Calendar

We no longer require proof of COVID vaccination to attend a contra dance, and masks are optional at the discretion of  individual participants.

Band: The Euphemists

The Euphemists are not your ordinary contra dance band. Yes, they have fiddle, piano, and whistle (Alan Snyder, Dave Goldman, and Greg Martin). But they also have HORNS! (Greg Martin and Stephanie Shea on various saxophones, and Kaye Blesener on trombone.) In addition to familiar Celtic, Québécois, and old-time tunes, the band plays lively jazz standards that feature the horn section. Throw in some ragtime era tunes, a little klezmer, and even a Sousa march, and it all adds up to a highly entertaining dance experience.

Caller: William Watson

William Watson, a resident of Beaverton, OR, danced his first contra in 1989 and began calling in Texas in 1992. He’s called numerous contra events in cities coast-to-coast, and his extensive experience and soothing voice project a calm confidence. Vigilant and thoughtful dance programming ensure a variety of figures, transitions, and sequences to entertain and support new dancers while offering the occasional challenge for the more advanced. His calling proficiency and sensitivities ensure everyone has a good time.

• Admission: $12-$20 non-members; $10-$20 for EFS members; $8 students
• Beginners lesson starts at 7:00pm (experienced dancers welcome). Each dance is taught.
• Dance starts at 7:30pm. No partner necessary (it’s traditional to dance each dance with a different partner)
• Calling will use gender-neutral terminology
• Find out more about attending at the Eugene Contra page.
• Potluck:  Potlucks are not being planned at this time..
• Dance held at Edison Elementary School

We no longer require proof of COVID vaccination to attend a contra dance, and masks are optional at the discretion of  individual participants.

Band: Countercurrent

Countercurrent is a powerhouse acoustic folk duo based in Olympia, Washington, featuring driving guitar, lyrical fiddle, harmony vocals, and foot percussion. Bringing the deep drive of dance music to every performance, their arrangements blend both traditional and modern influences with astounding musicianship and fluency. They have achieved nationwide acclaim for their high-energy style, which draws on deep traditional roots from Ireland and North America while incorporating new influences to create a sound that is at once unique and timeless. A repertoire of songs that includes potent contemporary anthems, trad ballads, old-time hollers, and biting political content leaves no room for boredom. Alex’s driving guitar and gifted songwriting, Brian’s lyrical fiddle and rock-solid foot percussion, and the duo’s lively interplay, tight vocal harmonies, and unstoppable groove make a Countercurrent performance an event unlike any other. Wherever they go, the question remains the same: “How does that much sound come from just two people?”

Caller: George Marshall

George Marshall, of the well-known contra dance band Wild Asparagus, is teaming up with Faux Paws for this special Monday night dance. George Marshall was introduced to square and contra dancing in the early seventies while working as a summer trail crew volunteer in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. George’s specialty is teaching and calling the New England-style contra dances he has collected throughout the country. He is renowned for his knack of matching music to dance and for his smooth, concise teaching and presentation.

• Admission: $12-$20 non-members; $10-$20 for EFS members; $8 students
• Beginners lesson starts at 7:00pm (experienced dancers welcome). Each dance is taught.
• Dance starts at 7:30pm. No partner necessary (it’s traditional to dance each dance with a different partner)
• Calling will use gender-neutral terminology
• Find out more about attending at the Eugene Contra page.
• Potluck:  Potlucks are not being planned at this time..
• Dance held at The Village School,

We no longer require proof of COVID vaccination to attend a contra dance, and masks are optional at the discretion of  individual participants.

Band: The Nettles 

The Nettles are well-known on the West Coast for their original approach to contra dance music. Playing traditional music from all over the world, The Nettles create a strong rhythmic groove under soaring improvisations. Rhythmic drive and melodic fluidity allow The Nettles to propel contra dances into the stratosphere.

The Nettles are a continuing favorite at the dance pavilion at Northwest Folklife Festival in Seattle and have played at many other festivals, dance camps, radio programs and bars.

Caller: Gordy Euler

Gordy Euler has been calling contra dances for ten years up and down the West Coast and has also written some dances. He likes to orient newcomers gently and with humor, teach succinctly, present a program with a variety of dances, and have the dancers dance to the music as much as possible.. As a musician and dancer, Gordy knows all sides of the dance community and has a great instinct on communicating effectively with bands and dancers.

• • Admission: $12-$20 non-members; $10-$20 for EFS members; $8 students
  • Beginners lesson starts at 7:00pm (experienced dancers welcome). Each dance is taught.
  • Dance starts at 7:30pm. No partner necessary (it’s traditional to dance each dance with a different partner)
  • Calling will use gender-neutral terminology
  • Find out more about attending at the Eugene Contra page.
  • Potluck:  Potlucks are not being planned at this time..
  • Dance held at Edison Elementary School

We no longer require proof of COVID vaccination to attend a contra dance, and masks are optional at the discretion of  individual participants.

