At last! Wild Asparagus Weekend is back!
Get ready to dance your feet off to the greatest contra band & caller ever!
David Cantieni, Ann Percival, Becky Tracy, Mark Murphy and George Marshall
Since 1984 Wild Asparagus has been touring and entertaining nationwide as well as in England and Canada. Originating in the Connecticut River Valley of Western Massachusetts and Southern Vermont, Wild Asparagus became one of the premier performers of New England’s traditional contra dance music. It draws heavily on the rich Irish repertoire interspersed with music from Canada, Brittany, south Africa and the Caribbean. Add to this, original tunes and songs, deep bass rhythms, the beat of the bodhran drum, sax, piano and guitar riffs, and you’ve got a truly rockin’ band.
Wild Asparagus is a five-person band from Western Massachusetts. Drawing upon music from New England, the British Isles, and Canada, as well as classical sources, Wild Asparagus takes an original approach to the traditional dance music of our folk heritage. Using their unique blend of instruments, creativity, and skills, they offer a sensitive and powerful performance. Since 1984, Wild Asparagus has been highly successful in bringing their music to dances and concerts throughout the United States.
The heartbeat of Wild Asparagus is Ann Percival on piano, guitar, and vocals. Ann’s playing is highly inventive while still maintaining an irresistible rhythm. David Cantieni, a wood-wind wizard, pours forth lively melodies and liquid harmonies on his flutes, tin-whistle, oboe, saxophone and bombard. Becky Tracy‘s masterful fiddling is that rare combination of energy and beauty. George Marshall is an accomplished English concertina player and also provides driving rhythms on bodhran and bones. George is renowned for his knack of matching music to dance and for his smooth, concise teaching and presentation. With Mark Murphy playing bass,
Dance Schedule:
- FRIDAY EVENING (4/18): 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
- SATURDAY AFTERNOON (4/19): 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
- SATURDAY EVENING (4/19): 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- SUNDAY AFTERNOON (4/20): 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
April 18-20: Wild Asparagus Weekend 2025
- No advance booking is necessary.
- However, you do need to make your donation in advance.
Food
- Joe will have the grill going on Saturday afternoon.
- Informal potluck for dancers who have food to share
- Nearby eating establishments in Melrose
Camping
- If you are planning to camp on the grounds of The Dancing Fish, first reach out to Pat Ward, the DF property manager.
- See the full details about Camping at The Dancing Fish
- Or make other accommodation arrangements.
Admission: Pay at Wild Asparagus Weekend 2025
- Adult (age 26+) $20 per dance. Weekend Pass: $60 for entire weekend
- Youth (age 16-25) $10 per dance Package Price: $30 for entire weekend
Bookings & Payments
- No advance booking is required for events at The Dancing Fish — including Wild Asparagus Weekend.
- Payment must be made online only in advance on the Wild Asparagus Weekend event page.