Emerald City Contra Dancewith the Seattle Folklore Society presentContra dancing every Friday at the Phinney Neighborhood Center 6532 Phinney N, Seattle, in the "Community Hall" (brick building off lower parking lot)Dance from 7:30pm to 10:00pm, beginner's workshop at 7:00 $8 admission, $7 for SFS and PNA members and seniors, $5 for students, under 16 free. First time contra dancers get a coupon for free admission to their next dance. Coupon redemption limited to first five coupons on any single night.Please help the PNA achieve their sustainability goals. Consider carpooling, walking, biking, or riding the bus to the dance. If you drive, please park in the PNA parking lots.Info: 206-440-9839 or emeraldcitycontra@pobox.com Bands and Callers, you can now request a gig online. Information for bands and callers. |
All dances taught. No partner necessary.
Light, comfortable clothing recommended.
Please do not wear cologne, perfume or other strongly scented products. Thanks!Our hall has strict capacity limits. We occasionally need to limit entry due to high attendance.
Enough of the suggestions and disclaimers. Here is what you really want to know...
Schedule of bands and callers:
- May 18 - The Rhythm Rollers and Bob McQuillen: Cathie Whitesides – fiddle, Laurie Andres – accordion, piano, W. B. Reid – guitar, banjo, and Bob McQuillen - piano. David Kaynor calls.
- May 25 - NO DANCE HERE - Go to Seattle Center for the Northwest Folklife Festival: http://www.nwfolklife.org All weekend long there will be tons of dancing (not just contra!) plus lots of other stuff to do, see, hear, eat and buy. The festival begins 11 am Friday and continues until 9 pm Monday.
- June 1 - David Kaynor and Friends. David always puts together a fine set of musicians. Come see what surprise he has in store for us. Tony Saletan calls.
- June 8 - Eva Reich – fiddle, Scotty Leach - piano. These two filled the hall with lucious sound when they played the Lake City dance recently. Come see and hear for yourself. Gordy Euler calls.
- June 15 - Les Pieds Chaud: Sono Hashasaki – fiddle, Devon Leger - fiddle, Joe Micheals - guitar, Marcy Kubbs – piano. Tssssst! Look out, it's the folks with the hot feet! Come burn up the dance floor with us. Caller TBD.
- June 22 - Scotty Leach – fiddle, Cynthia Marie Dillard – piano. Another new duo for Seattle, these young musicians will surely set you dancing with delight. Amy Wimmer calls.
- June 29 - Betsy Branch – fiddle, Terry Wergeland – piano. Not new kids on the block, but perennial favorites, with much experience and expertise, these two will show you why they're so well loved. Susie Kendig calls.
- July 6 - Brandon Vance – fiddle, Mark Minkler – guitar, piano, Michael Connolly – bass. Check Brandon's website for a sample of some music by Brandon and Mark. Caller TBD.
- July 13 - Cathie Whitesides – fiddle, Laurie Andres – accordion, Terry Wergeland – piano. Caller TBD.
- July 20 - RiffRaff. Caller TBD.
- July 27 - Le Fabulous Girls du Ouest Coast. Caller TBD.
- August 3 - JDBM: Jessica Ritts - flute, Dale Hailey - percussion, Bruce Larson - piano, Matti Mero - mandolin. Expect some cool middle-eastern-sounding tunes, nicely percussed. Caller TBD.
- August 10 - Group du Jour: Clyde Curley – fiddle, David Cahn – accordion, Bill Meyer – piano, Festus Jeeter (Ward's distant cousin) – banjo. Caller TBD.
- August 17 - TBD
- August 24 - Fresh Cider: Laurel Stone - fiddle, Craig Shaw - flute, fife, whistle, Phil Katz - melodeons, Dave Goodmanson - piano. Morna Leonard calls.
- August 31 - Tinker's Dram: Brid Nowland - fiddle, Kate O'Laughlin - fiddle, Howard Good - concertina, Jalaine Madura - guitar, Cheryl Adcock - bass. Caller TBD.
- September 7 - Andrew and Noah VanNorstrand. David Kaynor calls.
- September 14 - The Onlies. Caller TBD.
- September 21 - Cascade Crossing. Frannie Marr calls.
Ah, yes, it's time for Northwest Folklife.
You won't find the usual Emerald City volunteers setting up or sitting behind a table (ok, maybe if we are eating...) Here are some of our suggestions to help you enjoy the weekend more.- Bring some food to save some money.
- Bring some snacks to share.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Bring extra clothes so that you can change out of perspiration-soaked clothes.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Bring a toothbrush.
- Bring some money to buy a meal or some really cool crafts.
- Carpool, and split the cost of gas and parking.
- Leave your credit cards at home. Thieves steal from 1 or 2 dancers every year at the Roadhouse, mostly the bags that we leave on the floor.
- Use the various bag-check locations scattered around the Seattle Center, to avoid problems with the item above.
- Drink plenty of water.
- If you see someone standing on the side watching with interest, invite them to dance - and gently teach them.
- Dance to a band that you haven't heard before.
- When you aren't dancing, explore.
- Listen to a busker. Tip them, if you can.
- Don't plan your days completely. Leave some room for discovery.