Country Dance and Song Society English & American Dance Week at Pinewoods August 4 - 11, 2001

As of May 24, there is a long wait list at this week.
Please see our proposed English Country Dance addition to the Folk Music Week program.

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Program Description Staff Class Descriptions & Schedule Programs Homepage

English & American Dance Week at Pinewoods August 4 - 11, 2001 Program Director: Brad Foster Staff: Kathy Anderson Karen Axelrod Peter Barnes Daron Douglas Stuart Higson Tom Kruskal* Dave Langford Mary Lea* Tony Parkes John Roberts Laura Robertson Andrew Shaw Bill Tomczak Dave Wiesler * Advisors, plus: Mary Devlin Steve Howe Barbara Russell

Program Description: [Back to Top]

The keynote of English & American Week has always been the rich variety of styles and traditions of dance and music with a central focus on country dancing. American country will include a wide range of contras and squares with calling by Tony Parkes and Kathy Anderson. The contras will range from chestnuts to recent compositions and from smooth flowing and lyrical to fast-paced and hard driving. The squares will include patter and singing calls from the golden age of the revival as well as fast paced modern squares. English country will be taught by Andrew Shaw and Brad Foster. Workshops will include historical or "Playford" style dances, from old favorites to modern compositions and reconstructions as well as some traditional and modern ceilidh dances. As a special treat this year, we offer graded classes in rapper taught by Stuart Higson, plus the clog dances of Northwest Morris. Laura Robertson joins us this year to teach both English and American clog or step dancing. John Roberts will bring his wonderful voice and will lead a session in singing. And the music will be fantastic! We've gathered excellent musicians from around the U.S. to play fiddle, piano, guitar, clarinet, saxophone, flute, concertina, accordion and more in styles ranging from Southern string band and New England contra dance to English country. We share the week with the American Dance Musicians Course, lead by Mary Lea; they will join us in some of our programs and share with us their musical talents.

Come and enjoy the fun, the community and the special setting of Pinewoods Camp. For dance fanatics, you can keep your feet moving and expand your knowledge in a wide variety of forms throughout the day. For those seeking a relaxing vacation, you can make up your own schedule of dance classes plus singing, callers workshop, swimming, canoeing and more. For all, come and make new friends, meet old ones and share in the excitement of camp life.

Your day will include five main workshop periods and an All Camp Gathering, plus plenty of breaks for rest, meals, refreshments, swimming and perusing the bookstore. After dinner, most dance programs will start with a couple of English or American favorites without prompting or walk through. Each evening dance will include a variety of both English and American dance. On most evenings, the dance will be followed by activities including opening and closing night parties, a singing gathering, skit night or talent show, jam sessions, and a fun- and fund- raising auction. Again this year the "free night" will be on Wednesday; on this night there is no formally scheduled activity, but there is always a camper-led dance in camp. Bring your dances to call and/or instruments to play in the band, both for the Wednesday night dance and for Open Mic, in the middle of the day. The week will end with class presentations in the afternoon, followed by a gathering for socializing, fun and games outside Pinecones, and a final Grand Ball.

Staff: [Back to Top]

This year we are featuring two teachers from England. This will be the first trip to Pinewoods for both Andrew Shaw and Stuart Higson. Both have extremely wide and eclectic knowledge of the dance in their particular fields of interest. Andrew is a master at teaching English country and enjoys both historical reconstructions and modern compositions. In England he is widely regarded for his detailed knowledge, high standards, clear instruction and wit. Stuart lives and breaths rapper and Northwest morris. He is a currently secretary of Sallyport Sword Dancers (with whom he has been both leader and dance teacher in the past). Sallyport performs traditional dances from Newbiggin, Winlaton, Beadnell and Murton. He is also a member of Snark Rapper, a team made up of dancers from all around England. He has been dancing Northwest Morris with the Horwich Prize Medal Morris men for over 20 years. And he makes incredible balloon animals!

