March 3-4: Angela DeCarlis and Nova

Nova is: Everest Witman, Kathleen Fownes and Guillaume Sparrow-Pepin

Hailing from Scotland, Québec, and Vermont, although all originally from New England, Nova is a contra dance band that weaves the sounds of fiddle, accordion, and guitar into a rich tapestry of sound. Nova draws from both traditional repertoire and original compositions to create versatile, high energy and driving dance music.

Nova is:

  • Everest Witman
  • Kathleen Fownes
  • Guillaume Sparrow-Pepin
Angela DeCarlis, contra caller
Angela DeCarlis, contra caller

This weekend’s caller, our own Angela DeCarlis, hails from Melrose but her career as a caller reaches far afield, from as far north as Portland, Maine, as far south as Cocoa Beach, Florida, and as far west as Salt Lake City, Utah. Angela also designed and painted our distinctive Dancing Fish banner logo.

“Because I am an artist with a passion for teaching, I approach dance instruction with kindness, creativity, and ingenuity. Because I am a jazz singer, I love to incorporate musical tonality into my vocals while at the mic, resulting in a calling style immediately recognizable and lovable to dancers everywhere.”

This Weekend’s Schedule:

  • Friday 7-10 pm contra dance with Nova (open waltz 6-7 pm)
  • Saturday 12-3 pm contra dance with Nova
  • Saturday 3-4 pm Line Dancing with Smooth Flava
  • Saturday 5-6 pm open waltz
  • Saturday 6-9 pm contra dance with Nova
Make your booking for Angela DeCarlis & Nova

3rd Fridays G.O.D.S. / 3rd Saturdays @ Dancing Fish

The Gainesville Oldtime Dance Society is tentatively planning to host contra dances on third Fridays of the month. This arrangement means third weekends will typically include 3rd Fridays contra dances in Gainesville and 3rd Saturdays in nearby Melrose at The Dancing Fish.

So expect a St. Patrick’s Day themed G.O.D.S. contra dance on Friday March 17th from 7 to 9:30 pm.

Covid Policy: Note that the next G.O.D.S. dance will not be mandating masks or vaccination.

Location: Echo Pavilion (outdoor/open-air pavilion)
at Gainesville Health & Fitness Main Center
4820 W Newberry Rd, Gainesville, FL


March 18: John Rogers with Jenny and the Stray Dogs

Jenny and the Stray Dogs
Jenny and the Stray Dogs

The Stray Dogs Old Time Dance Band are seasoned musicians of old-time, barn dance, string band, contradance tunes, and country waltzes based in Tampa, Florida. The name evolves from the 35 year-old Tampa old-time jam group The Barking Dogs.

Jenny and the Stray Dogs are:

  • Joe Donahue – mandolin
  • Clay Black – banjo
  • Ron Gilbert – guitar
  • Jenny James – fiddle and flute
Make your booking for March 18th: John Rogers & Jenny and the Stray Dogs

Dancing Fish COVID policy

  • Vaccination is Mandatory — Masks are Optional
  • Proof of Vaccination required for all at Dancing Fish events
Coming contra events in March
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Patrick Harrigan

An avid contra dancer, Patrick Harrigan is also a photographer, editor, and website publisher.