--- events: - name: River Rendezvous links: - "https://riverrendezvous.com/" - "https://www.facebook.com/events/656454182128444/" start: "2022-07-15T15:00:00-04:00" end: "2022-07-17T15:00:00-04:00" country: USA state: OH city: Coshocton styles: - contra workshop: false social: true bands: - Toss the Possum - The Mean Lids callers: - Gaye Fifer - Terry Doyle - Carol Kopp price: $95-$171.50 organisation: Northeast Ohio Contra Dance source: events/usa/ohio.yaml - name: Fiddling Frog links: - "https://www.caldancecoop.org/special-events/fiddling-frog/" start: "2023-02-24T19:00:00-08:00" end: "2023-02-26T22:30:00-08:00" country: USA state: CA city: Pasadena styles: - contra workshop: false social: true bands: - Root System - The Dam Beavers callers: - Gaye Fifer - Jeremy Korr price: $85-$190 organisation: California Dance Co-Operative source: events/usa/california.yaml - name: Hawaii Contra Dance Week links: - "https://kalani.com/hawaii-contra-dance-week-march-2023/" start: "2023-03-11T16:00:00-10:00" end: "2023-03-17T12:00:00-10:00" country: USA state: HI city: Pahoa styles: - contra workshop: false social: true bands: - Tangent callers: - Gaye Fifer - Claire Takemori price: $1420-$3100 organisation: Kalanimua source: events/usa/hawaii.yaml - name: Whitewater Whirl links: - "https://www.footmad.org/whirl" start: "2023-05-05T18:00:00-04:00" end: "2023-05-07T13:00:00-04:00" country: USA state: WV city: Fayetteville styles: - contra - ecd workshop: true social: true bands: - Playing with Fyre - Trillium callers: - Gaye Fifer - Terry Doyle price: $60-$110 organisation: FOOTMAD source: events/usa/fayetteville.yaml - name: Fall Dance Weekend details: "Come dance to the music of Supertrad and Stomp Rocket with callers Gaye Fifer, Janine Smith, and guest caller Michael Karchar. All are welcome. \nThis is a mask-optional and vaccine-optional dance. While dancing, we will have a mask-required line if enough people show up who are interested. Details and registration will be forthcoming on our website.  \n " links: - "https://cdss.org/event/pittsburgh-fall-dance-weekend/" - "https://pittsburghcontra.org/fdw/" - "https://www.facebook.com/events/608965457991737/" start: "2023-10-27T20:00:00-04:00" end: "2023-10-29T15:30:00-04:00" country: USA state: PA city: Pittsburgh styles: - contra - ecd workshop: false social: true bands: - Stomp Rocket - Supertrad callers: - Gaye Fifer - Janine Smith - Michael Karchar price: $60-$120 organisation: Pittsburgh Contra Dance source: events/usa/cdss_2023.yaml - name: Pittsburgh Contra Dance details: "Come dance to the music of the Lackawanna Longnecks with caller Gaye Fifer. Our free beginner lesson begins at 7:30pm. Complete beginners are welcome! This dance, masks are optional, but we also hold a masks-required dance each month. " links: - "https://pittsburghcontra.org/" - "https://cdss.org/event/pittsburgh-contra-dance-masks-optional-2/" start: "2023-12-15T19:30:00-05:00" end: "2023-12-15T23:00:00-05:00" country: USA state: PA city: Pittsburgh styles: - contra workshop: true social: true bands: - Lackawanna Longnecks callers: - Gaye Fifer price: $15 organisation: Pittsburgh Contra Dance source: events/usa/cdss_2023.yaml - name: Pittsburgh Contra Dance details: "Come dance to the music of the Snappin’ Bug Stringband with caller Gaye Fifer. Our free beginner lesson begins at 7:30. Complete beginners are welcome! At this dance masks are required, but we also have a mask-optional dance each month. " links: - "https://pittsburghcontra.org/" - "https://cdss.org/event/pittsburgh-contra-dance/" start: "2024-01-26T19:30:00-05:00" end: "2024-01-26T23:00:00-05:00" country: USA state: PA city: Pittsburgh styles: - contra workshop: true social: true bands: - "Snappin' Bug Stringband" callers: - Gaye Fifer organisation: Pittsburgh Contra Dance source: events/usa/cdss.yaml - name: Bayou Bedlam links: - "http://www.bayoubedlam.org/" - "https://cdss.org/event/bayou-bedlam/" start: "2024-02-09T19:30:00-06:00" end: "2024-02-11T19:30:00-06:00" country: USA state: TX city: Houston styles: - contra workshop: true social: true bands: - The Dam Beavers callers: - Gaye Fifer organisation: Houston Area Traditional Dance Society source: events/usa/trycontra.yaml - name: Pittsburgh Contra Dance details: "Come dance to the music of GrayScale with caller Gaye Fifer. Our free beginner lesson begins at 7:30pm. Complete beginners are welcome! At this dance masks are optional, but we also hold a masks-required dance each month." links: - "https://pittsburghcontra.org/" - "https://cdss.org/event/pittsburgh-contra-dance-masks-optional-2/" start: "2024-03-29T19:30:00-04:00" end: "2024-03-29T23:00:00-04:00" country: USA state: PA city: Pittsburgh styles: - contra workshop: true social: true bands: - GrayScale callers: - Gaye Fifer price: $15 organisation: Pittsburgh Contra Dance source: events/usa/cdss.yaml - name: Springforth Ball and Dance Weekend details: "The Traditional American Dance and Music Society\ninvites you to the\n27th Annual Springforth Ball & Dance Weekend\nApril 12-13-14, 2024 \nFeaturing\nDrive Train\nEd Howe (fiddle)\nBennett Konesni (guitar), and\nNoah Fishman (bass, mandolin & bouzouki) \nwith Gaye Fifer calling \nJoin us for a high energy weekend of food, dance, music, and workshops." links: - "https://tadamsva.org/springforth-2024/" - "https://cdss.org/event/springforth-ball-and-dance-weekend/" start: "2024-04-12T19:00:00-04:00" end: "2024-04-14T15:00:00-04:00" country: USA state: VA city: Richmond styles: - contra workshop: true social: true bands: - Drive Train callers: - Gaye Fifer organisation: TADAMS (Traditional American Dance and Music Society) source: events/usa/cdss.yaml - name: Spring Dance Weekend details: "Our Spring Dance Weekend features English Country Dance at its finest. Join us for the entire weekend of workshops led by our experienced dance instructors, Gaye Fifer and Olivia Barry. Magical live music all weekend provided by our two featured bands, nationally renowned musicians Rachel Bell, Susan Kevra, and Jacqueline Schwab along with local group, Dame’s Delight. Option for dancers with some prior experience to drop into our Saturday evening community dance for $10." links: - "https://www.folkschool.org/2024/02/01/spring-dance-weekend-2024/" - "https://cdss.org/event/spring-dance-weekend/" start: "2024-04-26T15:00:00-04:00" end: "2024-04-28T12:00:00-04:00" country: USA state: NC city: Brasstown styles: - ecd workshop: true social: true bands: - "Dame's Delight" callers: - Gaye Fifer - Olivia Barry price: $256 organisation: CDSS source: events/usa/cdss.yaml - name: Whitewater Whirl details: "The Whitewater Whirl returns for its 17th year in West Virginia’s New River Gorge area. Gaye Fifer and Janine Smith call to the tunes of Hot Coffee Breakdown: Tom Cunningham (fiddle), Luis de Leon (percussion/harmonica), Kate Sanders (keyboard)—and Brazenkeys, with Tadhg Ó Meachair (all-Ireland champion on accordion), Joanna Hyde (fiddle), and Eric Schedler (piano). \nNew Deal-era dance hall with suspended wooden floor, free tent camping or dorm style bunks, motels and B&Bs in area, meal plan available. Register at WhitewaterWhirl.org. \nSponsored by Kanawha Valley Friends of Old Time Music and Dance (FOOTMAD). \n$115, under 30 $75" links: - "https://www.footmad.org/whirl" - "https://cdss.org/event/whitewater-whirl-contra-dance-weekend/" start: "2024-05-03T19:00:00-04:00" end: "2024-05-05T15:00:00-04:00" country: USA state: WV city: Fayetteville styles: - contra workshop: false social: true bands: - Brazenkeys - Hot Coffee Breakdown callers: - Gaye Fifer - Janine Smith price: $75-$115 organisation: Kanawha Valley Friends of Old Time Music and Dance source: events/usa/cdss.yaml - name: Spring Dance Romance links: - "https://tcdancers.org/sdr" start_date: 2024-05-24 end_date: 2024-05-26 country: USA state: NC city: Carrboro styles: - contra workshop: true social: true bands: - The Mean Lids - River Road callers: - Gaye Fifer - Alex Deis-Lauby organisation: TryContra source: events/usa/trycontra.yaml - name: Dance Trance Weekend links: - "https://www.dancetrance.ltda.us/" - "https://cdss.org/event/dance-trance-in-lexington-ky/" start: "2024-06-07T20:00:00-04:00" end: "2024-06-09T15:00:00-04:00" country: USA state: KY city: Lexington styles: - contra - ecd workshop: true social: true bands: - Hot Coffee Breakdown - Dreamdance callers: - Gaye Fifer - Joe Wilkie price: $50-$115 organisation: Lexington Traditional Dance Association source: events/usa/trycontra.yaml - name: Swing into Summer links: - "http://www.swingintosummer.org/" start_date: 2024-06-14 end_date: 2024-06-16 country: USA state: MA city: Plymouth styles: - contra - ecd workshop: true social: true bands: - Countercurrent - "Miranda Weinberg, Aaron Marcus, & Carrie Rose" callers: - Gaye Fifer - Adina Gordon price: $100-$260 organisation: TryContra source: events/usa/trycontra.yaml - name: Roanoke Railroader links: - "http://www.roanokerailroader.com/" start_date: 2024-07-04 end_date: 2024-07-07 country: USA state: VA city: Salem styles: - contra workshop: true social: true bands: - Toss the Possum - The Latter Day Lizards callers: - Will Mentor - Gaye Fifer price: $95-$160 organisation: TryContra source: events/usa/trycontra.yaml - name: Rochester Thursday Night Contras details: "We are a welcoming contra group, dancing every week to live music. Please come! Check our website in case of last minute changes, and check out our videos on our Country Dancers of Rochester YouTube channel!" links: - "https://cdrochester.org/events/thursday-night-contra-213/" - "https://cdss.org/event/rochester-ny-thursday-night-contras/2024-07-18/" start: "2024-07-18T18:00:00-04:00" end: "2024-07-18T22:30:00-04:00" country: USA state: NY city: Rochester styles: - balfolk - contra workshop: false social: true callers: - Gaye Fifer price: $5-$10 organisation: Country Dancers of Rochester source: events/usa/cdss.yaml - name: Flying Shoes Community Dance & Contra Dance details: "Everyone is welcome at this two-part monthly dance series. From neophytes to lifelong participants, and so many other demographic variations, we all collaborate to make this community-building participatory arts program a joyful success. See you at the dance! \nSchedule:\n\n6:00 pm ~ Musicians Warmup ~ Tunes on the All Comers Band page\n6:30-7:30 pm ~ Community Dance ~ Lisa Newcomb & Chrissy Fowler calling with the All Comers Band, led by Benjamin Foss & Willy Clemetson ~ Community Dance admission is $1 kids, $2 adults\n8:00-11:00 pm ~ Contra Dance ~ We use the terms lark and robin to identify the dance roles. (More on roles here.) ~ Contra Dance Admission is $20 – $15 (a sliding scale lets us cover expenses and compensate performers; please pay as much as you can!)