[MusicFriends] John Kirk and Trish Miller - April 7th [Fredonia] & 8th [Olean] Contradance

[Howard Blumenthal]

Come on out for a great weekend of dancing in Western New York!

It's a treat to welcome them to WNY, DON'T MISS John Kirk & Trish  
Miller!
John is a great fiddler, Trish plays banjo & clogs.  Both call lots  
of fun dances!
http://www.johnandtrish.com/

Lively fiddle tunes together with fancy footwork and folksongs are  
featured in a concert from John Kirk & Trish Miller. Highlights of  
their program include John's fiddlin' and Trish's dynamic clog  
dancing. Selections are traditional folksongs & fiddle tunes,  
originals, historical, sentimental & funny pieces. Some tunes are toe- 
tappin' barn-burners!
Since 1988, they have toured throughout the U.S. and abroad, from a  
school down in the Grand Canyon to Barbados, from the local Dance  
Flurry Festival to a concert at the Academy of Culture in St.  
Petersburg, Russia. They are in demand as arts-in-education  
specialists, participating in several residence programs at schools  
and colleges throughout the United States. They have been featured on  
two WMHT-Public TV specials; "Songs from the Heart of the  
Adirondacks" and "Christmas in the Adirondacks".

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FRIDAY APRIL 7TH - FREDONIA, NY

Fredonia First Friday Contra and Square Dance
Friday- April 7, 2006

8 pm

Fredonia Grange Hall
58 West Main St
Fredonia, NY

Live Music by Saratoga’s  John Kirk and Trish Miller http:// 
www.johnandtrish.com/

Great Southern String Band Music
Everyone welcome-come alone or with friends-
All dances taught and called-easy and fun
info-672-2716



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SATURDAY APRIL 8TH - OLEAN, NY


7:30 Saturday April 8th, 2006
Social Hall St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
112 South Clinton Street, Olean, NY 14760

Admission: $6 for adults and $2 for those under 16.

Live Music by Saratoga’s  John Kirk and Trish Miller http:// 
www.johnandtrish.com/
Plus Jodi & Howard Blumenthal

Directions to hall:
 From Rt. 17 (now I-86) take exit 26 (Route 16 south) into Olean. Go  
through downtown (approx 1 mi), one stop light past the  large  
intersection with State Street (rt 417),   Turn LEFT on Henley   
Street, go two blocks, and turn LEFT on Clinton Street.  About  
halfway  up the block to the left is a driveway in front of a white  
building.   Go into the driveway and drive to the back.  Building  
entrance is on  the right.  NOTE:  The church itself is on Barry  
Street, but the entrance to the Social Hall is on Clinton St.

Please join us and bring friends for a fun evening of dancing and  
socializing.

More info, to volunteer, etc.
Barbara Dyskant bdyskant at hearthstead.net
Southern Tier Country Dance Society http://stcds.com
716 557-8978


We always have live music and a live caller.  All ages and levels are  
welcome, and there is no need to bring a partner.  All dances will  
be  taught.  The atmosphere is warm and welcoming.   Bring cool  
clothing even  if the weather is freezing, as you will get warm!

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Hands Four
reprinted with permission from the author: [ http:// 
www.ludgatefarms.com/mus_dance.html#rohde posted here with images and  
mp3s ]
By Greg Rohde
If I'm ever in a coma, somebody announce "Hands Four" and start  
shuffling your feet. If that doesn't bring a smile to my face or get  
my toes tapping, then you know I'm beyond hope.

"Hands Four" is the traditional call that begins every contra dance:  
an invitation to find a partner, join a long line of people and join  
hands with a neighboring couple. Small groups of four are formed all  
the way down the line and dancers eagerly wait for instructions. The  
caller announces a series of moves and the dancers walk through the  
dance a couple of times. When the dancers are comfortable with the  
sequence of moves, the band starts playing, the caller calls the  
figures and the dancers put it all into a fluid motion. What happens  
next is pure magic. For the next ten minutes, the dancers meet,  
separate, weave, reunite and swing. Experienced dancers will adjust  
to their partner or neighbor, dancing more simply with newer dancers  
and adding embellishments with experienced ones. At the end of it  
all, everyone thanks their partner, finds a new partner and lines up  
for another dance.

How did I get hooked?

I stumbled into contra dancing by accident. About 15 years ago, a  
friend asked me if I had ever contra danced. I gave her a quizzical  
look, wondered about the funny name, and asked if it was a Central  
American militaristic thing. Her description made no sense to me, but  
it did pique my curiosity. A couple weeks later, I called to see if  
she was going to the dance that night. When she said "No," I asked  
her for directions and went by myself.

