BANDS & MUSICIANS

CONTRATOPIA

Contratopia is a contra dance band composed of two musicians from Minnesota and two from northeast Iowa. Erik Sessions (fiddle), Patrice Pakiz (piano, percussion), Pat O'Loughlin (english concertina and banjo) and John Goodin (mandolin and guitar) began playing together in late 1999 and decided that the rewards of working together outweighed the challenges of geographical separation. 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.

FLOUR CITY DOUGHBOYS

The 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.

NORTHERN AIRE

There’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.

​Credit: puhimec

PATCHWORK PLAYERS

We 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.

​Credit: Coral222

TUNE BUGGY

Come take a ride on the Tune Buggy! This home grown ensemble of musicians from our own dance community plays an evolving repertoire of time-honored tunes spiced with new and original compositions. 

​The creative piano stylings of Matt Rynkiewicz back Maura Goodin (fiddle), Mia Bergstede (button accordion), and Ken Steffenson (fiddle, banjo, mandolin) as they explore the full potential of each tune.
Click here to inquire.