist. Occasionally he’ll pick up the drumsticks at a dance.

Chas, age 16, 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 18, 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 plans to major in Music Performance when she begins her university studies next fall.

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!

The Jonesborough Dance is Toss the Possum’s last gig before Christmas. The possum kids plan to kick it up a notch in honor of the spirit of the season. Be ready to hear some great traditional tunes with a holiday flavor. What a great way to spend a Christmas vacation!

Dancers from coast-to-coast will tell you that 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 including the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, Dance Flurry, Florida Snowball, Charleston Palmetto Bug Stomp, Moondance (Greenville, SC), Winter Warm-Up (Columbus, OH), Butterball, Brattleboro Dawn Dances, Gypsy Meltdown, Spring Dance Romance, Feet Retreat, Spring Thaw, CDSS English & American Dance Week at Buffalo Gap and Timber Ridge, Contra Dancer’s Holiday Delight Week, Dance Rhapsody Dance Weekend and many more.

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.

In addition to calling, Beth is a skilled and exuberant foot percussionist in the Appalachian flat-foot style.

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

Kick up Your Contra Dance Heels in Gray!

November 29, 2006

JONESBOROUGH, TN - The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society is on the road again sharing the Contra Dancing Craze! Dancers will be meeting Saturday, December 9, from 8 p.m. – 11 p.m. in the Gray United Methodist Church, 2108 Oak Street, Gray, TN. Lessons for beginners will begin at 7:30 p.m. Admission cost will be $6 for general admission, $5 for members and $3 for students with I.D. More information is available at www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org or by calling event organizer, David Wiley, (423) 913-3246.

Holiday season finds the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center a very busy place. So, we are going back to the Gray United Methodist Church after having one of our earlier dances there in February, says Wiley. “We had a great crowd and fun contra dance the first time and were enthusiastically invited to bring our dance again to their church. They have a beautiful facility. The gymnasium has a beautiful parquet wood floor, sound system and stage. Their location is just about in the center of the Tri-Cities universe. That will give many of our dancers who come from far and wide a little travel break.”

“Our band this time,” says Wiley, “is another fine group of musicians from Virginia called House Red. Shawn Brenneman plays Piano, Owen Morris on guitar and mandolin and Jonathan Thielen is on fiddle.”

This dance’s caller, Hank Morris, lives and dances in Swannanoa, NC where works as a contractor. “Hank has been calling contra dances throughout the southeast for nearly a dozen years,” says Wiley. “He is known for his efficient walk-throughs, easy manner and good natured calling style. Hank is one of our most favorite callers,” adds Wiley.

Wiley adds, “Again, we are bringing the dance to the people. Gray is a booming area with lots of families and children. Also, the youth group at the church will have an opportunity to raise some funds by selling water and sweets at the dance.”

Halloween Contra Dance, “Come as You Aren’t”

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will invite all ghouls and goblins to their Halloween Contra Dance on Saturday, October 28 starting at 8:00 P.M. at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 117 Boone Street. Guest caller Roberta Kogut from Hickory, NC, will lead the dancing while the North Carolina based “Wild Goose Chase” contra dance band will provide a musical style filled with traditional and modern tunes.

At 7:30 P.M., prior to each dance, the caller conducts a class for beginners where basics of contra dance are taught to new and experienced dancers alike. Admission to the dance is only $6, $5 for HJDS members, and $3 for students. All dances are smoke and alcohol free. No partner is necessary. Many people come to the contra dance alone and are encouraged to dance with many different partners throughout the evening.

This year’s theme, “Come as You Aren’t,” invites all Halloween revelers to display the most amazing creativity and originality in costume selection. Event organizer, David Wiley, says that “you are who you are most of the time and this is a time to enter the make believe world for one night.” Halloween costumes are encouraged, but not required. If you don’t want to wear a costume, bring a “Silly Hat.” There will be prizes for best costume and silliest hat.

This dance will be sponsored by Andrew Johnson Bank. Bank spokesperson, Jim Austin, states, “Andrew Johnson Bank is excited to sponsor the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society. We believe in supporting activities that strengthen our local community and its citizens. Contra dancing has traditionally been a way to bring people together, and we would like to see this tradition be a part of our town. Organizer David Wiley offers a great way to spend the evening with friends and neighbors of all ages. This partnership represents our commitment to Jonesborough with a family activity that combines music, fellowship, exercise, and fun.”

The hall will be decked out with balloons and streamers, jack-o-lanterns, corn stalks, and gourds.

Roberta Kogut has been enthusiastic about contra dancing and other related dance forms since 1982 when she attended her first contra dance in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She performed with a local rapper sword dance team and also mastered the art of several couple dances, including hambo, tango, schottische, and waltz.

After moving to Florida, she began calling and started her own contra dance class, offered free to the public, to develop contra dancing in the Tampa Bay area. She quickly became a favorite, combining a gentle, yet effective, teaching style and a smorgasbord of fun and interesting dances. After moving to North Carolina, Roberta and her fiddle playing husband, Bob, worked hard at nurturing a growing dance community in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. She often calls for Bob’s contra dance band, Wild Goose Chase, and can often be heard playing waltzes with the band on concertina.
She has a repertoire of fun and flowing dances that thrill experienced dancers and a clear, beginner-friendly delivery to soothe the hearts of newcomers.

Wild Goose Chase is made up of Bob Kogut on fiddle, Karen Gaughan on keyboards, Skip Metheny on percussion, and Art Schuster on mandolin. Bob Kogut has been fiddling around western North Carolina for the past six years. He is past-president of the Florida Fiddler’s Association and has won numerous awards at fiddle contests throughout the South. In his spare time, he makes fiddles and is an official sponsor of Merlefest in Wilkesboro, North Carolina every April.

Karen Gaughan has been playing piano at dances for nearly 15 years from Alabama to New Jersey. Karen is Asheville’s most in-demand contra dance side-girl. Karen also has played in Jonesborough with Fly by Night, Hot Flash, and Ants in the Pantry. Her great keyboard performances are sandwiched around her day job as elementary school teacher near Asheville.

