2011 American Dance & Music Week at Pinewoods
Tentative Schedule
| 7:45-8:15 | Hot Breakfast served cafeteria style |
| 8:15-8:45 | Cold Breakfast Coffee/Tea available |
| 8:30-8:50 |
Movement Improvement with Tai Chi: Cis HinkleWe will use gentle movements designed to get your joints lubricated and your muscles and mind warmed up for the dancing day ahead. |
| 9:00-10:00 |
Stylish Contras: Lisa GreenleafMusic by: Peter Barnes, Bill Tomczak, Dave Langford, Mark Murphy Start your day with delightful contras set to inspiring music. Tune up your dance skills as we enjoy a wide repertoire of fun contras. Become a better dancer and attain dance Nirvana! |
Exploring Guitar Accompaniment: Max NewmanThis course will explore guitar accompaniment approaches for fiddle tunes. Daily subjects will range from introductory to advanced and you are free to attend as many or as few as you like based on your interests. Topics include: boom-chuckin’, swing/jazz chords, DADGAD, finding the perfect pick, and taking the ‘standard’ out of standard tuning. Some guitar experience a plus. |
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Piano With Mama Bear: Kim YertonContra dance accompaniment on the keyboard. Rhythm, dynamics and groove! Any level of experience is welcome. |
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| 10:15-11:15 |
The Contra-Square Connection: Cis HinkleMusic by: Ann Percival, Dave Langford, Mark Murphy Many of the interesting and varied movements that make up modern contra dancing are borrowed from, or at least shared with, traditional square dancing. We'll examine some of these moves in both contra and square contexts, and perhaps even explore some moves that have made the return trip. |
Wonderful Waltz: Matthew Duveneck, Anna GilbertMusic by: Peter Barnes, Bill Tomczak, Emily Troll Get caught in the quiet eye of a waltz storm. The ultimate power and beauty of Waltz lies in harnessing the energy of building and releasing movement. Designed for all levels of dance, this class will specifically emphasize good partnering skills for leaders and followers. Cross-step figures and other vintage dance moves will be introduced, as well as tips for both maintaining momentum and absorbing it as to enjoy smoother transitions while navigating the inertia of the room. All levels welcome! |
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Tunes You Might Not Know: Max NewmanCome learn and share some less common tunes, whether they be forgotten oldies or modern compositions. Please bring some tunes to share! Tunes will be recorded and posted on the web after the week, so you won’t have to commit them all to memory. |
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| 11:15-12:15 | Swimming, Bookstore staffed, spaces available |
| 12:15 | Lunch |
| 1:45-2:45 |
Argentine Tango: Matthew Duveneck, Anna GilbertMusic by: Peter Barnes, Bill Tomczak, Dave Langford, Mark Murphy A dance born in Buenos Aires during the earliest days of the last century, Argentine tango is popular all over the world. Ever mysterious, tango is considered by many partner dancers to be the ultimate form of creative dance. We will work on both the livelier "Milonga" style, born of multi- cultures merging in the outskirts of the city, as well as the sweeping, often melancholic tangos of the golden era (1940-50’s). And, we'll make time for "Chacarera" Argentine folk dancing fun! The class will compare tango to other dance forms and will explore a comfortable, joyful way to communicate through this beautiful and intimate dance. Please bring shoes you can pivot with. All levels are welcome! |
What Makes Good Dance Music: Andrew VanNorstrand, Noah VanNorstrandDo you know that moment when the dance and the music and the energy in the hall are all in perfect sync? This class / discussion will cover many different aspects of what makes that moment happen. Most of the subject matter will be of interest to both dancers and musicians (and callers too!), although it may become more musician oriented later in the week. Each day will have a broad focus, for example: "Thinking Like a Dancer" or "Picking the Perfect Tune" or "Between the Sheets: Music Not Fit for Reading" or "Practical Music Theory: Tension and Dynamics" or "Journey to the Edge: Exploring the Outer Limits of Dance Music" or others. Within each of these we'll be able to talk about more specific topics like timing, ear training, improvisation, harmonies and chord substitutions, repertoire and composition, communication on stage, developing creative arrangements of common tunes, etc. Much of the class will also be shaped by the questions and interests of the attendees. |
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Singing: Nils FredlandNils will deliver an instant choir experience that will amaze and inspire. He will lead songs from a wide range of choral singing traditions, focusing on American songs from the shape note and gospel canons, African songs (with accompanying dances!) and a few contemporary a capella gems. Basic music reading skills are helpful, but not necessary. We'll sound like a polished chorus by week's end! |
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| 3:00-4:00 |
