Past Dates
2022:
January 23, 2022 - Concert with Rebecca Rose Weiss & Susan Conger on Zoom
7:00 - 7:45 pm EST
Through pre-pandemic dances, cool fall, blinding bright June, and ravenous mosquitoes, Susan and Rebecca have been playing together regularly for nearly two years. (Can you tell we've mostly been playing outdoors?) Susan is a long-time member of the Pioneer Valley dance music scene and Rebecca a newer one, their twin fiddles providing all-weather and all-season harmonies and striving to breathe together. Join us for some January tunes!
More about us:
Susan has been playing fiddle for contradances and other events since the late 1980s. She has performed at numerous dance camps and festivals in the US and Canada, and has especially loved the opportunity to teach many fiddle classes over the years at the John C. Campbell Folk School and Ashokan Fiddle & Dance Camp. Susan conceived of and published Along the River, a collection of dance tunes written by musicians from the Connecticut River Valley. Some of her own tunes have become widely played and recorded. https://alongtheriver.com/susan/
Rebecca has played for contra dances around the country and recorded on a variety of albums. She eagerly learns from elder musicians about community music and the old days and tunes, most recently as mentee and caregiver of David Kaynor, legendary New England dance caller and musician. She gets especially excited about harmonizing, teaching, and composing. https://www.rebeccaroseweiss.com
Streaming:
**RSVP to Rebecca at rebeccaroseweiss@gmail.com or via FB message to receive the Zoom link. Stick around afterward for some visiting.
Tips- Venmo: @Rebecca_Weiss or PayPal: paypal.me/rebeccarweiss
Or, check via mail- inquire for mailing address.
Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/4e6SJXHq4
S-EAR-iously! You can learn by ear!
Beginner tune learning by ear. Have you felt like every ear-learning class was moving too fast? Intimidated at the idea of learning by ear? Or just looking for a calm Sunday evening activity? Come try it out in a supportive and friendly environment with other people in the same (metaphorical) boat. You can do it!
Primarily geared toward melody instruments. Tunes sent out ahead of time for advance listening.
Two Sundays, Jan. 9 and 30, 6 - 7 pm EST
RSVP to Rebecca to register: rebeccaroseweiss@gmail.com
Pay-what-you-can, suggested amount $20-30.
B Flattened!
Have you admired the melodious resonance of the fiddle playing in F and Bb, but not known what to do? Or, looking to learn some cool tunes in these keys?
Aimed at folks comfortable playing in more-common keys but who may or may not have tried learning a flat key tune before.
Primarily geared toward melody instruments. Tunes sent out ahead of time for advance listening.
Two Sundays, Jan. 9 and 30, 8 - 9 pm EST
RSVP to Rebecca to register: rebeccaroseweiss@gmail.com
Pay-what-you-can, suggested amount $20-30.
Four Musicians Walked into 32 Bars** *^
Concert on Zoom with Andy Davis, Becky Hollingsworth, George Wilson, and Rebecca Rose Weiss
Sunday February 27, 7:00 - 7:45 pm EST
George, Andy, Becky, and Rebecca hail from a variety of places and musical experiences, but they have (at least) one thing in common: they like to bound enthusiastically into 32 bars of music and see what happens. Their fiddles, accordion, piano, banjo, and who knows what else will take you on a tour of New England, Canada, and the Shetland Islands, then deposit you safely at home, refreshed by a trip away from your cares without the downsides of leaving the comfort of your kitchen. Something funny might even happen.
**RSVP to Rebecca at rebeccaroseweiss@gmail.com or via FB message to receive the Zoom link. Stick around afterward for some visiting.
* 32 Bars is a common tune length.
^ They said, "Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!....."
More about us:
Andy Davis has played for - and called - dances in and around Vermont for many years. He is a retired elementary music teacher, songwriter and Zoom accordion teacher at the moment. Over the years Andy has been a part of New England Dancing Masters, Nowell Sing We Clear and numerous music and dance camps around New England and beyond. Backyard music and online sessions have been a major part of the last couple of years. It’s all good!
Becky Hollingsworth’s first encounter with a piano was in an unused, unheated room in her grandparents’ farmhouse, where she would attempt to plunk out tunes on an old upright, undeterred by missing key tops, stuck keys, and keys that didn’t sound at all. A quarter-century or so later, she discovered the exhilaration of contra dancing, which re-introduced her to the joys of banging on a piano, particularly when someone else is doing the hard work of playing the melody. She loves to play for dances of all sizes and at multi-level sessions. She has helped anchor numerous open band dances at the Guiding Star Grange in Greenfield, Massachusetts, and has played with the Fiddle Orchestra of Western Massachusetts (https://fiddlewesternmass.com), a wonderfully welcoming organization whose possibilities she encourages musicians at all levels to explore.
