Presenting an English Country Dance in Roseville, and a Contra in Winters. We’ll describe the English dance first, then the Contra.
The Sacramento Country Dance Society, building community through lively dances, live music, and friendly people, proudly presents:
Caller: Bruce Hamilton
Music: Quite Carried Away
Sound: Sue Jones and David Wright
Date: Sunday, November 3rd (First Sunday)
Time: 2:00-5:00 pm
Location: Masonic Lodge, 235 Vernon St., Roseville, CA
Cost: $12 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check)
Bruce Hamilton is a well-respected, thoughtful, and energetic teacher of English and Scottish dancing with 45 years’ experience. He has launched dance classes, trained teachers, coached performing groups, and adjudicated festivals.
A retired research scientist, Bruce is always looking for new ways to understand and present ideas for the dancer. Whenever he presents workshops, he weaves many conceptual threads besides dance technique and choreography into his lessons.
Musicality, sociability, and physiology are his current favorites. People often say they come away with a different way to experience and think about dance. Occasionally he holds a weekend teachers’ class that also draws high praise. He continues to run a bi-weekly English dance class in the Bay Area. In the recent past, he was the president of the Country Dance and Song Society. With invitations to teach at many festivals and dance camps each year, he has taught workshops all around the United States and in the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and Australia.
Six musicians and friends under the direction of David Wright and Sue Jones. Just give them English Country Dance music to play, and they’re Quite Carried Away!
The members of QCA are (clockwise from upper right): Martin Lodahl (viola da gamba), Susan Jones (English concertina), Jane Kostka (whistle), David Wright (violin and mandolin), Arlene Jamar (piano), and Dick Holdstock (octave mandolin and tenor banjo).
Quite Carried Away is the home band for the English Country Dances.
As usual, beginners are welcome. If you are bringing, or know of any, first-timers, please urge them to come at 1:30 for the introductory workshop that precedes the dance. No partners are needed, so come by yourself or with friends or with family. The Masonic Lodge is fully handicapped-accessible, using the elevator just inside the front door. Events at the YLI are somewhat accessible to people with disabilities, but not perfectly. Ask for help within.
It’s always nice when folks bring snacks to share–please bring items that don’t require plates or utensils. Please bring your own water bottles.
For more information, and lost and found, contact Laura Leonelli, 916-549-7093, or email info@sactocds.org. Our schedule of future dances is always available at https://sactocds.org/calendar/. You may join our email list on groups.io at https://groups.io/g/SactoCDS/. Please enter your name when joining.
COVID Safety Information:
Latest update: June 2024
The policies below are intended to balance our desire to dance with the safety of our community, including both our dancers and the wider public. If you are feeling ill, please stay home and join us at another event when you’re feeling well.
Vaccination
COVID vaccination and up-to-date boosters are highly recommended but not required.
Masks
Based on current immunity levels and transmission rates in our community, good quality, well-fitting masks are recommended but not required on the dance floor and in other indoor spaces at all our dance locations.
Food and Drink
Hydration is important while dancing. Dancers are encouraged to bring their own water bottles.
Please bring snacks to share with the community. Dancers may eat in the area near the food table or outside. Please don’t spill food or water on the dance floor.
And now the Winters Contra:
winterstheatre.org, in collaboration with the Sacramento Country Dance Society, proudly presents:
Caller: Dane Wallinga
Music: Sactown Revelers (Kathrine Gardner, Cynthia Llano, and Allen Barnes)
Sound: Ken Britten
Date: Sunday, November 3rd (First Sunday)
Time: 2:00-5:00 pm
Location: The Winters Opera House, 13 Main St., Winters, CA
Cost: $15 at the door
Dane Wallinga has quickly become a Bay Area go-to caller, giving dancers a thoughtful program of interesting, fun dances, called with a relaxed style. He has choreographed a number of dances himself.
Rockin’ vintage tunes for your contra dancing pleasure! Kathrine Gardner discovered her life’s purpose playing some of the first Sacramento contras with Cynthia Llano and David Faulkner in the mid 1980s, then went on to further develop her talents playing in the Bay Area and elsewhere before returning to Sacramento. Local Cynthia Llano, renowned for her musicianship and great backup playing on guitar, mandolin and old-time piano, is a member of the Faulkner Family band (with her husband David Faulkner and their son Joaquin), who play for the third-Fridays dance at the Coloma Grange. Talib Huff calls that dance. Allen Barnes of Davis is a multi-instrumentalist and singer who has played a wide variety of traditional folk music styles for over 50 years. In the 1980s he played with the Possum Trot String Band, whose approach to Southern old time music inspired many, including Kathrine. His mandolin accompaniment in the Revelers kicks up the excitement level for the dancers.
If you’re new at contra, haven’t danced for a while, or would just enjoy a little refresher, the orientation is at 1:30. For more information, contact winterstheatre.org at winterstheatre@gmail.com, or (530)795-4014.
We’re hoping this becomes a regular event!