Country Dance and Song Society American Dance & Music Week at Pinewoods August 5 - 12, 2000

As of March 30, there are still spaces at this week.
There are some changes to the schedule since the Catalog was printed

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Program Description Staff Class Descriptions & Schedule Programs Homepage

American Dance & Music Week at Pinewoods August 5 - 12, 2000 Program Director: Paul Brown Staff: Sam Bartlett Kate Brislin Heath Curdts Larry Edelman George Higgs Joanne Honig Peter Honig Bruce Hutton * Michael Kerry Jeremiah McLane Rodney Miller Beverly Smith Jody Stecher Lightnin' Wells * Advisor, plus: Debbie Hutton Terri McMurray Steve Howe Chris Romaine

Program Description: [Back to Top]
American Dance & Music Week for 2000 is an exciting combination of New England dance and music, southern and western squares, southern mountain string band music, jug band, old country and bluegrass songs, blues and Latin-influenced music.

A team of outstanding callers and musicians, all of them gifted teachers, will help make this week one of the most memorable of your life. Some of the many attractions this year include authentic blues with North Carolina Folk Heritage Award winner George Higgs and younger bluesman Lightnin' Wells; jug band with Bruce Hutton; listening sessions featuring recordings from Peter Honig's vast collection of 78s, plus Peter's class on how to learn from recordings while developing your own true style.

Ace New England fiddler Rodney Miller and his band including Sam Bartlett, Jeremiah McLane and Michael Kerry will provide great instrumental instruction and spirited dance music. Round Peak, NC fiddle and banjo enthusiasts will want to join Paul Brown and Heath Curdts for a banjo-and-fiddle class with lots of opportunity to play.

If you enjoy singing, Jody Stecher and Kate Brislin bring their harmony classes and deep love of song to Pinewoods this year. Joanne Honig, Paul Brown and others will share old country, early bluegrass, and southern mountain songs with you. And The Happiness Boys & Sunshine Kate brings Heath, Paul, Kate and Jody together in a lively southern mountain-style string band with a hint of early bluegrass.

A great team of dance callers will keep you moving and learning. Larry Edelman, Beverly Smith, Joanne Honig, Michael Kerry and others will be on hand. Dance contras, southern and western squares, waltzes, two-steps and more, all day and all week.

Larry Edelman will also lead his American Dance Callers Course for a group of pre-registered campers.

Staff: [Back to Top]

Sam Bartlett (banjo, guitar) A driving musician, rhythmic and sure, Sam plays old-time banjo and guitar back-up, tenor banjo and mandolin on Irish and other contra dance tunes. Known for his stunts and irrepressible humor. He is a much sought-after musician with wide experience playing for dance troupes and dances, on both recordings and the concert stage.

Paul Brown (banjo, fiddle, string band, songs) A lifelong acoustic musician, Paul has spent most of the past 25 years learning, collecting and playing music in southwest Virginia and northwest North Carolina. He's a member of The Smokey Valley Boys and The Toast String Stretchers. He'll share his love of music, stories and songs in classes ranging from banjo-and-fiddle to bluegrass and old-time songs.

Heath Curdts (banjo) Heath studied fretless clawhammer banjo intensively with Tommy Jarrell of North Carolina in the 1980s. He's immersed himself in the Round Peak, NC playing style he learned from Tommy, and in the relationship between the banjo and fiddle in that music. He's also a fine harmony singer, and appears from time to time with Jody Stecher and Kate Brislin.

Larry Edelman (dance & dance calling) Larry is in demand nationwide for his expert dance calling and teaching. He is an avid dance researcher who has intensively studied traditional dances of southwestern Pennsylvania.

George Higgs (guitar, harmonica , songs) One of the best performers in the Piedmont blues tradition and a former member of the Friendly Five Gospel Quartet, North Carolina Folk Heritage Award winner George Higgs learned guitar and harmonica from friends and family around his native Tarboro, NC. He counts as influences everyone from Uncle Dave Macon and DeFord Bailey to legendary medicine show musician Peg Leg Sam.

