Step Into Tradition: Join Us for a Night of Live Music and Contra Dancing
Schedule
Sat Oct 12 2024 at 06:30 pm to 09:00 pm
Location
340 N Escondido Blvd, Escondido, CA, United States, California 92025 | Escondido, CA
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Contra Dance is a social, American folk dance. If you can walk, you can contra!California Center for the Arts – Concert Hall Rehearsal Studio
Dancing 7 to 9:30 pm (beginners’ lesson at 6:30 pm)
Entrance fees: $15-25, $5 for students and military
No pre-event ticketing. Cash is gladly accepted at the door, as is Venmo. (No credit cards)
Contra Dance immigrated to this country, bringing roots in 17th century English, Scottish and French country dance, and was processed through American folk traditions of 18th New England and Appalachia. After being remembered again in the 1900’s, Contra dancing is once again popular around the country. Dance festivals with 100’s of dancers draw from both the US and internationally. Traditionally, Contra is done to live music.
Contra dance is a social event, and people can attend with or without partners. Anyone can ask anyone to dance, and people often trade partners after each individual dance. All dances are taught and prompted during the dance.
We have a special treat with live music from nationally known talent Audrey Jaber and Jeff Spero!
Jeff Spero:
Jeff has been playing piano and singing since he was five years old. At a young age he discovered an affinity for popular music and developed his style emulating musicians like James Taylor, Elton John, and Bruce Hornsby. In his 30s, he brought his rhythmic style to American and Celtic folk and dance music and now travels around the country playing dances, concerts and festivals with bands such as Syncopaths and Rhythm Raptors.
In addition to playing music, Jeffrey is a contra dance caller and choreographer whose dances have been enjoyed all across this country and overseas.
Audrey Jaber:
You know Audrey Jaber (Knuth) is performing if the room is buzzing at a higher level. Her fiddling, featured in bands including The Free Raisins, The Gaslight Tinkers, Audacious (with Larry Unger), and Wake Up Robin, has electrified dance and concert halls across the US and Europe. Hailing from Honolulu and now living in California, she cut her folk teeth in the Boston area, attending Berklee College of Music and spending years exploring the thriving New England folk scene. Audrey’s fiddle playing is rhythmically lively and spontaneous; she’s guaranteed to get you up and dancing. She specializes in English dance, New England, Celtic, and Old Time tunes\. You might also have taken a workshop with Audrey, as she’s been on staff at various camps including CDSS English week at Pinewoods, Ashokan Northern Week, BACDS American week, and Halsway Manor.
Frannie Marr:
Frannie began contra dancing in 1998 when she went looking for a new form of dance to bring back to her elementary school. She quickly fell in love with the music and dance scene and became an organizer as well as a caller. Frannie is known for her excellent choices of wonderful dances, and her clear precise walkthroughs which make her easy to understand and follow. Can you tell that she was a kindergarten teacher? Frannie’s joy of dance is so present in her exuberant calling you’ll think you’re at a dance party.
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Where is it happening?
340 N Escondido Blvd, Escondido, CA, United States, California 92025Event Location & Nearby Stays: