The Monadnock Folklore Society presents the Peterborough, First Saturday Contra Dance on Dec. 3, featuring Steve Zakon-Anderson calling with Jeff Kaufman on piano and mandolin, Alex Cumming playing accordion and fiddler Louise Bichan.
Scottish fiddler Louise has been playing the fiddle since the age of eight, through fiddle classes at the Orkney Islands Traditional Music Project in Scotland. She was encouraged to write music from a young age; many of her tunes appear in Orkney tune books and are played by bands such as Saltfishforty, No Soond and Hadhrigaan. Louise is visiting the US through a program at the Berklee School of Music.
Alex Cumming is a traditional singer and accordionist hailing from Somerset, England who now lives in Boston. Alex has made his mark on the folk scene with his rhythmic danceable accordion style and engaging stage presence.
Jeff Kaufman is a multi-instrumentalist who lives in Boston and plays with the band The Free Raisins. He has performed in Peterborough many times.
Dance caller Steve Zakon-Anderson has been leading contra dances for over 25 years. He has performed at dance camps and festivals from Alaska to Florida. Steve’s clear teaching, precise calling and sense of humor have made him a favorite of dancers of all ages and abilities.
The dancing begins at 8 p.m. The dance also hosts a free jam session for beginning and intermediate musicians at 6:30 p.m. and a workshop for new dancers at 7:30 p.m.
Admission is $10 or $7 for students and seniors.
The dance takes place in the historic Town House in Peterborough at 1 Grove Street. For more information call 762-0235 or visit www.monadnockfolk.org. The Monadnock Folklore Society has presented contra dances and concerts of traditional music since 1982.