Country Dance and Song Society Family Week at Buffalo Gap July 17 - 24, 2004

As of August 1, This week is over.

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Program Description Staff Class Descriptions & Schedule

Family Week at Buffalo Gap July 17 - 24, 2004 Program Director: David Cantieni Ann Percival Staff: Mary Alice Amidon Peter Amidon Sam Amidon Sam Bartlett Betsy Blachly Chapin * Henry Chapin * John Devine Sue Dupré Steve Hickman Abby Ladin Kappy Laning Tully Larew Leslie Jeanne Milbourne Robert Mills DeLaura Padovan * * Advisors, plus: Steve Howe Meredith Langstaff

Program Description: [Back to Top]

Look up our Family Programs for some general information; here is more detail about this particular program and staff.

Welcome to Buffalo Gap Family Week 2004! If you haven't had the privilege of experiencing this place, you're in for a treat. Not only is the dance pavilion alone worth a long trip in a hot car with a back seat full of active kids, but there's the pond waiting to cool you off, fed by the eternal spring that gushes from the ground and tumbles down the hill. As well, this year we'll find good company and superb song, dance, art, nature walks, stunts to amaze and mystify even the most discerning, and of course, music everywhere.

Our program continues the tradition of encouraging families to learn or play as a unit as well as allowing individuals to explore and make new friends on their own. Once in the morning and then again after dinner, we will gather together for rounds of dance and song along with performances of other types such as skits or sharing of art projects, poems, things you can do with bottle caps, and in the evening, a story. And don't forget the pied piper for the younger kids' bedtime. Culminating the week, Friday offers the parade through camp which features costumes, the festival band, side shows and possibly a baseball game where everyone can be up to bat and nobody ever strikes out.

There are some new offerings in the program this year. Have you ever spent time with the master of "stuntology"? You'll find him here. How about molly dancing? Sue Dupré will introduce us to this parody of nineteenth century social dance; it could change your life. Scandinavian couple dances, beautiful, fun, and accessible too, have become popular in the New England dance halls. We think they'll be equally as popular south of the Mason Dixon line.

So bring your dance shoes, take that old sax from the closet, dust off your guitar and make your way to Buffalo Gap. We'll celebrate our families, and our selves, and our good fortune to be together in this community.

Staff: [Back to Top]

Mary Alice Amidon grew up singing. Now she is an inspiration to us all, bringing her years of singing experience on stage, in schools and at camps, back to Buffalo Gap. Well loved at family camps, Mary Alice is the ultimate music educator who combines music, dance and storytelling. The 4-5s and the 6-7s will have a field day in her class. Perhaps we'll also get to hear her play banjo or accordion.

Peter Amidon found his way to music and dance in Cambridge, Massachusetts after spending his early adulthood with college, classical music, ROTC, hippiedom, unemployment and general confusion. His way has drawn him to Brattleboro, VT, where he has become one of the towns music icons, leading the Brattleboro Brass Band, sacred harp sings and producing nationally-performed choral arrangements. He'll share these talents with us as well as his gift of storytelling.

Sam Amidon went off to college thinking he was going to become a film animator. Now he's into philosophy in a big way but it seems music is still one of his first loves. Sam grew up in a sea of music and he's swimming in it. We're all going to be carried along by his tasteful fiddling, and maybe a song or two.

Sam Bartlett's dad played recordings of Ernest Tubb to Sam at bedtime. It started him down the road to music. Banjo music. Some say those two words don't belong in the same sentence, but we know better. Some say the words banjo and stunt are more closely related. In Sam's case it may be true -- he actually invented the studies of Stuntology and Tuneology. At any rate, Sam is going to share his marvelous brew of talents and obsessions with all of us.

David Cantieni, primarily playing Irish style wooden flute, has been making people dance for more than two decades. David switched to playing dance music from Bach and Stravinsky on oboe after developing a passion for traditional New England contra dancing. A love of music and dance infuses all of David's many activities which might include rebuilding a 1955 Ford 850 tractor or playing the bombard while leading a parade of costumed campers at family dance camp.

Betsy Blachly Chapin's connection with children is as rock solid as her percussion work. Singing with children is what makes her happy. Betsy is master music teacher at the Bank Street School in New York City and a freelance timpanist. We are honored to have her back. (And her glockenspiel too!)

Henry Chapin's mind is a maze which may not be charted. One minute he'll be singing a beautiful swing ballad as if he's on stage at a night club in the Village, the next he's planning a mummer's play, or creating a New Orleans-style marching band from a crew of campers for the Friday parade. Go Henry! What's next?

John Devine has sung the pied piper song at Buffalo Gap more than any other human being on the face of the earth. Those of us who have heard him know why. He brings a gentle yet irresistible power to all that he does, whether playing guitar, or singing songs or tending his farm in northeast West Virginia.

Sue Dupré, known for her enthusiasm and good humor, will lead us through dances making them feel comfortable and fun. It's clear she is a great dancer herself and has plenty of experience helping others share her passion.

Steve Hickman doesn't hold back. Home on the organic farm in eastern Virginia, he's been known to strap on his head lamp and weed the garden to wind down after an evening of music. He sings, plays the fiddle and he's one of the best hamboners ever. Steve and John are playing companions of many years and we always treasure having them together again on the bandstand.

Abby Ladin can dance! That's for sure. She's never not danced. Her parents were both involved with traditional dance, so of course Abby was immersed in music and dance growing up. She started teaching dance as a result of her work with the nationally-known Rhythm in Shoes dance company. Abby's rhythmic sensibilities primed her to also become a great old-time bass player.

