Sep 21 Gaye Fifer calling to the music of Cathy Grant and Fiddlers Galore.

Gaye Fifer is an accomplished contra caller from  Pittsburgh, PA. An active dancer herself, Gaye understands the subtleties of making contra dances particularly satisfying for dancers. Her instructions are clear and concise as she is a teacher by profession. An easy smile and delightful sense of humor are part of Gaye's relaxed, pleasant style at the microphone. Gaye calls contra dances throughout the U.S. and Canada . She is also an enthusiastic advocate and instructor of contra-style waltz.

Cathy Grant and Fiddlers Galore features Cathy and a group of her adult fiddle students.

Cathy is a skilled fiddler, whose background playing many different styles allows her to play in dance bands for English country, Scottish country, Irish ceili, contra and square dancing.  She has been a full time violin and fiddle teacher for nearly a decade, combining her love for traditional music, her classical training, and her passion for teaching.  

Fiddlers Galore consists Cathy's students who mostly began fiddling as adults and have been playing for five to nine years or so. This group meets every Tuesday night, sometimes to learn a new tune or to focus on a specific aspect of music or fiddling and sometimes to just play tunes as a class. At times the adult group is joined by some of Cathy’s younger students. Adult fiddlers may include: Kathy Walker, Paul Stowers, Chuck Saffer, Tim Atchison, Daniel Dawson, Susan Paitsel, Mary Anderson, Andy Park, Sue Yancy, Crystal Brewster and Amy Brabbin. Youth fiddlers may include: Jarred Carter, Heather Schoolcraft, Riley Sisco and Jerrica Hilbert.

Oct 05 FIRST FRIDAY FREE FOR ALL - Contra Style:
A workshop for beginners to learn basics and contra dancers to learn style pointers. It is an exploration of the total dance experience from listening to the music for timing to looking at your partner for cues to letting your inner dancer emerge. New dancers encouraged to attend to prepare for a great season of dance. Experienced dancers needed to facilitate the workshop. Live music for your enjoyment.

Oct 19 THIRD FRIDAY CONTRA: Kate Power calling to the music of Gypsy Stars

Columbus caller Kate Power delights in collecting dances with good flow and great moves!  Her clear walk-throughs put beginning dancers at ease, while engaging experienced dancers with an exciting range of contras and squares.

The Gypsy Stars started as a band dedicated to bringing the traditional New England contra dance sound of fiddle and piano to West Virginia, says Paul Epstein, who also fiddles for the popular contra dance band, the Contrarians. The addition of Paula Bickham’s accordion and hand drums added a distinctive gypsy-like flavor that allowed them to play a little around the edges of the tradition. Rita Ray plays a solid, yet imaginative piano accompaniment.

Nov 02 FIRST FRIDAY FREE FOR ALL - Swing Basics:
Will focus on three count swing footwork, turns and a few simple partner moves. Leading, following and moving to the music are also explored. Live local music and no pressure learning format. Just come out and have some fun.

Nov 16 THIRD FRIDAY CONTRA: Will Martin calling to the music of Floorplay

Floorplay is a contradance band from Charlottesville, VA playing an eclectic mix of French Canadian, Old-time, Klezmer, Rags, Swing, and original tunes. Formed in the spring of ’07, they have been delighting dancers ever since. 

The band consists of Rya Martin on piano, Paul Rosen on mandolin, fiddle, accordion, and Aaron Lamb on drums. itsfloorplay.com

Dec 21 THIRD FRIDAY CONTRA:
No third Friday dance this month.
Come to GoodRidDance on New Year's Eve!

Dec 31 Good RidDANCE - Warren and Terry Doyle calling to the music of The Contrarians. Columbia Gas Auditorium

Special New Year's Eve Dance and Fun(d) Raiser!
Family friendly, alcohol free!

Welcome the New Year with a dance [contra, swing, waltz, and more] and party. 

Good RIDDance info, click here.
Buy advance tickets, click here.

Jan 18 THIRD FRIDAY CONTRA: Will Martin calling to the music of Ricochet.

Ricochet is new duo in the contra dance scene. Members are Walter Hojka (fiddle) and Rya Martin (piano). Walter Hojka is originally from Chicago (where he still travels to teach workshops at the Old Town School of Folk Music and play with Good Gravity, Dr. Hojka's Medicine Show, and other groups), but who now resides and works in Martinsburg WV. Rya Martin is an accomplished contra musician and avid dancer from Charlottesville, VA. She also is a member of Charlottesville-based band, Floorplay. Ricochet specialize in rollicking traditional French-Canadian and New England tunes, and they have some original tunes in their tune-kit as well. Walter is a fine old-time fiddler, and will have some of those in the evening's set list for squares and the occasional contra.

