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Two programs of traditional dance.
1) Community Dance:
Peter provides an evening event of 2- 3 hours of traditional Anglo/American social dance for children and adults of all ages.
2) Workshop:
Teaching Traditional Dance: Peter and Mary Alice are available to lead a workshop on teaching traditional dance to children. Workshops generally range from 2 - 4 hours for elementary school music teachers, elementary school phys-ed teachers, and community dance leaders.
Peter Amidon and/or Mary Alice Amidon (plus two additional musicians for community dance)
Community dance: children ages 5 and up, teenagers, and adults of any age.
Workshop: adult music teachers or community dance leaders.
Community dance:
Peter Amidon's fee ranges from $250 - $400. $100 for the sound system, $200 for each musician (2-3 musicians total) plus travel for Peter and musicians.
Workshop:
$400 - $600 plus travel for a solo workshop. $600 - $1,000 for a duo workshop (Peter Amidon and Mary Alice Amidon).
New England contra dancing was popular in Vermont from the 19th century until the early 20th century, Henry Ford's advocating square dancing as a wholesome national pastime resulted in square dancing largely supplanting contra dancing in Vermont and New England from World War I until the 1970's. There were surviving pockets of contra dancing, mostly in southwest New Hampshire throughout the century. A great revival of New England contra dancing started that started the 1970's continues through this day. Peter Amidon is on the Dawn Dance Committee which organizes two contra dances a year each of which run from 8 pm till 7am the next morning, inspired by and patterned after the late 19th century Brattleboro area all-night contra dances.
The community dances that Peter Amidon teaches, the figures and style of dancing, are based on New England contra and square dancing, traditions that have deep roots in Vermont and New England over the past 150 years, and that are alive and well in Vermont today. The dancing and music continues to thrive and develop and change. There are well-attended contra dances and community dances throughout Vermont today almost always with callers calling and teaching to a live band. As has always been the case, newly composed dance tunes and dances are being mixed in with the old in Vermont contra and community dances.
Peter Amidon
20 Willow Street
Brattleboro, VT 05301
Phone: 802-257-1006
Cell Phone: 917-922-5462
Email: peter@amidonmusic.com
Web: www.amidonmusic.com or www.dancingmasters.com