The FSGW Calendar can be viewed two ways:
Good Friday, Easter Sunday & Passover weekend - no dance
It can't possibly snow enough to shut us down today, can it?
Caller & Musicians: Tom Wright, mandolin; Susan Brandt, flute; Charlie Pilzer, piano; Tina Chancey, violin;
Are We There Yet? all went to music school, and spent varying numbers of years in classical music before starting to play in jazz, rock, or folk. Tom Wright, on mandolin, is the relative newcomer to folk, but dropped out of music school to play in his old rock band before getting his job with the Chicago Symphony. A few years ago his sister Susan Brandt finally succeeded in talking him into playing for dances. Charlie Pilzer (piano) put in his time playing bass in youth orchestras and in music school, but impressed the girls playing jazz piano in high school, and later played for just about everything from Balkan dance to contra dance, with just about everybody. Susan Brandt (flute, percussion) was a young classical soloist in high school, but after music school, many recitals and freelancing, discovered folk music, and joined a crazy contra dance band with her old youth orchestra friend, Charlie, to be followed by a succession of bands. Tom Wright had also played in youth orchestra with Charlie, as well as going to the same music school as Tina Chancey, but somehow Tina and Tom didn't meet at the time! Tina Chancey (violin) is best known for her many years in Hesperus and other early music groups, but just wasn't having enough fun, apparently, and one day was recruited into dance music. The result is a highly trained band that promises not to let training get in the way.
General information about the Sunday Night Contra and Square Dance
Ann Fallon calls to the playing of Tina Chancey (fiddle), Carrie Rose (flute), and Melissa Running (piano)
The dance is held in the upstairs room of the Glen Echo Town Hall.
General information on our English Country Dances
John Robinson will lead, teach and organize the request dancing.
No experience or partner necessary.
Lessons 8:30 - 9:00pm
Request dancing 9:00-10:45pm.
More information: International Folk Dancing (Greenbelt)
More information on the DC Square Dances General information on the Family Dance
Caller & Musicians:
Greek Folk Dance lessons with Olga Vonikaki
Join us for an evening of beautiful Greek music and dancing with Karpouzi Trio, playing music on traditional instruments from the Greek mainland and islands, and Asia Minor.
Dances will be taught using recorded music, followed by live music with Karpouzi Trio for dancing during the remainder of the evening.
Admission $12 - Seniors and Students half price
Lessons: 8:30 - 9:00pm
Dancing with live music: 9:10 -10:45pm.
Caller & Musicians: Deborah Colón (fiddle), Karl Clark Colón (guitar), Robert Douglas (percussion)
Potluck to follow, stay for the evening dance!
Caller & Musicians: Deborah Colón (fiddle), Karl Clark Colón (guitar), Robert Douglas (percussion), ,
For more information see the Song Circles page.
From September 2019 through July 2019, the FSGW Board will meet from 8pm to 10pm at Glen Echo Park in classroom 201 on the 1st Tuesday of each month.
If you have agenda items you wish to have considered, please contact FSGW President Charlie Baum at president@fsgw.org.
At last, the days are growing longer, the nights are growing warmer, and the scent of honeysuckle is in the air. And there are stories budding on The Grapevine! The Grapevine is spoken word performance for adults and teens, celebrating the timeless art of the story, hosted by storytellers Noa Baum, Renée Brachfeld, and Tim Livengood. Our featured tellers this month are the international Valentina Ortiz and the story-encouraging Scott Whitehair. The show opens with up to three open-mic storytellers, followed by our featured tellers. Put your name in the hat to be one of our open-mic tellers! Traditional or true, happy or blue, tell the story that you have in you to tell within five (5) minutes(-ish). Admission is free. We ask for a $15 donation to support our featured tellers.
General information about The Grapevine (Storytelling)
Caller & Musicians:De Laura Padovan will have you up on your feet as she calls to Devine Comedy: Marty Taylor on concertina and piccolo, Steve Hickman on fiddle and John Devine on guitar. Special guest artist - Dom Flemons who is proficient on the banjo, fife, guitar, harmonica, percussion, quills, and rhythm bones. Free dance lesson from 7:00 to 7:30.
