Welcome to the
Spokane Folklore Society Contra Dancing in May April
showers not only bring flowers to May but also three wonderful contra
dances featuring some of our favorite bands and callers. Our first Wednesday dance, May 7, at the Woman’s Club Hall, features the full orchestra sound of the Prestwald Players. Nancy Staub will teach and call both easy to learn and challenging contras. All making for a fun filled evening. Our
second Saturday dance on May 10 at the East Spokane Grange is the swan
song for one of our most loyal bands, Banna Damhsa. They were always available to play during those Covid times. Remember? Members Dave and Char Beach are moving to Massachusetts. Here’s your last chance to dance to their driving Irish tunes. Emily Faulkner, who has called many a dance with them, will usher them out with some great dances. Not to be missed! We
finish out the month on the third Wednesday, May 21, at the Woman’s
Club Hall with Dog Paw, a multi generational band of multi talented
musicians. The band includes Sally Jablonsky, playing an
amazing range of fiddle tunes along with clarinet player Liz Dreisbach
and rhythm player Eugene Jablonsky. Emily Faulkner returns to call with them. New Second Saturday Admission Rates
For
the past two years, admission rates for the second Saturday dances have
been the same as our Wednesday ones even though they are an hour
longer. Because our bands and callers have been paid about the
same for either Wednesday or Saturday dances during this time, the SFS
board has decided to the SFS board decided to increase the guarantee
for callers and musicians in order to align more fairly with three
hours of dancing. In order to cover these additional costs, the
board has increased admission rates by $2 per person. New rates
are $12 for general admission; $9 for SFS members. We want to
thank you in advance for supporting this change. Our musicians
and callers deserve this increase in their stipends. Admission
rates for our two hour Wednesday dances remain the same, $10 for
general admission and $7 for SFS members.
As
a result of a recent poll of SFS members, there will be no Covid
protocols in place until further notice. Good health is
required. Masking is respected.
2024 Fall Folk Festival photos and video samplers are at this link...
Membership Information:
It is time to renew your SFS membership. If
you are joining for the first time, your membership will help to fund
the operations of the SFS. In addition, you will receive $3 discounts
at our Wednesday dances. Also, you will receive our monthly newsletter
as well as any updates and announcements. You can join by accessing the
membership form through the following link. Link for a full year membership Fill it out and mail it
in with a check.
Newsletters Archived on SFS Website
Older editions of the
Spokane Folklore Society Newsletter can be found on the SFS website
starting from September 2020 (link at left). There are some great
articles to read.
Starting in September we added several feature columns to the
newsletters. Please enjoy our Callers Corner featuring articles by all
our regular callers.
Forty Years Ago showcases some of the people and events that were
highlights of the early years and got the SFS started on its path to
success. Penn Pals is a column where Penn Fix interviews people that
have been instrumental in starting and keeping folk traditions alive in
the Spokane region.
Current Newsletter
And now some of our older newsletters are available as well
We can help you get in touch with
other people in the
Spokane, Washington, area who are interested in music, dance, and folk
arts. Find out what's happening
on the calendar
Our major project of the year is
the
Fall Folk Festival.
One of our main
activities with SFS is Contra
Dancing. Contra dancing is a type of traditional
dance from
New England. Dancers face each other in "contra" lines and move up and
down the formation as couples in figures directed by a caller. The
Virginia
Reel is a dance in this style. You don't have to be experienced - the
caller
teaches all the moves. Special clothes are not necessary. No partner is
needed - Singles and couples are invited. Check the calendar
for the contra dance schedule. Click
here more details and some pictures and links to video of a
typical local Contra dance.
If you are interested
in having the Folklore Society help
sponsor your event, please download this .pdf
form
here. (Acrobat reader required)
If this is your first
visit to our site, please read
more about the Spokane Folklore Society: its organization and
mission.
We hope that you will join
us,
and subscribe to our monthly newsletter. 
|