Skip Metheny, an avid contra dancer since moving to Asheville, has played percussion and bass for contra and swing music at various festivals, dance weekends, and other events around the Southeast since 1997.

Art Shuster has been playing for contra dances in western North Carolina and all over the U.S. since he first hooked up with fiddler and dance caller, Laurie Fisher, in the stairwells of Warren Wilson College in 1982—first as a guitar flatpicker, and most recently as a mandolinist. He has added his fiddle-tune-based style to a plethora of bands including the String Beings and Far Horizons. Art has found his niche in the contra dance scene and is most happy trying to make his mandolin blend with the fiddles while making the dancers bounce.

Contra dancing is a form of North American folk dance in which the dancers form two sets of parallel lines which run the length of the hall. Each dance consists of a sequence of moves that ends with couples having progressed one position up or down the set. As the sequence is repeated, a couple will eventually dance with every other couple in the set.

Contra dancing was all the rage in the 1800s. Many of the basic moves in contra dancing are similar to those in square dancing (swings, promenades, do-si-dos, allemandes). If you have danced squares, you will enjoy contras immediately.

In contra dancing, your feet are never asked to do more than walk to the music. Each dance is taught by the caller before it is danced, and the caller continues to prompt the dancers as needed. Because the pattern of moves of each contra dance is repeated often, contra dances are very easy to learn. Both beginning and experienced dancers happily share the same set.

Contra dances have a relaxed, family-like atmosphere where the emphasis is on dancing. Wiley adds, “We are still getting families with children coming to our dances. The youngsters pick it up very quickly.” The dances provide excellent exercise that you can take at your own pace.

Dancers are asked to bring a yummy treat for the dessert potluck at the 9:30 break. For more information, contact David Wiley at 423-913-3246 or visit www. historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org.

Contra Dance Benefit & Yard Sale

Jonesborough, TN -
On Saturday, August 26, the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold a benefit community contra dance. Guest caller, Diane Silver, from Asheville, NC, will lead the dancing while the Asheville-based band, Fly By Night, will provide lively dance tunes. The dance begins at 8:00 PM in the air-conditioned Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 117 Boone Street. At 7:30 PM, prior to each dance, the caller for the evening conducts a class for beginners where the basics of contra dance are taught to new and experienced dancers. Admission is only $6, members of HJDS $5, and students $3. The dances are always smoke and alcohol free. The band and caller are donating their performance to help the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society raise needed operating funds. Pre-dance diners at Jonesborough’s Dogwood Lane restaurant receive $1.00 discount coupons for the dance.

Back by popular request, we will offer a waltz workshop from 6:00-6:45 PM conducted by Warren & Terry Doyle from Banner Elk, NC. Cost for the workshop will be $5.00. Warren and Terry, bona fide dance gypsies, have danced all over the USA. They have provided dance workshops in West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Their instruction is patient, simple, and effective. After the workshop, we will have open waltz from 6:45-7:30 PM.

Also, on Saturday morning, at the Visitors Center, the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will have a Yard Sale at the far end of the parking area opposite the entrance. Volunteers will be selling donated items as a part of the day of fund raising.

Fly By Night is led by Karen Gaughan on the piano. Karen is Asheville's most in-demand contra dance side-girl. Gaughan together with her Fly By Night partners provide a full sound, plenty of rhythm, and a really good ride for the avid contra dancer or waltzer. Gaughan has also been playing for dances for the last 14 years, working it around her day job as an elementary school teacher near Asheville. She also plays with Wild Goose Chase that will appear in Jonesborough for our Halloween contra dance on October 28.

Laura Lengnick, fiddler and member of the faculty at Warren Wilson College, regularly plays dance events in a number of contra dance bands including the Goosebone Prophets, Laura and the Lava Lamps, and Fashion Horse. Drawing on a repertoire of traditional and contemporary tunes from Northern, Southern, and Celtic fiddling traditions, Laura delights dancers with her jazz-inspired improvisations and constant attention to the dance floor. She also plays for step-dancing and conducts workshops in dance-fiddling and dance ensemble playing.

Beth Magill on wooden and silver flutes and tinwhistle came to excellence early and by the age of 11 had garnered state and regional championships as a member of the Yalesville (CT) Junior Ancient Fife & Drum Corp. Classically trained, she was a member of the Charlotte Flute Choir when she was captivated by Celtic music, and through studies with such luminaries as John Skelton, Mike Rafferty, Mike Casey, Grey Larson, Chris Norman, and Jerry O’Sullivan began exploring the complex possibilities of the wooden flute. A popular session musician, she has recorded several albums with singer/songwriter, John Smith, hammered dulcimerist Jerry Read Smith, Jim Taylor and more. With a passionate, exuberant style, Beth was also a founding member of Asheville’s groundbreaking Celtic band, Mooncoin. She plays with her husband Jim, son Andrew in The Magills and Fly By Night. She also enjoys a thriving Kindermusik studio, teaching music and movement to children ages newborn to five.

Julia Weatherford is a graduate of Berea College, where she majored in studio art and worked in the weaving and needlecraft student industries as well as a traveling summer puppet theater. Julia’s textile work has been featured at Southern Highland Handicraft Guild shops, shows, and fairs since 1997 in addition to many other galleries and shops in Asheville, Black Mountain, and Berea. Music is also a big part of Julia’s life. She played cello with the Asheville symphony for 13 years, and currently plays fiddle and cello with Fly By Night and Far Horizons which recently performed as one of the featured contra dance bands at the spring Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF). Julia is currently working as assistant director of the Swannanoa Gathering at Warren Wilson College.

Diane Silver hails from Asheville, NC. She was here as teacher/caller for our “Day of Dance” during Jonesborough Days. She has been a die-hard contra dancer, swing dancer and kitchen flat-footer for over 10 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. Silver is highly acclaimed for her clear, efficient teaching and calling, creative medleys, great positive energy, and spirit of community building. Dancers are sure to receive a sizzling evening of dance in a friendly, welcoming tone. Silver’s motto is "I can't believe this much fun is legal!"

