The Clayfoot Strutters are a Vermont-based phenomenon whose specialty is fusing the modes and melodies of traditional American immigrant music, progressive harmonies from the pop and modal jazz idioms, and hot dancefloor rhythms from the Latin, Afropop, Swing, Cajun and Zydeco worlds. Composers and songwriters, they are also actively contributing new repertoire to this emerging style. The Strutters will be supplying foot-stompin’ music for contras and squares called by Kathy Anderson. Featured are Pete Sutherland, fiddler, keyboardist and songwriter, Jeremiah McLane on accordion and keyboards, Lee Blackwell, drummer/vocalist and rhythm guitarist, and Peter Davis on piano, clarinet, sax and vocals.
Kathy Anderson is a fervent advocate of well-taught and well-called squares, bringing this enthusiasm to thousands of dancers across the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Latin America. Her spunk and spirit are positively contagious! An old-time banjo and piano player, she learned to dance squares and contras to old-time music, and then started calling at every opportunity. Kathy’s penchant for good dance flow, quirky contras, and high-energy squares provides for a challenging and highly entertaining weekend of dancing.
George Marshall of Wild Asparagus will also share with us his excellent instruction and calling for New England style contras.
Wild Asparagus is a multi-talented band from Western Massachusetts. Drawing upon music from New England, the British Isles, and Canada, as well as classical sources, they take an original approach to the traditional dance music of our folk heritage. With a unique blend of instruments, creativity, and skills, they offer a sensitive and powerful performance. Since 1984, Wild Asparagus has been successfully bringing their music to dances and concerts throughout the United States.
Wild Asparagus is Ann Percival on piano, guitar, and vocals. Ann’s playing is highly inventive while maintaining an irresistible rhythm. David Cantieni, a woodwind wizard, pours forth lively melodies and liquid harmonies on his flutes, tin-whistle, oboe, saxophone and bombard. George Marshall is an accomplished English concertina player and also provides driving rhythms on bodhran. Stuart Kenney on bass is a dynamo of musical energy. Becky Tracy’s masterful fiddling drives the music and dancers.
Our special guest for the weekend is Keith Murphy. With his clean, driving rhythms on the guitar, mandolin, piano and Quebecois-style footwork, Keith brings both roots music energy and stage-wise artistry as well as a remarkable vocal presence to the ever-expanding Wild Asparagus.
Sharon Gouveia, of the Vermont-based Kitchen Sync Cloggers, will teach Appalachian clogging. Learn to step, shuffle, and slide to old-time music, then graduate to “lone rangers,” “chugs,” and some fancy steps like “big kicks” and “wagon wheels.” With emphasis on connection to the music and getting the clogging style in the body, the goal is ultimately to have fun!
Alice Kenney will be on hand to provide expert instruction in Zydeco dancing, which she has taught for over 10 years, appearing at Ashokan, Dance Flurry, and other venues. She has also produced a popular Zydeco dance series in Greenfield, MA.