
Contra/Barn Dances Return March 23 & 24
WESTFORD: Contra/Barn dances returned to 10 Lincoln Street on Westford Common this season with two events last November, and now two are upcoming on March 23 from 7:30-10pm (Dudley Laufman Calling), and Family Dance on March 24 from 2-4pm (Jacqueline Laufman Calling)! Dust off those dancing shoes and get in step! On Saturday, admission is just $10 per person; free to students. On Sunday, admission is $10 adults; $5 kids; $20 max/family. Music will be played by the amazing houseband "OH! CONTRAire," led by Dave Fox. Refreshments will be provided. This is a PCA Community Event and all are welcome. Suggested donation is $5/person. Visit the PCA online at pcawestford.org.
Caller Dudley Laufman (born 1930) is an American contra and barn dance caller and musician widely credited with helping spur the revival of contra in the 20th century. Laufman attended his first dance as a boy while working at the Mistwold Farm in Fremont (NH) in 1948. In 1959, he moved to Canterbury. He was a founding member of the Canterbury Country Dance Orchestra in 1965. Dudley began calling and playing for dances, which became known as "Dudley Dances". He worked to spread the tradition, which ultimately caught on and has since spread across the United States and internationally. Beginning in 1978, Laufman started working with the New Hampshire Artists-in-the-Schools program, teaching contra dances to children. Laufman is a recipient of a 2009 National Heritage Fellowship awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts, which is the United States government's highest honor in the folk and traditional arts. Learn more about Dudley Laufman at dudleylaufman.com.
For over 30 years Jacqueline has been playing fiddle for community social dancing. She calls out the traditional dance figures, such as do-si-do, swing your partner, or sashay as she plays the jigs and reels with her lively band of musicians. At festivals, schools, town hall, weddings and family get-togethers throughout New England and beyond, she and her band share the rich tunes and dances brought here from the British Isles. Laufman's prior work included being a school counselor and fiddle teacher. Always motivated to help others, Jacqueline co-created an educational publication to preserve the roots of traditional New England social dancing. This culminated in unique educational kit, “Traditional Barn Dances with Calls & Fiddling,” (published 2001), featuring an extensive instructional book with two CDs and a DVD. This resource is used in schools and colleges and is available globally. Jacqueline gives lecture-demonstrations, workshops and fiddle lessons. She leads in-depth school residencies in dance and shorter school presentations for all grade levels. She plays for youth and family camps, weddings, Elderhostel programs, festivals and conference sessions. Learn more about Jacqueline Laufman at jlaufman.org.
Caller Dudley Laufman (born 1930) is an American contra and barn dance caller and musician widely credited with helping spur the revival of contra in the 20th century. Laufman attended his first dance as a boy while working at the Mistwold Farm in Fremont (NH) in 1948. In 1959, he moved to Canterbury. He was a founding member of the Canterbury Country Dance Orchestra in 1965. Dudley began calling and playing for dances, which became known as "Dudley Dances". He worked to spread the tradition, which ultimately caught on and has since spread across the United States and internationally. Beginning in 1978, Laufman started working with the New Hampshire Artists-in-the-Schools program, teaching contra dances to children. Laufman is a recipient of a 2009 National Heritage Fellowship awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts, which is the United States government's highest honor in the folk and traditional arts. Learn more about Dudley Laufman at dudleylaufman.com.
For over 30 years Jacqueline has been playing fiddle for community social dancing. She calls out the traditional dance figures, such as do-si-do, swing your partner, or sashay as she plays the jigs and reels with her lively band of musicians. At festivals, schools, town hall, weddings and family get-togethers throughout New England and beyond, she and her band share the rich tunes and dances brought here from the British Isles. Laufman's prior work included being a school counselor and fiddle teacher. Always motivated to help others, Jacqueline co-created an educational publication to preserve the roots of traditional New England social dancing. This culminated in unique educational kit, “Traditional Barn Dances with Calls & Fiddling,” (published 2001), featuring an extensive instructional book with two CDs and a DVD. This resource is used in schools and colleges and is available globally. Jacqueline gives lecture-demonstrations, workshops and fiddle lessons. She leads in-depth school residencies in dance and shorter school presentations for all grade levels. She plays for youth and family camps, weddings, Elderhostel programs, festivals and conference sessions. Learn more about Jacqueline Laufman at jlaufman.org.