General information on the Silver Spring Contra Dance
SAVE THE DATE AND WATCH FOR DETAILS!
Cosponsored by the Office of Historic Alexandria and FSGW, this is the May concert in the Alexandria After Work concert series held in the heart of Old Town Alexandria at 6 pm on the second Friday of each month. Take the free trolley that runs every 15 minutes from King Street Metro station! At historic Lloyd House (220 N Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314). $15 suggested donation; cash bar.
NOTE: Lynn Noel, originally scheduled for this date, will reschedule.
Ben Hole will lead, teach and organize the request dancing.
The full 2019 Spring Ball web pages are here: www.bronord.com/ball2019/
To register online, use the orange Register button on this page. Note: Dancers should only use the guest registration option when the guest is the same registration category (member, non-member, student) as they are; otherwise please make separate registrations so each person will be registered in the correct category.
Here is an overview of our English Country Dance ball.
Dance 7:30 - 11pm, Reception 7 - 7:30 pm.
Afternoon Practice Session 2:30 to 5:00 pm, also at Silver Spring Civic Building
You can dine at one of the many local restaurants within walking distance following the practice session (no potluck this year).
Clothing changing rooms will be provided.
Refreshments served during the break at the Ball.
More info: Washington Spring Ball
Find general information about Family Dance here
Gospel Sings are held the second Sunday of every month at various homes. Group singing starts at 4 pm and breaks for a covered dish supper at 6 pm, with more group singing after supper until 8 pm. Everyone is welcome!
This month’s Gospel Sing will take place at the home of Kathie Mack in Takoma Park MD. Info/directions: email kpmack2@gmail.com or call 301-270-5367
General information about Gospel Sings
Will Mentor
Megan Downes
Tui (Jake Blount, Libby Weitnauer, A'yen Tran, and Eli Broxham)
Brad Kolodner
For ALL the details and to register visit: Dare To Be Square DMV website
Linda Mansdorf will lead, teach and organize the request dancing.
Storytellers and listeners are invited to the home of story enthusiast Lonni Millman for an evening of shared stories and potluck snacks. Free. For RSVPs and directions, contact Lonni at lonnimillman@gmail.com.
General information on Story Swaps
Caller & Musicians: Tui is Jake Blount and Libby Weitnauer
Memorial Day weekend - no dance
Caller & Musicians: George Marshall (caller, concertina, and bodhran), Ron Grosslein (fiddle and mandolin), Tim Van Egmond (caller, hammered dulcimer), Timm Triplet (piano), David Cantieni (saxophone, flute, bombard, whistle, and feet)
Full information is on the Washington Folk Festival page
After the Washington Folk Festival, what could be better than a contra dance!
Larry Weinerwill lead an
Oldies but Goodies Night
all request evening featuring recorded music international folk dance favorites - many easy dances to just follow along -
Request dancing 8:30-10:45pm.
Contra Sonic, FSGW's alternative music contra series, is the Washington region's only techno contra series! Come on out to the Back Room and contra dance to a selection of electronic, techno, pop, or club music one Tuesday every other month. Featuring by new and upcoming performers, a new sound system, and club-style lights, Contra Sonic is proud to present a dynamic form of the living contra tradition. Contra Sonic uses non-gendered role terms. All newcomers welcome!
Admission: $9, $7 for members, youth, and students
Dancing 8:00 - 10:30pm with an orientation to contra dancing at 7:30
Summer has returned, the natural disaster that afflicts this region each year. Time for one last cooling evening with The Grapevine before we take a little summer break. The Grapevine is spoken word performance for adults and teens, celebrating the timeless art of the story, hosted by storytellers Noa Baum, Renée Brachfeld, and Tim Livengood. Our featured tellers this month are the multitalented Mama Edie McLoud Armstrong and our own whimsical scientist, Tim Livengood. The show opens with up to three open-mic storytellers, followed by our featured tellers. Put your name in the hat to be one of our open-mic tellers! Traditional or true, happy or blue, tell the story that you have in you to tell within five (5) minutes(-ish). Admission is free. We ask for a $15 donation to support our featured tellers.