\n\nLocation: First Church in Belfast UCC, 8 Court St, Belfast (enter via Spring St) \nPolicies:  See Community Care Policy and First Friday FAQ ~ BFS programs are chem free (please be sober) ~ Stay home if you don’t feel well \nSponsors: Artisan Builders, Belfast Community Co-op, Colburn Shoe Store, Daisychain Farm, First National Bank, Grace Chiropractic, The Green Store, Searsport Shores Oceanfront Camping, Thomas Fowler PE, Trillium Caterers, and Worth Real Estate" links: - "https://belfastflyingshoes.org/calendar/" - "https://cdss.org/event/flying-shoes-first-friday-community-dance-contra-dance/2024-08-02/" start: "2024-08-02T18:00:00-04:00" end: "2024-08-02T23:00:00-04:00" country: USA state: ME city: Belfast styles: - contra workshop: false social: true bands: - All Comers Band - Stomp Rocket callers: - Chrissy Fowler - Lisa Newcomb - Gaye Fifer price: $15-$22 organisation: Belfast Flying Shoes source: events/usa/cdss.yaml - name: Cascade of Music & Dance links: - "https://camp.cdss.org/camp-weeks/cascade-of-music-dance-at-louise/" start_date: 2024-08-12 end_date: 2024-08-18 country: USA state: MD city: Cascade styles: - contra workshop: true social: true callers: - Wendy Graham Settle - Gaye Fifer organisation: TryContra source: events/usa/trycontra.yaml - name: Rocky Mountain Rendezvous links: - "https://cfootmad.org/rendezvous" - "https://boulderdance.org/event/rocky-mountain-rendezvous-contra-dance-weekend-4/" - "https://boulderdance.org/event/rocky-mountain-rendezvous-contra-dance-weekend-6/" - "https://boulderdance.org/event/rocky-mountain-rendezvous-contra-dance-open-dance/" - "https://boulderdance.org/event/rocky-mountain-rendezvous-contra-dance-weekend-7/" start: "2024-08-30T18:00:00-06:00" end: "2024-09-02T13:30:00-06:00" country: USA state: CO city: Boulder styles: - contra workshop: true social: true bands: - Nova - The Dam Beavers callers: - Gaye Fifer - Jacqui Grennan - Will Mentor organisation: TryContra source: events/usa/trycontra.yaml - name: "Swingin' Tern Double Dance" details: "Peter Buchak—accordion; Miranda Weinberg—fiddle; Ben Kennedy—piano \n3:45 – 5:45 pm **Afternoon Advanced Contras $15 adults/$5 students\n5:45 – 7:00 pm Dinner Break at the many walkable Chatham restaurants\n7:00 – 7:30 pm Beginners’ Workshop\n7:30 – 10:30 pm All-Level Evening Dance $15 adults/$5 students\nAll dances at Swingin’ Tern are called to Larks & Robins\nSt. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 200 Main Street, Chatham, NJ\nOur dance hall is air-conditioned. Vaccination and masks optional. \nIf you don’t pay the Fifer, Gaye will lead all The Orphans and the children of Hamelin off to contra dance. In an Oliver Twist of events, Cinderella, Huck Finn, Tom Sawyer, and Harry Potter find themselves in a ring of four. Don’t Heidi out or be a Pollyanna, wear your Snow White dress and Pippi Longstockings or Tarzan loincloth. Bambi will be waiting. \nGaye Fifer\nGaye Fifer is an accomplished caller from Pittsburgh, PA. An active dancer herself, Gaye understands the subtleties of making dances particularly satisfying for dancers. Her instructions are clear and concise, as she is a teacher by profession. An easy smile and delightful sense of humor are part of Gaye’s relaxed, pleasant style at the microphone. Gaye calls contra and English dances throughout the U.S. and Canada. She is also an enthusiastic advocate and instructor of contra-style waltz. Gaye is the former President of the Board of CDSS. YouTube Video  \nThe Orphans\nThe Orphans are a high-energy trio from the Philadelphia area, featuring Peter Buchak on accordion, Miranda Weinberg on fiddle, and Ben Kennedy on piano. Formed in 2016, they feature a repertoire of French Canadian and Irish tunes to propel you around the dance floor. YouTube Video  \nOur full calendar \nUseful Information:\n\nNewcomers are welcome to come at 7pm for an introductory lesson on the basics of contra dancing before the evening dance.