Volume 5 SPRING 2003
Looking back to 2002.
Last year saw the development of a new approach to contra in the UK. Alterations, Big Bad Contra and the English Contra Dance band all staged their own contras, and Fiddlin Around stormed the Festival Dance House at Sidmouth. We really enjoyed our Alterationscontra events in 2002. Some great dancing! Keep those twirls and whirls coming.. We value the chance to meet and chat to you in between times, because this is all about having fun with friends. Thanks for all the advice and support. Please keep the ideas flowing. Long established American dance clubs like London Barndance had several evenings devoted to contra. A number of dance clubs had American guests: Atlantic Crossing appeared in Leeds, for example. Dave Brown’s latest CD featured some great contra dance tunes, and John Meechan produced Illicit Goods (contraband, geddit?) Clubs like Flying Clouds and the Round in Cambridge continue to produce new musicians and contra callers. Some of you went over the US to find the ‘real thing’…
So what is planned for 2003?
We want to help the contra dance community to grow. The aim of this newsletter is to pass on as much good news as possible. The growing interest in contra now includes people on the ceilidh circuit as well as dancers who have been running American evenings for years. We need to include new people and maintain the interest of the enthusiasts. If anyone would like to write a few words about how this is happening in their area, we would be very interested to hear from you! Festivals are beginning to realise contra is the new black: Bridgnorth Folk Festival is advertising contra dances alongside ceilidh and French Dance. Alterations will be in contra mode for some Chippenham events this year. John and Hilary Turner have started Copythorne contras. Hawk Green Hoe Down club are celebrating their 21st anniversary this year. Details of all events: see the listings!
Rodney Miller and Airdance tour.
One of the architects of the contra dance revolution in the US, the master fiddler Rodney Miller, is bringing a five-piece band called Airdance to Sidmouth this year. The band will be playing in the social dance marquees and also concert and ceilidh venues. There will be a unique chance to work with Rodney as a musician or caller, and to dance to his music, at Contra Hothouse from 21st-25th July at Halsway Manor in Somerset. This event has been made possible by four of our most talented callers making time to be there: Mike Barraclough, Mike Courthold, Rhodri Davies and John Meechan. Don’t miss it! Three members of Airdance go on a contra dance tour from 25th-27th July across the UK. The tour includes a rare chance to dance to Joe Hodgson on July 26th at Alcester. Then the first ever contra dance music workshops at Folkworks… Rodney said: ‘totally rad.!’
Visits to and from the US?
A member of Guildford club, a community with a long history of American connections, suggested that it would be good to know which events in the US are attracting dancers from the UK. If you are going dancing in the US, pass on your hot tips. Jim Robb is in contact with American bands and callers who want to tour here in June 2004. Look out for English Contra Dance Band and Joseph Pimentel, and Henry Morgenstein’s Yanks meet Limeys tour in May. Now you need to know when and where…
But first a couple of health warnings!
We can only include dates we know about. Many long established dance communities don’t need our listings. But if you are trying something new, remember we post out copies, email many more and distribute at our gigs. The extra publicity may help. Second: we are now trying to show American evenings in one table, and events aiming for high-energy contra in another. If you want your event the other table, please shout!What is high energy contra? |
Contras in the UK February to July 2003 |
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