We are also very pleased to have Tony Parkes return after a long absence. Tony was cofounder of the Monday night dance at the Scout House in Concord, MA, and is a quintessential Yankee caller. Kathy Anderson, from Dayton OH, will bring her lively squares and contras, excellent teaching and sense of humor and join Tony in calling American country dances. Brad Foster, a frequent traveler well known for his friendly and insightful teaching, will join Andrew in teaching English country. After a long absence, we are bringing back Appalachian clogging this year. Laura Robertson, formerly a member of Footloose and now is foreman of Charm City Rapper and the Stepsisters, has been an active student and teacher of many forms of percussive dance for many years. She will teach both Appalachian and English clog.

We have a staff of extremely skilled and fun musicians from around the country. Karen Axelrod, from Northampton, MA, will play piano for English and American country and accordion for Northwest. Peter Barnes, from Lincoln, MA, will play piano, whistle, flute and guitar for both English and American dance. Daron Douglas, from New Orleans, LA, will play fiddle for English country and will coordinate the camper musicians during the Open Mic period. Tom Kruskal, from Sudbury, MA, will play concertina for the advanced rapper class. Dave Langford, from Arlington, MA, will play fiddle and guitar for contras, squares and American clog. John Roberts, from Schenectady, NY, will play concertina for English clog and rapper and will lead a community singing session. Bill Tomczak, from Putney, VT, will play clarinet and saxophone for contras and English country. Dave Wiesler, from Charlottesville, VA, will play piano for English country as well as work with the piano students of the American Dance Musicians Course. Joining them all in the evenings will be Mary Lea, from Brattleboro, VT, who will play fiddle and viola in the evenings. During the day she will lead the American Dance Musicians Course
.

Staff Bios: [Back to Top]

Kathy Anderson: From Dayton, OH, Kathy loves to call squares, especially interesting figures efficiently taught. She has been intriguing dancers from Canada to the Virgin Islands for 20 years with her enthusiasm for fast-moving squares with a twist , along with challenging contras. Old-time banjo and piano lead her to dancing, which she loves to share with all kinds of groups and communities. Her taste in good flow, quirky contras, and high energy squares makes for exciting dancing.

Karen Axelrod (piano, accordion): From Northampton, MA, Karen plays piano for English and American, most often in New England. Karen used to play accordion for 'Ha Penny Morris and Guiding Star Clog Morris. She is also a member of a comedy improv troupe, the Villa Jidiots and makes jewelry.

Peter Barnes (piano, flute, whistle, guitar): From Lincoln, MA, Peter has been enthralled by dance music since birth. He has been putting sparks under people's feet for 25 years and has produced three dance music books, toured ten countries and appeared on something over thirty recordings. Currently he divides his time among The Lizards, Bare Necessities, concerts with singersongwriter Cathie Ryan, the NPR radio program $quot;Sez You$quot; and scores of weddings, folk festivals, barn dances and bar mitzvahs.

Daron Douglas: Now living in New Orleans, Daron is a fine fiddler for American and English dance traditions. Daron also brings a rich repertoire of family songs learned from her grandmother who was one of Cecil Sharp's informants in the southern mountains.

Stuart Higson: Stuart lives in North Yorkshire, where he is a currently secretary of Sallyport Sword Dancers (with whom he has been both leader and dance teacher in the past). Sallyport performs traditional dances from Newbiggin, Winlaton, Beadnell and Murton. He is also a member of Snark Rapper, a team made up of dancers from all around England. He has been dancing Northwest Morris with the Horwich Prize Medal Morris men for over 20 years. And he makes incredible balloon animals!

Tom Kruskal (concertina): Tom is one of the best Anglo concertina players in the U.S. He lives near Boston, Massachusetts, where he is musician for Velocirapper, TeamX, Hop Brook Morris, and the Pinewoods Morris Men. He is also the founder and original teacher for three of those teams.

Dave Langford (fiddle, guitar): From Arlington, MA, Dave plays excellent fiddle in many different styles, including New England, Southern, and English country dance music. He also loves to play guitar. Along with Bill Tomczak and Peter Barnes, Dave is a member of The Lizards.

Mary Lea (violin and viola): From Brattleboro, VT,Mary is a member of Bare Necessities, BLT, and MGM and several other traditional dance music ensembles. She plays in a variety of styles and has released solo CD's of dance music reflecting an extraordinary intelligence and scope.

