13th Annual Wild and Wonderful Weekend!
January 14-17, 2011
Click here for registration form!
Wild and Wonderful Dance Weekend takes place in the Randolph County Community Arts Center during the three-day holiday celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday. All of the dances and workshops will take place at the Randolph County Community Arts Center in the lovely Great Hall, with its wonderful oak floors and great acoustics, and in the adjoining Arts Center Classroom buildings with its smaller rooms for jam sessions and workshops.
The old-time and bluegrass stylings of The Stove Stokers kicks off the weekend at 8 p.m. on Friday, January 14th. These seasoned dance musicians will keep the tempo lively and the guests dancing until 11:30 p.m.
During the day on Saturday and Sunday there will be a variety of workshops, dances and jam sessions. There are evening dances Saturday and Sunday, and the weekend will end with a Monday morning farewell dance.
The Randolph County Community Arts Center volunteers, well- known for their good cooking and hospitality, will be offering soups, an assortment of salads, desserts and drinks for Sunday’s lunch for just $7. There will be both vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices available. Make sure you sign up for it on your registration form. Other meals are on your own. Snacks and beverages will be available during the dances. You are welcome to bring other refreshments for yourself or to share.
The cost is $90 for the entire weekend if you register by December 15th and $100 if you register after December 15th. Admission will be limited to those who are pre-registered, due to space limitations.
A small number of single-day tickets will be sold beginning January 1 if the total weekend registrations are not yet sold out. The cost is $60, due in advance, for one day, which includes that evening’s dance. If space allows, evening dance tickets will be available for $10 each.
We encourage you to register early. Please check our web site, www.randolpharts.org, or call ahead to find out if there are still tickets available if you are registering after December 15th.
Performers
The Randolph County Community Arts Center’s highly anticipated 13th Annual Wild and Wonderful Dance Weekend will spotlight two outstanding contra dance bands and callers this January. The Stove Stokers, anchored by local Elkins fiddler Gerry Milnes and guitarist John Rossbach, will begin the weekend at 8 p.m. on Friday night with their lively tempos and intricate old-time and bluegrass stylings. Caller for Friday night is Joyce Rossbach, the Director of the Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins, who has called for major dance organizations in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Gerry Milnes and John Rossbach will also contribute their individual musical talents throughout the weekend. Gerry is Folk Arts Coordinator with the Augusta Heritage Center, an award-winning old time banjo and fiddle player, and has over 30 years experience recording and documenting West Virginia’s musical heritage. Both Gerry and John are seasoned dance musicians who have played and recorded with numerous old-time and bluegrass bands.
The band Montage will perform their eclectic mix of dance music on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. A contra
dance band from Western New York and Pennsylvania, Montage plays an innovative blend of European-based music, rooted in tradition and strongly influenced by modern styles. This group weaves together everything from swing to Parisian cafe to rootsy Breton folk styles.
The musical beginnings for Jane Knoeck, who plays piano and accordian in the group, were a mix of classical piano and voice studies. Sometime in the 80’s she discovered instrumental folk music and contra dancing. Dance bands soon followed, and she has been playing with a variety of groups ever since, weaving a wide variety of musical influences into her style. Besides Montage, she plays with the Groovemongers and with the trio Riverbend.
Rachel Bell, who plays accordian and flute, grew up playing piano and exploring a wide range of folk instruments. Now focusing on accordion and wooden flute, she enjoys a busy gig schedule playing concerts and contra dances with Montage, Tunescape, and the Andrew and Noah VanNorstrand Band.
Tom Santarsiero, who plays guitar, mandolin, banjo, jaw harp and foot percussion, was influenced by the musical styles of New England, Southern Appalachia, and French Canada. Tom has developed an eclectic approach to playing with Montage and Riverbend.
Fiddler Rebecca McCallum grew up playing classical violin, but began to transform from a “violinist” to a “fiddler” shortly after college. In the midst of the driving rhythm and danceability of her fiddling, you can still hear signs of that classical precision and tone. She favors northern styles of music in her contra fiddling, but also indulges her Mediterranean roots by playing in a Greek band as well.
Kathy Anderson is widely admired for her exciting squares, quirky contras, and swift, clear teaching. She
has long been a favorite caller across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Kathy’s smooth delivery and intriguing repertoire make for a fun, engaging dance experience. She enjoys maximizing the connection between the musicians and the dancers.
Housing for out-of-towners is available on the campus of Davis & Elkins College. We have reserved the Graceland Inn & Conference Center for this event (visit http://www.gracelandinn.com for more information).
The special Wild and Wonderful Weekend rate is $65/night plus tax for a single-occupancy room in the Graceland Conference Center, or $70/night plus tax for a double-occupancy room.
At the Graceland Inn, the following rates apply: a suite is $95 per night, a room with a Queen bed is $80 per night, a room with a Full size bed is $65 per night, a room with two Twin Beds is $75 per night and a room with one Twin bed is $65 per night. These rooms should be booked on your own by calling (304) 637-1600. Please identify yourself as an attendee at Wild & Wonderful Weekend. Rooms will be booked only for dancers registered for the weekend. This rate is available until December 20.
Information on additional area accommodations is available through the Randolph County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-422-3304.
Children
Children who are experienced dancers are welcome at the weekend and on the dance floor. Child care is not provided and parents are responsible for unattended children. See rates below.
To communicate with others about the dance weekend and share information, log onto our Facebook page. RCCAC assumes no responsibility for any arrangements made on this page.
Registration
Download PDF forms and mail to:
Wild & Wonderful Weekend
Randolph County Community Arts Center
P.O. Box 3111
Elkins, WV 26241
Please send one copy per person and make checks payable to: RCCAC
Wild & Wonderful Weekend Sponsors
The Randolph County Community Arts Center
With assistance from:
The Augusta Heritage Center at Davis & Elkins College
The Elkins Country Dance Society
City of Elkins