In an abundance of caution, the board of Hands Four Dancers of Ithaca has cancelled this event.

Kingfisher is a new Boston-based contra duo with Cecilia Vacanti on fiddle and Jeff Kaufman on piano, synths, and mandolin. They are a high-energy band that loves to try new ideas and put a modern spin on the old classic tunes.

Jeff has been an active member of the contra community for years as a member of the Free Raisins and an organizer of Boston’s BIDA dance. Cecilia is a versatile fiddler and violist majoring in violin performance with a focus in American Roots music at Berklee College of Music. The two joined forces in 2018, and since then they have been playing for dances all over New England and down the East Coast.

Bob Isaacs, from Princeton NJ, squares the circles and lines up the dots with his delightful dance compositions. A prolific choreographer of creative dances, Bob is known for his clear calling of flowing contras and amazing hot grid squares. 

Also featured will be Sister Haggis—the wonderful Eileen Kalfass of Syracuse and Jane Knoeck of Rochester—who will play for both contra and English sessions during a portion of the afternoon.

SCHEDULE

Main hall

Noon–2:45 p.m.: Contras and more with Kingfisher and Bob Isaacs
3:00–4:00 p.m.: “Fill-in-the-blank” contras with Sister Haggis and Bob Isaacs
4:15–5:15 p.m.: English country dance with Sister Haggis and Katy Heine
5:30–6:00 p.m.: Contra medley with Sister Haggis and Bob, Nancy, and Katy
7:30–11:00 p.m.: Evening dance party with Kingfisher and Bob Isaacs

Cafeteria

3:00–4:00 p.m.: Klezmer
4:15–5:15 p.m.: Squares with Better Weather and Nancy Spero
6:15–7:15 p.m.: Potluck supper

PRICE

HFDI members
All day: $36. Half day (afternoon OR evening): $20
Non-members
All day: $42. Half day (afternoon OR evening): $24
Children under 12
Free