Author Archives: Karen Sandler

Contra Dance Second Sunday

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Caller: Mark Goodwin
Music: Cain Raisers (Erik Hoffman, Stefan Curl, Craig Johnson)
Sound: Ken Britten
Date: Saturday, October 14th, 2023 (second Saturday)
Time: 7:00–10:00 pm, with newcomer’s orientation at 6:30 pm
Location: Coloma Community Center, 4623 T St, Sacramento, CA
Cost: $12 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check); If cost is the only thing preventing you being there, please talk to the greeters at the door.

Mark Goodwin began calling contra dance in Chico in 2001 and has called for local regional dances, including Nevada City and Newcastle. His aim is to call programs that bring everyone along for the ride, with dances that are memorable, have intuitive transitions, and weave familiar and interesting elements into a variety of dancer interactions.

The Cain Raisers are Erik Hoffman (fiddle), Stefan Curl (banjo), and Craig Johnson (piano). Erik Hoffman played fiddle with The Rosin Doctors and The Erik Thor & Hands Four. He loves the spirit and joy that is passed along with traditional music and dance, and loves to share his enthusiasm. Craig Johnson has played piano and accordion for dancers since 1982. He plays with Bangers and Mash at SF’s Dickens Fair, the Dogwatch Nautical Band, and is a regular musician for San Francisco’s longsword team, Ring of Cold Steel.

Newcomer’s orientation is offered at 6:40 pm, perfect for people who have not contra danced before, or who could use a refresher. Experienced dancers are invited to partner with newcomers during the orientation and early dances to help integrate them into the community. No partners are needed, so come by yourself or with friends or with family. Events are accessible to people with disabilities. Potluck snacks are available at the break, and we encourage you to bring something to share.

The SCDS Board has voted to modify Covid requirements. The new policy is as follows:

Covid vaccination and boosters are highly recommended but not required for attending Contra dances. Good quality, well-fitting masks are recommended but not required on the dance floor and other indoor spaces.

Contact: For more information, and lost and found, contact Laura Leonelli, 916-549-7093, or email sactocds@gmail.com. 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.

Note: The location of the SCDS dance calendar has changed. If you subscribed to the calendar before January 1, please unsubscribe from that one and re-subscribe to the new one. On the Calendar page at https://sactocds.org/calendar/, you can subscribe to the calendar so the events show up in your personal Google calendar. Click the plus sign in the lower right hand corner. For iCal users, the link is https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/sactocds%40gmail.com/public/basic.ics. 

First Sunday English Country Dance!

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Caller: Gary Thomas
Music: Quite Carried Away
Sound: David Wright and Sue Jones
Date: Sunday, October 1st (1st Sunday Roseville)
Time: 2:00-5:00 pm, with newcomer’s workshop at 1:30 pm
Location: Polish-American Community Hall, 327 Main St., Roseville, CA 95678
Cost: $12 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check)

Dancing has been a passion of Gary Thomas for as long as he can remember. From a beginning as a square dancer and tap dancer, he added other dance forms to his repertoire, and was able to put this knowledge to good use as a choreographer for musical theater. In 1977, on moving to Minneapolis, Minnesota, Scottish Country Dancing became his “new” craze, and English Country Dancing soon followed. After moving to California, he joined the ranks of English Dance callers and, on occasion, played piano for classes. He continues to teach Scottish Country Dance, and will periodically throw in Vintage Dance, which includes Regency, Victorian, and Ragtime era ballroom dancing.

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. Events are accessible to people with disabilities.

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:

The ECD Committee has reconsidered our COVID policy:

Vaccination

COVID vaccination and boosters are highly recommended but not required.

Masks

For English Country Dances at the Polish Hall facility (1st Sunday), good quality, well-fitting masks are recommended but not required on the dance floor and other indoor spaces.

For English Dances at the YLI facility (3rd Sunday) – All dancers must wear a high-quality mask, such as N95, KN95, or KF94, when in the dance hall.  Masks with exhaust vents are not acceptable because they do not protect other dancers. No surgical or cloth face coverings are allowed.

Third Sunday English Country Dance!

