Tag Archives: Alan Winston

English Country Dance April 16

Posted on by

Caller: David Newitt
Music: Humuhumunukunukuapua’a and Strathspey Society Band (Heather MacKay, fiddle; David Newitt, concertina; Bruce Herbold, percussion & clarinet; Patti Cobb, piano; Betsy St.Aubin, flute)
Sound: Mark Heitlinger
Date: Sunday, April 16 (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
Cost: $10 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check)

David Newitt teaches and plays music for regular Scottish and English dances and calls contras and the occasional square dance by night, while doing research in Magnetic Resonance Imaging at UCSF by day. One of the most accomplished country dance teachers in the Bay Area, David is known for his mastery of dance geography and his ability to make complicated dances seem simple.

Humuhumunukunukuapua’a and Strathspey Society Band (Heather MacKay, fiddle; David Newitt, concertina; Bruce Herbold, percussion & clarinet; Patti Cobb, piano; Betsy St.Aubin, flute). As far as we know, we are the world’s best Hawaiian-themed Scottish music band! YOU can engage us to lead & play for Ceilidh dancing, English dance, Contra dance, parties & weddings.

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 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. 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 February 19

Posted on by

Caller: Alan Winston
Music: Quite Carried Away, with special guest Marilyn Cooper
Date: Sunday, February 19 (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
Cost: $10 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.

The music will be provided by Quite Carried Away, our house band: QCA is 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). Marilyn Cooper will be joining as a guest to substitute for Arlene Jamar 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.

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 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. 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.

Contra Dance Sept 24 and English Country Dance Sept 25

Posted on by

We’re hosting two dances this weekend: a contra dance on Saturday, September 24th and an English country dance on Sunday, September 25th. Details for both dances are below.

Contra Dance
Talent: Eric Black calling to the music of Persons in Black
Date: Saturday, September 24, 2022
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)

Eric Black has been calling for four decades, and has called dances in all 50 states and several other countries. One of his specialties has been introducing thousands of first-timers to the joys of contra dancing. Local favorite Persons in Black is Sue Jones on concertina and recorders, David Wright on fiddle and mandolin, Clark Smith on guitar, and Del Eckels on percussion.

A newcomer’s orientation is offered at 6:30 pm, perfect for people who have not contra danced before, or who could use some refresher. Experienced dancers are invited to partner with newcomers during the orientation and early dances to help integrate them into the community.

English Country Dance
Talent: Alan Winston calling to the music of Quite Carried Away
Date: Sunday, September 25, 2022
Time: 2:00-5:00 pm, with newcomer’s workshop at 1:30 pm
Location: Young Ladies Institute, 1400 27th St., Sacramento, CA
Cost: $10 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check)

Alan Winston has called for balls, camps, and special events from Southern California to the Bay Area to Oregon, Washington, and Victoria BC. His clear, cheerful, and witty instruction serve dancers well, and it is Alan’s great joy to share the joy of community through country dance. The music will be provided by Quite Carried Away, our house band: Dick Holdstock on octave mandolin and banjo, Susan Jones on concertina, Arlene Jamar on piano, Jane Kostka on whistle, Martin Lodahl on viola da gamba, and David Wright on fiddle and mandolin.

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. Both 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.

October 4 English Country Dance

Posted on by

This coming Sunday, October 4, should be our first official dance of the Fall Season, but tell the weatherman that!  Regardless, it’s gonna be a special day!  Caller Alan Winston has programmed several brand-new-to-our-group dances, along with familiar favorites.  With the perfectly matched harmonies provided by the “magnificent seven” musicians of Quite Carried Away, it’ll be a day not to miss!

Alan Winston & Quite Carried Away

Alan Winston & Quite Carried Away

  • Date: October 4, 2015
  • Time: 3:00 – 6:00PM, with newcomer’s workshop at 2:30PM
  • Location: Polish American Hall, 327 Main St, Roseville
  • $10 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families

It’s always lovely when people bring a snack to share!

As usual, beginners are welcome and no partners are necessary.  If you are bringing, or know of any, first-timers, please urge them to come at 2:30 for the Introductory Workshop that precedes the dance.  All dancers are welcome at the workshop, but first-time attendees receive a coupon for half-off admission at their next dance!