A Salute to Contra Dance History – Take a stroll through the last 50 years of contra dancing with this look at the dances of contra dance masters Ralph Page, Ted Sannella and Tony Parkes. New callers are welcome to contribute a dance to the session. Contact Sue Dupre to make arrangements.

Intermediate Wind – All those low notes got you feeling lowdown? Need more harmony in your life? Does dance band participation have you breathless with anticipation or anticipating breathlessness? Then please come to this intermediate level (that means you’ve played a wind instrument for a Contra or English dance at least twice in your life) workshop. Bring the Barnes book and/or Fifer’s Delight, and your ax (or a wind instrument, if you prefer).

Border Morris – The traditional morris dances from the Welsh border feature sticks, simple stepping and high energy. No experience required. Suitable for adults and older kids.

Kids’ Band – The Kid’s Band will learn a few tunes to play at the Saturday night ceilidh (and maybe even with the Saturday night pickup band). Self-disciplined kids are welcome and should be able to play simple tunes in the keys of concert F and C and G. Kids should bring their own instruments. Players 6 and under should bring a parent. Parents, please call Louise ahead of time at (609) 924-3539 to let her know what age your child is, what instrument he or she plays and what approximate level of ability he or she plays at. Those who call can get copy of music ahead of time!

Scottish Step Dancing – Our own esteemed critic, A. I. Harwood, described this dance form as like "19^th century ballet", and of course, that was very astute. These dances were choreographed beginning in the 19^th century to be a women’s performance dance form. It borrows footwork from the more traditional Highland dancing (originally for men), but is softer – more balletic and less athletic. We will learn steps of the dance "The Scottish Lilt". Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the challenge. Soft-soled shoes are a plus.

Swing – No more faking! Do the real thing. Master the basic steps of East Coast Swing with style and grace. Refresh your memory or add new combinations to your repertoire.

I Got Rhythm – There’s nothing more fun than using your body as an instrument! We’ll sing, clap, slap, pound and snap while making music! A repeat teach of the Balinese monkey rhythms will be our grand finale!

Beginning English Country Dance – Why did Elizabeth 1, Jane Austen and Mr. Fezziwig love English country dancing so much? Why do zillions of us still love it? This workshop will feature a tempting sampler of dances from the sublime to the rowdy, from historic dances to newly minted millennial dances, planned especially for the novice English country dancer. Special emphasis on style, footwork and figures will be featured.

Kid’s Playacting – Are you a kid? Do you have a kid? A little one, that is, with a funnybone and a desire to act out? (In a non-repulsive way, that is.) Then suffer the little ones to come unto me for an hour or so of fun and games, ending with a Caylee skit.

Southern Style Fiddling – What makes Southern style tunes sound Southern? In this workshop for fiddlers who are already able to at least play a tune or two, I plan to explore typical Southern rhythmic devices that can help drive the music and give it its unique flavor. We’ll work on double stops, hammer-ons, pull-offs and bowing patterns, and use these techniques to learn at least one complete tune.

Saturday, between 1:30 and 5:00 (see schedule for specific workshop times)

The Big English – Graceful, lively, melodious … 2-1/2 hours of English dance favorites, old and new.

Sharing Stories, Telling Stories – Bring your favorite story to this gathering for all ages. Fern and Rory will start with an Irish folk tale, and then open things up for a round robin of stories. Fern and Rory will also offer a few tips about how to develop your own storytelling style, and how to make a story appealing and engaging, especially for children.

Clogging – Next Steps – Not a 12-step program, the 2-step, or even the 49 steps, but a step up – into the world of American clogging. This is a workshop for folks who have taken beginner classes but have gotten stuck wanting to get to the next level. We’ll learn: Earl, Brad, Indian, Calypso, Snakes and possibly others, time permitting. You don’t have to have a perfect shuffle to take this class, but you should be able to resurrect the basic "step-rock-step" when we review it at the beginning of class. Please wear shoes that slide!!! (i.e. no sneakers)

Music Fun For Families – Robert and Janet will lead songs, games and activities that are musical and fun. They’ll also bring a whole lot of rhythm instruments for some jamming fun.

Sports – (Sam and Cal Dupre) If the weather’s good, Sam and Cal will run an outdoors game of kickball, basketball or other outdoor activity for kids. If the weather’s bad, they’ll improvise. Kids should dress for outdoors play.

The Salon – No hair styling will be done. Imagine it’s the fin de the last siecle, and you’re dropping by your hostess’s townhouse for tea and to wittily discuss the topics of the day. All comments accepted; party games may be played. Extra points to anyone dressed as or quoting Oscar Wilde. Singing "songs you hate to admit you love" optional.

Hambos, Schottisches, etc. – No teaching! Just an open floor, great music, and willing partners so you can put your hambo and schottische skills to use!

Contra Medley – A high energy sequence of dances – One partner, no walk-through, no waiting!

Saturday Night Swing – Swing Dance Party after dance with Bob Pasquarello, Dan Beerbohm and friends…Dance ‘til WE drop!

Heavenly Contras – Blissful dancing flows from attentive partners and neighbors, glorious music, and dynamic, engaging dances. Join us for all of the above.

The Sing – You know how you always go away from the sing with good intentions about learning that song that Jeb or Shirley sang. And you know how they next week, you’ve lost track of those good intentions what with cooking a turkey, baking pies, and making sure there’s a macrobiotic selection for Uncle Bert? Well, this year, the sing will open with a couple of songs for which you will get a handout. Words written down right there for you! (There’ll be a test at HFTH 2000.) Followed by the always lovely song circle.

English Delights – Enjoy English dances, old and new for experienced dancers, which either require solid background in English dancing to execute or which will be delightful if done with the finesse which skilled dancers bring.

Origami – Turn a flat piece of paper into a three dimensional object. Amuse yourself and amuse your family!

A Beginner’s Juggling Workshop – Juggling more than one object is clearly impossible; here’s your chance to defy the laws of physics. If you want to learn to juggle three balls/oranges/shoes/beanie babies here’s your chance. If you are proficient with 4 chain saws please come and teach me the trick. If you cannot juggle at all, or would like to work on a few simple tricks, please bring three (or, if very ambitious, four) juggleable objects. Roughly spherical bean bags are the best, as they don’t roll under chairs.