Band: The Overtones

The Overtones is a Corvallis-based band whose sound was born in the rivers and woods of the lush Willamette Valley. Its musical versatility ranges from Irish to Quebecois, Old Time to funky modern tunes, and features Shari Ame kicking a serious backbeat on fiddle, Evelyn Idzerda wading deeply into rhythm and rhyme on piano, Bo Leydon rocking octave mando and wooden flute, Marjorie Sandor coaxing luscious new chords from DADGAD guitar and harmonium, and Tracy Daughertykeeping it steady on bodhran and cajon. Together, the Overtones whip up a danceable storm!

Caller: Rich Goss

Rich Goss was introduced to contra dancing in 1990 in Austin, Texas and was immediately hooked. He began calling dances in 1992 with the help of a good friend, and called at open mikes at the Austin Wednesday contra dance. Expanding his contra horizons to include regular calling gigs, playing for and organizing dances, he has a feel for what makes a dance fun, and a concise teaching style that makes contra dancing seem easy. A recent transplant to the west coast, Rich is now living in Portland, Oregon, calling and dancing in the Pacific Northwest. A dance gypsy his whole dancing life, he has collected many interesting and fun dances in addition to composing a few dances of his own. Rich played with the band Mockingbird in Austin, and currently plays with Cascade Crossing, Hands4 and the Celtic band Talisman.

TBD

• Admission: $12-$20 non-members; $10-$20 for EFS members; $8 students
• Beginners lesson starts at 7:00pm (experienced dancers welcome). Each dance is taught.
• Dance starts at 7:30pm. No partner necessary (it’s traditional to dance each dance with a different partner)
• Calling will use gender-neutral terminology
• Find out more about attending at the Eugene Contra page.
• Potluck:  Potlucks are not being planned at this time..
• Dance held at Edison Elementary School

We no longer require proof of COVID vaccination to attend a contra dance, and masks are optional at the discretion of  individual participants.

Band: TBD

Caller: Isaac Banner

A long-time contra dancer and Seattle transplant, Isaac has worked for several years to become known in the Pacific Northwest for his particular blend of humor and dance instruction. With contagious excitement, a warm cadence, and a cheerful personality, Isaac strives to bring moments of magic into the lives of newcomers and veteran dancers alike. Contra has always held a special place in his heart and tries to share that love with every dance he visits.

• Admission: $12-$20 non-members; $10-$20 for EFS members; $8 students
• Beginners lesson starts at 7:00pm (experienced dancers welcome). Each dance is taught.
• Dance starts at 7:30pm. No partner necessary (it’s traditional to dance each dance with a different partner)
• Calling will use gender-neutral terminology
• Find out more about attending at the Eugene Contra page.
• Potluck:  Potlucks are not being planned at this time..
• Dance held at Edison Elementary School

We no longer require proof of COVID vaccination to attend a contra dance, and masks are optional at the discretion of  individual participants.

Band: The Hat band

Featuring Jon Neff on guitar, Syd Newell on fiddle, and Meg Tapley on flute, The Hat Band plays for contradances throughout Portland and the Pacific Northwest. Dancers love their diversity (traditional, rags, blues, swing, klezmer), their three-part harmonies, and their unique chemistry. Jon, Syd, and Meg also play in The Portland Megaband and various other local bands.

Caller: Brooke Friendly

Brooke Friendly has been folk and country dancing for more than 40 years and has taught since 1982. She teaches an ongoing English dance class for the Southern Oregon University (SOU) Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. With her husband, Chris Sackett, she co-leads a weekly community dance in Ashland which includes both English and Scottish country dance. For a number of years, she taught an academic credit class on English and Scottish country dance at SOU.

• • Admission: $12-$20 non-members; $10-$20 for EFS members; $8 students
  • Beginners lesson starts at 7:00pm (experienced dancers welcome). Each dance is taught.
  • Dance starts at 7:30pm. No partner necessary (it’s traditional to dance each dance with a different partner)
  • Calling will use gender-neutral terminology
  • Find out more about attending at the Eugene Contra page.
  • Potluck:  Potlucks are not being planned at this time..
  • Dance held at Edison Elementary School

We no longer require proof of COVID vaccination to attend a contra dance, and masks are optional at the discretion of  individual participants.

Band: Bandwidth

Bandwidth brings together three of Portland’s contra dance music veterans, Gordy Euler (fiddle, whistle, piano), Keith Moe (fiddle), and Carl Thor (piano, mandolin) in a new configuration. Be ready for an exciting, full spectrum of contra dance music when these gents take to the stage. They’re having fun up there, and it shows!

Caller: Karen Olsen

Karen Olsen has an encyclopedic knowledge of contra dances and is a good teacher and caller. Very patient and clear. She likes to keep the dancers moving, starting out with simpler dances in the beginners lesson, and progressing to more complex dances. She is also a musician and plays her concertina for dances in Coos Bay. She strives to infuse both her calling and the dancers with her own joyful enthusiasm for contra dance and music.

• Admission: $12-$20 non-members; $10-$20 for EFS members; $8 students
• Beginners lesson starts at 7:00pm (experienced dancers welcome). Each dance is taught.
• Dance starts at 7:30pm. No partner necessary (it’s traditional to dance each dance with a different partner)
• Calling will use gender-neutral terminology
• Find out more about attending at the Eugene Contra page.
• Potluck:  Potlucks are not being planned at this time..
• Dance held at Edison Elementary School