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 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.

Event organizer, David Wiley, states that “You start our dancing with your partner and another couple called your neighbors. Then you dance with some new neighbors and then some more new neighbors until you dance with everyone in your longwise set. The music is very lively and upbeat with great jigs and reels and waltzes. So, it is very social and very energetic.”

Contra dancing originated in England and found its way to the United States with the early settlers. By 1800, contra dancing was all the rage. Wiley noticed contra dancing at some of the festivals in western North Carolina and decided to give it a try. “You catch on so quickly and then you are hooked!” The caller teaches each dance and you change partners after each dance. “It’s all about building community through traditional music and dance.”

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

FamDamily Contra Dance Band Has Ties to Jonesborough

Jonesborough, TN -
On Saturday, August 12, the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold the next in a series of summer community contra dances. Guest caller, Shawn Brenneman, from Radford, VA, will lead the dancing while the Asheville-based band, FamDamily, will provide lively dance tunes. The dance begins at 8:00 P.M. in the air-conditioned Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 117 Boone Street. At 7:30 P.M., prior to each dance, the caller for the evening conducts a class for beginners where the basics of contra dance are taught to new and experienced dancers. Admission is only $6, members of HJDS $5, and students $3. The dances are always smoke and alcohol free. Pre-dance diners at Jonesborough’s Dogwood Lane restaurant receive $1.00 discount coupons for the dance.

FamDamily is lead by Paul Moore on the accordion and piano. Well known and much in demand for his infectious keyboard rhythm and jazzy improvisational work, dance pianist Paul Moore has been the cornerstone of assorted Tennessee and North Carolina bands for a long time. He recently teamed with violinist Daron Douglas to produce a fabulous CD titled “Somewhere between Here and Home—Waltzes for Family and Friends, Vol. 2.” FamDamily includes Paul’s wife Amy on keyboards; Paul’s father-in-law and Jonesborough resident Gary Burkett on banjo; Paul’s brother Charlie on bass; and Charlie’s son Colin on guitar.

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 dancers 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 that will be performing in Jonesborough on December 9.

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 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.

Event organizer, David Wiley, states that “You start our dancing with your partner and another couple called your neighbors. Then you dance with some new neighbors and then some more new neighbors until you dance with everyone in your longwise set. The music is very lively and upbeat with great jigs and reels and waltzes. So, it is very social and very energetic.”

Contra dancing originated in England and found its way to the United States with the early settlers. By 1800, contra dancing was all the rage. Wiley noticed contra dancing at some of the festivals in western North Carolina and decided to give it a try. “You catch on so quickly and then you are hooked!” The caller teaches each dance and you change partners after each dance. “It’s all about building community through traditional music and dance.”

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

DANCING BEARS Migrate from Asheville!

The Summer Series of Contra Dances continues on Saturday July 22nd with an appearance by Asheville’s “Dancing Bears” and the return of Barbara Groh as caller. The dance will be held at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 117 Boone Street. The dance starts at 8:00 P.M. A class for beginners will be held at 7:30 PM. Beginners and experienced dancers are invited to the class. No partner is necessary. The dances are smoke and alcohol free.

Admission to the dance is $6, Members of HJDS receive $1.00 discount. All students get in for $3.

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. His is a solo performer of old time fiddle and banjo music. He 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 got 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 pick’in 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 is 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. Skip 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 dyslexic children of all ages.

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

Summer Contra Dance Series Includes Local Band

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society continues its summer series of Contra Dances on Saturday July 8th with a dance at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center located at 117 Boone Street. The dance will be called by Anne Marie Walter from the Asheville area.

The dance will begin at 8:00 p.m. with a class for beginners to start at 7:30 p.m. Event organizer, David Wiley, states that the Day of Dance during Jonesborough Days brought many new dancers to the workshop series. Wiley adds that “the weather may be hot outside, but we are contra dancing in the air-conditioned Visitors Center.” “Many area residents have been following the story of contra dance revival in the area and have finally decided to come and give it a try”. Contra dance is much easier to learn than couples dances. You don’t have to have a partner. It is customary at contra dances to dance with a different partner for each dance. You are able to interact with nearly everyone who comes to the dance.

Admission to the dance is only $6. Members of the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society get a $1.00 discount. Students get in for only $3. For more information, visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org or call 423-913-3246 and inquire to David Wiley.

The featured band this week is the “Dave Macon Cover Band” consisting of Steve Cook, director of Jonesborough’s Music on the Square program, Jeff & Amy Benedict, Sam Gobble and Richard Blaustein. The DMCB merges players from several popular bands from as far back as the 1960’s. With a combined musical heritage of nearly 150 years, the tunes emanating from these musicians are not always familiar, but are rooted so deeply in tradition that they are unmistakably traced to the ground floor of where old-time music began to be shared and passed down to the performers of today. Although the band was formed in 2003, the members have played together off and on for many years. They have played and delighted festival goers, wedding and private parties and other music lovers for years. As the house band for the Lost State of Franklin Contra Dance Society which existed for years back in the 90’s, the DMCB thoroughly enjoyed the energy and pleasure of keeping the dance tunes lively and watching the dancers step to their musical meanderings.

The dance caller, Anne Marie Walter, lives and dances in the Ashville area, where she teaches, goes to graduate school, gardens and is a fiber artist. “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 great sense of humor which especially helps to reduce the angst for beginners”.

“My job is to select the right dances for the skill level of the crowd,” says Walter. “That way I can get out of the way and let the dancers groove to the tunes.”

DAY OF DANCE!
The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold a “Day of Dance” during the 36th annual Jonesborough Days celebration July 1 from noon to 9:30 P.M. in the Contra Dancing Village at the Jonesborough Visitors Center.

The day will consist of three workshops for contra, waltz and square dancing and will be followed by three dances including a Family Dance for parents or grandparents with children, a southern square dance and a contra dance. The workshops and dances will be called by Asheville’s Diane Silver.

