Usually at this time of year, Catskills Folk Connection announces its first spring square dance. But not this spring. Again. Social dancing, it seems, is one of the last activities that will be opened. We're hoping we can schedule a live in-person square dance for Labor Day. Until then, we will focus on virtual presentations about folklore topics, especially Catskills traditional music and dance and Catskills foodways. We will also use our on-line and radio platforms to present interviews with tradition bearers, folk artists and folk musicians, and will discuss issues of concern, nationally and in our region, that especially affect folklore organizations and the cultures and communities they work with.
What to expect:
In April-May-June:
An on-line speaker about African and African-American influences on American traditional music and dance. The link will be on this blog and in e-mail announcements.
Mini-videos teaching basic square dance figures, demonstrated by a couple who are long-time dancers from the Catskills. Find the link here on the blog.
On-going monthly interviews on our radio program, Catskills Folk, with Catskills tradition bearers, folk artists, and folk musicians. The next one is being scheduled for April 27 at 7 p.m., broadcast on WIOX 91.3 FM and streaming on wioxradio.org. Topics this spring will include digging wild leeks, sapping, and more presentations by Kelli Huggins about Catskills recipes.
Mini-videos are starting production soon. These and the date for the speaker will be posted here first, followed by an e-mail announcement. There will be bi-monthly post cards during this time period, beginning with one toward the end of April.
July - August:
Another on-line speaker, most likely talking about the development of square dancing in the Northeast US.
More mini-videos, perhaps with two couples, not just one. They'll tackle traditional square dance figures that are difficult for beginners, such as the ladies' chain and right-and-left-through.
We are trying to arrange a program about step-dancing in the Catskills and neighboring areas. Check back later.
Ginny will be working on photographing stone houses in Roxbury, exteriors for sure, and possibly interiors if Covid restrictions permit.
September-October-November-December:
Possible in-person square dance on Labor Day. If so, watch for monthly dances thereafter, and maybe more often. There is pent up demand for all the dances we've missed in the past year!
More monthly interviews with tradition bearers, folk artists and folk musicians on WIOX.
An in-person exhibit, most likely in December, of the Roxbury stone house documentation.
And in November or December, a Symposium on Catskills Traditional Music and Dance that will bring together performers and professionals to engage in discussions with the region's musicians, dancers, and culture workers about the future of traditional dance and traditional music in the Catskills. Whether the Symposium is offered on-line or in-person, the public is invited to attend and to join in the final round of the discussion. We hope this event will set a course for music and dance that will sustain them for many years to come.
The link for the Symposium will be here in the blog and shared via e-mail. Members of the postal mailing list will be encouraged to join our e-mail list and if that is not possible to call Ginny Scheer (607-326-4206) to find out how to attend. If the Symposium is in-person the discussion will be followed by a jam, a pot luck supper, and a public square dance. If it is on-line only we may be able to offer break out groups for smaller, more focused discussion. And a ticket coupon for our next in-person dance!
Watch this space. Announcements will be made here on the blog first, then in an e-mail, with post cards bi-monthly during the summer, and joined by ads in the County Shopper before each in-person dance.
For more information contact the folklorist, Ginny Scheer, at gscheer.mcs@gmail.com or 607-326-4206. We can't wait to get us dancing again!