Kappy Laning, AKA The Camp Director, has a way of making everyone feel welcome and cared for. This carries over to her teaching too. Yes! -- she's agreed to teach us rapper as well as keeping everything else at camp running smoothly.

Tully Larew, of Greenville, WV, a former high school teacher, is always happy to share a moment with anyone passing by the woodcarving area. Tully's carving class is a Buffalo Gap mainstay and a coveted rite of passage by those under 10.

Leslie Jeanne Milbourne, filled with the quiet intensity of one who is listening with all her being, helps us appreciate the immediate Buffalo Gap surroundings with her nature walks and observations. She also shows us how we can continue observing nature at home. She and John Devine and daughter Chanaya share a patch of earth just down the road.

Robert Mills has been involved with the vibrant Princeton area music scene for many years. In summers past we have welcomed his musical contributions. This year he has generously agreed to play on demand and to give up some coveted time with his family. Thank you Imogen, Cecily and Janet for sharing him with us.

DeLaura Padovan, bursting with energy and ideas, has been involved in Family Week for over a decade. One year she and her husband Steve Hickman showed up with goats so that they could keep up the milking schedule. Most kids at camp got a chance to help out. This year ... who knows! You might see DeLaura leading the contra dance class or presiding over the newly inaugurated beach chair coffee klatch -- all with the same grace and humor that she brings to the rest of her undertakings.

Ann Percival, artist, musician, social worker and now Family Week Co-Director, grew up dancing. Her Norwegian grandparents took her dancing at the Sons of Norway hall in Brooklyn. Her first dance performance, at the Gloria Rosetti School of Dance, was Blame it on the Bossa Nova. Ann is at her best doing art with children. Or is it singing one of her many sing along songs?

Family Week at Buffalo Gap Daily Schedule click for tentative Detailed Daily Schedule
7:45 - 8:15	Breakfast
9:00 - 9:55	Morning classes, divided by age group
10:00	Refreshments
10:15 - 11:00	Morning Gathering
11:00 - 12:00 11:00 - 11:45	Bookstore Staffed/Swimming and/or Late morning class
12:30	Lunch
1:15 - 1:45	Bookstore staffed
2:00 - 2:45	Early afternoon classes/Rest time
3:00 - 4:00	Afternoon classes, divided by age group
4:15 - 5:30 4:15 - 5:00	Swimming and/or Late afternoon classes
4:45 - 5:30	Bookstore Staffed
5:30	Sing For Your Supper
6:00	Dinner
7:15	Community Dance and Gathering
8:30	Pied Piper/bedtime for children 9 and younger
8:30 - 10:45	Evening Dance Party
9:45	Bedtime for 10-12 year olds

Class Descriptions: [Back to Top]
Children's classes by age group (9:00 and 3:00)
Children attend classes by age group at 9:00 am and 3:00 pm, while those 13-adult attend their class of choice. Those ages 10-12 may choose among the 10 and up classes in the afternoon. All children are expected to attend class during the age group times.

Ages 2 and 3
A wonderful combo: Morning class will be with Leslie Jeanne who will tell stories and help our young ones explore the out of doors. Afternoons are with DeLaura -- making things and singing songs.

Ages 4 and 5
Betsy in the morning and Mary Alice in the afternoon. What fun! Two experienced educators share favorite songs, singing games and stories.

Ages 6 and 7
Mary Alice (in the morning) and Betsy (in the afternoon) will take these children on musical adventures. Songwriting, dancing, play party games and storytelling.

Ages 8 and 9
In the mornings Henry will teach a longsword dance. He has some other tricks up his sleeve. Watch out! Afternoons will be spent with Abby and Sam doing some fancy footwork and exploring stuntology.

Ages 10 to 12
Peter, our resident storyteller, will mix it up and treat the 10-12s to a potpourri of stories and dance.

Early Afternoon classes (2:00 - 2:45)
This class period offers a chance for families to do something together. Younger children will likely need to be accompanied by a parent.

Napping (all ages) (highly respected)

Nature Walk for Families (all ages) -- Leslie Jeanne

Stories and Songs (all ages) -- Peter

Contras (8 and up) -- DeLaura / Sam A., John, Ann

Afternoon Art and Stunts (10 and up) -- Sam B.

Woodcarving (10 and up) -- Tully

Ages 13 and up -- MORNING CLASSES (9:00 - 9:55)

Clogging -- Abby / Sam A.

English Country Dance -- Sue / Steve, David, John, Robert

Ages 10 and up -- AFTERNOON CLASSES (3:00 - 4:00)

Molly Dancing (10 and up) -- Sue / Bob

Hilsen Fra Norge: Scandi Dancing (10 and up) -- Ann, David / Steve, John

LATE MORNING CLASSES (11:00 - 11:45)

Family Band (all ages) -- Henry, David

Callers Class (13 and up) -- Sue / Steve

LATE AFTERNOON CLASSES (4:15 - 5:15)

The Beach Chairs: quilting, stories, hand work (all ages) -- DeLaura

Under the Tree With Henry: fiddle and guitar tutorial (all ages) -- Henry

Harmony Singing (10 and up) -- Peter and Mary Alice

Woodcarving (10 and up) -- Tully

Rapper (12 and up) -- Kappy / Sam A.

Program Description Class Descriptions Staff & 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

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