The Washington County Ramblers, consisting of Roy Andrade of Reel Time Travelers and friends, will provide old time and contra music for the event.

The schedule for the day is:
Noon-1:15 p.m. Contra Dance Workshop
1:30-2:45 p.m. Waltz Workshop
3:00-4:00 p.m. Sqare Dance Workshop
4:00-5:00 p.m. Family Dance
5:00-5:45 p.m. Dinner Break
6:00-7:30 p.m. Square Dance
7:30-9:30 p.m. Contra Dance

Dance caller, Silver, said all who are interested in learning to contra dance are welcome. She has been a die-hard contra dancer, swing dancer and kitchen flat-footer for more than 10 years. With a penchant for hot modern contras and active squares, Silver loves sharing high-energy dancing that allows everyone to “play” with the band.


She is highly acclaimed for her clear, efficient teaching and calling, creative medleys, great positive energy and spirit of community building. Her careful attention to dancers’ pace and progress creates a fun, low-risk atmosphere for beginning dancers to get up and give it a try.

Admission is $1 for the workshops and $3 fro the dances.

For more information, call event organizer David Wiley at 423-913-3246 or 423-534-8879 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org.

Contra Dance in Johnson City

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will take its show on the road Saturday, June 24th to Johnson City, Tennessee. Due to a scheduling conflict at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, the next contra dance will be held at Johnson City’s new Carver Recreation Center at 322 W. Watauga Avenue near the Down Home.

The recent health initiative that Johnson City launched called “Up and At Em” makes contra dance a perfect fit for this program. “We will stage the dance at Carver and show residents of Johnson City how contra dance can impact people’s lives through traditional music and dance.” The Carver Center is a beautiful facility and will make an excellent venue for contra dance.

Headlining the contra dance event will be a group called the Spring Chickens from the Asheville area. 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 Rob and Beth Mangum, potters from Weaverville, NC. The remaining members of their group are McLean Bissell on guitar, Ben Harvey on banjo and Meredith McIntosh on Bass.

Calling the Johnson City contra dance will be Weaverville, North Carolina’s Charley Harvey. Charley began dancing in Berea, Kentucky over twenty years ago. He has called dances far and wide, teaching American folk dance in Denmark and leading local dances throughout the eastern U.S. A founding member of Berea’s monthly contra dance, Charley enjoys a reputation as an exciting and enthusiastic dance caller while being good with beginners. No matter how much or how little experience you have as a dancer, Charley will lead an evening of dance that will leave you smiling!

There will be a class for beginners at 7:30 P.M. followed by the dance at 8:00 P.M. Cost is $6, Members $5 and students $3. A soft shoe policy will be in effect for the Carver Center. Please wear suitable shoes to protect the new floor from damage.

GREATEST CONTRA DANCE BAND!

The String Beings, considered to be the greatest contra dance band ever to come to Asheville, will trek up to the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center on June 10th to perform for the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society. Class for beginners starts at 7:30 P.M. The dance will run from 8-11 P.M. with a break at 9:30 for waltz.

The String Beings have performed at dance weekends and festivals from coast to coast, but rarely perform in our area. The String Beings are known for their edgy rhythms, audacious drive and a repertoire that is expertly delivered to provide dancers with a ride to remember.

Laurie Fisher is the heartbeat of the band with her fiery fiddle playing. Laurie has been entertaining dancers and inspiring musicians full-time for the last 14-years. In addition to fiddle, Laurie also plays piano and calls dances.

Tom Trozak plays the guitar and drums with strength and passion, driving the dance with relentless rhythm.

Art Shuster’s masterful mandolin playing adds spice to the Beings and never fails to lift the dancers’ feet.

And finally, after years of living and playing in distant lands, Mark Mueller has reunited with the String Beings. Mark’s extraordinary fiddling and gentle soul bring harmony to the group.

Calling for the dance will be Fred Park. Fred returns to call again after performing with Firefly back in February. Fred has been writing and calling dances for over 25 years. He started the Old Farmers Ball in Asheville and has helped initiate many successful dances all over the southeast.

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

EVENT & DATE: CONTRA DANCE FEATURING ANTS IN PANTRY, MAY 27
CONTACT: DAVID WILEY, 423-913-3246.
PHOTO: FROM LAST DANCE

ANTS IN THE PANTRY

JONESBOROUGH, TN - The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society welcomes the “Ants in the Pantry” contra dance band from Asheville. They will perform in the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street on May 27 beginning at 8 p.m. Admission to the dance is $6, $5 for members and $3 for Students. A workshop for new dancers will begin at 7:30 P.M. No partner is necessary. All dances are taught by the caller.

The band was assembled in the summer of 2000 by veteran dance caller Barbara Groh to play one time at a benefit contra dance and picnic. So much fun was had by all that they have been performing at contra dances around the southeast ever since. The band members are John Culp, Skip Metheny, Laurie Fisher and Karen Gaughan.

John Culp got his first real guitar on his 16th birthday and has been pickin 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 sound board 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. In addition to playing for the Ants, John also performs with the Dancing Bears.

Skip Metheny, from early teen years, played with various Rock and Roll bands. He was founding member of the show band “The Doomsday Refreshment Committee” which toured Vietnam entertaining US and allied military folks in the 70s and later became the house band in a Bangkok nightclub. After moving to Asheville, Skip became an avid contra dancer and was influenced by the local music scene to experiment with different styles of music. He has been playing percussion and bass for contra and swing music at various festivals, dance weekends and other events around the Southeast since 1997.

Multi-talented Laurie Fisher has been entertaining dancers and inspiring musicians full-time for the past 14 years. In addition to fiddle, she plays piano and calls dances. After calling the dance last week, a dancer posted a comment on the HJDS website that read, “Laurie Fisher is a great teacher - patient, clear, methodical with a marvelous rapport with the dancers.” What a great compliment! Laurie is regionally well know as the fiddler for The String Beings, an Asheville contra dance band whose success has traveled them from Boston to Florida and California to Michigan. Look for The String Beings performance June 10th in Jonesborough.