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Caller: Alan Winston
Music: Special guests
Sound: TBD
Date: Sunday, September 17th (3rd Sunday Sacramento)
Time: 2:00-5:00 pm, with newcomer’s workshop at 1:30 pm
Location: Young Ladies Institute (YLI), 1400 27th St, Sacramento, CA 95816 (Please note: street parking is abundant but parking rules vary from block to block. Watch the signs!)
Cost: $12 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check)

Caller, choreographer, and community leader Alan Winston started with Regency dance in 1978 and has been dancing contra since 1985. He’s been calling Regency, English, Early American, and Victorian dance since 1985, and started calling contras in 2006. He’s called for balls, camps, and special events from Southern California to the Bay Area to Oregon, Washington, and Victoria BC.

Music will be provided by a special guest band featuring Bob Wren on violin, Jane Kostka on whistle, and David Syverson on piano.

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. Events are accessible to people with disabilities.

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:

The ECD Committee has reconsidered our COVID policy:

Vaccination

COVID vaccination and boosters are highly recommended but not required.

Masks

For English Country Dances at the Polish Hall facility (1st Sunday), good quality, well-fitting masks are recommended but not required on the dance floor and other indoor spaces.

For English Dances at the YLI facility (3rd Sunday) – All dancers must wear a high-quality mask, such as N95, KN95, or KF94, when in the dance hall.  Masks with exhaust vents are not acceptable because they do not protect other dancers. No surgical or cloth face coverings are allowed.

Contra Dance, July 22nd!

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Caller: Mark Goodwin
Music: Wild Goose Chase (Margo Merideth, Ann Meigs, Kate Dwyer, and Dave Earl)
Sound: Amanda Schmidt
Date: Saturday, July 22nd (4th Saturday)
Time: 7:00-10:00 pm, with newcomer’s workshop at 6:30 pm
Location: Coloma Community Center, 4623 T St, Sacramento, CA
Cost: $12 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check); If cost is the only thing preventing you being being there, please talk to the greeters at the door.

Mark Goodwin began calling contra dance in Chico in 2001 and has called for local regional dances, including Nevada City and Newcastle. His aim is to call programs that bring everyone along for the ride, with dances that are memorable, have intuitive transitions, and weave familiar and interesting elements into a variety of dancer interactions.

Wild Chase formed in 2017 to play for contra dances. Band members Margo Meredith (fiddle), Kate Dwyer (banjo), and Ann Meigs (mandolin) play mostly old time string band music which lends itself to the claw hammer banjo and fiddle. Margo’s husband Jonathan Meredith will step in with rhythm guitar.

Newcomer’s orientation is offered at 6:40 pm, perfect for people who have not contra danced before, or who could use a refresher. Experienced dancers are invited to partner with newcomers during the orientation and early dances to help integrate them into the community. No partners are needed, so come by yourself or with friends or with family. Events are accessible to people with disabilities.

The SCDS Board has voted to modify Covid requirements. The new policy is as follows:

Covid vaccination and boosters are highly recommended but not required for attending Contra dances. Good quality, well-fitting masks are recommended but not required on the dance floor and other indoor spaces.

Contact: For more information, and lost and found, contact Laura Leonelli, 916-549-7093, or email sactocds@gmail.com. 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.

Note: The location of the SCDS dance calendar has changed. If you subscribed to the calendar before January 1, please unsubscribe from that one and re-subscribe to the new one. On the Calendar page at https://sactocds.org/calendar/, you can subscribe to the calendar so the events show up in your personal Google calendar. Click the plus sign in the lower right hand corner. For iCal users, the link is https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/sactocds%40gmail.com/public/basic.ics. 

English Country Dance, July 16th!

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Caller: Lise Dyckman
Music:  Quite Carried Away
Sound: David Wright and Sue Jones
Date: Sunday, July 16th (3rd Sunday YLI)
Time: 2:00-5:00 pm, with newcomer’s workshop at 1:30 pm
Location: YLI, 1400 27th St, Sacramento, CA 95816
Cost: $12 for adults, $8 for college students with ID, $5 for dancers under 18, $25 maximum for families (cash or check)

Lise Dyckman has been teaching and calling English Country Dance (and Contra Dance) for decades, in Philadelphia, New York City, California’s Bay Area region and beyond, and is known for her clear and concise calling, musicality, humor, interest in dance history and attention to welcoming community.

