Adina Gordan calling to the Tribal Tune Twisters.
I know I've missed things, but I figured that I'd record my feelings about the Tribal Tune Twisters.
If I'd known how awesome they were, I would have gone both Fri and Sun. but I didn't recognize any of their names.
That being said- Adina Gordan's Amazing!
Tribal Tune Twisters are a lot of fun. Comprised of David DiGiuseppe on accordian, and etc. Roger Gold on guitar, and Jim Roberts on all sorts of percussion. High energy all around.
In particular Jim Roberts was an amazing percussionist. I love drums. I love dancing. and the combo is heavenly.
Adina's calling for Crowfoot in early December. Much to look forward to!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
Dance Schedule
Several people have asked me for updates on when the "good" bands are coming into town, so I figured that I would compile a list for myself of tentative dates when I'm going to be able to make it dancing in the near future.
Sept 12-14 Youth Dance weekend Plymouth, VT youthdanceweekend.org
Going to be Hella awesome. Leaving Thursday to crash in Philly. Then lots of good times.
Sept. 19 Tori Barone calling to Notorious
Sept. 21 Scott Higgs calling to Notorious
I’m thinking that I’ll probably only get to one of these-pending work schedule and energy. Friday night’s my inclination, but that might be hindered by the working. They are also playing a concert Saturday in DC. I’m contemplating going to that too.
Oct. 5 Rick Mohr calling to Nightingale
Rick’s a fun caller, but on the other hand, I’m not a fan of the band. This seems to be sacrilegious to many of my friends, but it seems to me that the band tends to get a rather cult-like following.
Oct . 17 Gaye Fifer calling to the Avant Gardners
Who knows what to expect the sounds to be- they seem to play anything and everything. I’ve danced to all sorts of pop tunes, sang as I danced, and the only thing you really know is that the energy’s going to be high, and that Gaye is going to lead some great dances. I’m thinking I might make it, but it is closing weekend of Faire so who knows. (and PomPom’s probably going to be visiting)
Oct 24-26 Adina Gordan calling to the Tribal Tune Twisters
Adina Gordan’s a great caller. I don’t know who the people that comprise the band, and I’ve never heard them (or of them until this tour). They’re playing GE Friday night, Frederick Saturday night, and GE Sunday night. I’m thinking I might make one of them, but it is closing weekend of Faire so who knows. I’m contemplating going up the the PA Faire this weekend, so I dunno which, if any, that I’m going to make.
Oct 31 Ted Hodapp calling to Floorplay
King of the one liners, there’s going to be some groaning going on between the dances. That being said, he’s a fun guy, and a decent caller. Floorplay however is going to be AMAZING!!! I danced to them just a few weeks ago at GE Friday night, and the energy just rocked! I personally don’t know if I’m going to be there as its Halloween and It depends on the mood and if there are other plans.
Nov 7 Gwyn Williams calls to Toad Mamas
I don’t know any of the names, but they’re from Charlottesville, so that means that there should be some fun dancers there that I don’t get to see very often. I’ll probably be there.
Nov 16 Anna Rain calls to Taylor Among the Devils
One of the Steve Hickman bands, it’ll be decent music. Anna Rain’s the pull for me- she’s a very clean caller with fun dances in her repitoire.
Nov 23 Scott Higgs calls to The Contraptions
The Contraptions = good band. Worth driving to GE for.
Nov 28 TBA with Lift Ticket
Lift Ticket is one that I’ve never danced to, but I’ve heard people talking. Black Friday- what a better way to finish up shopping.
Nov 29 ButterBall strutyourstuffing.org
Beth Molaro/Rick Mohr/Bob Issacs/Gaye Fifer call to Lift Ticket/Government Contra Act/Pieces of Eight/ AND Crowfoot!
12 HOTT hours of dancing. If you don’t have any familial obligations the Sat. after Thanksgiving- this is always a must and is looking fantastic as always this year. New location this year, and it sounds like the floor was actually made for dancing on. Wahoo!! Beware: With 12 hours of dancing, your feet will hurt after this.
Nov. 30 Bob Issacs calls to Government Contra Act
This one will depend on how they (mostly the caller) do the day before (well, and how much recovery is needed)- but the musicianship is WONDERFUL!!!
Dec. 5 TBA with Crowfoot
Who cares who’s calling? Its Crowfoot. Awesome times ensue.
Dec. 7 Adina Gordon’s calling to Crowfoot.
