Yes, start planning for more fun in the sun and under the stars as Sierra Swing returns for its second successful year.
An incredible staff of West Coast and East Coast talent will join together to create another unforgettable week. Workshops in contra, square, swing, old-time clogging and cajun along with singing and music workshops and, of course, a little unplanned madness is planned daily at the main Mountain Dance Hall and the new Lakeside Pavilion.
Alta Sierra Camp is located at the edge of King's Canyon National Park, an hour's drive east of Fresno, CA. This secluded mountain paradise offers camping, hiking, and horseback riding. One lake provides clothing optional swimming, sunbathing, and boating, with quiet seclusion at another. You'll be torn between the enchanting music and dance offerings and releasing to a professional massage or just listening to the frogs sing. The cabins are tucked away on a nearby hillside, just a skip away from always hot showers.
To round out the totality of sensory experiences, you'll savor fresh, creative cuisine tuned to the California sensibility. The Casbah will be open late-morning and late-night for those craving fancy coffees, desserts, and wine. There'll be no shortage of calories to burn, and plenty of opportunities to burn them, day and night. The Camp Costs $450.00, this includes lodging and meals for the entire week. The musical offerings are out of sight!
The dance and music program this year focuses on FUN. We've got an incredible lineup of multi-talented musicians and party animals, and the dance workshops will help both beginning and experienced dancers get the most out of the music.
We are featuring Wild Asparagus, known across the country for their exciting and innovative presentation of contra dancing. Hailing from Massachusetts, Wild Asparagus features the dance instruction and calling of George Marshall, who also plays concertina, bodhran and bones with the band. George draws from a wide repertoire of traditional and modern New England style contra dances, and the group's musical arrangements are crafted to fit perfectly with the dances.
The heartbeat of Wild Asparagus is Ann Percival on piano, guitar, and vocals. Ann's playing is highly inventive while still maintaining an irresistible rhythm. David Cantieni, a woodwind wizard, pours forth lively melodies and liquid harmonies on his flutes, tin-whistle, oboe, saxophone and bombard. Becky Tracy adds her masterful fiddling to the mix. Well-known on the West Coast through her appearances with Nightingale, Becky weaves a spell with her powerful and emotional playing. Stuart Kenney on bass is a dynamo of musical energy.
George and Ann will also be teaching 6-count and 8-count swing dancing on a beginning and intermediate level.
Dolores Heagy will be calling square dances and teaching Appalachian clogging. This is her first trip to the West Coast since 198?, when she captured the hearts and feet of dancers at the Monte Toyon dance weekend. Dolores has been calling and dancing for many years, and has been the backbone of the traditional dance scene in Pittsburgh. Her enthusiasm and spirit are unparalleled.
Leah Weiss, fiddler extraordinaire, will be playing for squares and clogging. She has a driving, rhythmic style which is rooted in old-time Southern Appalachian music and influenced by anything that rocks. She also plays a variety of other fiddle styles, including Cajun, Tex-Mex, and Scandinavian dance music. Leah is a member of The Poodles, whose most recent recording, "Unleashed," won an honorable mention in the "best string" category at the 1994 NAIRD Indie awards.
Scott Nygaard's rock-solid guitar and fiddle playing will be featured for both southern and swing music. Scott has recently been touring with Tim O'Brien and the O'Boys, and he has appeared on recordings by Laurie Lewis, Jerry Douglas, and David Grisman. His 1990 solo album, "No Hurry", was described by Acoustic Guitar magazine as "a smorgasbord of what can be done with six strings."
Peter Langston rounds out the ensemble with his versatile playing. A strong and extremely imaginative musician, Peter plays anything with strings on it. He has played in respected bands on both coasts, and has performed with such notables as Doc Watson, Reverend Gary Davis, Tony Trischka, Peter Rowan, Alison Brown, and Mike Seeger.
Erik Hoffman returns as sound-meister, cheerfully doing the most important job of the week. He will also be featured as a guest caller and dance instructor.
Daniel Steinberg will be on hand to keep the program running smoothly, adding his musical influences throughout. Daniel is well-known for his piano and flute playing with the Hillbillies from Mars and the Rodney Miller Band. He also appears on the Grammy-nominated recording "The Oak and the Laurel" by Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum.
General camp information:
Clinton Gilbert--(415) 332-0891; email: ClintonSF@aol.com.
Registration:
Patti Smolian--(510) 215-2785; email: Smolian@aol.com.