Maryland and Back

Erik and Ted playing a hambo during the Friday Night dance break.

We have all returned safe and sound from another visit to our eastern headquarters in Takoma Park. It is impossible to thank Lynn and Ted enough for their generous hospitality. They even keep two friendly cats at their house so we will have pets to play with when we visit.

The dances were all wonderful and the music was full of fun. We especially enjoyed our first band visit to Annapolis and we were able to spend a couple of hours being tourists and having a fine meal at the Galway Bay Irish Pub.

Thanks to all of our old friends who came out to dance and hear us play, and thanks to those new listeners who became friends before and after the dances and during the breaks.

We are actively trying to plan a return visit early in 2018 and we'll keep you posted about that.

We will also be playing again on April 1st at Tapestry in Minneapolis, even though we aren't yet listed on the calendar. Come out and dance if you are in the area.

Glen Echo - Annapolis, the Maryland Tour happens this weekend

The band is beginning to pack our bags, looking forward to three dances this weekend at Glen Echo Park and our first visit to Annapolis. The remarkable Ted Hodapp will be calling the contra dances while supplying foot percussion and playing the occasional hambo. Ted and Lynn, our ever-generous hosts, are trying to Contratopia-proof their humble abode. The cats have been alerted.

Here are the gig details:

The Friday Night Dance at Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MD (March 17);
Annapolis Contra Dance, Annapolis, MD (March 18);
Waltz Time Sunday Afternoon Dance, Glen Echo, MD (March 19)
Folklore Society of Greater Washington Sunday Night Contra and Square Dance, Glen Echo, MD (March 19)

We hope to see lots of folks at these events. It's been two years since our last visit, and we're not getting any younger. Even the weather looks promising at this point.

Stop and say hello if you come out. We'd love to see you.

Tapestry, Feb. 11 - Free Dance in Memory of Jan Greenfield

(Photo courtesy of Trish Finn)

Contratopia is honored to be playing this Saturday night for a special event at Tapestry Folkdance Center in Minneapolis. A generous donor has funded a free dance in memory of Jan Greenfield, a beloved member of the Tapestry dance community.

Jan was also a big fan of Contratopia so we are glad that can be a part of this event. Come for the whole night of dancing or just stop by for a dance or two. It's free!

This will be our first dance of 2017 and will serve as a bit of preparation for our upcoming Mid-Atlantic tour in March. It's been almost two years since we have played at Glen Echo for a contra dance and at least three since we have played for the Sunday afternoon Waltz Time. So we are looking forward to that trip.

If you are reading this on Thursday, Feb. 9 there is still time to go see Pat O'Loughlin and his brother John give a Kingston Trio tribute concert tomorrow night (the 10th) at Maggie's Farm in St. Louis Park. It's a guaranteed good time. Then stop by the free dance on Saturday to tell Pat how much you loved the show.