Adina + Crowfoot + Sunday night dancers = who can possibly describe the awesomeness??
Dec 19 TBA with The Morrison Brothers Band
Full of characters, who happen to be awesome musicians, and they don’t play together very often, so it’s a treasure when they do.
Sept 12-14 Youth Dance weekend Plymouth, VT youthdanceweekend.org
Going to be Hella awesome. Leaving Thursday to crash in Philly. Then lots of good times.
Sept. 19 Tori Barone calling to Notorious
Sept. 21 Scott Higgs calling to Notorious
I’m thinking that I’ll probably only get to one of these-pending work schedule and energy. Friday night’s my inclination, but that might be hindered by the working. They are also playing a concert Saturday in DC. I’m contemplating going to that too.
Oct. 5 Rick Mohr calling to Nightingale
Rick’s a fun caller, but on the other hand, I’m not a fan of the band. This seems to be sacrilegious to many of my friends, but it seems to me that the band tends to get a rather cult-like following.
Oct . 17 Gaye Fifer calling to the Avant Gardners
Who knows what to expect the sounds to be- they seem to play anything and everything. I’ve danced to all sorts of pop tunes, sang as I danced, and the only thing you really know is that the energy’s going to be high, and that Gaye is going to lead some great dances. I’m thinking I might make it, but it is closing weekend of Faire so who knows. (and PomPom’s probably going to be visiting)
Oct 24-26 Adina Gordan calling to the Tribal Tune Twisters
Adina Gordan’s a great caller. I don’t know who the people that comprise the band, and I’ve never heard them (or of them until this tour). They’re playing GE Friday night, Frederick Saturday night, and GE Sunday night. I’m thinking I might make one of them, but it is closing weekend of Faire so who knows. I’m contemplating going up the the PA Faire this weekend, so I dunno which, if any, that I’m going to make.
Oct 31 Ted Hodapp calling to Floorplay
King of the one liners, there’s going to be some groaning going on between the dances. That being said, he’s a fun guy, and a decent caller. Floorplay however is going to be AMAZING!!! I danced to them just a few weeks ago at GE Friday night, and the energy just rocked! I personally don’t know if I’m going to be there as its Halloween and It depends on the mood and if there are other plans.
Nov 7 Gwyn Williams calls to Toad Mamas
I don’t know any of the names, but they’re from Charlottesville, so that means that there should be some fun dancers there that I don’t get to see very often. I’ll probably be there.
Nov 16 Anna Rain calls to Taylor Among the Devils
One of the Steve Hickman bands, it’ll be decent music. Anna Rain’s the pull for me- she’s a very clean caller with fun dances in her repitoire.
Nov 23 Scott Higgs calls to The Contraptions
The Contraptions = good band. Worth driving to GE for.
Nov 28 TBA with Lift Ticket
Lift Ticket is one that I’ve never danced to, but I’ve heard people talking. Black Friday- what a better way to finish up shopping.
Nov 29 ButterBall strutyourstuffing.org
Beth Molaro/Rick Mohr/Bob Issacs/Gaye Fifer call to Lift Ticket/Government Contra Act/Pieces of Eight/ AND Crowfoot!
12 HOTT hours of dancing. If you don’t have any familial obligations the Sat. after Thanksgiving- this is always a must and is looking fantastic as always this year. New location this year, and it sounds like the floor was actually made for dancing on. Wahoo!! Beware: With 12 hours of dancing, your feet will hurt after this.
Nov. 30 Bob Issacs calls to Government Contra Act
This one will depend on how they (mostly the caller) do the day before (well, and how much recovery is needed)- but the musicianship is WONDERFUL!!!
Dec. 5 TBA with Crowfoot
Who cares who’s calling? Its Crowfoot. Awesome times ensue.
Dec. 7 Adina Gordon’s calling to Crowfoot.
Adina + Crowfoot + Sunday night dancers = who can possibly describe the awesomeness??
Dec 19 TBA with The Morrison Brothers Band
Full of characters, who happen to be awesome musicians, and they don’t play together very often, so it’s a treasure when they do.
Sunday Glen Echo
I know its been a while- and I never finished my Falcon Ridge story, but life got hectic.
I've not danced for 3 weeks. At All. That changed last night. I don't usually dance much during MDRF because I'm on my feet all day, and feel exhausted usually once I get off...
