Friday 3/22 - Sunday 3/24, 2019
Larks/Ravens non-residential Boston contradance weekend.Sold Out
We're now full, sorry! You're welcome to join the wait list, and we'll write to you if a spot opens up.
Performers
Callers
Bands
Plus an open band, led and anchored by the Free Raisins.
Venue
Cambridge Masonic Hall1950 Mass Ave Cambridge MA (map)
Schedule
| Friday | ||
|---|---|---|
| 7:30pm | Chimney Swift with Nils | |
| 9:35pm | Free Raisins with Angela and Dereck | |
| 11:00pm | Dancing ends | |
| Saturday | ||
| 9:15am | Family dance to Nils and an acoustic Open Band led by Alex Cumming | |
| 10:45am | Chimney Swift with Shari; Harmony Singing with Nils | 
|
| 12:15pm | Lunch | |
| 2:00pm | Polaris with Angela; Musicians workshop with the Free Raisins |
|
| 4:00pm | Free Raisins with Nils and Dereck |
|
| 5:45pm | Dinner | |
| 7:15pm | Open Band led by the Free Raisins with Angela and Shari | |
| 9:30pm | Polaris with Nils | |
| 11:00pm | Dancing ends | |
| Sunday | ||
| 10:00am | Polaris with Shari |
|
| 11:40am | Chimney Swift with Dereck |
|
| 1:25pm | Free Raisins with Nils |
|
| 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 Saturday morning (9:15-10:30am) 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're welcome to. If you do, it's our usual $5-$15 for adults and $3 for kids.
Open Band
The two open band slots are open to anyone who would like to play. The slots will feel pretty different:Saturday morning at the family dance will be very relaxed. No microphones, not much leading, just playing tunes acoustically.
Saturday evening 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, that would be good to bring.
Tentative sets for the evening open band:
- Energetic old-time: Nail that Catfish (G) / Sandy Boys (Amix)
- Balancy A's, on the second half of each phrase: Lady Anne Montgomery (D) / Old Grey Cat (Em)
- Smooth marches: Coleman's March (D) / On the Danforth (A)
- Driving and minor: Rainy Night in Montague (Dm) / Brenda Stubbert's (Am)
- Happy and bouncy: Far From Home (G) / Shenandoah Falls (A)
- Slinky jigs: Wild One (Dm) / Morrison's Jig (Em)
- Happy, reasonably up: Gaspe Reel (D) / Evil Diane (A)
- Smooth jigs: Out on the Ocean (G) / Maison de Glace (D/Bm)
- High energy: Frank's Reel (A) / Bus Stop (Am)
- Waltz: Ookpik (G)
Hours
The hall be open the following times:- Friday: 5pm-11:30pm
- Saturday: 9am-11:30pm
- Sunday: 9:30am-5pm
Pricing and Registration
Estimating costs, we should break even at about $90/person. Trying to make this accessible to as many people as possible, we're offering a sliding scale from $50 to $150. 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.Kids below dancing age are free.
Everyone needs to register and pay in advance. As of 2019-02-26, we're sold out.
Gender and Roles
All calling will be gender-free, with Larks/Ravens 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.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
Parking is different each day:- Friday:
- Parking meters on Mass Ave or at metered municipal lots in Davis Sq.
- Saturday:
- The parking lot at the Kennedy School (map) a short walk away is free to use on Saturdays and Sundays.
- 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.