Karen Gaughan is Asheville's most in-demand contra dance side-girl. Ants members and Gaughan together provide a full sound, plenty of rhythm and a really good ride for the avid contra dancer or waltzer. Gaughan has also been playing for dances for the last 14 years, working it around her day job as a elementary school teacher near Asheville.

A resident of Asheville, NC, Barbara Groh has been calling contra dances all over the East coast since 1989. She has called at such festivals as the Charleston Bug Stomp, Gotta Dance, the Asheville Summer Soiree, the Black Mountain Music Festival, NEFFA, Moondance, Gypsy Meltdown, Spring Dance Romance and the Lake Eden Arts Festival. 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 more than three decades. She became an avid square dancer at the age of 13. In college, she fell in love with contra dancing and learned to play old-time banjo. Her involvement in the dance community has included serving for several years on various dance committees.

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 dancers. 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.

THE ANTS COME TO JONESBOROUGH

That’s the “ANTS IN THE PANTRY”! The Ants in the Pantry are a contra dance band from Asheville that was formed in the summer of 2000 to play at a benefit picnic contra dance. So much fun was had by all that the band has been playing contra dances around the Southeast ever since.

The band is made up of Laurie Fisher on fiddle, Karen Gaughan on keyboards, John Culp on tenor banjo and mandolin and Skip Metheny on drums, percussion and bass.

We have already had the pleasure of hearing Laurie and Karen perform as the group “Hot Flash”. In addition, we had a wonderful night of dancing with Laurie calling for us back in March.

Barbara Groh, one of the areas most popular contra dance callers, will return to the area with the “ANTS” to perform at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center on Saturday May 27th. A workshop for beginner dancers will start at 7:30 P.M. The contra dance will commence at 8:00 P.M.

Admission to the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society contra dances remains $6.00,
$5.00 for members and $3.00 for students.

PRESS RELEASE
EVENT DATE: May 11
CONTACT: Event Coordinator, David Wiley 423-913-3246 or 423-534-8879

Nightingale lights in Jonesborough

JONESBOROUGH, TN - The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society welcomes the band Nightingale and caller Rick Mohr to the next contra dance, Thursday, May 11 in the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center located at 117 Boone Street.

The dance begins at 8 p.m. Admission is $10 per person. A $2 discount will be given to members of any dance society. For more information, please visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org or contact event organizer, David Wiley at 423-913-3246.

“We expect contra dancers to come from all over the area for this,” says Wiley. “We’re fortunate to have Nightingale here. They’re one of the greatest contra dance bands in the country and they’re stopping here on their way to the LEAF festival. Even if people didn’t want to dance at all, they could come on and just listen to the music and it would be well worth their $10 admission. For a sample of what you’ll get that night, Nightingale will be giving a live radio performance on May 11 from 3:30 – 4 p.m. on WETS 89.5 - AM.”

Over the past decade the three superb musicians who make up Nightingale, Becky Tracy (fiddle), Jeremiah McLane (piano, accordion) and Keith Murphy (guitar, mandolin, foot percussion, vocals), have charmed audiences with their vibrant and imaginative explorations of musical traditions that carry listeners across New England to Quebec, Newfoundland, Ireland, France and beyond.

Hailed in Sing Out! Magazine for their "impeccable playing...danceable and exciting, with a reflective approach to the music", Nightingale has fashioned a fresh and distinctive sound that is innovative while rooted in Celtic and Northern European folk traditions.

The nightingale bird is a poetic figure that appears in traditional songs from many places including parts of Northern Europe, Canada and the United States. So the nightingale was an appropriate emblem for a band committed to drawing inspiration from such a wide musical territory.

McLane, Murphy and Tracy were all established players in the traditional New England contra dance scene when they met and Nightingale quickly became a highly sought after New England dance band. But from its inception, Nightingale explored music outside the bounds of New England contra dance and could never be pigeon holed as simply a dance band. Songs of Quebec and Newfoundland were a staple of their repertoire and in their concerts they stretched the format of traditional dance music. Still, their experience as dance musicians generated an obsession with rhythmic integrity and the sustaining pulse that is the essence of dance music. The listener could never miss the underlying drive of much of Nightingale's music.

The group has performed on CBC radio in Canada and was recently chosen for the Meet the Composer series in Saranac, New York. They continue to perform at festivals, performing arts centers, folk clubs and major dance events everywhere. (band information courtesy of www.nightingalevt.org)

Rick Mohr, contra dance caller and musician, is also from New England. A software developer/architect by trade, Rick travels the country calling and playing his fiddle for contra dances. Much of his creative energy is devoted to traditional music and dance but also includes harmony singing, Morris dancing, fiddle and melodeon. Rick is also an accomplished dance composer and plans to write of book of dances someday.

EVENT DATE: April 29
CONTACT: Event Coordinator, David Wiley 423-913-3246 or 423-534-8879
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Asheville band, Reel Magnolias, in Jonesborough

JONESBOROUGH, TN - The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society welcomes Asheville band “Reel Magnolias” and caller Margaret Matthews to the next contra dance, Saturday, April 29th in the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center located at 117 Boone Street.

The dance will begin at 8 p.m. with a workshop for beginners to be held at 7:30 p.m.
Admission is $6 per person, $5 for members and $3 for students with I.D. For more information, please visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org or contact event organizer, David Wiley at 423-913-3246.

Reel Magnolias is comprised of June Advincula on keyboard, Suzanne Hosch on guitar and Jane Weaver on fiddle. Advincula and Hosch are educators in the Asheville area.
Weaver is a quilter and music teacher from Weaverville, NC.

“Dancers will recognize Margaret Matthews,” says Wiley. “She performed on piano with Jeff Baker and ‘Morning Coffee’ back in March. This will be the first time that we’ll see her as a caller. She e-mailed me back in January, after moving from upstate New York to Asheville, trying to get the word out to all contra dance organizers in the area that she was available as a caller. I looked at her resume and decided to book her with the ‘Reel Magnolias’.”

Earlier in the day on Saturday, members of the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society have been invited to demonstrate contra dancing at the kickoff of Johnson City’s health initiative “UP and AT EM”.

“One of their objectives,” says Wiley, “is to increase citizen physical activity by creating events supporting an active community. Councilperson Jane Myron visited one of our dances and immediately saw how music and contra dance could be a part of their program. We’ll bring about 20 dancers and a caller to Freedom Hall for a demonstration that is scheduled for 1:25 p.m. until 2 p.m. People attending the kickoff will get a $1 discount coupon for our dance Saturday night. In addition, we’ve been invited to bring our contra dance to the Carver Center on June 24th.” He adds, “Long range plans are coming together to bring a contra dance to Johnson City once a quarter. Hopefully, the exposure in the Johnson City area will help us build our dance community in Jonesborough.” See www.johnsoncitytn.org for more information on their program.

There will be a special contra dance on Thursday May 11th at the Jonesborough Visitors Center as the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society welcomes “Nightingale” from Vermont as they travel to perform at the Lake Eden Arts Festival in Black Mountain, NC. Admission will be $10 or $8 for members of any dance society. Please visit www.nighingalevt.org.

CONTACT: DAVID WILEY 423-913-3246 OR 423-534-8879
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WALTZ, POTLUCK & CONTRA DANCE
On Saturday, April 15th, the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present a special dance event at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. Starting at 4 p.m., a beginning contra waltz workshop will be led by Scott Baxla. Scott is an excellent teacher and is particularly good at relating to men, helping them understand and even enjoy the art of leading. The workshop will cover the basics of footwork, partnering, leading and following. Understanding the structure and rhythm of waltz music will also be covered. Contra waltz is different from ballroom waltz – and generally easier to learn.

No partner or experience is necessary to participate in this basic waltz lesson. The workshop will last until 5:30 with a 10-15 minute break in the middle. From 5:30 – 6 p.m, an open waltz will follow to the live music of “Keys to Excess” with David DiGiuseppe and Pete Campbell from Chapel Hill, NC. Scott will be available for individual pointers during the open waltz. Admission to the waltz workshop is $10, students $5.

For those who are interested, we will have a potluck dinner from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. in the visitors center. We will have access to the kitchen facility for cold food storage or hot food preparation. Hopefully, the weather will be ideal enough to picnic on the grounds outside. If you are coming to the potluck dinner, please contact David Wiley at 423-913-3246 and state what item you will be bringing.

At 7:30 p.m., the contra dance portion of the program will begin with a new dancer workshop led by our caller/teacher for the evening, Hank Morris, from Asheville. Hank called our very first dance back in January. He has extensive experience in contra dance calling in the southeast and we are very excited about having him back.

David DiGiuseppe is well known for his fiery accordian playing extending into Irish, contra dance and southern old-time styles. David has three solo recordings. His newest release, MOVIN ON, features his masterful accordion playing on Celtic tunes, Parisian musettes and music from the American South. He has recently published two collections of traditional tunes arranged for accordion with Mel Bay Publications.

Pete Campbell (probably one of the most intriguing people you will ever meet) plays and calls for contra dancing, square dancing, Scottish, English and international folk dancing.
He brings inexhaustible energy as a pianist to each performance.

The contra dance will be from 8 p.m. – 11 p.m. with another opportunity to waltz at the 9:30 p.m. break. Admission is $6, $5 for members and $3 for students with I.D.

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

Hot Flash hits Jonesborough

JONESBOROUGH, TN – The cool winter winds might still be blowing around outside, but when you come to Jonesborough for Friday’s contra dance, you better bring your water bottle and a clean handkerchief to wipe your brow – ‘cause you’re going to experience a Hot Flash!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society (HJDS) welcomes contra dance band, Hot Flash, to the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, March 31 at 8 p.m. The center is located at 117 Boone Street. The dance begins at 8 p.m. with a workshop for beginners at 7:30 p.m. The admission is $6 per person, $5 for members and $3 for students with I.D.

Laurie Fisher and Karen Gaughan will deliver the kind of Hot Flash no one minds experiencing. Multi-talented Fisher has been entertaining dancers and inspiring musicians full-time for the past 14 years. In addition to fiddle, she plays piano and calls dances. After calling the dance last week, a dancer posted a comment on the HJDS website that read, “Laurie Fisher is a great teacher - patient, clear, methodical with a marvelous rapport with the dancers.” What a great compliment! Laurie is regionally well known as the fiddler for The String Beings, an Asheville contra dance band whose success has traveled them from Boston to Florida and California to Michigan. Look for The String Beings performance June 10th in Jonesborough with Fred Park returning to call.

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 14 years, working it around her day job as a elementary school teacher near Asheville.

Diane Silver will travel from Asheville, NC to call the dance. She is here fresh from a two-week tour of England where she called about 10 contra dances and lived with British families along the way. She has been a die-hard contra dancer, swing dancer and kitchen flat-footer for over 10 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. Silver is highly acclaimed for her clear, efficient teaching and calling, creative medleys, great positive energy and spirit of community building. Dancers are sure to receive a sizzling evening of dance in a friendly, welcoming tone. Silver’s motto is "I can't believe this much fun is legal!"

“There won’t be any April fools joke with Hot Flash performing and Diane Silver calling,” says Event Coordinator, David Wiley. “They are the cream of the crop in musical and calling talent in this area. We should have a terrific night of dancing.”

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

XXX

March 10, 2006

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold its sixth Contra dance of the year on Saturday, March 18, 2006 at the Visitors Center in Jonesborough. The dance begins at 8:00 P.M. with a workshop for beginners at 7:30pm. The admission is $6.00 per person, $5.00 for members and $3.00 for students with I.D.

