Friday 3/20 - Sunday 3/22, 2020
Gender-free non-residential Boston contradance weekend.
Performers
Callers
Bands
- Calluna: Eileen O’Grady, Gus Cantieni, Jesse Ball
- The Yaysayers: Eric Boodman, Casey Murray, Jon Cannon
- Kingfisher: Cecilia Vacanti, Jeff Kaufman
- Julie Metcalf & Max Newman
Plus an open band.
Venue
Cambridge Masonic Hall1950 Mass Ave Cambridge MA (map)
Schedule
| Friday | ||
|---|---|---|
| 7:30pm | Julie & Max with Luke | |
| 9:30pm | Yaysayers with Lisa | |
| 11:00pm | Dancing ends | |
| Saturday | ||
| 9:30am | Calluna with Luke | 
|
| 11:05am | Calluna with Lisa |
|
| 12:20pm | Lunch | |
| 1:05pm | Kingfisher with Lisa |
|
| 2:50pm | Julie & Max with Luke |
|
| 4:30pm | Yaysayers with Luke |
|
| 6:00pm | Dinner | |
| 7:30pm | Open Band led by Lisa and anchored by Julie & Max, with Luke calling | |
| 9:25pm | Kingfisher with Lisa | |
| 11:00pm | Dancing ends | |
| Sunday | ||
| 9:15am | Family dance led by Luke to an acoustic Open Band led by Alex Cumming | |
| 10:30am | Kingfisher with Luke |
|
| 12:05am | Yaysayers with Lisa |
|
| 1:40pm | All musicians and callers |
|
| 3:00pm | Dancing ends | |
Sessions marked have
free childcare available. Please include on your registration (or
write jeff@bidadance.org) if you'd like to use it.
Family Dance
The family dance on Sunday morning is open to everyone, not just families, but will have dances targeted at very young dancers.While the rest of the weekend requires advance registration, if you want to come just for the family dance you can pay at the door. If you do, it's BIDA's usual $5-$15 for adults and $3 for kids.
Open Band
There will be two open band slots, both open to anyone who would like to play. The slots will feel pretty different:The family dance will be very relaxed. No microphones, not much leading, just playing tunes acoustically.
The regular dance will be more intense. We'll be playing to a full hall with lots of leading / orchestration. If you have a pickup or clip-on mic, bring it along!
Sets for the evening open band: TBD
Hours
The hall will be open:- Friday: 5pm-11:30pm
- Saturday: 9am-11:30pm
- Sunday: 9am-5pm
Pricing and Registration
Last year we asked for $50-$150/person, and did a little better than break-even. We're planning to admit more dancers this year, so we think we're able to move the price a bit lower, to a sliding scale of $30-$130. If you're able to pay toward the higher end, that's what makes it possible for us to offer admission to others below cost. We also have volunteer spots available.We will admit the first 150 dancers first-come-first-served. If these 150 slots all are claimed within the first week (before Tuesday November 19th) we'll pause registration and announce a lottery for the remaining slots.
To keep things simple, tickets are full-weekend, but if we sell out we may be able to make some additional part-weekend slots available for non-peak times.
Everyone needs to register and pay in advance. Kids below dancing age are free; just mention them on your registration.
Gender and Roles
All calling will be gender-free, with Larks/Robins terms. The bathrooms will also not be gendered. This event is not gender or role balanced, and anyone is welcome to dance either or both roles.Food
Meals
You can bring food, buy food at the supermarket across the street, or eat at one of the many nearby restaurants. There is refrigerator and freezer space available at the hall, as well as a microwave. We're planning on breaks for lunch and dinner on Saturday.Snacks
There will be plenty of snacks at the hall, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. There will be light snacks out most of the time, and more substantial snacks Sunday around lunchtime. If you have dietary restrictions there's a space for that on the registration form.Housing
Housing isn't included, but we will try to match out-of-town dancers with local dancers who are willing to host. There's a bit asking about this on registration. We're planning to start working on this around 2/11, and if you register after that we may not be able to connect you with anyone.Transportation
Public Transit
Public transit is a great way to get to and from the hall, which is at the Porter Square stop on the Red Line Subway, the Fitchburg Line Commuter Rail, and the 77, 83, 87, and 96 buses. For detailed directions and schedules Google Maps works well: Cambridge Masonic Hall.Driving
- Friday and Saturday:
The parking lot at the Kennedy School (map) a short walk away is free to use when school is not in session.
Parking meters on Mass Ave or at metered municipal lots in Davis Sq.
- Sunday:
All parking meters and residential spaces are free on Sunday.
Please don't park in the big shopping center lot across the street from the hall, because they tow.