ValleyCopia PCA Grant Application for Double Contra Dance on
Friday, November 27, 2015 Submitted by Valley Contra Dance Society
June 22, 2015
Slide 2
Valley Contra Dance Board and Managers of ValleyCopia on
Friday, November 27, 2015 Officer Name/Profession/City Years on
Board Years working on Valley Copia Officer Name/Profession/City
Years on Board Years working on Valley Copia PresidentSonja Walker
Retired Systems Analyst Bethlehem PA 12 Member at LargeZiona
Brotleit Licensed Psychologist Bethlehem PA 1813 TreasurerRoy
Gruver Director of Technology Services, Lehigh University Bethlehem
PA 1314Member at LargeEmily Sharp Graduate Student Lehigh
University Allentown, PA 22 Artistic DirectorSophia Feller
Community Garden Coordinator for the city of Easton Easton PA
88Volunteer CoordinatorMargaret Gallos Executive Director
Association of Environmental Authorities of NJ Milford, NJ 45
SecretaryPam Ruch Small business owner - Horticulturist Emmaus PA
1210Member at LargeBridget Salantri Adjunct Faculty, Northampton
County Community College Northampton, PA 32 Outreach Coordinator
& Alternate secretary Kathy Stagl Retired Chemist Emmaus PA
1013Member at LargeJohn Buzdegon Small business owner - Electrician
Quakertown, PA 21 Member at LargeClinton Walker Retired Research
Psychologist Bethlehem PA 11 Bookings CoordinatorTom Durkin Retired
Logistics Specialist Wilkes Barre, PA 11
Slide 3
Links to VCDS and Partners Flyer from ValleyCopia in 2014
Valley Contra Dance www.Valleycontradance.org
www.Valleycontradance.org Contracopia Dance OPlenty (2014)
www.thursdaycontra.com/contracopia
www.thursdaycontra.com/contracopia Mostly Waltz
www.mostlywaltz.comwww.mostlywaltz.com CDSS Passport to Joy
www.cdss100.org/spread-the- joy/passport-to-joy
www.cdss100.org/spread-the- joy/passport-to-joy
Slide 4
VCD Web page announcing the 2014 Valley Copia.
Slide 5
Valley Contra Dance (VCD): What to Expect VCD welcomes all
comers to our 2 nd and 4th Saturday evening dance in Bethlehem (and
occasional 5th Saturday). Depending on the season and weather, the
crowd varies from 40 to 100 dancers. We draw from a wide range of
ages, many of our regular dancers being between 35 and 60. We're a
mixture of families, couples, and singles who come from all over
eastern Pennsylvania and neighboring states. Contra dancing is an
American folk art and recreation that descended from the country
dancing of England, France, Scotland, and Ireland in colonial
times. You dance with a partner in a formation of two long lines
that are opposite/facing/contra. As in square dancing, the moves
are called aloud by a caller. Many of the moves, or figures, occur
in square dancing, too (like allemandes, stars, and partner
swings). Unlike square dances, we make it easy for newcomers to
take part, change partners from dance to dance (so you don't have
to bring a partner), always have live music, and dance relatively
long individual dance numbers - usually 7 to 9 minutes each at
about 120 steps a minute. Except that we ask you to wear shoes that
won't punish a good wood floor, we don't have a dress code. Contra
music is lively, consisting mainly of march tempos, polkas, and the
Celtic sounds of jigs and reels. We finish the first and second
half with a waltz and usually start the second half with a swing or
folk dance number. As forms of dance go, contra dancing is easy for
a beginner to enjoy. There are no special steps; you just walk in
time to the music. That may sound too simple, but there's an
energizing physical flow from figure to figure within a dance
number. We employ professional musicians and callers who come from
as far as Ohio, North Carolina, and New England. The admission ($10
for non-members; $5 for students) pays for the expenses of the
hall, callers, and bands. Taking part provides different rewards;
some people like the music the best, some the flow, some the
exercise, some the sociability, some the Sufi-like "getting into
the zone," and some the pot luck food at intermission. For
experienced contra dancers, the sense of community is a special
reward. As the arts go, contra dancing is not cool; it's down to
earth. The scene is free of career networking, marketing, social
climbing, intense singles cruising, and religious or political
evangelizing. Folks leave their issues at home and come just to be
sociable and enjoy dancing. The setting is smoke- and alcohol-free,
but not for reasons of ideology. Afterward, some of us get together
at a local restaurant for a snack and a drink. We welcome newcomers
and beginners, remembering that we once took the plunge into this
unfamiliar scene. The pace is brisk, but each evening starts with
an introductory lesson, then each dance number is practiced before
its done at full pace with music and the guidance of the caller.
