Next Contradance Announced
COOPERSTOWN—On Friday, September 5, the Otsego Dance Society returns to the First Presbyterian Church in Cooperstown for its next contradance. The event will be held from 7:30-10:30 p.m. at the church, which is located on Pioneer Street across from where Elm Street ends. Music will be by Eileen Kalfass and local musicians Carol Mandigo and Peter Blue. Bob Nicholson will be the caller.
Kalfass will be leading the group, playing fiddle with her classic technique and rich tone, organizers said. Joining her will be Mandigo on guitar and Blue playing accordion and nyckelharpa, both of whom have a background in a variety of styles and genres.
“There should be a unique sound while playing traditional New England and Quebecois tunes, along with some modern ones,” according to a press release.
Nicholson has been calling contra and square dances since 1990 and is one of the organizers of the Syracuse Country Dance. He is known for his ability to select the right dance for the crowd, and his relaxed teaching style has made Nicholson an especially successful caller with beginner dancers, officials said.
Wondering what contradancing is? It’s a lively style of dance done to live music—easy to learn and fun for all ages. No dance partner or experience is needed, since the caller teaches each dance. Plus, newcomers can arrive at 7:15 for a brief introduction to some basic steps.
Dancing begins at 7:30 p.m. and continues until 10:30 p.m., with a short break for refreshments. Suggested donation is $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for students and teen-agers, and free for children 12 and under, with a maximum per family of $25.00.
For more information, call (607) 433-6613 or (607) 547-8164, visit www.otsegodancesociety.weebly.com or like the Otsego Dance Society on Facebook.
This project is funded by Earlville Opera House’s Arts in the Community Grants Program, made possible by the New York State Senate with support of the Office of the Governor, and administered by the New York State Council on the Arts.