Last night was so worth the exhaustion!!! I got off early from Faire (well, close to the normal time, but it was supposed to be later) and flew down to GE to get there for one dance before break. Normally this wouldn't be worth the drive time, let alone money. BUT Nils Fredland was calling/playing with Elixir. I don't think that (at least anytime soon) that band can play a bad night. Seriously, they are all indiviually awesome musicians that kick ass and have a really high energy constantly when playing together. And where else do you get a trumpet, clarinet, and a trombone playing contra music? Gotta love the horns. All this, and Nils is an amazing caller.
Obviously, the night kicked ass. Musically, dancing-wise, and dancers-wise. YAYAYAY!!
I've not danced for 3 weeks. At All. That changed last night. I don't usually dance much during MDRF because I'm on my feet all day, and feel exhausted usually once I get off...
Last night was so worth the exhaustion!!! I got off early from Faire (well, close to the normal time, but it was supposed to be later) and flew down to GE to get there for one dance before break. Normally this wouldn't be worth the drive time, let alone money. BUT Nils Fredland was calling/playing with Elixir. I don't think that (at least anytime soon) that band can play a bad night. Seriously, they are all indiviually awesome musicians that kick ass and have a really high energy constantly when playing together. And where else do you get a trumpet, clarinet, and a trombone playing contra music? Gotta love the horns. All this, and Nils is an amazing caller.
Obviously, the night kicked ass. Musically, dancing-wise, and dancers-wise. YAYAYAY!!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Falcon Ridge (Part 2- Thurs./Fri.)
Thursday-
I woke up surprisingly early (I think it was like 7:30ish). I took my time getting up, not wanting to get up, especially after I looked at my phone and realized how early I'd woken. And yes, it was still raining. I wandered over to the volunteer feed trough for some grub, made new friends (including a 3 yr old who is hilarious), and figured that I'd try and figure out when my crew's meeting was. When I arrived at the Merch tent, I ended up working for the next few hours setting up tables, etc. I'd left my phone in my tent, and didn't feel like going back, so part of the reason why I was there was to make sure I wasn't late. One o'clock came around, and we got set up, but because one of the important people wasn't there, we only signed up for the Thursday even. shift and left. I wandered around, watched the vendors set up, met up with some friends, ate some, met my neighbors, danced some, and then headed back for my shift. I really liked most of the crew. There were some annoying people, but overall there were some really cool people that I hope come back to work the crew next year too.
After shutting down, I headed back to the dance tent. The band that evening was The Horse Flies. Overall, I thought they would've been a really great square dance band, but middle of the evening apparently they changed the plan and made it contras. I was rather disappointed that Beth Molaro (who I really like her squares) didn't call a single one the entire set. This continued the general feeling that the festival wasn't as organized as it was last year. The program said squares, and really, for those of us who couldn't spend the entire evening in the dance tent to hear the change of program, it was quite aggravating. It probably didn't help that we had some rather intoxicated beginners dancing thru the night, and the lack of phrasing in the music (which isn't a problem with squares, but a rather increasing annoyance for contras) meant that I had to think quite a bit more than I was expecting to. I, surprising myself, made it through the entire set, with some good dancers and with people that weren't, but still a decent way to start off the festival...Then back to the tent for some well earned sleep...
Friday-
Because Jody didn't get to site until late-ish Thursday, we all had a 9 am meeting to se the tent up, as well as sign up for the rest of the shifts. I had set an alarm before I went to sleep, but, again, I woke up waaay early. For someone who's not a morning person, and prob didn't get to sleep before 3, I can't say that I woke up on the right side of the...sleeping bag? But at least it wasn't raining, and the sky looked like it was going to be a gorgeous day. I got up, ate some decent food at the feed trough, and went to the meeting. Setting up went well, and happened quickly. Much more quickly than the scheduling... This was probably the most frustrating and irritating part of the whole weekend. There were so many things that just didn't make sense to me, but then again, this year changed the pattern of how they were doing the schedule, and some people find it hard to adjust. GRAR!!! and I just wanted a nap. by the time we'd gotten the schedule done it was past 11, which was opening time. I went on a trip to get our Exit Only signs attached to stakes and stuck in the ground. Its nice to know that the efforts you expend are useful- Thurs night I had gotten annoyed with the number of people coming in the Exits. The number was almost null once I got the signs in. Yay productiveness! I really enjoy the people that I worked with... I got off and headed to the Kids Tent to watch the Storycrafters. To my surprise, Sargon joined me. From there, I went to dance (I don't even remember who was playing),nap some, chill with my neighbors, have a beer, decide that should make my way back to the dance tent, and ran into more friends who were on their way to watch Patty Larkin on Mainstage. I wasn't really feeling like dancing, so I went to join them. From there it was dinner time, and then time for me to wander back to the Merch tent for my 2nd shift of the day.