The singing starts at 6:30, and we have an optional potluck dinner at 5:30.
Remember those classic harmonies from the early days of rock— from groups like the Platters, the Clovers, and the Drifters? Not to mention the great girl groups such as the Shirelles, the Angels, the Crystals, the Dixie Cups, etc. Come join us as we sing those wonderful songs from that era, such as: Under the Boardwalk; Goodnight, Sweetheart; Goin’ to the Chapel; and so many more. Lyrics are provided.
RSVP / directions: Ron Davies, 301-270-9365 or rondavies7@icloud.com
General information: Doo Wop Sings
Storytellers and listeners are invited to the home of Anne Sheldon for an evening of shared stories and potluck snacks. Free. Contact Anne at Anne.sheldon1@verizon.net for RSVPs and directions.
Caller & Musicians: Case Murray on guitar and cello, Daphne Pickens and Molly Tucker on fiddles and vocals, Anne Lutun comes to make her Glen Echo Sunday Debut.
Anne is hailed by Bob Isaacs as one of the best new callers of 2017, an Isaacs protege, Anne is well prepared, a dynamic teacher and has an excellent repertoire.
Laura Brophy, Fiddle, Kevin Johnsrude, Guitar and Michael Proctor, Bass. SF Bay Area caller Kelsey Hartman come to call The Nettles play... ...Celtic music that’s progressive, exciting and a little bit dangerous. This band ignites audiences with fiery music that blends traditional music with modern spices. The Nettles play improvisational music based on traditional tunes, a Celtic jam band that makes audiences move and groove.
Laura Brophy, Fiddle, Kevin Johnsrude, Guitar and Michael Proctor, Bass. SF Bay Area caller Kelsey Hartman come to call
The Nettles play...
...Celtic music that’s progressive, exciting and a little bit dangerous. This band ignites audiences with fiery music that blends traditional music with modern spices. The Nettles play improvisational music based on traditional tunes, a Celtic jam band that makes audiences move and groove.
Caller & Musicians: Andrae Raffield (fiddle), Joey Dorwart (drums, sax), Jimi Periano (guitar),
Caller & Musicians: Quena crain calls with
Jonah Sidman: Fiddle Corey Walters: Flute, Mandolin Michael Friedman: Piano Ness Smith-Savedoff: Percussion Ross Harriss: Sax/Guitar
Join us for the #dance Weekend. What's trending?
FRIDAY: 8:30 to 11:30 PM dance in the fabulous, famous, Glen Echo Spanish Ballroom.
Caller & Musicians: Dave Langford (fiddle, guitar), Bill Tomczak (clarinet, sax, banjo, uke, dumbek), Kate Barnes (piano, guitar, flute, harmonica), A New England based dance band featuring a trio of musicians fervent with the desire and talent to ignite flames under dancing feet. With a wide ranging and hopelessly eclectic repertoire including everything from Irish and Scottish traditional jigs and reels to Balkan, blues and swing tunes (often juxtaposed next to each other) the Latter Day Lizards bring excellent musicianship, playfulness, drama and unrelentingly infectious rhythm to their dance performances. The incredible Carol Ormand of Wisconsin comes to call
Caller & Musicians: Andrea Hoag (violin), David Wiesler (piano), Paul Oorts (button accordion, mandolin, banjo, guitar),
This dance will be called with non gendered role terms
Bands: THE RIPPLES; THE ORGANIC FAMILY BAND; ED HOWE, STUART KENNEY, CASEY MURRAY, AND EMERALD RAE
Callers: Will Mentor, Lindsey Dono, Alex Deis- Lauby
When: September 22, 2019 from 1pm to 11pm. There is a break between 6pm and 7pm for the contra dance world's best potluck.
The 9th annual full day of dancing will feature three amazing bands and callers, with hours and hours of blissful dancing! Please use fragrance sparingly or not at all. Contrastock is being called with non- gendered dance role terms
It starts Friday, October 4, with a pot-luck dinner, and runs so late on Sunday night that we serve breakfast on Monday morning, October 7. See the Getaway page for details
Caller & Musicians: Owen Morrison - guitar, Anna Patton - clarinet, Naomi Morse - fiddle