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 first-timers or know of any planning to attend, please urge them to come to the introductory workshop at 1:30pm before the dance. No partners are needed, so come by yourself or with friends or with family. Events are accessible to people with disabilities.

For more information and lost and found, contact Laura Leonelli at 916-549-7093 or via 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:

All dancers must wear a high-quality mask, such as N95, KN95, or KF94, when in the dance hall. Masks with exhaust vents are not acceptable because they do not protect other dancers. No surgical or cloth face coverings are allowed.

Food and Drink

Hydration is important while dancing, and dancers are encouraged to bring their own water bottles. The dancer may step six feet away from other dancers and briefly move the mask aside to drink water inside the hall, or go outside to drink. Dancers are encouraged to bring snacks to share with the community, but must step outside to eat.

English Country Dance, July 2nd!

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Caller: Alan Winston
Music: Quite Carried Away
Sound: David Wright and Sue Jones
Date: Sunday, July 2nd (1st Sunday Roseville)
Time: 2:00-5:00 pm, with newcomer’s workshop at 1:30 pm
Location: Polish-American Community Hall, 327 Main St., Roseville, CA 95678
Cost: $12 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check)

Caller, choreographer, and community leader Alan Winston started with Regency dance in 1978 and has been dancing contra since 1985. He’s been calling Regency, English, Early American, and Victorian dance since 1985, and started calling contras in 2006. He’s called for balls, camps, and special events from Southern California to the Bay Area to Oregon, Washington, and Victoria BC.

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. Events are accessible to people with disabilities.

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:

The ECD Committee is currently reconsidering our COVID policy. Until a final decision is made, please follow the current policy below.

Masks must be worn while inside the building. We recommend N95, KN95, or KF94 masks. It’s always nice when folks bring snacks to share. Please bring your own water and plan to step outside to eat or drink. Windows and doors will be open to ensure good ventilation, so please dress accordingly. Most importantly, if you’re not feeling well, stay home and join us next time.

Contra Dance, June 24th!

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Caller: Dane Wallinga
Music: Whiskey Brothers (Dave Courchaine, John MacFarlane, and Jeff Ward)
Sound: Amanda Schmidt
Date: Saturday, June 24th (4th Saturday)
Time: 7:00-10:00 pm, with newcomer’s workshop at 6:30 pm
Location: Coloma Community Center, 4623 T St, Sacramento, CA
Cost: $12 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check); If cost is the only thing preventing you being being there, please talk to the greeters 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.

From dance halls to a 20+ year regular gig at Berkeley’s famous Albatross Pub, the Whiskey Brothers have a long and storied history of offering up a variety of acoustic music. Up-tempo dance medleys, waltzes, Cajun two-steps, Conjunto polkas, classic country and bluegrass songs and more work their way through the Whiskey Brothers’ performances. The Whiskey Brothers Trio features John MacFarlane (fiddle, accordian), Jeff Ward (mandolin, guitar), and Dave Courchaine (guitar, upright bass).

Newcomer’s orientation is offered at 6:40 pm, perfect for people who have not contra danced before, or who could use a refresher. Experienced dancers are invited to partner with newcomers during the orientation and early dances to help integrate them into the community. No partners are needed, so come by yourself or with friends or with family. Events are accessible to people with disabilities.

The SCDS Board has voted to modify Covid requirements. The new policy is as follows:

Covid vaccination and boosters are highly recommended but not required for attending Contra dances. Good quality, well-fitting masks are recommended but not required on the dance floor and other indoor spaces.

Contact: For more information, and lost and found, contact Laura Leonelli, 916-549-7093, or email sactocds@gmail.com. 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.

Note: The location of the SCDS dance calendar has changed. If you subscribed to the calendar before January 1, please unsubscribe from that one and re-subscribe to the new one. On the Calendar page at https://sactocds.org/calendar/, you can subscribe to the calendar so the events show up in your personal Google calendar. Click the plus sign in the lower right hand corner. For iCal users, the link is https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/sactocds%40gmail.com/public/basic.ics. 