Our performers will again be traveling from Asheville. Morning Coffee, normally consisting of Jeff and Diane Baker, will be playing Contra dance tunes on piano and fiddle. Substituting for Diane on piano will be Margaret Matthews, a recent transfer from Syracuse, NY. Margaret brings to Jonesborough years of experience in various contra dances bands from the upstate of New York. She is also an accomplished dance caller and will be performing as a caller for us on April 29th for the Reel Magnolias band.
Jeff has been running the weekly Monday night Contra Dance at the Grey Eagle Tavern for the last twenty years. Much of the credit for the growth and development of the dance community in Asheville is attributable to Jeff’s hard work over the years.

Earlier in the day, we will be demonstrating Contra dance at the Kingsport Celtic Festival. We will bring a group of experienced dancers to the Renaissance Center in Kingsport at 1200 Center Street to introduce the festival goers to contra dance. “The question that I get asked most often is “Just what is contra dance?”. Well, we are going to answer the call and put on a show. Laurie Fisher, our dance caller for the evening dance, will go with us to the festival site to lead us in the demonstration and the follow with a workshop for those in the audience who want to give Contra dance a try. Hopefully, we can attract some in the audience to come to Jonesborough and be a part of our dance. The demonstration and workshop will be held from 2:00-4:00 pm and is free to the public.

Laurie Fisher, our caller/teacher for the Saturday night dance, helped us get started back in November and December of last year by conducting two Contra Dance workshops. Laure is multitalented both performing as a dance caller but also as a fiddle and keyboard player in several contra dance bands. We welcome her back to our dance hall.

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

Contra Craze!

February 24, 2006

JONESBOROUGH, TN - The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society is on the road again sharing the Contra Dancing Craze! Dancers will be meeting Saturday, March 4, from 8 p.m. – 11 p.m. in the Gray United Methodist Church, 2108 Oak Street, Gray, TN. Lessons for beginners will begin at 7:30 p.m. Admission cost will be $6 for general admission, $5 for members and $3 for students with I.D. More information is available at www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org or by calling event organizer, David Wiley, (423) 913-3246.

Contra dances are regularly held two times per month in the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center. “One of the members of our dance community found out that we were looking for an alternative location for our March 4th dance,” says Wiley. “After telling her pastor how much fun contra dance was, we were enthusiastically invited to bring our dance to their church. They have a beautiful facility. The gymnasium has a beautiful parquet wood floor, sound system and stage. Their location is just about in the center of the Tri-Cities universe. That will give many of our dancers who come from far and wide a little travel break.”

“Our band this time,” says Wiley, “is another fine group of musicians from Asheville called Fashion Horse. Art Shuster plays Mandolin. Paul Moore is a very talented keyboard and accordion player and Laura Lengnick is on fiddle.”

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.”

Wiley adds, “Just like the antiques roadshow, when we arrive on Saturday evening, the crowds will come. We are bringing the dance to the people. Gray is a booming area with lots of families and children.”

“soulful, thoughtful and spirited!”

JONESBOROUGH, TN - Saturday, February 18, the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present its fourth Contra Dance of 2006 at the Jonesborough Visitors Center, 177 Boone Street. A class for beginners will start at 7:30 p.m., with the dance starting at 8 p.m. Admission cost will be $6 for general admission, $5 for members and $3 for students with I.D.

Performing this week, will be the Asheville band, Firefly, a mother-daughter, all-acoustic combo, playing early country, western swing and old-time music of Appalachia with sweet family harmonies. Members have been described as, “soulful, thoughtful and spirited!”

Firefly is based in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Members have performed at the LEAF festival, Black Mountain Festival and throughout the southeast, enlivening contra dance and concert halls far and wide. Members include Pearl Mueller on fiddle, mandolin and vocals; Laurel Willoughby on vocals and bass; Barbara Davis on guitar and vocals and Julia Weatherford on fiddle, cello and vocals.

“Our special treat for this week's dance will be the legendary caller, Fred Park,” says Event Organizer, David Wiley. Fred has been instrumental in continuing the tradition of contra dance all over this country.” Fred has been calling and writing dances for over 25 years. He started the Old Farmers Ball in Asheville and helped initiate numerous successful contra dances large and small in the southeast. Fred is also an accomplished graphic artist, photographer, storyteller and dance instructor. A unique and lively evening is guaranteed with Fred on board with great music from life-long friends, Firefly. “We are a very young and relatively inexperience dance community so far. Fred will likely leave a lasting impression on all of us who come to this dance."

“We have entertained close to 500 dancers in just three events” comments Wiley. “There is a huge amount of interest thanks to local media coverage. We have dancers coming from Asheville, Boone, Damascus, Knoxville and all over the region.” “We have close to 50 people who have joined our organization and have made a commitment to support Contra dance here for a long time”.

Contra Dancing is very popular everywhere now. There is a Monday night dance at the Grey Eagle in Asheville, a Thursday night dance called the Old Farmer’s Ball at Warren Wilson College in Swannaoa, NC. This coming weekend in Knoxville, the Knoxville Country Dancers hold their annual Dance Weekend in the ballroom at UT where a band called Nightingale from Vermont will be performing Friday through Sunday. This event will attract Contra dancers from all over the country.

Again, dancers who dine at Dogwood Lane before the Contra dance will receive 10% off their dinner check and a $1.00 discount coupon for the dance.

Contra Dance Travels to Johnson City

JONESBOROUGH, TN – The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will go on the road so-to-speak for their third dance of the 2006 season. The dance is normally held in the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center.

“Due to a scheduling conflict,” says Event Coordinator, David Wiley, “we will be dancing in downtown Johnson City in the King’s Centre building at 300 East Main Street at the corner of Main and Roan on Saturday night February 4th at 7:30 p.m.