One of the things that I really like about working in the Merch tent is that you get to actually meet the performers. That being said, I'm a dancer, not one that follows the folk music when I'm not at the festivals, so they're not superstars to me. I've also grown up around performers, and they're always people. It was also fun to see how excited the Emerging Artists were just to have made it that far. So I closed up shop, and headed to the dance tent for the night. Katherine Whetherburn I think was calling. She's fine, not great, but perfectly danceable. The band was better than the night before, which was good. I was also surprised at how many DC dancers were there; it was nice to see some familiar faces in the crowd. Again, another late night, but satisfied with the day.
The rest of the weekend when I feel like typing more...
I woke up surprisingly early (I think it was like 7:30ish). I took my time getting up, not wanting to get up, especially after I looked at my phone and realized how early I'd woken. And yes, it was still raining. I wandered over to the volunteer feed trough for some grub, made new friends (including a 3 yr old who is hilarious), and figured that I'd try and figure out when my crew's meeting was. When I arrived at the Merch tent, I ended up working for the next few hours setting up tables, etc. I'd left my phone in my tent, and didn't feel like going back, so part of the reason why I was there was to make sure I wasn't late. One o'clock came around, and we got set up, but because one of the important people wasn't there, we only signed up for the Thursday even. shift and left. I wandered around, watched the vendors set up, met up with some friends, ate some, met my neighbors, danced some, and then headed back for my shift. I really liked most of the crew. There were some annoying people, but overall there were some really cool people that I hope come back to work the crew next year too.
After shutting down, I headed back to the dance tent. The band that evening was The Horse Flies. Overall, I thought they would've been a really great square dance band, but middle of the evening apparently they changed the plan and made it contras. I was rather disappointed that Beth Molaro (who I really like her squares) didn't call a single one the entire set. This continued the general feeling that the festival wasn't as organized as it was last year. The program said squares, and really, for those of us who couldn't spend the entire evening in the dance tent to hear the change of program, it was quite aggravating. It probably didn't help that we had some rather intoxicated beginners dancing thru the night, and the lack of phrasing in the music (which isn't a problem with squares, but a rather increasing annoyance for contras) meant that I had to think quite a bit more than I was expecting to. I, surprising myself, made it through the entire set, with some good dancers and with people that weren't, but still a decent way to start off the festival...Then back to the tent for some well earned sleep...
Friday-
Because Jody didn't get to site until late-ish Thursday, we all had a 9 am meeting to se the tent up, as well as sign up for the rest of the shifts. I had set an alarm before I went to sleep, but, again, I woke up waaay early. For someone who's not a morning person, and prob didn't get to sleep before 3, I can't say that I woke up on the right side of the...sleeping bag? But at least it wasn't raining, and the sky looked like it was going to be a gorgeous day. I got up, ate some decent food at the feed trough, and went to the meeting. Setting up went well, and happened quickly. Much more quickly than the scheduling... This was probably the most frustrating and irritating part of the whole weekend. There were so many things that just didn't make sense to me, but then again, this year changed the pattern of how they were doing the schedule, and some people find it hard to adjust. GRAR!!! and I just wanted a nap. by the time we'd gotten the schedule done it was past 11, which was opening time. I went on a trip to get our Exit Only signs attached to stakes and stuck in the ground. Its nice to know that the efforts you expend are useful- Thurs night I had gotten annoyed with the number of people coming in the Exits. The number was almost null once I got the signs in. Yay productiveness! I really enjoy the people that I worked with... I got off and headed to the Kids Tent to watch the Storycrafters. To my surprise, Sargon joined me. From there, I went to dance (I don't even remember who was playing),nap some, chill with my neighbors, have a beer, decide that should make my way back to the dance tent, and ran into more friends who were on their way to watch Patty Larkin on Mainstage. I wasn't really feeling like dancing, so I went to join them. From there it was dinner time, and then time for me to wander back to the Merch tent for my 2nd shift of the day.
