BANDS & MUSICIANS
ANYTIME ENGLISH PLAYERS
The roots of Contra dance lie in the set dances of the British Isles popular 300 years ago. This ensemble plays monthly on second Sundays for English Country dance. And every once and a while they like to kick it up for a Contra dance by busting out David’s saxophone and spicing the medleys with a few favorites from Playford-era yesteryear, as deliciously danceable today as they were centuries ago.
The Anytime English Players are Maura Goodin (fiddle), Ken Steffenson (fiddle/mandolin/percussion), David Edminster (recorders /bassoon/saxophone) and Lynn Dixon (piano/percussion).
The Anytime English Players are Maura Goodin (fiddle), Ken Steffenson (fiddle/mandolin/percussion), David Edminster (recorders /bassoon/saxophone) and Lynn Dixon (piano/percussion).
CONTRATOPIAContratopia is a contra dance band composed of Erik Sessions (fiddle), Patrice Pakiz (piano, percussion), Pat O'Loughlin (english concertina and banjo) and Tim Reese (mandolin and guitar). Many groups of dancers have enjoyed Contratopia's unique musical approach at events from Montana to Florida and the band anticipates continuing to share their enthusiasm for jigs, reels and waltzes with dancers for a long time to come.
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FLOUR CITY DOUGHBOYSThe Flour City Doughboys are a 4 piece hybrid dance band crossing the stylistic boundaries of Old Time, Bluegrass, Celtic, Scandinavian and Swing. Art Bjorngjeld plays fiddle and accordion and is a local Scandinavian legend, Danny Hansen is a smooth and creative guitarist with Bluegrass and Gypsy Jazz roots, Doug Lohman plays bass and brings a Bluegrass and Cajun feel to the band. Pat O'Loughlin plays banjo, concertina and cajon and draws from a multitude of styles. We've even been known to include a vocal or two during a night of contra dancing.
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GUIDING STAR
Guiding Star is a fiddle/piano duo driven by Danielle Enblom's wealth of knowledge of Irish fiddle tunes. Accompanied by Mattie Rynkiewicz, these two will have you stomping your feet and hollering for more as they fill the hall with music. On rare occasions, they are joined by Evan Snoey on fiddle. This group will guide you to new levels of fun on the dance floor.
NORTHERN AIREThere’s a fresh breeze blowing out on the prairie: Northern Aire combines the driving fiddle of Tim Reese (Pigs Eye Landing) with Pat O’Loughlin's banjo and concertina (Contratopia) plus guitar/piano/squeezebox from Bob Walser. Together they stretch the boundaries of Northern (Scots, Irish, Quebecois and Old Time) dance music with improvisation and creativity. For Northern Aire the fun is all about connecting with the dancers: their music is the invisible link that can unite a room into an explosion of joy.
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PATCHWORK PLAYERSWe are a pick-up band that plays for the "Community Contradance" on 5th Saturdays at Tapestry which happens about 4 times a year. A core of “regulars” forms our backbone, but newcomers are always welcome, and we are never the same band twice. Instrumentation tends toward fiddles, flutes, mandolins, guitars, accordions, and keyboards, but we are open to anything! One practice session is offered before each dance, and our tune book in PDF format is available on request. Participation is voluntary and musicians get in free. The real reward is, of course, playing “live music" for joyful dancers. Interested in joining? To inquire email Ken Steffenson or Erin Walsh.
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SPEED DIAL
When highly skilled, classically-trained violinists meet fiddle tunes, you get Speed Dial. Led by Mattie Rynkiewicz on piano, this band's primary focus is contemporary fiddle tunes. Their distinct, crisp sound is carried out by a rotating cast of fiddlers including David Carrillo, Liz Bergmann, Josiah Misselt, and Jennifer Lee. You'll want to have this band on your Speed Dial.
TUNEBUGGYCome take a ride with Tunebuggy. This band started as an offshoot of the Patchwork Players in 2018 and plays an evolving assortment of time-honored tunes spiced with original compositions by Ken Steffenson and Mattie Rynkiewicz. Hear the creative piano stylings of Mattie Rynkiewicz back Maura Goodin on fiddle, Mia Burgstede on button box, and Ken Steffenson on assortment of stringed instruments as they explore their repertoire.
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TUB O'COOKIES
Father and son fiddle duo Tim Reese and Eli Hooker Reese along with their friends Mattie Rynkiewicz on piano and Jim Parker on mandolin are Tub o' Cookies. They play a variety of midwestern, old time, quebecois, and original tunes by Eli and Mattie that are sure to tantalize your ears. Make sure to look out for the cookies they're munching on in between sets. When Mattie and Eli play as a duo, they are known as Patch Notes.
Compass Rose String BandThis home-grown band formed to play for contras 12 years ago, and has become a Tapestry favorite. Known for their musical variety, they bring a convergence of tunes from the 4 points of the compass, borrowing from Scottish, Irish, Quebecois, English, and Appalachian fiddle traditions, with some original tunes thrown in for good measure.
CRSB is: Ken Steffenson (fiddle, banjo) Anne Benson (hammered dulcimer, flute), Erin Walsh (upright bass, cello) Joel Petersen (guitar) |