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Country Dance and Song SocietyEnglish & American Dance Week at Pinewoods
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Country Dance and Song SocietyEnglish & American Dance Week at Pinewoods
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Class Descriptions & Schedule
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English & American Dance Week at Pinewoods August 7 - 14, 2004 Program Director: Staff: * Advisor, plus: |
Program Description: [Back to Top]
Look up our Adult Programs for some general information; here is more detail about this particular program and staff.
You're invited to a richly varied week of dance, music and good times in the peerless pavilions and ponds of Pinewoods. Enjoy first-rate English country, contra and square dancing with new and longtime friends, and choose your favorites from a nifty menu of classes. Highlights this year include Irish sets, two levels of rapper, couple dancing, two levels of Appalachian clogging and three music classes. Returning campers may notice a wider variety of offerings this year, with one fewer English and American classes.
David Newitt and Brad Foster will lead modern and classic English country dances, including a period with simultaneous graded classes. David brings his fine repertoire and fun perceptive clarity from California, while Brad offers his deep experience and many brilliant dances. Transporting English music will be served by Karen Axelrod, Mary Lea, Daron Douglas, Laurie Andres and Doug Creighton (who all happen to be superb American musicians as well!)
Carol Ormand will treat us to stellar contras and squares delivered with her wonderful energy and humor, and in the evenings Program Director Rick Mohr will contribute his top-notch contra collection. Be sure to catch Carol's Square Dance Revival Hour, powered by the high-octane twin fiddle sound of The Monks -- Frank Hall, Claudio Buchwald, Sam Bartlett and Abby Ladin -- who will also contribute their multiple talents throughout camp. Frank will lead Irish Sets, the euphorically fun cousins of square dancing from the Emerald Isle. Abby welcomes everyone to Appalachian-style clogging, with a special invitation to rapperists and English cloggers. And speaking of rapper we're delighted to welcome Phil Heaton, central for many years to an exciting sword revival in the U.K. Phil's sharp mix of humor, drive, philosophy, lore and cool figures are a must to experience, with two levels of rapper and the distinctive Coxbench longsword.
If your feet get tired, relax on the porches, docks and wooded paths of our beautiful camp -- or expand your talents for singing, playing music and calling. Rick will lead a harmony singing class; Karen Axelrod and Peter Siegel will each lead an open instrumental class (with great dance tunes plus tips on ensemble work and style). And everyone is invited to call or play in the daily open mic and the Wednesday night camper-led dance.
Your day will include five workshop periods plus plenty of breaks for rest, refreshments, swimming and perusing the bookstore. Each evening you're invited to a dance party with a variety of English and American dances -- and after the dance, enjoy late-night activities including parties, jam sessions, singing, skits and special events. The week will end with class presentations, an afternoon social and a final Grand Ball.
Come and enjoy the fun, the community and the special setting of Pinewoods Camp, where the love of traditional music and dance unites both newcomers and old-timers in the excitement of camp life.
Laurie Andres has delighted audiences all over the U.S., Canada and Europe with his extraordinary, versatile and distinctive playing on piano accordion and piano. A master of musical whimsy, Laurie plays with wit, color, emotion and compelling danceability. He plays for contra, square, English, morris and clog dancing, and performs with several ensembles, including The Rhythm Rollers, the Kosher Red Hots and Rouge, a French cabaret band. He calls an English country dance series in Seattle and has been on staff at one Pinewoods session or another for the past 24 years.
Karen Axelrod plays beautifully expressive piano for English, American and Scottish dance (currently in the band Barley Moon with Daron Douglas and Dave Langford), and plays accordion for longsword and morris. In addition to her life as a musician and mother, Karen makes jewelry and performs with the improv comedy troupe, the Villa Jidiots.
Sam Bartlett is a rabid, irreprissable mandolin, banjo and guitar player, known to dancers across the country for his fine musicianship and philosophy of Stuntology. Sing Out magazine declared him a member of "the rhythm players hall of fame."
Claudio Buchwald, raised in Peru until the age of ten, discovered old-time music very soon after arriving in the U.S. and has been at it ever since. He has played at many many dances and camps, for contras and squares as well as for salsa, English and morris. In addition to The Monks, Claudio has played with the City Ducks, the Backwoods Band and Evening Star, as well as touring in Latin America and Africa with the David Holt Trio. When not playing music, he teaches first and second grade in a preschool-12th grade independent school.
Doug Creighton, of the English country dance band Pleasures of the Town, is a fine musician on the button accordion, flute and concertina. He brings a wealth of experience as dancer and musician (and is an all-around great guy) for numerous display dance teams, and his passion for Quebecois music from his native Canada has made him a sought-after contra musician as well. Doug is also guru of The Button Box in Amherst, MA, where he keeps the world safe for accordions and concertinas.
Daron Douglas, brought up in a traditional Appalachian family, plays fiddle for English country and contra dancing. She thanks her mountain grandmother for her ballads and her preoccupation with gardening. Daron now lives and plays music in New Orleans (where she is also a professional weaver) and tours throughout the U.S. to play English and contra dances with the bands Goldcrest, Barley Moon and Misbehavin'.
