The Birthplace of Country Music Alliance, Believe in Bristol’s Main Street Program, Bristol’s Rhythm and Roots Reunion, and Bristol Ballet will partner to host its second contra dance on Friday, May 9 at 7:00 pm at the Bristol Ballet studios, located at 628 Cumberland Street (at the end of the street, corner of Cumberland Street and Piedmont Avenue). The contra dance will run from 7:30-10:30 pm, with a dance class for newcomers held from 7:00-7:30pm. Admission to the dance is $7 adults, $5 students, and $15 for a family.
Contra dancing is an evening of fun, featuring dancing in "sets" of couples. Participants interact with their partner and everyone else in the set also as they dance with easy walking steps to energetic music. If you don't have a partner, that's not a problem. Many people come to a contra dance alone. There are many people to dance with and dancers are encouraged to dance with many different partners throughout the evening. If there is an excess of one gender, it is okay to dance the other gender's part; and it is acceptable for women to ask men to dance.
Many of the basic moves in contra dancing are similar to those in traditional square dancing (swings, promenades, dos-à-dos, allemandes). A square dance set comprises only four couples whereas the number of couples in a contra dance set is limited only by the length of the hall. Even if you have never contra danced before, your feet are never asked to do more than walk to the music. Contra dances have a relaxed, family-like atmosphere where the emphasis is on dancing. It is excellent exercise, which you can take at your own pace. No special clothes are required for contra dancing. People tend to dress informally. Most people dress for comfort and in anticipation of vigorous exercise. Be sure to wear soft-soled, comfortable shoes.
A caller, working with a group of live musicians, guides new and experienced dancers through a variety of dances. The caller teaches each dance before it is actually done to the music. This walk-through gives everyone an idea of what to expect so the movements can be easily executed. The caller calls the dances as they are being performed to the music, so dancers are able to execute each movement to the music. Once the dancers appear to have mastered a dance, the caller may stop calling, leaving the dancers to enjoy the movement with music alone. The caller for the May 9 dance will be AnneMarie Walter who has been calling contra dances for a number of years, working with beginning and experienced dancers alike. Her concise teaching style will have you on your feet and dancing in no time. ‘I think of myself as a fun enabler. I only call dances that I want to dance. The dance has to flow so you can stop thinking and just dance. Even the simplest dances must have that quality.” AnneMarie has lived in Asheville since 2001, and has called throughout the Southeast and beyond. When she’s not dancing, AnneMarie spins her own yarn, dyes all kinds of fiber, designs patterns and knits – a lot. She also teaches education technology classes at Mars Hill College and in the community.
The band for the May 9 dance, Toss the Possum, is comprised of family members Laura, Rob, Chas, and Jane Zisette. The name Toss the Possum was inspired by a possum who found itself trapped under a spare dresser drawer in the family’s garage. Chas, upon seeing the upside down drawer moving mysteriously of its own volition around the garage floor, yelled for everyone to come and see.
Rob Zisette, age 15, is the fiddler for Toss the Possum. After playing violin for a year and a half, he entered the fiddle contest sponsored by the Festival of the American West at age 10. He won first prize and has been fiddling ever since. Rob also likes to compose and is a percussionist in the Radford High School Band. Occasionally he’ll pick up the drumsticks at a dance. Chas, age 17, taught himself to play bass as soon as he realized the family band was forming without him. Sometimes he plays his sax with the band. Chas’ claim to fame is that he can play ‘Ode to Joy’ on 16 different instruments. Jane, age 19, began playing flute when she was 12. Soon after, she heard Joannie Madsen play her whistles with Cherish the Ladies and decided to add the Irish whistle to her repertoire. Jane plays on Patrick Riordan whistles. Jane also sings with the band. She has been accepted as a flute performance major at BYU Idaho. Laura (mom) taught Piano at Utah State University until she moved to Virginia. In Utah she played with Barnstorm and Leaping Lulu. Now she’s hanging on for the ride with Toss the Possum. Charlie, (dad) of course, is the most important member of the band. Not only has he picked up sound engineering and springs for food after the gigs, but the kids have dubbed him the ‘instrument Sherpa".
Toss the Possum has played for all kinds of events, festivals, and dances for the past three years – that is, as many as their busy school schedules have allowed. They especially enjoy playing for contra dances because they know how much fun the dancers are having. The Zisettes have been contra dancing since Rob was four years old, drawn by the terrific live music and the wonderful spirit of the dance community.
This band puts their unique twist on southern tunes, old time, Celtic, jazz and folk. They are known for their energetic, driving renditions of traditional tunes. These teens like to occasionally slip in ‘cameos’ of non-traditional tunes. They also love the excitement of creating color and rhythm on the fly!