David Smukler with Hot Toddy

An English Country Dance Weekend April 4-6 Pittsburgh

David Smukler been dancing since the 1960s, calling contras since the 1980s and calling English country dances since the 1990s. He is a gentle and engaging teacher who particularly enjoys a wide variety of dances including some of his own creations. David currently is President of the Country Dance and Song Society. He is also the co-author of Cracking Chestnuts.

Hot Toddy is Anna Rain (recorders), Edith Coakley (fiddle, viola) and Melissa Running (piano). They are passionate about making music for English country dancing. They love the canon of dance tunes stretching from the 14th century to 2025, and the improvisatory journeys on which they tend to find themselves. Based in DC, they’ve played up and down the coast from Virginia to the New England Folk Festival.

The weekend opens with a Friday night dance from 8-11 p.m.. Saturday there’s a workshop 10:30-12:30, lunch (included), an afternoon workshop from 2-4, and an evening dance from 8-11. Sunday there’s a callers practice from 10:30-12 where callers will work with our volunteer musicians and dancers to try out dances and then an afternoon dance from 2-5.

Workshops Descriptions.

Curiosities – Saturday 10:30-12:30 You might have heard that English country dancing is extraordinary for how varied it is. It’s true! There are so many moods, types of music, and choreographic patterns! This session will present some of that fascinating variety through dances of unusual shape, size, or texture. 

Interpretations – Saturday 2-4 None of our favorite historical dances were videotaped when first created. We try to figure out how to dance them using old sets of instructions, but these can be ambiguous or confusing. In this session we’ll explore different ways that some beloved old dances might be interpreted. Come with an open mind!

Callers Practice – Sunday 10:30-12 Call a dance for these experienced dancers. On your registration form indicate if you would like to call, play or dance at this session.

For hospitality, email Arthur McNair at arthur.mcnair@verizon.net. For Covid safety info, check CDSSP.org for updates. For registration information and financial aid requests, email ifinke@yahoo.com. All dances and dance workshops are at Anne Ashley UMC, 334 22nd Avenue, Munhall, PA 15120. The Sunday morning callers workshop will be at the Wilkins School Community Center, 7604 Charleston Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15218.

Registration: the registration form is available in an editable DOC format, so you can either print it out and mail it with a check made out to CDSSP to Irene Finke, Treasurer at 4123 Haldane St., Pittsburgh PA 15207, OR email the information to ifinke@yahoo.com and then use the Paypal Dropdown Menu below to pay for the whole weekend or selected workshops. Note that the Paypal prices include a small surcharge for processing. There is no charge for the caller’s workshop, but you must register for it and indicate your intention to call, dance or play in the band whether on the form or in your email.

REGISTRATION OPTIONS

COVID Safety information: Masking depends on the current rate in Allegheny County and is optional if that rate is low (currently it is low). We will have masks available and hand sanitizer. If you feel ill on the days before the weekend, please stay home. We provide full refunds on request and believe that most hotels and airlines offer some flexibility these days.
Hotel information: Several hotels are in the vicinity of the church at the Waterfront in Homestead and West Homestead on the Monongahela River, including
Holiday Inn Express, 658 East Waterfront Drive, Munhall, Pennsylvania 15120 412-205-3904.
Courtyard by Marriott Pittsburgh West Homestead/Waterfront, 401 West Waterfront Dr, West Homestead, PA 15120 (412) 462-7301
Hampton Inn & Suites Pittsburgh/Waterfront, 301 West Waterfront Dr, West Homestead, PA 15120

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