Registration Fee:
$125 (before Jan 1)
$135 (Jan. 1 - Mar 1)
Late Registration $145 (after Mar 1)
$75 Student/Young Adult (before Mar 1)
$85 Student/Young Adult (after Mar 1)
Call of the Loon
13th Annual Contra Dance Weekend
April 10, 11 & 12, 2026
Tapestry Folkdance Center
Minneapolis, MN
Featuring Callers Gaye Fifer and Beau Farmer with live music by Toss the Possum & Toot, Squeeze & Co.!
Questions? Reach out to calloftheloon@tapestryfolkdance.org!
Call of the Loon Schedule 2026
Friday Evening
6:45 PM – Registration Opens
7:30 – 9:15 PM – Contra with Beau Farmer & Toot Squeeze
9:30 – 11:30 PM – Contra with Gaye Fifer & Toss the Possum
11:30 PM – “Campfire” Gathering (Small Studio) or After Party at Eagles 34 (until 1:00 AM)
Saturday AM
9:00 AM – Coffee & Registration
9:30 – 10:30 AM – Workshop: Bal Folk with Bob
10:45 AM – 12:30 PM – Morning Contra with Gaye Fifer & Toot Squeeze
12:30 – 2:00 PM – Lunch Break & Caller Roundtable with Gaye & Beau
(Sandwiches available for those who pre-ordered during registration)
Saturday PM
2:00 – 3:30 PM – Workshop: Gimmicks & Games (Beau with Possums)
3:45 – 5:00 PM – Workshop: Challenge Contras (Gaye with Toot Squeeze)
5:00 – 7:30 PM – Dinner Break & Open Partner Dancing (Large Studio)
Saturday Evening – 🌸 Flower Power Ball 🌸
7:30 – 8:00 PM – Concert with Toss the Possum
8:15 – 9:45 PM – Contra with Gaye Fifer & Toss the Possum
9:45 PM – Break featuring surprise performers
10:00 – 11:30 PM – Contra with Gaye Fifer & Toss the Possum
11:30 PM – Late – Techno Contra with DJ Rynkie + Jam Session (Small Studio)
Sunday AM
9:30 – 11:00 AM – Brunch (for full-weekend registrants)
10:30 – 11:30 AM – Workshop: Contra Meets English (Gaye with Toot Squeeze)
11:00 – 11:45 AM – Singing Around the Campfire with Huw
11:45 AM – 2:30 PM – Farewell Dance with Gaye & Beau, Toot Squeeze & Toss the Possum
Tapestry Folkdance Center's mission is to welcome ALL to participate in the joys of dance and music. If accessing Call of the Loon is out of your financial capacity, even with the scholarship option, please email us a short note at calloftheloon@tapestryfolkdance.org.
Trade Area
We’ll have a designated trade area available throughout the weekend for dance-related items like clothing, shoes, music, and more. Feel free to bring items you’d like to share, trade, or pass along to others in the community!
Please note: all items must be taken home by their original owners at the end of the event. Anything left behind cannot be stored.
Call of the Loon
À la carte tickets for Friday and Saturday
are now available!
Spots are limited and must be purchased online.
Pricing is $30 for Friday night and $40 for Saturday night.
Be sure to grab your spot while they’re still available.
we’d love to have you join us!
Meet the Musicians:
Toss the Possum
Toss the Possum is a family duo with a uniquely eclectic style. They draw from many influences including Celtic, Appalachian, Jazz, French Canadian and Rock n’ Roll. Their sound ranges from lyrical to driving. Put Rob Zisette’s clever improv, fantastic beat boxing, vocals and other surprises, then add Laura Zisette backing it all up on keyboard. Since the Possums are known for their big sound, you may find yourself looking for more than two musicians!
Toot, Squeeze & Co.
Cory is a local Twin Cities flute and whistle player, specializing in traditional Irish music but with a penchant for many far-flung genres. He teaches flute, piano, and voice through the Center for Irish Music in St. Paul.
Bob Walser is a musician, dance caller, scholar and educator. He began contra dancing in Amherst, Massachusetts in the 1970s, and has performed from Maine to California and overseas. Locally, Bob plays for contra dances and is a regular caller and musician at the Monday Night Square Dance.
Danny Diamond is a musician from Ireland, who plays fiddle, sings, composes music, and works as a recording engineer/producer. He comes from a renowned family of traditional musicians with a deep cultural heritage in the North of Ireland. Previously fiddle player with the bands Slow Moving Clouds and Mórga, Danny has toured worldwide, playing venues such as the Sydney Opera House, The Southbank Centre (London) and National Concert Hall (Ireland); and has shared the stage with artists such as The National and Justin Vernon (Bon Iver). Learn more about Danny here.
Accordion player John McCormick is a member of the local Irish band, Barra, and frequently plays in sessions around the Twin Cities. Besides the C#/D button accordion, John plays the bagpipes in the Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band. He has served as the band’s Pipe Major for many years and has taught countless piping students. He can also be heard playing in the Twin Cities in his band, Barra.
Meet the Callers:
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Gaye Fifer
Gaye Fifer is an accomplished caller from Pittsburgh, PA. An active dancer herself, Gaye understands the subtleties of making 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 and English dances throughout the U.S. and Canada, and is the former President of the Board of CDSS.
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Beau Farmer
Beau Farmer has been a contra dancer, caller, writer and teacher for over 35 years. He is known for his skilled and efficient teaching style and mild manner, but also energetic dances, exciting medleys and creative choreography. He has been a regular caller and dance organizer at Tapestry Folkdance Center in Minneapolis since moving from the East Coast to Minnesota in 2003.
Call of the Loon T-shirt pre-orders are now closed. You can still grab a shirt at the event while supplies last!
REFUND POLICY
Once an event registration is received at Tapestry Folkdance Center, the following refund policy applies:
All refund requests must be made in writing and sent to Tapestry Folkdance Center, 3748 Minnehaha Ave. S, Mpls, MN 55406 or emailed to staff@tapestryfolkdance.org.
A $20 cancellation fee will be charged by the event for all refunds except for those issued in the case of illness or injury. Please include medical confirmation with refund request.
For any amount not refunded, you may request acknowledgement of a tax-deductible donation to Tapestry Folkdance Center.
A refund request more than 60 days prior to the first day of the event will receive a full refund less the $20 processing fee.
A refund requested within 60 days of the first day of the event will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the event organizers.