Previous Contra Dance Events

Luddite Ramblers with Amy Wimmer calling

Countercurrent with George Marshall calling

Campaign for reel Time with Eric Curl calling

The Euphemists with Laura Mé Smith calling

Pleasantly Frantic with Ric Goldman calling

Northwest Stomp with Rich Goss calling

Northwest Stomp, from Portland, brings dynamic Celtic music to the contra dance world.  Katie Jane Lubiens is an awesome fiddler who can play and really smile at the same time.  Eddie Butler joins on fiddle and mandolin.  Thom Dudley is on guitar, Nila Garner plays bodhran, and Rob Ridley plays flute, piccolo, and whistle.

Old Growth Graveyard with Jesse Partridge calling

Powerhouse duo Ryan McKasson on fiddle and Colin Cotter on guitar are Old Growth Graveyard.  Ryan McKasson, from Lakewood, is a superb fiddler in the Scottish tradition.  Colin Cotter, from San Francisco, is a guitar wonder who sings well.

The Racoon Carnival with Joe Micheals calling

The Raccoon Carnival is a band of 15 members—on fiddles, guitars, mandolins, bass, and other instruments—led by Sarah Comer.  The arrangements are wonderful, and the tunes are lively and really well fitted to the dances.  Joe Micheals is a superb caller.  If you are a newcomer, be there at 3:00 for his workshop.

Joyride with David Kreiss-Tomkins calling

Joyride (from Portland) is famous for superb tunes, great arrangements, and ringing, rocking, gorgeous melodies that make you want to move.  George Penk’s lively fiddle, Erik Weberg’s nimble flute, harmonica and bombarde, Sue Songer’s pulsing piano, and Jeff Kerssen-Griep’s percussive guitar breathe big life into contra dancing.

River Scheuerell and Dante Faulk with Rich Goss calling

Rich Goss, from Portland, calls for River Scheuerell and Dante Faulk, a dynamic duo from Olympia.  They play high-energy dance tunes from both sides of the Atlantic on fiddle, cello, guitar and bodhran.

The Hat Band with Laura Mé Smith calling

The Hat Band from Portland, is Jon Neff on guitar, Syd Newell on fiddle, and Meg Tapley on flute.  This band is wonderfully unique—with three-part harmonies and creative arrangements of traditional contra tunes, rags, blues, swing, klezmer, and waltz.

W.B. Reid, Bonnie Zahnow, And Howie Meltzer with Eric Curl calling

These three long-time contra musicians and old friends pool their talents for some great music. Howie’s countless bands include Red Crow and Devil’s Club Darlins. WB & Bonnie played in Notatious with Phil & Vivian Williams, and currently with Laurie Andres in the trio Chicken Feathers.  Twin fiddles, 6-string banjo, guitar, and a vast repertoire of fine tunes make for fun dancing.

The Faux Paws with George Marshall calling

The Faux Paws is quite a unique band with a roller coaster of sound.  Noah VanNorstrand, Chris Miller, and Owen Morrison are virtuosos on fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and sax and can move deftly between musical moods, influences, and styles.  This is a captivating band.  They sound really good but cannot be described with traditional adjectives.  They are unique, just like the name “Faux Paws.”

Olympia Volunteer String Band with Jesse Partridge calling

Olympia Volunteer String Band includes about 15 musicians on fiddle, piano, percussion, clarinet, cello, and other instruments—a true medley of sound arranged and directed by Jesse Partridge.  OVSB is a modern minor contra dance orchestra that will keep you dancing with delight.

Ryan McKasson & Alex Sturbaum with Gwen Rousseau calling

Alex Sturbaum is a versatile and engaging performer steeped in folk music from both sides of the Atlantic, drawing influences from Celtic, American, English, Canadian, and maritime music to create something at once old and new.  Ryan brings more than 40 years of experience performing on the fiddle including 20+ years with the Syncopaths.

Dale Russ & Mike Saunders with Laura Mé Smith calling

The Electrodes with Eric Curl calling

The Extra Terrestrials with Susan Michaels calling

The Racoon Carnival with Joe Micheals calling

Sarah Comer leads The Racoon Carnival. Made of 18 band members, prepare to hear guitars, mandolins, bass, a whole lot of fiddles and a few other surprises.

Mystic Deer with Elizabeth Bretschneider calling

The Mystic Deer includes Anthea Lawrence and Lawson Dumbeck who formed two thirds of the band Fiddlehead. They are joined by Lawson Cannon, Karen Dale and (possibly) Julie Bennett. Before Mystic Deer, Fiddlehead was considered one of the finest Celtic groups in the Northwest.

Susan, Vienna & Jay with Lindsey Dono calling

Magical harmonies of fiddlers Susan Burke and Vienna Scheyer merge with the colorful rhythms and intriguing percussion of guitar wizard Jay Finklestein. Susan brings to the dance her passion for the music of Cape Breton, Scotland, and Ireland. Vienna Scheyer is making a name for herself as an up-and-coming young fiddler. If you ask, she will tell you she is named after the city, not the sausage.

Alex, Penka Jane & Anita with Jesse Partridge calling

Alex Sturbaum on accordion, Penka Jane Culevski on fiddle, and Anita Anderson on piano, with Jesse Partridge calling. The players are really talented, and they might add vocals and feet.

KGB with Koren Wake

With fiddle, mandolin, guitar and piano, KGB creates subversive music, lulling the unwary with traditional New England contradance tunes, then jumping off into Balkan modalities, tango riffs and bluesy jigs. Claude slides from growling grooves to impossible high notes on the fiddle. Dave creates percussive energy and dazzling riffs on anything with strings. Julie explores the emotional range of the keyboard from majestic to down and dirty.

Chicken feathers & Open Band with Susan Michaels

Chicken Feathers specializes in old-fashioned, dynamic New England contra dance music, inspired by their hero, tune master Bob McQuillen.  The tunes are really good marches and reels, with an occasional jig to lighten your step.  With the open band filling the stage, this should be quite an experience!

Contra Quartet with Susan Michaels

Susan Michaels calls for the Contra Quartet, with Jesse Partridge (fiddle), Jay Finkelstein (guitar), Steve Cifka (cello) and Julie Bennett (percussion).

Engine Room with George Marshall

George Marshall (visiting from Massachusetts) calls for Engine Room, with Alex Sturbaum (guitar) , Kelsey Wells (fiddle), Noah VanNorstrand (fiddle and feet), and George on bodhran.  This will be George Marshall’s 16^th appearance in Wells Hall—and it’s always a glorious dance experience!