When Charles DeVinne was 4 years old, his parents divorced, but his grandfather, popular contra dance caller Duke Miller, stepped in.
“He had a major influence on me,” said DeVinne, who got his love of bass fishing, country dance and New Hampshire from Miller. “He was very charismatic man…he had away get away of bringing you in.”
Now DeVinne is stepping out, playing the banjo in a July 15 event honoring Miller at the Monadnock Center for History and Culture’s Bass Hall. The event has special meaning to DeVinne, a Peterborough resident and veterinarian.
“I think it’s gonna be kind of fun to bring a few things back that people haven’t seen in a while,” said DeVinne.
The musicians – pianist Gordon Peery and fiddler Randy Miller – and the caller, Lisa Sieverts, will attempt to recreate the unique style and music choice of Miller, DeVinne said.
“He had a very military way of running his dances…it isn’t quite as loose as country dances you go to now,” DeVinne said. “It was a little more regimented and he kind of took control of the room.
“He had a big booming voice.”
DeVinne is planning on sharing stories with the audience about Miller, who discovered contra and square dancing as a camp counselor in Chesham in the 1920s.
Miller, who spent a bulk of his career as the head of the physical education department at a school in Gloversville, New York, returned to New Hampshire every summer for bass fishing – and to learn contra and square dance calling from the legendary Ralph Page.
“That’s my tie to the area as well,” said DeVinne, who moved to Peterborough in the winter of 1982. “When I was younger I had the opportunity to spend some summers here and fell in love with the Monadnock region.”
DeVinne remembers the early days of his grandfather’s calling, especially Miller’s collaboration with band leader Bob McQuillen. He remembers sitting in a chair next to McQuillen as the popular composer, pianist and high school shop teacher played accordian.
DeVinne recalled his grandfather’s unique style. Miller preferred consistency in his calling. Every night, the lineup never wavered: the same first song, the same dance before intermission, the same couples dance after intermission, then a square dance to “Darling Nelly Gray” then the same waltz.
“You think it be boring, Saturday night after Saturday night, all summer, the same old stuff,” DeVinne said. “But people really liked it. There was something about the consistency of it that was relaxing.”
The Monadnock Center encourages all ages and skill levels to attend and no partner is necessary. The dance is set for 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Bass Hall, which is located at 19 Grove St. in Peterborough.
For tickets, directions, and information, visit MonadnockCenter.org or call 924-3235.