“The second floor of the building has been renovated very nicely and has a beautiful new wooden floor. I can't wait to hear the sound of feet stomping on the hardwood. The diners at the new Russo's New Orleans style restaurant will wonder what the heck is going on upstairs. Well, if we have to smell their gumbo all night, they can feel the energy of 200 dancers having fun Contra Dancing. There are several parking lots around the area. Our dancers will just have to find them and walk a short distance. We’ll have another exciting and talented band from Asheville called Mock Turtle Soup. How appropriate since one Louisiana specialty is turtle soup. The very popular contra dance caller, Barbara Groh, is also from Asheville and she’ll be leading the fun.”

RECIPE FOR MOCK TURTLE SOUP

Add together a cup of tradition, a pint of spirits, two parts vocal harmony, a handful of homemade instruments and a heaping spoonful of foot stomping and you'll be well on your way to Mock Turtle Soup. This Asheville, NC band has been touring the southeast contra dance circuit for almost two years, with their first cross-country tour during the fall of 2004. They strive to blur the line between the energy and groove of a dance band and the rich soul of folk songs. With the wide-ranging backgrounds of each of its members and a veritable truckload of instruments every song and every tune has its own distinct flavor, from Mexican waltz to Gypsy dance tune, from brass to a cappella.

Willie Repoley first started playing mandolin after finding his grandfather's SS Stewart mandolin hidden away in a closet. His vocals evoke a bit of John McCutcheon, while the candy-apple red electric mandolin reminisces Steeleye Span.

Pearl Mueller grew up in Black Mountain, NC, soaking up traditional Appalachian music and dance almost without noticing. Pearl picked up the fiddle at the age of 5, and since that time has delved into dance music, folk, and old-time. Besides fiddle, she kicks it up with English and Cape Breton dance steps and adds Appalachian-steeped vocals to the musical mix.

Chris Holleman joins the band on clawhammer banjo and guitar, with an occasional accordion or trombone-shaped trick up his sleeve. A North Carolina native, he began playing old-time eight years ago and soon afterwards started building openback banjos. Recent additions to his army of instruments include a solid-body 5-string complete with a homemade wah pedal.

CONTRA NIRVANA

A resident of Asheville, NC, Barbara Groh has been calling contra dances all over the East coast since 1989. She has called at such festivals as the Charleston Bug Stomp, Gotta Dance, the Asheville Summer Soiree, the Black Mountain Music Festival, NEFFA, Moondance, Gypsy Meltdown, Spring Dance Romance, and the Lake Eden Arts Festival. 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 more than three decades. She became an avid square dancer at the age of 13. In college, she fell in love with contra dancing and learned to play old-time banjo. Her involvement in the dance community has included serving for several years on various dance committees.

Barbara's patience and ability to give precise dance instructions stem in part from her 15 years as a classroom teacher and several years as a private tutor. She currently works with dyslexic children of all ages.

Guaranteed Whoop and a’Holler!

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will hold its second contra dance of the 2006 season on Saturday, January 21 at 8 p.m. – with a workshop available at 7:30 p.m. for new dancers.

The dance will be held at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street, and will feature high-energy caller, Beth Molaro and feel-good band, Far Horizons. Admission is $6 per person or $5 for members and $3.00 for students with I.D.

Beth Molaro is an active part of Asheville’s thriving dance community. It’s been said that “…her clear calling and skilled dance selection have made her one of the country's most popular and widely traveled callers…when Beth calls, the dance is always a party!”

Since 1994, Molaro has called more than 100 dances each year from coast to coast as well as Denmark and Canada. She calls high-energy, turbocharged squares and smooth flowing contras and is known for her quick no-nonsense walk-throughs, clear instructions and effective teaching.

Far Horizons is a string band with a southern feel featuring Barbara Davis on guitar and vocals; Art Shuster on mandolin and mandola and Julia Weatherford on fiddle, cello and vocals. They’ve played continuously in the Asheville area for 20 years.

Their repertoire includes traditional southern, New England, Cape Breton, bluegrass, Celtic reels and jigs - all stunningly arranged for the contra dance.

Some events Far Horizons has played include LEAF in Black Mountain, NC; Old Farmer's Ball in Swannanoa; the Charleston Bug Stomp and dance halls in Birmingham, Atlanta, Greensboro, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Wilmington, Greenville and more.

“What a great contra dance!” says event coordinator, David Wiley, when asked about the previous dance on January 6. “Over 150 dancers helped us kick off the 2006 season. It was a perfect night. Laurie Fisher and Karen Gaughan, otherwise known as Hot Flash, played great tunes. Hank Morris, our caller, took us all to new heights of dance skill. Even the beginners performed like expert contra dancers after just a few sets. I encourage everyone to come out and enjoy the dances, the exercise and to make new friends.”

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society (HJDS) is a membership organization. The first dance enlisted 26 new members who will receive a $1 discount on dance admissions. “Admission fees,” says Wiley, “will help us attract the best bands and callers and help promote our dance all over the region. Anyone wishing to join can print a membership form from our website and can mail it or bring to the next dance on January 21st.”

For more information, please visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org or contact Wiley by phone at 423-913-3246 or by mail at P.O. box 651, Jonesborough, TN 37659.

The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will kick off the 2006 Contra Dance Season Friday night January 6th with our inaugural dance featuring the band Hot Flash from Asheville with Hank Morris calling the dance. Please come early if you wish to join our organization (see membership). Everyone entering the dance hall will have to pay the admission fee. Please dance at your own risk.

After our third workshop on Tuesday, December 27th, the Historic Jonesborough Dance Society welcomed its first new members, Katie and Wally Driskell of Piney Flats, Gary and Alexis Burkett of Jonesborough and Velma Southerland of Greeneville. We thank you all for your interest and support of our dance community and look forward to seeing you at many of the upcoming dances.

Squeeze, made up of Paul Moore, Amy Moore, Charlie Moore and Collin Moore will have their debut performance at the third preseason dance workshop Tuesday December 27th from 7-9 pm. This workshop will be led by Diane Silver from Asheville with sound engineering by Phil Leonard. First dance will be Friday January 6th, 2006.

Welcome, contra dance fans, to the new Historic Jonesborough Dance Society website!! Look around and enjoy. See you at the next dance.