English Country Dance, June 18th!

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Caller: Yvonne Couvillion
Music:  Quite Carried Away
Sound: David Wright and Sue Jones
Date: Sunday, June 18th (3rd Sunday YLI)
Time: 2:00-5:00 pm, with newcomer’s workshop at 1:30 pm
Location: YLI, 1400 27th St, Sacramento, CA 95816
Cost: $10 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check)

Yvonne Couvillion began dancing (waltz, twist, and swing) at age 9 with her mother. She first performed dance in junior high school, and continued dancing in high school and college. She took a class in teaching International Folk Dance in graduate school, and began calling 30 years ago. She met her husband Andre at a contra dance in Bastrop, Texas 26 years ago. They now live in Sacramento where they regularly attend, teach and host a variety of dance events including English Country Dance.

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 first-timers or know of any planning to attend, please urge them to come to the introductory workshop at 1:30pm before the dance. No partners are needed, so come by yourself or with friends or with family. Events are accessible to people with disabilities.

For more information and lost and found, contact Laura Leonelli at 916-549-7093 or via 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:

The SCDS Covid safety policy requires full vaccination, including boosters. Masks must be worn at all times while inside the building. We recommend N95, KN95, or KF94 masks and do not allow masks with exhaust valves (because they don’t protect others), cloth masks, or surgical masks. Please bring your own water and snacks, and plan to step outside to eat or drink, except when we’re in the “green” (low risk) zone, as we are this week. Windows and doors will be open to ensure good ventilation, so please dress accordingly. Most importantly, if you’re not feeling well, stay home and join us next time. If you haven’t been to a dance yet, please email a photo of your vaccination card to Laura Leonelli at lauraleo524@gmail.com before the dance. Please also print a copy of our waiver form, sign it, and bring your paper copy to the dance. You only need to do this once; we will record that you have provided this information, so that it will be valid for future dances.

English Country Dance, June 4th!

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Caller: Gary Sandler
Music:  Quite Carried Away
Sound: David Wright and Sue Jones
Date: Sunday, June 4th (1st Sunday Roseville)
Time: 2:00-5:00 pm, with newcomer’s workshop at 1:30 pm
Location: Polish-American Community Hall, 327 Main St., Roseville, CA 95678
Cost: $10 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check)

Gary Sandler‘s first exposure to dance was when he learned ballroom style in college. Decades later, his son’s involvement in a youth dance program introduced him to International Folk Dance. Over the years, he’s learned a variety of dance styles and developed a particular love of English Country Dance. Gary likes helping dancers get more fun out of their dancing through safe and comfortable hand-holds, practical demonstrations, and clear direct instruction.  Gary likes to vary the dance format for English Country Dances, shifting from lines to circles to squares. Through his local International Folk Dance group’s weekly dance, Gary calls and teaches Romanian, Israeli, Balkan, and Scottish dances in addition to English Country.

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 first-timers or know of any planning to attend, please urge them to come to the introductory workshop at 1:30pm before the dance. No partners are needed, so come by yourself or with friends or with family. Events are accessible to people with disabilities.

For more information and lost and found, contact Laura Leonelli at 916-549-7093 or via 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:

The SCDS Covid safety policy requires full vaccination, including boosters. Masks must be worn at all times while inside the building. We recommend N95, KN95, or KF94 masks and do not allow masks with exhaust valves (because they don’t protect others), cloth masks, or surgical masks. Please bring your own water and snacks, and plan to step outside to eat or drink, except when we’re in the “green” (low risk) zone, as we are this week. Windows and doors will be open to ensure good ventilation, so please dress accordingly. Most importantly, if you’re not feeling well, stay home and join us next time. If you haven’t been to a dance yet, please email a photo of your vaccination card to Laura Leonelli at lauraleo524@gmail.com before the dance. Please also print a copy of our waiver form, sign it, and bring your paper copy to the dance. You only need to do this once; we will record that you have provided this information, so that it will be valid for future dances.