Tell your partners that youre new at this and theyll be helpful.
For directions, contact information, and some photos, check out our
web site: www.valleycontradance.org. Videos of contra dancing
abound on-line, but remember that the dancers youre watching have
had the introductory lesson already as well as practice on the
dance they are showing you. Also, many of the videos omit the
callers voice. Youll be dancing like that in no
timewww.valleycontradance.org A link from our web page with
information about contra dancing
Slide 6
Donna Hunt, the afternoon caller Donna Hunt calls contra and
square dances with interesting choreography and variations. She is
known for utilizing clear, concise instructions to minimize
teaching time and maximize dance time. Equally comfortable calling
with a techno DJ as with a traditional band of musicians, she
offers programs of exciting dances in a variety of figures and
formations for the dancers enjoyment. Donna infuses the dancers
with confidence, regardless of their skill level, and she enjoys
guiding new dancers and challenging experienced ones. Donna
presently lives in Wilmington, DE, and she is a regular caller at
the Thursday Night and the 3rd Saturday Contra Dances in Glenside,
PA, and the Arden Contra dance in Arden, DE. Since she began in
1989, Donna has called for dances throughout New England and the
mid-Atlantic States and as far away as Colorado and California. She
has called for weekend events including NEFFA, Dance Flurry,
Philadelphia Folk Festival, Gender-free Dance Camp, Folk Project
Festival, Head for the Hills and the now defunct Heritage and NOMAD
Dance Festivals. Donnas experience with family dances, square
dances, barn dances, and wedding dances makes her a popular caller
for private parties with participants who do not yet know that they
are dancers.
Slide 7
The Afternoon band Frost and Fire Aaron Marcus (piano,
concertina, banjo, foot percussion, vocals) Aaron draws on a rich
background of musical traditions including New England contra,
classical piano, English country dance, West African, and old time.
Well known throughout the Northeast, Aaron brings exuberant energy
to Frost and Fire whether hes vamping on piano or clogging while
playing tunes on concertina. Aaron divides his time between
Hancock, VT and Montpelier, VT, where he works as an
endangered-species botanist. Hollis Easter (flute, bagpipes,
whistle, guitar, mandolin, vocals) Hollis grew up listening to a
mixture of classical, folk, blues, jazz, and Celtic music, and that
background informs his playing today. Classically trained in opera,
choral performance, trumpet, and musical theater, Hollis brings a
quick wit, an easy grin, and a strong melodic line to Frost and
Fire. He won a British championship title with Lomond & Clyde
Pipe Band and was Pipe Major of the National Youth Pipe Band of
Scotland for several international tours. He has played with Carlos
Nuez, Susie Petrov, Laura Cortese, and The Chieftains. Hollis lives
in Potsdam, NY, where he runs a crisis hotline and teaches suicide
intervention Peter Macfarlane (fiddle, low whistle, vocals) Peter
developed his characteristic Scottish fiddle style growing up in
the United Kingdom, where he played regularly for Scottish dances
and weddings. He organized and led the Aylesbury Fiddle Rally for
10 years, and he has published original tunebooks and recorded
music for Scottish country dancing. Peter brings powerful rhythmic
drive and soaring melodic lines to Frost and Fires sound. Peter
lives in Addison, VT, where he teaches fiddle, plays with Atlantic
Crossing, and builds custom cedar-strip canoes.teaches
fiddleAtlantic Crossingcustom cedar-strip canoes Viveka Fox
(fiddle, bodhran, djembe) Viveka grew up playing the music of the
British isles alongside that of North America, and her music fuses
a variety of styles, with a particular fondness for Cape Breton.