Joanne Honig (dance, guitar, singing) Joanne was a regular participant at Pinewoods in the 1970s. She returns as a staff member this year to share her repertoire of western squares, her solid backup guitar playing, and her love of classic country and early bluegrass songs. Joanne is a former member of the New Pine Hill Ramblers bluegrass/country band, and has called many dances in New York and Virginia.

Peter Honig (fiddle) Peter is a powerful fiddler and avid music collector. A former member of the Zenith String Band, he does not play often in public today but is highly admired by other old-time musicians in the know. Peter's playing is influenced by listening to his large collection of 78 rpm recordings. His fiddle class will provide exposure to a number of southern styles and players while encouraging you to learn the music as you hear it and understand it.

Bruce Hutton (banjo, guitar, jug band, songs) An engaging solo performer and a member of Roustabout and The Double Decker String Band, Bruce Hutton is a musician's musician, a lifelong devotee of old time songs, tunes and string band music. He's also a great teacher, making his living largely through in-school programs. If you've never been in a jug band, this is your chance to try it with a fine guide.

Michael Kerry (guitar, mandolin, Irish-American music) Michael fell in love with traditional music and dance at what he calls the relatively late age of 18, and he hasn't been the same since. He's followed music and dance all over the nation and to Ireland. Michael is a regular caller and musician at the dances in Greenfield, MA and throughout New England. He's performed with Rodney Miller, Martin Hayes, Ruthie Dornfeld and many others.

Jeremiah McLane (piano, accordion) Jeremiah is an inspired accordion and piano player. He expands effortlessly on musical possibilities in any style, from Breton and swing to Cajun, zydeco and jazz. He plays with Nightingale and the Clayfoot Strutters. He'll provide dance music with Rodney Miller, Michael Kerry and Sam Bartlett.

Rodney Miller (fiddle) Rodney is one of the most beloved and highly respected New England fiddlers of our time, setting the standard for other musicians and helping to drive the current revival of contra dancing in New England and around the world. His interests also range to jazz and his own compositions. A regular at dances in New England and at festivals around the country, Rodney is also an expert violin maker and repairman.

Beverly Smith (dancing, guitar, bass) A fine caller of contras and squares, Beverly is also one of today's shining lights in old time string band music. Beverly is a member of Big Hoedown and former member of The Heartbeats. She's interested in music ranging from old time mountain to Irish

Jody Stecher & Kate Brislin (singing, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar) Jody and Kate are known from coast to coast for their uniquely beautiful style of vocal harmony and their brilliant and expressive instrumentals. They have been performing, recording and teaching together and separately for over twenty years. Jody is a renowned multi-instrumentalist, while Kate is one of the finest backup guitar pickers in the country.

Lightnin' Wells (guitar, blues) Mike Lightnin' Wells has studied with master blues musicians Richard Big Boy Henry and Algia Mae Hinton. His desire to boost public awareness of blues and traditional music of the south shows through in every performance. Lightnin' travels frequently with senior blues artists including Algia Mae Hinton and George Higgs.

American Dance & Music Week at Pinewoods Tentative Schedule:
9:00 - 10:00
Contras and Squares	Beverly Smith
Int Mandolin	Jody Stecher
Finger-Style Banjo for Songs	Bruce Hutton
Blues House	George Higgs and Lightnin' Wells
10:15 - 11:15
Western Squares	Joanne Honig
Fiddle/Banjo, Round Peak Style	Paul Brown and Heath Curdts
Int.-Adv. Backup Guitar for Songs and Band	Kate Brislin
Backup Guitar for New England and Irish music	Michael Kerry
1:45 - 2:45
Theme-a-Day Squares	Larry Edelman
Duet Singing	Jody Stecher, Kate Brislin
Fiddle: Old recordings, new fiddlers	Peter Honig
Jug Band	Bruce Hutton
Blues House	George Higgs and Lightnin' Wells
3:00 - 4:00
Contras and Squares	Beverly Smith
Waltzes and Variety	Michael Kerry
Int.-Adv. New England Fiddle	Rodney Miller
Blues and Gospel	George Higgs and Lightnin' Wells
4:15 - 4:45
All Camp Gathering - Staff Presentations
5:00 - 6:00
Open Mic
Open Spaces for One Shot
Swimming and Free Time
8:00
Couple Dances
8:15 - 11:00
Evening Dance Party
11:00
After-dance Activities

Class Descriptions: [Back to Top]

Dance:
Contras and Squares - Beverly Smith
Two classes with lots of fun and variety for dancers of all levels. Rodney, Jeremiah and Michael will play for the morning class and Jody, Heath and Joanne will play in the afternoon.