Brad Foster has been teaching and playing piano, accordion and concertina for country dancing for 35 years, and is known throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe for his clear teaching and insightful approach to English and American country dance. Brad is the Executive and Artistic Director of CDSS, was a founding director of the Bay Area Country Dance Society and was a co-founder of the Mendocino English and American dance weeks.
Frank Hall has played fiddle since the early 1970s, playing with bands such as the Indiana Raincrows and the Easy Street String Band. After meeting Claudio Buchwald (at Pinewoods) a long distance fiddle affair ensued until fate brought the two together in the Midwest and The Monks was formed. Doctoral research in the anthropology of dance took Frank to Ireland where he learned set dancing in the time honored tradition -- in a pub. He has spent three years in Ireland since 1991, most recently the past year, teaching at the Irish World Music Centre, University of Limerick.
Phil Heaton is by many accounts the main reason for the renaissance of rapper and longsword dancing in the U.K. over the past 20 years. He is the inspiration behind many of today's great English rapper teams, and has widely encouraged new and innovative ideas which mix beautifully with the traditional.
Abby Ladin has taught thousands of people of all ages shapes and sizes the fundamentals of Appalachian clogging. She has toured, performed and taught nationally for 20 years.
Mary Lea has been playing violin and viola for dances for over 20 years, from contra, square and English country to ragtime era and couple dance music. She is a member of the nationally-known bands Bare Necessities and Yankee Ingenuity, as well as Crazy Quilt, Dark Carnival and Paradiso. Mary has performed throughout the U.S. and abroad playing for workshops, concerts and week-long dance events and is known for her mastery of many musical style.
Rick Mohr has been dancing, teaching and choreographing for 18 years in both the contra and morris dance worlds, as well as making and leading music vocally and instrumentally. Known for clear and well-paced teaching, good humor and fresh tradition-based choreography, Rick keeps an active schedule calling contra dances and serves as foreman of Boston's Commonwealth Morris Men.
David Newitt, forced at Swarthmore College to choose between football and folk dancing, made the obvious choice and has been dancing, teaching and playing for English, Scottish, contra, morris and rapper ever since. He now teaches and plays concertina for regular English and Scottish dances in the Bay Area, and has led English and morris at several West coast dance camps. We're happy to welcome David back East for his first Pinewoods staff appearance.
Carol Ormand has been a big hit calling contras and squares in the Midwest since 1990 and now brings her delightful humor and energy to dances and weekends around the country. Known for her great dance selections and concise, relaxed teaching style, Carol enjoys morris, rapper, longsword, English, Scandinavian and just about any other kind of dance she has come across. She also serves on the Board of Directors for CDSS.
Peter Siegel has been an active member of the dance scene in the Pioneer and Hudson Valleys for the last 10 years, playing mandolin, guitar and banjo with the Greenfield Dance Band, the Beverwyck String Band and Crazy Quilt. In his other musical life Peter tours with the old-time trio Underbelly and plays political songs solo at festivals, coffee houses and colleges around the country.
| English & American Dance Week at Pinewoods Tentative Schedule: |
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| 7:45 - 8:15 Breakfast | |
| 9:00 - 10:00 | |
| ECD: Modern Gems and Matchless Classics | David Newitt |
| English for All | Brad Foster |
| Intermediate/Advanced Clogging | Abby Ladin |
| American Band | Peter Siegel |
| 10:15 - 11:15 | |
| Square Dance Revival Hour | Carol Ormand |
| Couple Dance Secrets | Rick Mohr |
| The Coxbench Longsword | Phil Heaton |
| English Country Dance Music | Karen Axelrod |
| 11:25 - 11:55 | |
| Camp Gathering | Frank Hall |
| 11:55 - 12:30 Swimming, Bookstore staffed | |
| 12:30 Lunch | |
| 1:45 - 2:45 | |
| Open Mic for Callers and Musicians | David Newitt / Doug Creighton |
| Rapper for All | Phil Heaton |
| Harmony Singing | Rick Mohr |
| 3:00 - 4:00 | |
| Contra Jambalaya | Carol Ormand |
| The Wide World of English Country Dancing | David Newitt |
| The Tao of Advanced Rapper | Phil Heaton |
| 4:05 - 4:25 | |
| Tea | |
| 4:30 - 5:30 | |
| Irish Sets | Frank Hall |
| Clogging for All | Abby Ladin |
| 5:30 - 6:15 | |
| Swimming, Bookstore staffed | |
| 6:30 Dinner | |
| 8:00 | |
| Evening Dance Party | |
| 11:00 | |
| After-Dance Activities | |
Class Descriptions: [Back to Top]
English Country Dance Classes
Modern Gems and Matchless Classics -- David Newitt / Mary Lea, Karen Axelrod
We'll explore the wealth of dances devised in the later 20th century, with forays back to the Playford era as well. Throughout we'll enjoy the inspiring tradition of tying dances closely to great music. For experienced country dancers.
English for All -- Brad Foster / Daron Douglas, Laurie Andres
Are you new or fairly new to English country? Or want to ease into your day without major brain tangling? Then please join us! This class will include modern compositions as well as old classics, all with great patterns and music, along with style tips for enhancing your enjoyment of the dance. Everyone is welcome.