One of the things that I really like about working in the Merch tent is that you get to actually meet the performers. That being said, I'm a dancer, not one that follows the folk music when I'm not at the festivals, so they're not superstars to me. I've also grown up around performers, and they're always people. It was also fun to see how excited the Emerging Artists were just to have made it that far. So I closed up shop, and headed to the dance tent for the night. Katherine Whetherburn I think was calling. She's fine, not great, but perfectly danceable. The band was better than the night before, which was good. I was also surprised at how many DC dancers were there; it was nice to see some familiar faces in the crowd. Again, another late night, but satisfied with the day.
The rest of the weekend when I feel like typing more...
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Falcon Ridge '08 (part 1-Wed)
I almost didn't end up blogging this, and I'm not sure why. As I've been reading about other people's experiences, I felt like I should share my story of the weekend.
I woke up Wednesday with no voice, fixed myself some honey with a splash of tea to try and bring it back and waited for Sargon to get to my house. He arrived, and (miraculously) we got off at the intended departure time. I usually say one time and expect to leave about a half hour later. I've grown up in a large family that's not usually the easiest to get moving in the same direction at the same time and so adopting this expectation has saved me much aggravation over various trips. Other dance trips people have remarked on my calmness when we leave a bit later than expected, and I attribute it to familial experiences. Anyways, we drove up 83 to 81 to 84 to Taconic State Parkway to 23 to 22 to Falcon Ridge! How simple is that! It was a very pretty drive with traffic flowing very nicely- until about 20 miles outside of NY, where we hit practically solid sheets of rain. It continued to rain the rest of the way there (with me trying to think positive thoughts about dry campgrounds, or at least a bubble over them so I didn't have to set up my tent in the rain). Then it slows as we approach Hillsdale, and when we turned onto 22 it had stopped. We pulled into the parking lot, sliding just a little bit on the mud. Sargon and I both managed to check in, trek back to the car through the mud, hike up to where we put up our tents, set up our tents, trek back to the car and get our stuff into our tents before it started raining. And it did indeed start again! I wandered around, ate some food, listened to the all important volunteer information. I then wandered off to my tent while they were setting the sound equipment up for the Open Mic Volunteer night, and fell asleep. I was awoken a few hours later to the sound of drums. Drums call to me. So I answered- I found a drum/song circle in the Ice Tent, and hung out/danced/listened for a few hours. As the group was shrinking, I wanted to bed, fully satisfied with my day.
Thursday... More coming soon... when I feel like more typing...
I woke up Wednesday with no voice, fixed myself some honey with a splash of tea to try and bring it back and waited for Sargon to get to my house. He arrived, and (miraculously) we got off at the intended departure time. I usually say one time and expect to leave about a half hour later. I've grown up in a large family that's not usually the easiest to get moving in the same direction at the same time and so adopting this expectation has saved me much aggravation over various trips. Other dance trips people have remarked on my calmness when we leave a bit later than expected, and I attribute it to familial experiences. Anyways, we drove up 83 to 81 to 84 to Taconic State Parkway to 23 to 22 to Falcon Ridge! How simple is that! It was a very pretty drive with traffic flowing very nicely- until about 20 miles outside of NY, where we hit practically solid sheets of rain. It continued to rain the rest of the way there (with me trying to think positive thoughts about dry campgrounds, or at least a bubble over them so I didn't have to set up my tent in the rain). Then it slows as we approach Hillsdale, and when we turned onto 22 it had stopped. We pulled into the parking lot, sliding just a little bit on the mud. Sargon and I both managed to check in, trek back to the car through the mud, hike up to where we put up our tents, set up our tents, trek back to the car and get our stuff into our tents before it started raining. And it did indeed start again! I wandered around, ate some food, listened to the all important volunteer information. I then wandered off to my tent while they were setting the sound equipment up for the Open Mic Volunteer night, and fell asleep. I was awoken a few hours later to the sound of drums. Drums call to me. So I answered- I found a drum/song circle in the Ice Tent, and hung out/danced/listened for a few hours. As the group was shrinking, I wanted to bed, fully satisfied with my day.
Thursday... More coming soon... when I feel like more typing...
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Friday night
Caller: Micheal Barraclough
Band: Gypsy Meltdown
Well, I decided to go mainly because I had gotten an email from a friend of a friend, and so I had carpool ppl. The drive goes so much quicker with other people in the car!
I get there and boy am I glad I went! I ended up dancing with some of my favorite dancers, all in a row... and I danced with a newbie, which was actually pleasant. That dance in particular was kinda self-rewarding- the comments/suggestions that I made actually made the dance flow better. Yay!! I'm glad to have been going there often enough to have a community there.