What I discovered that July night was wonderful live music that  
compels me to move, a community that extends great hospitality to new  
dancers and a style of dance that is very easy to learn. Much of  
contra's popularity is in its simplicity: if you can walk, you can  
contra dance. It doesn't matter if you have two left feet. (Contra  
dancing uses a walking step so it doesn't matter which left foot you  
start on.) I was thrilled to encounter a place where the whole  
community dancing together is more important than any one person or  
any couple looking good. I had previously taken some dance lessons  
that were horrible because the instructor kept chastising us for  
every small mistake. Worrying about getting each step right meant  
that the evening caused more stress than it relieved. The contra  
dance floor, on the other hand, was a playful oasis. Everyone was  
very patient with teaching someone who was new, had no idea what was  
going on and lacked a good sense of rhythm. I was hooked. Since then,  
it's seeped into my blood as I've danced thousands of dances and have  
discovered a source of deep joy and great playfulness.

What is contra dancing?

Contra dancing is a communal folk dance in which you and your partner  
dance, eventually, with everyone else in the hall. Before the dance  
starts, you and a partner join a long line of couples and take hands  
with a couple that's next to you. A caller will lead you through a  
series of moves. After you've gone through the series once, you and  
your partner have switched places with the other couple and the two  
of you have a new couple to dance with, and so on.

The caller's role is to guide and support you through the dances.  
Most callers start an evening with the easiest dances and teach every  
new move as it gets introduced into the night's repertoire. Think of  
contra as a language with about 16 main words that are combined in a  
variety of ways to make sentences. You start with simple sentences  
and build from there. The caller's goal is to set you up for success.  
He or she will walk you through a sequence of moves a few times until  
you are comfortable and confident. Once the music starts, the caller  
may prompt you with cues so you can remember the next move. Since the  
dance is a pre-arranged set of moves, you don't need to decide what  
the next move will be. This simplicity is one of contra's advantages  
over other styles of dance, where the leader (usually the man) has to  
be constantly thinking about what the next move will be. In contra,  
that decision is already made, so you can turn off that part of your  
brain and simply be present to the music, your partner and your  
fellow dancers. If you're an experienced dancer, you can throw in  
embellishments and make the dance even more challenging and more fun.  
Since the dance is a combination of a series of moves, the partner  
you're with, the other people in your line, and the band that's  
playing, you never do the same dance twice.

   Some of the moves are similar to square dancing (swing your  
partner, make a star, chain the women — a move that sounds more kinky  
than it is) while others are unique to contra. I usually downplay the  
similarities because contra differs greatly from most people's mental  
pictures of square dancing or their grade-school experience of it. We  
always dance to live music and don't wear square dance costumes.  
Square dancing involves four couples dancing in a group while a  
contra line can accommodate as many couples as space allows. In a  
typical contra evening, there will often be one or two square dances  
and even a pair of waltzes.

Since contra is a social form of dancing, even people who come with a  
date change partners after each dance. This makes it an ideal dance  
form for people who come alone. You don't have to worry about "Who  
will I dance with?" Once you're on the floor, you'll dance with  
everyone. Asking or getting asked to dance has less pressure than in  
other styles of dance. In contra, asking someone to dance usually  
doesn't carry romantic connotations. Remember in any given night you  
might have 10 or 12 different partners. (On the other hand, others  
have found their lifelong partner on the dance floor.) It's also  
acceptable for women to take the initiative and ask men to dance.  
Lastly, more than in other dance styles, you and your partner can  
have very different skill levels and still enjoy dancing together.

Some people refer to contra as "an eye contact sport." While part of  
this is functional (looking into your partner's eyes prevents  
dizziness when spinning) part of this is a result of the friendly  
nature of these dances. Since part of the enjoyment is being with  
others, most dancers will look you in the eye and smile. Where else  
can you go and have people smile at you for a couple of hours? It's  
hard to not feel good about yourself after being showered with that  
kind of affirmation. One thing I love about the dance communities  
I've encountered across the country is that they seem to be groups  
filled with genuine affection.

I like the whimsical definitions of contra. My favorite is "an  
amusement park ride we make for ourselves." We all work together and  
create something that takes us for a ride. It's even more fun than  
the "Scrambler" or "Tilt-A-Whirl" you rode as a child. Another  
description is "the only form of dance in which a member of the  
opposite sex is thrust in your arms every 30 seconds." One  
iconoclastic friend defines it as "a sinless sport in which you sweat  
with many partners." All of these definitions hint at a secret of  
contra: the magic increases as we keep a little tension in our arms.  
With this dynamic tension, we can gently push and pull each other  
along and act as one unified body.

When I was a kid, I had a board game that could entertain me for  
hours. The motto on the box was: "a minute to learn, a lifetime to  
master." Like that childhood game, contra dancing can be learned in a  
few minutes. Since the goal of contra is to have fun, it's heretical  
to speak of "mastering" it. I can say, however, that even with 15  
years of experience, I'm excited at the subtleties I'm still  
learning. In contra dancing, a "good" dancer isn't one who can do  
fancy moves or who never makes a mistake. A good contra dancer is one  
who enjoys the dance immensely; adapts to his/her partner smoothly;  
recovers from mistakes playfully; helps his/her partner "look good"  
gracefully; and, most importantly, increases the joy of everyone else  
in the line easily.