Viveka has anchored the fiddle section of Atlantic Crossing since
1993, and her smiling face topped with a dashing hatis well known
anywhere contra dancers are found. Viveka spins out tune after tune
with ease, and her bodhran always earns whoops from the dance
floor. Viveka is also a nationally-known fencing coach, and her
trophies line the walls at her home in Addison, VT.Atlantic
Crossingfencing coach
Slide 8
The Evening Band Petes Posse Petes Posse is composed of Pete
Sutherland (fiddle, piano, banjo and vocals), Oliver Scanlon
(fiddle, mandolin, dobro, foot percussion and vocals) and Tristan
Henderson (guitars, mandolin, jaw harp, bodhran, foot percussion
and vocals). Twin fiddles in tight, wild harmony over high- powered
guitar and pounding footwork with mandolin, clawhammer banjo,
jawharp and rocking keyboards add to the mix of old songs and tunes
along with brand new ones. Thats the multi-generational heart and
mind of Petes Posse, at work and at play. Pete Sutherland A warm
voiced singer, songsmith and accomplished multi-instrumentalist is
known equally for his potent originals and his intense re-creations
of age old ballads and fiery fiddle tunes. Pete Sutherland covers
the map and shines with a pure spirit which infuses every bit of
his music, and cannot fail to move all who hear him. -American
Festival of Fiddle Tunes. He has been on staff at dance and music
camps coast to coast and is a widely known year-round teacher and
performer at home. Sutherland is a veteran of many touring and
recording groups including Metamora, Rhythm In Shoes, The Woodshed
Allstars, Woods Tea Company, Ira Bernsteins Ten Toe Percussion and
is a founding member of the long running contradance jamband The
Clayfoot Strutters, celebrating a quarter century in 2014! He is
also a producer with over 80 projects under his belt, and a
prolific songwriter covered by the likes of Cathy Fink and Marcy
Marxer, Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, Nightingale and Altan. Tristan
Henderson Quickly becoming a sought after accompanist, session
musician and performer in Vermont, Tristan Henderson grew up
playing a variety of music genres before jumping into traditional
music. He acquired his ability to play anything with strings (and a
few without) as a teenager at a weekly blues/country/folk music
session near his family home in Pomfret, Vermont. He was a 2013
winner of the Young Tradition Vermont talent contest with bagpiper
Hazen Metro and in addition to Petes Posse, he also performs with
Atlantic Crossing and Pipers Den. Oliver Scanlon With early
training in viola which led him to a stint with the Vermont Youth
Orchestra, fiddler, mandolinist and tunesmith Oliver Scanlon was
introduced to his mentor Pete and the parallel universe of fiddle
music at the age of nine. His enthusiasm led him to seek out
further learning and performing opportunities through Mark Sustics
Fiddleheads program, and to begin attending music camps where he
has studied various styles with Alan Jabbour, Kimberley Fraser,
Eric Favreau and other master fiddlers. In 2008, Oliver and a few
talented middle school friends formed the group which became The
Irregulars, a six piece outfit that has played scores of local
dances and festivals. In 2013 he both co- founded the Posse and
became the youngest member of Petes long running dance band The
Clayfoot Strutters. A recent high school graduate, Olivers senior
Project was a solo CD, The Pond Jam
Slide 9
ValleyCopia Fan Mail Subject: Fans of ValleyCopia Friday From:
RCN Date: 6/9/2014 10:35 PM To: "[email protected]" To
whom it may concern: For a person who has no family in the area,
the ValleyCopia Friday Dance makes for a fun and healthy as well as
pleasant musical experience out of a weekend that could be
otherwise lonely and somewhat dull! I personally look forward to
connecting with friends and sharing a special time and sense of joy
and community that this dance oers! I am grateful for the
opportunity to enjoy the great music, fun and sense of camaraderie
that many people in our community share through this special dance
over this particular holiday weekend. My life and world would not
be the same without the pleasure of contra dancing and special
music that is unique to contra dance. Thank you for your support of
our dance and community. Sincerely, Michael Dewey Subject: Re: Fans
of ValleyCopia Friday and Friends of Valley Contra Dance From:
Stephen White Date: 6/11/2014 11:07 AM To: Sonja Walker To Whom It
May Concern: I have been attending Valley Contra dance events for
about eight years and it is something special. The organizers and
other volunteers are warm and welcoming and are justifiably famous
for their potlucks and refreshments. The quality of the bands and
callers they book for their dances and concerts is significantly
higher than other dances in the surrounding area. Performers like
to play Bethlehem. The attendance is strong because few new
attendees fail to have a good experience. The combination of
community support, effective organization and enthusiastic audience
has made Valley Contra dance a real asset to the community. Live
music and social dancing has always provided a community-centered
respite from the competition and trials of daily life. Going to a
Valley Contra dance event is like entering a joyous bubble from
which I can return refreshed. If its activities were curtailed or
lost I would feel the loss deeply. Stephen White 933 Ferry Street
Easton, PA 18042
Slide 10
Pictures at Valley Contra Dance Partner Swing Circle Left Grand
Chain Star Right
