Wintergreen 2009

Schedule

Registration

Bands & Caller

Venue

About Bozeman

8th Annual Wintergreen
Contra Dance & Music Weekend
January 23-25, 2009

The Emerson Center for the Arts & Culture
111 South Grand Avenue
Bozeman, Montana

Late Breaking News!!!

Saturday Night Theme - Disappointed that you won't be attending the inauguration festivities in Washington, D.C.? Fret no more as we will have our own Black and White Inaugural Ball at the Saturday night dance. Wear something Saturday night that will go with the theme -- anything from a white shirt and black pants/skirt all the way to black tie and formal gown; or wild and zany such as a skunk, skeleton or jailbird costume. We do it to have fun. (Just make sure you can still dance!)

Workshop schedule - Now posted (see the "Schedule" link above left). Bemoaning the fact you don't play a musical instrument? Bring your saw and join the musical saw class or learn to drum with the African drummers. Check out the schedule for these and other dance and instrumental workshops that will keep you happy and engaged on Saturday.

Contratopia

Returning for their 3rd Wintergreen, Contratopia is a crowd favorite. Hailing from Minnesota and Iowa and known for their improvisational approach, Contratopia's unique and exciting sound is guaranteed to inspire your dancing.

Erik Sessions, on fiddle, combines his years of classical training with a variety of musical interests and experiences to produce a powerful fiddling style.

With a jazz background, Patrice Pakiz possesses an unerring harmonic sense and will keep dancers on their toes with her rhythmically compelling piano. She also accents the band with oboe and percussion.

Pat O'Loughlin, considered both the instigator and anchor of the band, adds english concertina and banjo to the mix.

John Goodin, on guitar and mandolin, has composed many original tunes for Contratopia and believes that adding a little unpredictability to the music makes for great dancing. For more information, check out: www.contratopia.com

Fiddlerats

An energetic band from the West Coast, the Fiddlerats include the talented Caroline McCaskey on fiddle, percussionist extraordinaire Cole Ingraham on flute and djembe, and the ever-popular Eric Anderson on piano. The Fiddlerats’ sound is sure to add excitement to the Wintergreen dance floor.

Caroline McCaskey has been playing violin for eleven years and fiddle for nine. She joined the San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers under the direction of Alasdair Fraser when she was 12 and has been performing with them ever since. In addition to her fiddling, Caroline also plays the musical saw and is the youngest person to ever win the international musical saw competition.

Cole Ingraham compliments the Fiddlerats with his masterful flute playing and percussion on the African djembe. In addition, he also sings in a variety of styles including classical and Tuvan throat singing.

Eric Anderson, a former Wintergreen performer, can be remembered for his powerfully sympathetic piano playing. Eric says he does only one thing well - playing piano for contra dances, a subject on which he has become increasingly opinionated.

More information at: www.fiddlerat.com/. Also listen to soundclips at: www.myspace.com/fiddlerats.

Cis Hinkle

A popular caller from Atlanta Georgia, Cis Hinkle has delighted contra and square dancers since 1985 with her skilled teaching, welcoming manner, playful enthusiasm and masterful selection of dances. Renowned for her calling expertise, Cis is in great demand at music and dance festivals all over the US, England and Denmark, and is currently coordinator for Dance Week at the Augusta Heritage Workshops in Elkins, West Virginia. Find out more at: cis.hinkle.googlepages.com

Mitchell Frey, Sound Engineer

Mitchell Frey will be back as sound engineer. The wonderfully competent and thorough Mitchell will provide exquisite sound for your dancing pleasure.

Special African Dance Workshop

Special guests, Chet Leach, Ginny Watts and the African Drumbeats, will conduct a one hour African dance workshop on Saturday. Folks who are not registered for Wintergreen can pay $5 to attend this workshop only.

SCHEDULE || REGISTER NOW

Venue

All dances and workshops will be held at the elegant Emerson Center for the Arts & Culture (www.theemerson.org/) located at 111 South Grand Avenue. Within walking distance of historic downtown Bozeman shops and galleries, the Emerson features a spacious ballroom with a beautiful new wood floor. It is also home to art galleries, a restaurant, and several other performance venues.

More About Bozeman

Bozeman is a beautiful and historic town with fantastic scenery, great places to eat, friendly people, best enjoyed on foot. Elevation is 4,810 feet above sea level and population is 32,000 plus 10,000 college students (home of Montana State University). If you want a lot more details ask the Chamber of Commerce or Bozeman Net.

Schedule some extra time to ski Bridger, Bohart Ranch, Moonlight Basin or Big Sky. Or go south a couple hours to Yellowstone Park, the first and oldest national park in the world. Take in a geyser in winter glory by ski or snowcoach or the Boiling River, a natural hot springs (if you're willing to take your clothes off in sub-zero weather and can find a nice river rock to sit on - bathing suits required).

Bozeman winter weather can be unpredictable. Find out more at travel.state.mt.us/whatsnew/roadsandweather. Bozeman is located in south central Montana between Butte and Billings, Montana along Interstate 90. The airport serving the area is Gallatin Field and is located ten minutes west of Bozeman and just east of Belgrade. It provides service for three major airlines (Delta, United and Northwest Airlines) and two regional carriers (Horizon and Skywest). Daily flights to Salt Lake City, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Denver and Seattle provide convenient connecting service to domestic and international airports.

Questions or volunteer to help - email the dance weekend coordinator: "wintergreen[at]bozemanfolklore.org"