THE BANDS

Elixir is one of the hottest and most innovative new bands in the national contra dance scene. Elegant melodies evolve into raucous Dixieland horn riffs; transcendent harmonies, playful improvisations, and rock, swing, and reggae-inspired rhythms weave in and out of traditional Irish, French Canadian and New England tunes. Be prepared to have your dance socks knocked right off.

Elixir is:

Nils Fredland – trombone, caller extraordinaire
Jesse Hazzard-Watkins – trumpet
Ethan Hazzard-Watkins – guitar & fiddle
Anna Patton – clarinet (also of bands Beeswax Sheepskin and The Figments)
Owen Morrison – guitar, fiddle (also of bands Airdance and House Red)

For a more in–depth look at Elixir, go to the Elixir web site.

The Elftones, based in North Carolina, are a favorite among seasoned dancers. Their high-energy repertoire combines traditional Irish, Scottish, Canadian, old-time tunes, and original compositions. They delight, amuse, and dance–trance us with their utterly amazing performances, and are very likely to bring out your inner Elf.

The Elftones are:

Mara Shea (formerly Mara Beamish) – fiddle
Roger Gold – guitar
Roger's foot – percussion

THE CALLERS

Nils Fredland has been making music, leading dances, calling, and bringing people together for 20 years. His technical skill, disarming friendliness, comfortable stage presence, charisma, grace, and goofiness are legendary.

Louie Cromartie, from Chapel Hill, NC, has been dancing and calling longer than she cares to share with anyone. Her infectious enthusiasm and high-energy contras and squares will keep you moving into the night. Hollering is welcome.

Sound is by Jamie Platt, hailing from the Washington, DC area: http://www.dancingplanetproductions.com/sound.htm

LODGING

Lodging is available in rustic cabins containing 8 to 13 bunk beds and hot showers. Bring your own pillows, sheets, blankets, sleeping bags, towels, flashlights, etc. There is also limited space on the grounds for camping. Campsites have no electricity, but showers are available in the cabins.

Weather in the mountains can be chilly in the spring. Please come prepared.

NOTE: NO PETS OR ALCOHOL PERMITTED AT CAMP SERTOMA. Please leave pets at home.

FOOD:

We have a new food model this year. We have received several questions regarding changes in the food model at SDR this year, and would like to offer the following suggestions and clarifications:

Dinner Friday night is a potluck. Bring a dish to share that ideally will not require heating and that you can keep cool if needed. The kitchen staff can heat a very limited number of dishes in the oven if you provide written instructions and allow appropriate warming time before the meal.

Lunches Saturday and Sunday are on your own. We recommend bringing a picnic of things that don't need heating, or that you keep in your cooler. Trash cans will be conveniently located so please clean up your chosen lunch spot when finished. Picnic food ideas include bread, tortillas, crackers, cheeses, nuts, fresh or dried fruit, peanut butter, honey, chips, carrot & celery sticks, tomatoes, avocados, cans of beanie-weenies, Lunchables®, airtight pouches of tuna or chicken, cans of smoked meat or fish, or any other pre-packaged bag lunch type item. This is a great opportunity for fun and creativity. We look forward to sharing a picnic on the lawn with you.

Saturday's Dinner will be provided. A healthful, gourmet dinner will be provided on Saturday by California Fresh Catering of Winston Salem, a wildly popular local institution and charitable organization.

Local Restaurants: you can also drive about 20 minutes to King, where there are several drive–through or sit–down restaurants.

Reminder: As always, the camp kitchen is off limits to attendees due to sanitation regulations, so you will not have access to cooking or refrigeration.

JAMMING: Continuous. Bring your instruments.

SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, APRIL 24

• Registration begins at 5:00 p.m.
• Potluck dinner in the Dining Hall from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
• Dance begins at 8:00 p.m. with late night snacks at the break.

SATURDAY, APRIL 25

• Dancing workshops throughout the day
• Continental Breakfast and Gourmet Dinner in the Dining Hall
• Dance begins at 8:00 p.m. with late night snacks at the break.
• Late Night jamming from midnight until....

SUNDAY, APRIL 26

• Continental Breakfast in the Dining Hall
• Wake–up Waltzing
• Farewell Contra 11:00 to 2:00 p.m.

QUESTIONS:

SAVE $10 if you register before April 1! Mail your registration form to: SDR c/o 2315 Wilson Street, Durham, North Carolina 27705.

Confirmation is by e-mail or SASE. Full refunds, less $10, will be issued for cancellations prior to April 1, 2009.

There are no refunds after April 1.

What to bring:

• Bring warm things for cold mornings. Camp Sertoma is at around 1500 feet.
• If your're not camping, bring linens (blankets, sheets and pillows) for a single bed.
• Bring your water bottle and a jug or two of drinking water—just in case.
• Bring directions (there's a local map on the flyer) or for the narrative version click here.
• Bring unscented toiletries (no perfume). Many dancers have chemical sensitivities.
• Bring your joy and bring your shoes!

What not to bring:

• No pets are allowed at Camp Sertoma.
• No alcohol is allowed at Camp Sertoma.

For more information, download the flyer/registration form.

Download Registration Form

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