The caller, well... he has interesting dances: one in particular I still remember: The Fantasy Contra: both women gypsy(aka eye up) Gent 2, both women gypsy Gent 1, then women choose who they want to swing with. End swing facing down, down the hall, turn around (as a couple if with partner, alone if with neighbor), circle to home and pass thru. I was lucky to have a good partner that one, but not so great of a line. I feel that if we'd been in a line of really familiar people then it would have been fabulous chaos.
As always, I loved Gypsy Meltdown. Last night was probably one of the best night that I remember of them playing such a big hall. My usual comment for them is that they blow a little hall out of the water, but they get lost in a big hall. Last night was not the case. They definitely were the shining stars of the night.
Band: Gypsy Meltdown
Well, I decided to go mainly because I had gotten an email from a friend of a friend, and so I had carpool ppl. The drive goes so much quicker with other people in the car!
I get there and boy am I glad I went! I ended up dancing with some of my favorite dancers, all in a row... and I danced with a newbie, which was actually pleasant. That dance in particular was kinda self-rewarding- the comments/suggestions that I made actually made the dance flow better. Yay!! I'm glad to have been going there often enough to have a community there.
The caller, well... he has interesting dances: one in particular I still remember: The Fantasy Contra: both women gypsy(aka eye up) Gent 2, both women gypsy Gent 1, then women choose who they want to swing with. End swing facing down, down the hall, turn around (as a couple if with partner, alone if with neighbor), circle to home and pass thru. I was lucky to have a good partner that one, but not so great of a line. I feel that if we'd been in a line of really familiar people then it would have been fabulous chaos.
As always, I loved Gypsy Meltdown. Last night was probably one of the best night that I remember of them playing such a big hall. My usual comment for them is that they blow a little hall out of the water, but they get lost in a big hall. Last night was not the case. They definitely were the shining stars of the night.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Wednesday
Well its Wednesday, and I'm in Baltimore, so I went dancing.
The exciting thing about tonight was that my roommate Becca called her first full contra evening! Yay Becca! This was a really big step, and she did really well! She's better now than some of the callers that have passed through that have been calling for a lot longer. Also, she's one of the first callers that I will have the personal opportunity to follow as she grows into being a caller.
Honestly tho, the calling was my favorite part about tonight. The band was Devine Comedy with Steve Hickman (fiddle), Marty Taylor (whistle, concertina) and John Devine (guitar). They're not bad, but not exciting. I also had some strange dance floor things, and I'm not sure how much of it was me and how much of it was the night. I feel like a large part of it was me, feeling emotionally drained and with no patience.
It was also one of the smallest dances that we've had in awhile (2 months or so? since the Tornado night) and I think it was a large part due to the heat (high of 95 today) and also it is the summertime after all so the attendance is a little unpredictable.
I spent awhile talking to Q today, and he told me why a pair of the regulars had to leave early... Justice faked a hurt leg muscle in order to go home for a surprise birthday party for her hubby. Cool, right? Even better is that his birthday is in December. What?!!?!?!? I thought it was great! Christmas in July? Birthday near Christmas? Sounds like Birthday in July to me. This is part of why I love the Wed. night dance crowd even more than the normal contra crowd. We have so many fun personalities that we see all the time.
The exciting thing about tonight was that my roommate Becca called her first full contra evening! Yay Becca! This was a really big step, and she did really well! She's better now than some of the callers that have passed through that have been calling for a lot longer. Also, she's one of the first callers that I will have the personal opportunity to follow as she grows into being a caller.
Honestly tho, the calling was my favorite part about tonight. The band was Devine Comedy with Steve Hickman (fiddle), Marty Taylor (whistle, concertina) and John Devine (guitar). They're not bad, but not exciting. I also had some strange dance floor things, and I'm not sure how much of it was me and how much of it was the night. I feel like a large part of it was me, feeling emotionally drained and with no patience.
It was also one of the smallest dances that we've had in awhile (2 months or so? since the Tornado night) and I think it was a large part due to the heat (high of 95 today) and also it is the summertime after all so the attendance is a little unpredictable.
