3411 Willamette St
Eugene OR
Based on results of a survey of our Contra community, EFS has changed it’s health safety policy. As of of May 2023 we will no longer require proof of COVID vaccination to attend a contra dance and wearing of masks will be optional, at the discretion of individual participants.
Band: Rodney Miller & Sue Songer
Designated a “Master Fiddler” in 1983 by the National Endowment for the Arts, Rodney Miller is widely considered to be the foremost exponent of New England style fiddling, a uniquely American blend of French Canadian and Celtic influences. Over the past 35 years, he has toured the U.S., British Isles, Australia and Denmark, performed and taught at hundreds of music and dance festivals, and recorded numerous fiddle albums. He represented the state of New Hampshire at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival (1999) and was appointed ‘New Hampshire Artist Laureate’ in 2014. Rodney’s most recent recording Ticket to Nowhere (2019) is album number two from world-renowned contradance band Stringrays. He is also a member of the Rhythm Raptors and the Backwater Boys (based in CA). Roseny makes his home in Sonoma, CA.
Pianist Sue Songer has accompanied many fiddlers in many bands in many places across the States during her many years as a contra dance musician. She currently plays in Portland, Oregon as a member of Joyride, The Fiddle Hellions, and The Stage Crew, and she directs the 75-member Portland Megaband. Sue, along with Clyde Curley, published the 3 volumes of The Portland Collection tune books of contra dance music.
Caller: Shell Stowell
Shell Stowell started contra dancing in 2015, and has been dancing up and down the West Coast ever since. Driven by her passion for the dance, music, and community, Shell now plays the fiddle and helps to organize the Corvallis Contra Weekend. As a dancer, Shell is known for her enthusiasm on and off the dance floor. As a caller, she incorporates her love of teaching, organizing, and music to strive for clear, energetic instruction and variety in her programming. Shell also emphasizes safe, inclusive dance etiquette that promotes positive communication between 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 The Village School,