The Wide World of English Country Dancing -- David Newitt / Daron Douglas, Doug Creighton, Karen Axelrod
From old to new, quick to slow, elegant to lively, sublime to ridiculous, come explore the joy and variety of the English country dance tradition. All dancers welcome.
American Dance Classes
Square Dance Revival Hour -- Carol Ormand / The Monks
Explore a kickin' mix of squares from many traditions -- New England, southern Appalachian, western and "modern fusion," plus a few modern western (club) figures guaranteed to knock your socks off. The driving rhythms of the Monks are sure to convert even the staunchest non-believers. Come on down and testify!
Contra Jambalaya -- Carol Ormand / Laurie Andres, Peter Siegel, Claudio Buchwald
Feed your feet with a spicy mix of contras, from the charming chestnuts of yore to the beckoning beckets, sizzling sicilians and dynamite duples of today. Haiku summary:
We'll have so much fun,
Each dance will be your fav'rite --
Until the next one.
Other Social Dance Classes
Couple Dance Secrets -- Rick Mohr / Laurie Andres
Learn the secrets of partner harmony in turning couple dances, and everyone will be after you to dance the waltz, schottische, snoa, hambo, polka and zwiefacher. We'll add new variations as well as have plenty of time to enjoy just dancing in fine company to Laurie's incredible accordion playing.
Open Mic for Callers and Musicians -- David Newitt / Doug Creighton
Come to dance, call or play music -- or do it all! David will coach callers and give feedback (if you wish) while Doug leads musicians in great dance music. We'll dance contras, squares, English ... it's up to you! Bring your Barnes if you have one.
Irish Sets -- Frank Hall / Mary Lea, Sam Bartlett, Peter Siegel
Irish sets are the quadrilles (square dances) as they were cultivated in Ireland: lively, perfectly suited to Irish reels, jigs, hornpipes, polkas and slides, and with fancy footwork for those who can't contain themselves. This class is suited to all dancers at all levels. It is social dance of the country people, alive with regional styles, plenty of potential for self expression, yet simple enough for full participation. Hard soled shoes are the preferred footwear. "Around the house and mind the dresser."
Sword Classes
The Coxbench Longsword -- Phil Heaton / Doug Creighton
This is the only recorded Derbyshire sword dance. It's a short dance with simple figures, a driving rhythm and a running turn of speed. Coxbench is initially easy to learn, but eventually the pushy tunes will propel the dancers to a skillful completion with every foot in place -- later in the week! We'll also consider how to interpret and develop a dance from a bare bones manuscript. Hard-soled shoes and short longswords.
Rapper for All -- Phil Heaton / Daron Douglas
All are invited to enjoy the simple ideas and figures of universal rapper, learning sword handling and stepping with amazing proficiency. As the class develops add variations to promote group bonding and enhanced thinking skills, and see how slick presentation and Geordie-type audience interactions (English interpretations supplied) can be a vital prop to performance. Hard-soled shoes.
The Tao of Advanced Rapper -- Phil Heaton / Mary Lea
With new ideas and figures from teams such as Stone Monkey, Black Swan, the Kingsmen and High Spen, plus a wider sweep of the ideas of the "Tradition", rapperists will develop personal and team performance skills and enrich an understanding of what makes good rapper. The connections between the rapper ages (pre- and post-Sharp, EFDSS, DERT) and The Tao Te Ching will become obvious. Hard soles. Loose ankles. Open mind.
Clogging Classes
Intermediate/Advanced Clogging -- Abby Ladin / Sam Bartlett
Got feet? Let's use them! We'll play with rhythmic combinations, movement patterns, combine styles of footwork, and take your skills to a new level. For dancers experienced in any style of clogging or step dancing.
Clogging for All -- Abby Ladin / Claudio Buchwald
Abby can teach anyone how to clog. Even you! Come learn the basic steps and how to move them around and call it dancing. Or come with the basics under your belt and add to your repertoire.
Music Classes
American Band -- Peter Siegel
We'll learn and play great tunes from all over North America, then mix and combine styles to inspire discussion and ultimately small and large group performances. All levels and instruments welcome, both melody and rhythm.
English Country Dance Music -- Karen Axelrod
We'll explore the genre through erudite lectures, library research and outdated filmstrips. Not! Rather, we'll make danceable, expressive music and have fun in the process, with opportunities for small ensembles, listening and playing off each other. Come, whether you've never played an English tune or whether you're a seasoned band member.
Harmony Singing -- Rick Mohr
Enjoy creating rich harmonies while learning "keeper" songs from many sources -- traditional and contemporary, American and English, rich chordal and open modal. We'll learn melodies and harmonies by ear and combine them for some exhilarating singing, and also practice inventing our own harmonies.
And Finally...
Camp Gathering -- Frank Hall
Join Frank, your MC, in a daily extravaganza of camper and staff talent, singing, stories and high jinks. A great way to wind down before lunch and hang out with the whole camp!
Staff
Class Descriptions & Schedule
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413-268-7426 |
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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