Tony Parkes: From near Boston, MA, Tony is a master at calling and writing New England contras and squares. He has written several books: Shadrack's Delight and Other Dances, Son of Shadrack's Delight, and Contradance Calling: A Basic Text. He is one of the founders of the weekly Monday night dance at the Concord Scout House.

John Roberts (concertina): A native of Britain now living in Schenectady, NY, John started singing folk songs in high school. As a graduate student, he and long-time partner Tony Barrand formed a duo featuring two-part a cappella harmonies, to which he also added instrumental expertise on banjo and concertina. He still performs regularly with Tony as a twosome and in Nowell Sing We Clear, but John has also continued a solo career, singing (and playing) the full range of the English tradition.

Laura Robertson: From outside Baltimore, MD, Laura Robertson began Appalachian clogging in North Carolina. For many years she was a member of Eileen Carson's Footworks with whom she toured the U.S., England and Scotland, including a stint in the London production of Riverdance. Laura learned English clogging right here at Pinewoods from many folks over many years. She is thrilled at the opportunity to return to teach this wonderful dance form. She is currently foreman on Charm City Rapper and the Stepsisters, an English/American/Irish percussive team, and she performs Appalachian clogging with Tom Hinds in Pedantics.

Andrew Shaw: From Cheshire, England, Andrew started country dancing as a teenager in the 60s, and developed an enthralling interest in and enthusiasm for the history and performance of the English Country Dance. He teaches at weekends, festivals and other courses at home and abroad, and is widely regarded for his detailed knowledge, high standards, clear instruction, and wit. His particular interest in the dances of Nathaniel Kynaston led last year to the publication of Mr. Kynaston's Famous Dance with an accompanying CD by the duo Belshazzar's Feast. Andrew lives near Altrincham in Cheshire (N.W. England) where he runs the Lemmings Reprieve dance club - a name which oddly but neatly sums up his belief in the life-enhancing qualities of this dance form.

Bill Tomczak (clarinet, saxiphone): From Putney, VT, Bill has been playing clarinet for a wide variety of dancing since 1979. He currently plays for contra dancing, English Country Dancing and the occasional vintage dance with a variety of musicians, and has recorded with BLT, Wild Asparagus and Yankee Ingenuity. He is also a member of The Lizards.

Dave Wiesler (piano): From Charlottesville, VA, Dave is one of the most prominent and versatile folk dance pianists in the mid-Atlantic. He plays extensively for contra dances, English and Scottish country dancing, waltz and swing dance, and makes occasional forays into vintage dance, ragtime, blues, and classical music. Dave is a member of the contra dance bands Laura and the Lava Lamps, Cabaret Sauvignon, and Microchasm, among others, and has been on staff at Pinewoods, Buffalo Gap, and Ashokan Fiddle and Dance. He is a prolific composer and arranger of tunes and songs in both classical and folk traditions, and many of these tunes appear in his book DaveTunes or can be heard on his new recording Cracks and Shadows. In addition, Dave likes to sing and plays several other instruments besides piano, including guitar and five-string banjo.

English & American Dance Week at Pinewoods Tentative Schedule:
9:00 - 10:00
Pills to Purge Melancholy for All	Andrew Shaw
NE Contras & Squares	Tony Parkes
Advanced Rapper	Stuart Higson
10:15 - 11:15
Too Many Cooks.... for experienced dancers	Andrew Shaw
English for All	Brad Foster
English Clog	Laura Robertson
11:20 - 12:00
All Camp Gathering	Kathy Anderson
1:45 - 2:45
Open Mic for Callers and Musicians	Kathy Anderson Daron Douglas
Community Singing	John Roberts
Northwest Morris	Stuart Higson
Appalachian Clog	Laura Robertson
3:00 - 4:00
Current Favorites	Brad Foster
Square Roots	Kathy Anderson
A Dance Down Memory Lane	Tony Parkes
4:05 - 4:25
Tea
4:30 - 5:30
Dances to Clear out the Cobwebs	Tony Parkes
Beginning Rapper	Stuart Higson
8:00
Special Dances
8:15
Evening Dance Party
11:00
After-Dance Activities

Class Descriptions: [Back to Top]
English Country Dance Classes

Pills to Purge Melancholy - Andrew Shaw
A selection of late 17th/early 18th century dances reflecting two main areas of interest: the dances published in annual collections by John Walsh - especially those "compos'd" by Nathaniel Kynaston; and those whose tunes are found in the extremely popular and influential collection of songs entitled Wit and Mirth: or, Pills to Purge Melancholy. For all levels.

