Adirondack Dance Weekend
Thanks to everyone for a fabulous weekend
Save the dates
September 27-29, 2024
If you would like to get updates about ADK 2024 – contact us at adirondack@danceflurry.org. to be added to our mailing list
A weekend of Contra, English Country and Balfolk dancing, couples dancing, singing, music & dance workshops.
The Silver Bay YMCA Retreat Center, located 1 1/2 hours north of Albany New York, is tucked into the Adirondack Mountains and sits on the shore of Lake George. In mid September, the days are warm and the evenings chilly, the leaves just turning. A great place to spend a September weekend.
We offer dancing in two halls all day, with workshops mixed in throughout the day. Two big evening dance parties. Great meals and awesome snacks. If you need a break from dancing, go for a walk around the lake, go for a swim, or take a canoe or kayak out for a spin on the lake. Or hang out, visit, and jam on the porches at the pavilion or Inn.
ADK is an all inclusive weekend:
- Housing – Friday & Saturday night – included in price
- All Meals —Friday dinner through Sunday lunch – included in price
- All dancing & workshops – included in price
Click here to see the 2023 schedule
Click here for photos & videos from past events
Here’s our lineup from 2023
Red Case Band — featuring Clara Stickney on fiddle & harp, Alex Cumming on accordion & piano, and Stuart Kenney on bass & banjo. Red Case weaves together banjo, lever harp, and accordion textures to create groovy, trancelike dance experiences as well as combining fiddle, piano, and bass for a more raucous good time.
Alchemy — brings together three dynamic players steeped in traditional English Country Dance and contra dance music: Rachel Bell, Karen Axelrod, and Eric Martin. Individually, they have performed across the United States, Canada, and Europe. As a trio, their improvisatory style brings a contemporary and innovative feel to both traditional and newly composed tunes and songs.
Kingfisher — a Boston-based contra dance band, plays both traditional and modern contra dance music. Jeff Kaufman anchors the duo from the piano and mandolin, along with a number of instruments he created himself, giving Cecilia Vacanti the opportunity to wow you with intense fiddling renditions of tunes across the spectrum.
Vinta — are Nathan Smith (fiddle) Emilyn Stam (fiddle, piano & accordion) John David Williams (clarinet) Peter Klaassen (bass). They provides a huge breath of fresh air with their wonderful, creative reimagining of Balfolk dance forms. Their original compositions blend perfectly with their traditional material and their playing is uniformly top notch. They will play for Balfolk & contra dance.
So what is Balfolk?
Balfolk is a diverse set of dances, mostly drawing from traditional French dance. It include couples turning dances, set dances, circle dances and more! You will learn dances like mazurka, hanter dro, bourée, rondo, schottishe, and more. It’s accessible, quite varied and fun.
George Marshall is a full-time musician, caller and dance teacher, touring nationally year-round. His specialty is teaching and calling the New England-style contra dances he has collected throughout the country. George is renowned for his knack of matching music to dance and for his smooth, concise teaching and presentation. In addition to calling for contra dance, George will also be managing sound.
David Millstone — will be calling for English country dance. A long time contra dance caller, David has been calling English dances regularly since 1993. In addition to sharing dances with those who already appreciate the style, he particularly enjoys introducing English country dance to dancers who are new to this form.
Hannah Chamberlain grew up contra dancing at the grange hall in Sheffield, MA. She began calling in 2019 and currently helps to organize a monthly contra dance series in southern Maine. Hannah will bring her joy and enthusiasm to the ADK weekend and hopes to facilitate fun and connection on the dance floor.
Lynn Baumeister does a variety of dance styles but particularly loves balfolk. She is looking forward to sharing the zen of a hanter dro, the pulsing energy of a bourrée, the lilt of a mazurka – to mention just a few of the dances waiting for you in the balfolk sessions.
Dereck Kalish will be managing sound for us once again. He has provided great sound for weekly dances, and larger events from Pinewoods Camp, Tropical Dance Vacation St. Croix, Peterborough Snow Ball, Across The Lake, NEFFA, CDS, Adirondack Dance Weekend (just last year) to name a few. Dereck can also be seen calling English or contra dances throughout New England.
HERE ARE SOME EXCELLENT WAYS TO JOIN US:
STAY AT THE INN — an historic inn with two types of rooms:
private baths (bathroom in room)
shared baths (large common bathroom down the hall)
double rooms – two can register together, or register alone & we will assign a roommate (based on availability)
- Single room with a shared bath (one person per room)
- Double room with a shared bath (two people per room)
- Single room with a private bath (one person per room)
- Double room with a private bath (two people per room)
STAY AT THE WILLIAM BOYD CENTER — these accommodations are located on the 2nd floor above the dining room:
- Single room with a private bath (one person per room)
- Double room with a private bath (two people per room)
STAY IN A CABIN — each cabin has several bedrooms, a small kitchen, living room, a shared bathroom and great porches:
- Double room with a shared bath (two people per room)
STAY OFF SITE—stay at a local campground, motel, or airbnb of your choice
- Access to all dancing and workshops (housing and meals not included)
- Onsite meals can be purchased individually or as a package
GET A SCHOLARSHIP — We offer a limited number of work scholarships (first come first served) — Double room with a shared bath (two people per room)
CHILDREN & TEENS — are most welcome. Contact us for rates.
Questions? reach us at adirondack@danceflurry.org or call (518) 441-3667
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