Western Squares - Joanne Honig
With lively music, we will explore this repertoire to the music of Peter, Beverly and Bruce.

Theme-a-Day Squares - Larry Edelman
Each day offers a special focus on delightful square dances from the north, south, east, and west, with some midwest sprinkled in too. Larry Edelman's dance classes always promise something good, and deliver, as do the musicians -- Heath, Paul and Jody.

Waltzes and Variety Dances - Michael Kerry and Nina Araujo
A variety of waltzes and waltz steps to the music of Jeremiah and Sam. You'll have plenty of time to practice. As the week goes on, there may be some Cajun, zydeco, and other couple dances thrown in. You can bring dances to share with the group too.

Open Mic/Open Stage - YOU
Instrumentalists and dancers have the chance to play and dance to the calling of Larry's American Dance Callers Course students.

Singing:
Duet Singing - Jody Stecher and Kate Brislin
Learn duet singing from two of the best in the business. Find your voice, balance your voice to your partner's, work out harmonies and keys. Come to this class with or without a regular singing partner.

Playing:

Finger-Style Banjo for Songs - Bruce Hutton
This class will help you find new dimensions for your banjo music.

Int. Mandolin - Jody Stecher
Work with Jody on your style and repertoire.

Fiddle/Banjo, Round Peak style - Paul Brown and Heath Curdts
A rare chance to dig deep into the interplay of these two instruments central to the Round Peak style. Bring your fiddle and/or banjo and try the tunes yourself and with others.

Int.-Adv. New England Fiddle - Rodney Miller
Rodney will guide you through tunes and techniques. Fans of New England fiddling should not miss this class.

Fiddle: Old Recordings, new fiddlers - Peter Honig
Using tapes from his massive collection of 78s, Peter will help you listen to great old music in new ways. You'll pay respect to the original performers while finding your own interpretation and identity on the fiddle.

Int.-Adv. Backup Guitar for Songs and Band - Kate Brislin
There's much more to effective backup guitar than a simple boom-chuck. Kate will open up new horizons for players from intermediate to advanced.

Backup Guitar for New England and Irish Music - Michael Kerry
This class will help you understand the special techniques and nuances that help bring out the best in New England and Irish-style lead musicians and dancers.

Blues House - George Higgs and Lightnin' Wells
Harmonica players and guitarists are welcome in these two classes where you'll learn by asking, listening, watching and doing.

Blues and Gospel - George Higgs and Lightnin' Wells
Come share blues and gospel songs and tunes on harmonica and guitar. Learn how these blues masters play, and practice yourself.

Jug Band - Bruce Hutton
Nothing's more fun than a good jug band. If you can, bring a washed-out plastic jug, such as a restaurant-size catsup, fruit or mustard jug to camp. Bring a kazoo if you intend to play one, or buy one at camp. Bruce will supply the rest, including bones, washboard, and great humor.

And More:
All Camp Gathering -
This session brings us all together as a big family for special presentations from the staff.

Free time, Special Workshops, Open Mic/Open Stage -
Take some time off and practice what you've learned in class, visit with friends. You can sponsor or attend a special workshop too, so if you have a talent or experience to share, here's your chance. At Open Mic/Open Stage, instrumentalists, singers and dancers have the chance to play and dance to the calling of Larry's American Dance Callers Course students.

Program Description Class Descriptions, Teachers & Schedule Other Musicians Top

413-268-7426 FAX: 413-268-7471

Country Dance and Song Society 132 Main St/PO Box 338 Haydenville, MA 01039-0338 Office Hours M-F 9:30am - 5:00pm EST

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