I spent awhile talking to Q today, and he told me why a pair of the regulars had to leave early... Justice faked a hurt leg muscle in order to go home for a surprise birthday party for her hubby. Cool, right? Even better is that his birthday is in December. What?!!?!?!? I thought it was great! Christmas in July? Birthday near Christmas? Sounds like Birthday in July to me. This is part of why I love the Wed. night dance crowd even more than the normal contra crowd. We have so many fun personalities that we see all the time.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Ceili #1
This evening I got a call from my friend Hali asking if I wanted to go check out a ceili in Locust Point (@J.Patrick's bar) with her. This has been something that I've wanted to check out for awhile.
Well, actually I can pinpoint my interest to CCDS'07 when I danced a Kerry set to Jim Morrison calling to the inexperienced among us. That week I danced 2/3 different Kerry sets (Jim and Owen both called for us). I also was excited to see set dancing at the Dandelion Romp that I went to in April (even missing out on making banana bread to go dance them).
Anyways...back to tonight! We made our way down there, and were pleasantly surprised, not only by how easy it was to find, but also to find a good, easy, close parking spot. Always a good start to the evening! We were both nervous about going (which is why we went together) especially since she'd had a rough experience trying to jump into sets in Ireland (she went/is going to art school there). I made the mistake of wearing flip flops. As it turns out, the first set we were there for needed another person. I jumped in, and had a blast. The group seems really friendly and helpful! I was lectured about the dangers of dancing sets in flip flops, at the same time I was given major complements about how they wished I'd worn real shoes so that I could dance more. Several people told me how good I did, as well as offering to bring in shoes for me to borrow if I told them when I would be back.
Hali and I watched a few more sets, and then it was over. :( So... we got food. Wow was I surprised at how good the food was. And the food was a lot more reasonably priced than the drinks were (5.40 for 2 fountain cokes????), but the fish and chips were AWESOME!!
As the dancers were clearing out, we also found out that if we show up on any Friday other than the first, we should be able to dance then too. Yay! I feel like (once I get proper shoes) this would be a really fun group to be a part of.
Overall, the group was really friendly and encouraging, but definitely a crowd for an intermediate/experienced dancer only. Most of the figures are talked through first, but not taught. And the musicians were very willing to work with the dancers to find appropriate tunes, and of course, they were also high energy players.
In case anyone's curious: The ceili at J.Patrick's is held every 2nd Sunday from 4:30 til 8:30. Most of the info I found online was from Set Dancing News and J.Patrick's "page"
Well, actually I can pinpoint my interest to CCDS'07 when I danced a Kerry set to Jim Morrison calling to the inexperienced among us. That week I danced 2/3 different Kerry sets (Jim and Owen both called for us). I also was excited to see set dancing at the Dandelion Romp that I went to in April (even missing out on making banana bread to go dance them).
Anyways...back to tonight! We made our way down there, and were pleasantly surprised, not only by how easy it was to find, but also to find a good, easy, close parking spot. Always a good start to the evening! We were both nervous about going (which is why we went together) especially since she'd had a rough experience trying to jump into sets in Ireland (she went/is going to art school there). I made the mistake of wearing flip flops. As it turns out, the first set we were there for needed another person. I jumped in, and had a blast. The group seems really friendly and helpful! I was lectured about the dangers of dancing sets in flip flops, at the same time I was given major complements about how they wished I'd worn real shoes so that I could dance more. Several people told me how good I did, as well as offering to bring in shoes for me to borrow if I told them when I would be back.
Hali and I watched a few more sets, and then it was over. :( So... we got food. Wow was I surprised at how good the food was. And the food was a lot more reasonably priced than the drinks were (5.40 for 2 fountain cokes????), but the fish and chips were AWESOME!!
As the dancers were clearing out, we also found out that if we show up on any Friday other than the first, we should be able to dance then too. Yay! I feel like (once I get proper shoes) this would be a really fun group to be a part of.
Overall, the group was really friendly and encouraging, but definitely a crowd for an intermediate/experienced dancer only. Most of the figures are talked through first, but not taught. And the musicians were very willing to work with the dancers to find appropriate tunes, and of course, they were also high energy players.
In case anyone's curious: The ceili at J.Patrick's is held every 2nd Sunday from 4:30 til 8:30. Most of the info I found online was from Set Dancing News and J.Patrick's "page"
Just Getting Started...
I decided a little while ago that I needed a dance blog. My thinking was that I would write my comments soon after each dance-filled evening, and then I would have a record to refer back to on my feelings on that particular group/band/caller/etc...
We'll see how it goes...
We'll see how it goes...
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