Why do people enjoy contra?

I enjoy contra dancing because it's a place where time stands still.  
I can dance for hours and it seems like a minute. It's a place where  
I can turn off my brain and just relax. Contra dancing, like no other  
activity, compels me to live in the present. When I'm dancing, I'm  
not regretting the past or worried about the future. I'm totally  
focused on the present, a discipline that leads to happiness

I enjoy contra because it's one of the places where I feel most  
alive. It's impossible to be unhappy after three hours of people  
looking you straight in the eyes and smiling. Contra dance is playful  
and fun, a place where adults can be kids. I enjoy contra because  
it's a dance style where it's more important to have fun than to do  
it right; it's simple enough that beginners learn very quickly; and  
it allows experienced dancers and beginners to enjoy being partners  
together.

I love contra dance because it's a communal event. The focus is on  
the whole group dancing together, an entire line playing in unison.  
The live music is compelling, the moves are simple and the sense of  
moving as a group is awesome.

Other people who dance a lot are very enthusiastic about it. You'll  
hear descriptions such as:

"I love meeting people in a smoke-free, alcohol-free, meat market- 
free environment."

"When my co-dancers and I are in the groove, I feel like we're  
trapeze artists. I love the 'Zoom.'"

"The music is irresistible and often hypnotic. I love being compelled  
to smile."

"It's amazing to have so much fun with people I have never met before."

"It's an adrenaline rush that lasts for days."

"I love the contact on so many different levels: the feel of other  
people's balance, transfer of weight, a safe sense of touch, and  
genuine eye contact..."

"It's like flying."

"The most fun part of my exercise program."

"It's less stressful than other dance forms where the man has to  
continually be thinking ahead to the next move."

"Ecstasy — the state, not the drug"

"I'm touched by the communication that happens without any words."

"Transcendent — the closest I get to organized religion."

"People who come here have a genuine friendliness that's refreshing."

"I enjoy turning my brain off for a couple of hours and melting into  
the music."
What type of person would like contra?

Contra appeals to a wide variety of people. Gregarious folks love  
interacting with dozens of people in a few minutes. Shy people enjoy  
meeting others without needing to talk much. Analytical people admire  
the intricate patterns we effortlessly form while more emotional  
folks enjoy the personal bonding. Athletic people enjoy the energetic  
style of dance while sedentary people enjoy the most fun way to get  
in shape without really trying.

What can I expect at my first dance?

Although the dances are easy, most first-timers appreciate a chance  
to learn the basic moves and gain a little confidence. Your best bet  
is to arrive early and attend the workshop. If you can't attend the  
workshop, come for the first dances. The earliest dances are the  
simplest and the callers will provide even more instructions. One of  
the worst things you can do is say, "I'll sit out the first ones and  
watch." This can intimidate some if they focus on the intricate  
patterns of the whole group instead of the simple moves of each  
individual.

If two of you are newcomers, resist your urge to be partners for the  
first few dances. The easiest way for new people to learn is by  
dancing with experienced partners. Experienced dancers will gladly  
help you and the two of you can line up as neighbors when you take  
"hands four." You'll want to dress comfortably and avoid wearing long  
sleeves because you can get quite hot. Many people wear jeans or  
shorts. Some women wear skirts or light dresses because they look  
beautiful while twirling. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes.

St. Louis is fortunate to have a great dance community with a deep  
pool of talented musicians and callers. St. Louis hosts a contra  
dance every weekend at the Monday Club in Webster Groves. A contra  
schedule can be found at www.childgrove.org. St. Louis even hosts two  
dance weekends each year where you can literally dance 'til dawn.  
Dance weekends may attract 400 people from all parts of the country.  
"Dance Gypsies," those who attend several weekends a year, end up  
forming great friendships with others who share their passion for  
dance. One unique dynamic about the national contra community is that  
you may recognize someone's face and remember how much fun you had  
with them a year ago at this same dance weekend. You may not have  
seen this person in a year, and unless you chatted a lot with them  
last year, you may not know this person's last name, occupation,  
religion, political persuasion, their family, or any of the typical  
things you know about people you enjoy spending time with. Since the  
dance floor is a great unifier, none of those things matter.

In addition to enjoying weekend dance festivals, many experienced  
dancers also find a dance when traveling out of town for work or  
pleasure. As a seasoned dancer, I always enjoy showing up in a new  
city, finding a dance community and enjoying their hospitality. It's  
also fun if they ask, "Is this your first time here?" I can honestly  
tell them, "Yes, it is" and let them assume I'm a newbie. Usually, by  
the time the first couple of dances are over, they figure out this  
isn't my first time on the dance floor.

If you like having fun, are willing to try new things, and have a  
playful spirit, join us some weekend for a contra dance. When you  
hear "Hands Four," introduce yourself to a new partner, smile, and  
hang on for the ride.

reprinted with permission from the author