Feb 01 FIRST FRIDAY FREE FOR ALL - Waltz Basics:
will work on a traditional turning waltz style. Basic footwork, ballroom and open positions with some of the same turns and positions used in the swing workshop. Workshop format is an interactive teaching/sharing of waltz styles. Experienced dancers welcome to come share tips; beginner dancers are encouraged to let the live music take you around the dance floor.

Feb 15 THIRD FRIDAY CONTRA: Frank Buschelmann calling to the music of Joe Dobbs and Friends.
Mar 15 THIRD FRIDAY CONTRA: TBA calling to the music of TBA.

Mar 01 FIRST FRIDAY FREE FOR ALL - Irish Ceilli & Set Dance:
will be taught by Marianne O’Doherty to the tunes of the Appalachian Celtic Consort. Traditional Irish dance styles are enjoyable and energetic and suitable to all with a quick step and a light heart. All levels welcome. Please join us.

Mar 15 THIRD FRIDAY CONTRA: Ken Gall calling to the music of Entwyned.

Ken Gall is a fun caller from Indianapolis. He’s called well over 100 times in the last five years,  from coast to coast. He’s worked with some of the best bands going and in many major dance communities, and always puts together a good program of varied dances. He’s been a passionate dancer for over 20 years, and brings that energy and understanding to his calling.  Whether you are a first timer or an experienced dance gypsy, he’ll teach clearly and quickly and make sure you have a good time. More details at his website www.kenthecaller.com, or check Youtube under his name to see him in action.

Entwyned consists of Twy Bethard on fiddle and foot percussion, and John Paolillo on a variety of mandolin related instruments.  They play compelling Celtic-influenced melodies and friendly old-time tunes, accented with influences from world music and swing, and driven by a lively rhythmic flow. They specialize in playing for contradances and other community dances, and are known for tune arrangements that match the figures of the dance, molding the dance energy and raising the dancers' spirits.  sites.google.com/site/entwyned/

Apr 05 FIRST FRIDAY FREE FOR ALL - Cajun:
dance workshop will be taught by Bill Fanning and Debbi Blevins. This traditional dance style is suitable for partner or individual dance and is easy to learn when you let the music be your guide under her excellent tutelage. Participants will be ready to dance the following evening to the music of Feufellot at the FOOTMAD concert. Workshop participants will be admitted to the concert at a discounted rate.

Apr 19 THIRD FRIDAY CONTRA: Steve Ballman calling to the music of Adam Hurt and Beth Hartness .

Alternate location for this dance: St John's Episcopal Church, corner of Quarrier St and Leon Sullivan Way, Charleston, WV. Driving directions / map ...

Adam Hurt draws on diverse musical influences from the North Carolina piedmont, the mountains of central West Virginia, the Ohio River Valley, and beyond to create his own elegantly innovative clawhammer banjo and fiddle playing. Adam has won the state fiddle championships of Virginia and Maryland and the state banjo championships of Virginia, West Virginia, and Ohio. and placed in or won most of the major old-time banjo competitions including Clifftop, Mount Airy, and Galax. He will be accompanied by rock-steady Beth Hartness on guitar.

May 03-05 Whitewater Whirl 2013
Callers: Gaye Fifer and Shawn Brenneman
Bands: Perpetual e-Motion and The Contrarians

May 17 THIRD FRIDAY CONTRA: Cindy Harris calling to the music of Out in Left Field.

Alternate location for this dance: St John's Episcopal Church, corner of Quarrier St and Leon Sullivan Way, Charleston, WV. Driving directions / map ...

Pittsburgh caller Cindy Harris has been calling over 10 years. In addition to frequent appearances in Pennsylvania and Ohio, she's called as far south as Lexington, KY, as far north as Syracuse, NY, as far east as New Jersey and as far west as California. Known for her ability to make difficult dances seem easy and her rollicking squares, she easily adjusts her style to maximize the impact of the bands she works with on dancers.

June 2013 No dance this month. We are on vacation.

July 2013 No dance this month. We are on vacation.

August 2013 No dance this month. We are on vacation.