Mind-bending Contras and More: Cis HinkleMusic by: Andrew VanNorstrand, Kim Yerton, Noah VanNorstrand For those who want a little more spice in their dancing experience, we'll explore some tricky moves, unexpected twists, and challenging timing in a variety of dance formations. |
Musicians Dance Ensemble: Emily TrollExplore the joys of playing dance music together. Sometimes in large groups, sometimes in small, we'll learn a little about a lot of things: harmony, chords, supporting other musicians, improvising, and creating musical drama. Bring questions, bring suggestions! Students should be able to play close to dance tempo in order to experience this class to the max. |
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Community Art: Ann PercivalThere is nothing like sitting around a big table with a bunch of folks, creating an art project. Please join us as we work on the most fantastic collage project of all time: "Art On A Stick" This is a big mixed media bash with something for everyone. We'll work with wood, collage, house paint, sand paper, puff paint, smashed mirrors, wire, old toys, hot glue guns, beads and tissue paper. We'll each create a piece that can be hung on the wall or put outside, in the ground on a stick. It's fun, creative and easy! No previous experience needed. $5 Materials Fee payable at the first class. |
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| 4:00-4:45 | Tea |
| 4:45-5:30 |
Rendezvous: Lisa GreenleafNot to be missed! This is our community gathering for entertainment and laughs, singing and staff presentations. |
| 5:30-6:00 |
Afternoon Tai Chi Warm-down: Cis HinkleWind down and relax with tai chi, the ancient Chinese meditative martial art sometimes called "swimming in the air". We'll limber up after our day of movement, and perhaps learn a simple form (series of movements) to practice together. |
| 5:30-6:25 | Swimming and Bookstore staffed |
| 6:30 | Dinner |
| 8:00 | Couple Dances |
| 8:15-11:00 | Evening Dance Party |
| 11:00 | After-dance Activities |
July 30 - August 6, 2011
Is there still room?
For up-to-date info about availability and wait lists,
see our Program Weeks page.
Program Description
American Dance & Music Week is a vacation oasis amidst the inspiring setting of Pinewoods. The week is geared towards dancers and players alike, with an accomplished and engaging staff leading the way. Our featured dance classes range from contras and squares to waltz and tango, accompanied by some of the finest players in the country. Musicians can hone their craft with skillful teachers while enjoying various opportunities to learn new repertoire, as well as take part in the many informal jam sessions. Top this off with singing, laughing and socializing, and you have yourself a satisfying camp experience.
The mid-summer weather is perfect for dancing. To start your day off on the right foot, Program Director Lisa Greenleaf leads an invigorating contra style class. Follow that up with the engaging teaching duo of Matthew Duveneck and Anna Gilbert, who enlighten all with accessible patterns of waltz and tango. Cis Hinkle not only shares her satisfying contras and squares, but also leads a morning and afternoon tai chi class to help us keep our dancing bodies limber. The versatile duo of Ralph Sweet and Nils Fredland join us as part of the Singing Squares Callers Course. As always, the evening dances showcase the talents of all the staff, providing a magical experience in C#, our heavenly open-sided wooden-floored pavilion.
Dancers will be excited by the energy of the stellar musical staff. The members of Great Bear Trio are all fun-to-be-around members of camp, and their dance music is electrifying. The Latter Day Lizards can heat up the hall, whether it be for contras, squares or couple dances. Adding to the versatility of the week are top-notch musicians Emily Troll, Max Newman, Mark Murphy and Ann Percival. Ann will also be encouraging our artistic sides with her popular community art class.
For musicians, there is plenty of opportunity to partake and learn in individual instrument classes as well as in the ensemble class, in which campers form small bands for focused learning. This year we feature piano and guitar classes, as well as an interesting session on how to be a dance musician, which both dancers and players can enjoy. You can’t have Nils at camp without offering a rousing and varied singing class, and there will be lots of opportunity to sing in other settings, as well.
Making new friends who come from all over the country makes camp even more fun, for not only does the week feature great dancing and music, but there is also an emphasis on community and connection. At meal times as well as at informal social gatherings and jams, folks have many opportunities to chat in a relaxed setting. Tying all of this together is Rendezvous, our all-camp gathering featuring staff concerts, stories, jokes and laughs. American Week is a chance for individual talents to shine and be celebrated, and for all of us to come together for a rewarding experience -- please join us!
-- Lisa Greenleaf, Program Director
Ralph Sweet and Nils Fredland will lead the Singing Squares Callers Course during this week (pre-registration required).