\nNo partner is necessary. All dances are taught with a “walk-through” by the caller.\n**The Afternoon Advanced Contras session is for Experienced Contra Dancers only. You should be familiar with heys, petronellas, Rorey O’More, pass the ocean, etc., with minimal prompting. If not, please join us for the evening dance.\nOur dance is two blocks from the Chatham station on the Morris/Essex line out of Penn Station, NYC.\nFor the dinner break, visit one of the 17 walkable restaurants within two blocks of the dance.  \nWe no longer require vaccination. Masks are optional.\nAll dances at Swingin’ Tern are called to the gender-neutral terms Larks & Robins. Dance whatever role you’re comfortable in.\nWe are in an air-conditioned have along with the option for open windows on three sides.\nWe welcome contributions of home-baked [or not] goodies to share at the break.\nPlease bring your own water bottle. Water bottles may be filled at the kitchen sink.\nWear comfortable clothing. Contra dancing is aerobic. We prefer you carry in your shoes.\nWe are a friendly, inclusive group. Pack plenty of smiles!\n\n$15 adults/$5 students per session" links: - "https://folkproject.org/mec-events/tern-20240907/" - "https://cdss.org/event/swingin-tern-double-dance-gaye-fifer-the-orphans/" start: "2024-09-07T15:45:00-04:00" end: "2024-09-07T22:30:00-04:00" country: USA state: NJ city: Chatham styles: - contra workshop: true social: true bands: - The Orphans callers: - Gaye Fifer price: $10-$30 organisation: "Swingin' Tern Dances" source: events/usa/cdss.yaml - name: Star of the North details: "You are invited to a weekend of engaging music and dance with premier artists:\nCaller: Gaye Fifer\nGaye has been calling at ECD and contra dance camps, weekends and festivals around the country for many years. Her pleasant style and graceful teaching put dancers at ease and set the stage for a great dance experience. A retired elementary school teacher living in Pittsburgh, PA, Gaye is the immediate past president of the Country Dance and Song Society (CDSS) and has a passionate interest in supporting dance community leaders and organizers. \nMusicians: Karen Axelrod (piano), Eric Martin (fiddle) and Shira Kammen (fiddle).  \n Star of the North 2024 workshop artists’ full biographies are available here. \nRegister for the entire weekend, October 4 – 6, 2024 \nOr \nIndividual dances and events\nPre-registration is recommended\nEntire weekend registration:\nEarly bird (register before 9/16/2024: $140 \nRegular (register after 9/16/2024: $150  \nRegister by event: \n\nFriday, October 4 Evening Dance 8:00 –10:00 pm | $35\nSaturday, October 5 Morning Dance Workshop 10:00 am – noon | $30\nSaturday, October 5 Afternoon Dance Workshop 2:00 – 4:00 pm | $30\nSaturday, October 5 Evening Ball 8:00 – 10:30 pm | $35\nSunday, October 6 Morning Dance 10:00 am – 12:30 pm |$30" links: - "https://www.tapestryfolkdance.org/starofthenorth" - "https://cdss.org/event/star-of-the-north-english-country-dance-weekend/2024-10-04/" - "https://cdss.org/event/star-of-the-north-english-country-dance-weekend/2024-10-05/" - "https://cdss.org/event/star-of-the-north-english-country-dance-weekend/2024-10-06/" start: "2024-10-04T20:00:00-05:00" end: "2024-10-06T12:30:00-05:00" country: USA state: MN city: Minneapolis styles: - ecd workshop: true social: true callers: - Gaye Fifer price: $140-$150 organisation: Tapestry Folkdance Center source: events/usa/cdss.yaml - name: Pittsburgh Contra Dance details: "Come dance to live music by Go Figure with caller Gaye Fifer. Our free beginner lesson begins at 7:30pm. Complete beginners are welcome! As always, we will offer a couple of waltzes during breaks.  \n$15 (suggested donation)" links: - "https://pittsburghcontra.org/" - "https://cdss.org/event/pittsburgh-contra-dance-masks-optional/" start: "2024-10-18T20:00:00-04:00" end: "2024-10-18T23:00:00-04:00" country: USA state: PA city: Pittsburgh styles: - contra workshop: true social: true bands: - Go Figure callers: - Gaye Fifer price: $15 organisation: Pittsburgh Contra Dance source: events/usa/cdss.yaml - name: Pittsburgh Fall Dance Weekend details: "Time to register for our Fall Dance Weekend! Early Bird pricing expires after October 1. It’s going to be an unforgettable time with top-notch bands, callers, and sound with music by Engine Room + Hot Coffee Breakdown, callers Gaye Fifer + River Rainbowface, and sound by Hanno Meingast. As you can see in our schedule below, this is not just a weekend of contras; it also features other dances, various kinds of lessons, and other musical events.  \nEarly registration for the full weekend is $110 (+20 after October 1); $65 for those under 25 or those with financial need. Online registration offers secure payment by credit card, with the option to pay by mailing a check. Registration for the full weekend or individual sessions will still be available at the door. \nSchedule (check this link for updates and see our event website for further details)\nFriday Night\n8:00-11:00 p.m. Welcome Dance \n\nMusic by Hot Coffee Breakdown and Engine Room\nCalling by River and Gaye\n\nSaturday\n\n9:30-10:30 a.m. Beyond the Basics Waltz: Gaye & Hot Coffee Breakdown\n10:45 a.m.- 12:15 Brain Bending Dance Games (contras): River & Engine Room\n12:15-1:45 LUNCH ON YOUR OWN\n\nSaturday Afternoon workshops in main ballroom at Wightman: \n\n1:45-3:15 p.m. Challenging Contras:  Gaye & Engine Room\n3:30 – 5:00 p.m. Playing with Role Swapping (contras): River & Hot Coffee Breakdown\n\nSaturday Afternoon workshops in the small room at Wightman: \n\n1:45 – 2:30 p.m. French Dancing: Lisa Tamres\n2:40 – 3:40 p.m. Singing: Jo Schlesinger\n3:30 – 5:00 p.m. Musician’s Jam: Donna Isaac\n\nDINNER BREAK: 5:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m Potluck + pizza at Anders’    \n8:00 – 11:00 p.m. Evening Dance with Engine Room/Hot Coffee Breakdown + River/Gaye \nSunday\n\n9:00 -10:30 a.m. English Dance: Gaye + Hot Coffee Breakdown\n9:00 – 10:30 : Intermediate Callers’ Workshop – Planning Medleys and Programs: River\n10:45 a.m.- noon Open Waltz: Engine Room\n12:00 p.m.- 1:00 p.m. LUNCH ON YOUR OWN\n1:00-3:30 Farewell Contra Dance: Engine Room/Hot Coffee Breakdown + River/Gaye\n\n$110 early admission, $65 for dancers under 25, after Oct 1 or at the door: add $20; $65 for financial need." links: - "http://pittsburghcontra.org/fdw/" - "https://cdss.org/event/pittsburgh-fall-dance-weekend-masks-optional/" start: "2024-10-25T20:00:00-04:00" end: "2024-10-27T17:00:00-04:00" country: USA state: PA city: Pittsburgh styles: - contra - ecd workshop: true social: true bands: - Engine Room - Hot Coffee Breakdown callers: - Gaye Fifer - River Rainbowface price: $20-$110 organisation: Pittsburgh Contra Dance source: events/usa/cdss.yaml