Too Many Cooks.... - Andrew Shaw
A selection of modern dance compositions by Tom Cook. Tom is the well know author of Come Let's Be Merry; Again Let's Be Merry; Grand Master, Dancing Master; Hunter's Moon; Packington's Pound; Spoil the Broth; and more. He is best know in the U.S. for his reconstructions. Come and experience the rare treat of learning his compositions such as Smithy Hill, Maiden Moor and Perpetual Motion. For English country dance experts.

English for All - Brad Foster
Another class in our graded series of English country dances, this one will focus on the learning of basic and intermediate style and technique for all skill levels. Brad is known for his friendly and insightful instruction; for all levels.

Current Favorites - Brad Foster
Popular English country dance of today, these will range from old classics like Fandango through middle-aged favorites like Hambleton's Round O and Miss de Jersey's Memorial to some of the older of the modern compositions. For all levels.

American Country Dance Classes

Square Roots - Kathy Anderson
This workshop will show how the different influences, such as English, Appalachian, Quadrilles, and Texas squares have combined to give us the squares we dance today. For all levels.

NE Contras & Squares - Tony Parkes
Tony will offer a mixture of old and new dances and will give some historical background and style pointers as well as showing what these historical dances have grown into. For all levels.

A Dance Down Memory Lane: American Dance History - Tony Parkes
Tony will give an expanded version of his multimedia presentation on American dance history. This will include listening to tapes of some of our finest callers, discussing their place in our dance history, as well as an opportunity to dance to their calls. For everyone.

Dances to Clear out the Cobwebs - Tony Parkes
A wide selection of brisk yet fairly straightforward contras and circles -- dances well chosen for the end of the day. For all levels.

Morris, Sword and Clog Dance Classes

Beginning Rapper - Stuart Higson
Stuart will teach the basic figures and steps of rapper. He will concentrate on the dance of one village, although the class will be structured to give you a firm foundation in all styles of rapper. This class is geared for beginning and intermediate dancers; more experienced dancers are welcome if they have the patience for a slower moving class. Hard soled shows are helpful.

Advanced Rapper - Stuart Higson
This class will focus on the dance from Newbiggin. Stuart will give instruction on team work and on dancing with style and speed. This class will move at a fast pace and is for experienced rapper sword dancers only. Hard soled shoes are required.

Northwest Morris - Stuart Higson
Stuart will teach two dances this week. One will be a modern dance from current team practice. The other will be an exercise in reconstruction from archival notation. For all levels. Wooden clogs with rubbers or hard soled shoes are helpful.

English Clog - Laura Robertson
Laura will teach a waltz clog routine geared for dancers new to the style. Experienced dancers are welcome to stop by for some of the advanced variations! For all levels.

Appalachian Clog - Laura Robertson
This workshop will cover freestyle Appalachian clogging, and will concentrate on basics, listening/relaxing into the music and building confidence. For all levels.

Other Classes

Open Mic for Callers and Musicians - MCs: Kathy Anderson and Daron Douglas
Come dance, play music, call dances - it's your choice! Dances will include contras, squares, English - whatever you bring. Callers will have the opportunity to get gentle and thoughtful feedback tailored for improvement. Bring your dance cards, your instruments, and your dancing shoes for post-lunch fun. For all levels.

Community Singing - John Roberts
This will be a song swap, including songs from John's vast repertoire as well as ones you would like to share. Songs may include seasonal carols (including material from Nowell Sing We Clear), English part songs, pub sing-alongs, ballads and more, with the emphasis on participation.

Program Description Staff Class Descriptions & Schedule 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

http://www.cdss.org/