George Wilson has performed and recorded with the popular “Fennig's All-Star String Band”, featuring the late Bill Spence on hammered dulcimer, since 1975. He has performed and recorded with the “Whippersnappers” (Wilson, Peter Davis and Frank Orsini) since 1976. He plays at contradances, festivals and dance camps on both coasts and in between with Selma Kaplan, Groovemama, the Beaudoin Legacy, Bruce and Sue Rosen and more. Additionally he performs with the trio Peter, Paul & George (with Peter Davis and Paul Rosenberg), presenting hundreds of dance and music programs in “Homespun Community Dancing” in elementary, middle school and high schools. http://georgewilsonmusic.com
Rebecca Rose Weiss has played for contra dances around the country and recorded on a variety of albums. She eagerly learns from elder musicians about community music and the old days and tunes, notably as mentee of David Kaynor, legendary New England dance caller and musician. Lately, she has been following around a variety of other New Englanders in hopes of absorbing not only rock solid rhythm but also winter driving tips. She gets especially excited about harmonizing, teaching, and composing. https://www.rebeccaroseweiss.com
Tips- Venmo: @Rebecca_Weiss or PayPal: paypal.me/rebeccarweiss
Or, check via mail- inquire for mailing address.
Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/6g4B2Qxhr
March 12, 2022 - Worcester Contra Dance
with Gianna Marzilli Ericson and Jeff Kaufman
Calling by Sandy Lafleur
Worcester, MA
7:30 - 10:30 pm
Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/1DwuOgNkE
March 13, 2022 - Harmony How-To
with Gianna Marzilli Ericson
7 - 8:30 pm Eastern on Zoom
A special session of regular contra tunes workshop, focused on harmony playing.
Tips, tricks, and tools to help you harmonize!
Perhaps you’re thinking, “I’ve learned so many melodies on Zoom these last two years; what now?" Or, "I know I'll play with people in person again someday; how can I add some variety?" We have one word for you: harmony!
Harmony is a musical topic near and dear to us for many reasons, and we are excited to offer a workshop focused on incorporating harmony into your playing. We'll talk about tips and tricks for getting started, things to listen for, and techniques to try. There will be time for listening - we'll demonstrate some strategies in real time - and time for playing, where you can try them too.
Don’t be fooled: everyone can harmonize! It's a skill you can learn like any other, and once you know some basics a whole new world of possibilities awaits. You can add rhythm or interest to tunes in a jam, or jump in even if you don't know the tune others are playing. Harmony is another tool in your musical toolbox that can help you connect and create music with others. And, it is really fun!
Techniques will focus on fiddle; all instruments are welcome!
RSVP to Rebecca to register: rebeccaroseweiss@gmail.com
Pay-what-you-can, suggested amount $25-30.
Sunday March 27 - Calm Concert on Zoom with Rose Jackson, Kristen Planeaux, & Rebecca Weiss
7:00 - 7:45 pm Eastern
on Zoom
When things get crazy, Rose, Kristen and Rebecca like to get together and play calming tunes. Join us and we'll send you some!
Tips- Venmo: @Rebecca_Weiss or PayPal: paypal.me/rebeccarweiss
Or, check via mail- inquire for mailing address.
Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/2isoXz2Xx
April 2, 2022 - Capital English Country Dancers Zoom Dance
with Aaron Marcus, Susan Reid, and Linda Young
2 - 3:40 pm Eastern
on Zoom, broadcasting from VT
April 8, 2022 - Fiddle Hell Online Workshop: "Learn a Fun David Kaynor Tune"
7 - 8 pm Eastern
on Zoom
Fiddle Hell Online, from April 7-10, 2022, will have 180 live workshops to learn from, 35 live concerts to enjoy, and 35 live jam sessions to join on Zoom, for fiddle, mandolin, cello, guitar, old-time banjo, & singing. Rebecca will teach David's tune "Sustainers" on April 8 at 7 pm, also available for four months as video replay.
Info and registration (and discounts) at https://FiddleHell.org.
Rebecca as featured instructor: https://youtu.be/-1cIr43i8JE
April 9, 2022 - Private event
Putney, VT
April 20, 2022 - FSGW English Country Dance
with Liz Donaldson & Sophie Chang
Calling by Melissa Running
8 - 10:30 pm
Preregistration required online.
Glen Echo, MD
April 24, 2022 - NEFFA Festival Orchestra Livestream
with Charlie Pilzer etc
4 - 5:30 pm
on Zoom
May 6, 2022 - Flying Shoes Couples Dance CANCELLED due to covid situation
with Larry Unger, leading the all-comers band
Doors open 6:00
All-comers band warmup 6:30 pm
Dancing 7:00 - 9:00 with lessons interspersed
Belfast, ME
May TBD - Flying Shoes Radio Hour CANCELLED due to covid situation
with Larry Unger
on your radio or computer!
May 31, 2022 - Sustaining Harmonies: Tunes by David A. Kaynor
Concert on Zoom with Susan Conger, Becky Hollingsworth, Cynthia Thomas, and Rebecca Rose Weiss
8:00 - 8:45 pm EDT
We have all spent lots of time playing, learning, and/or harmonizing with David Allen Kaynor in various capacities. And he composed over 70 tunes! Here's a concert of some of our favorites: older tunes you've probably heard at your local dance, new tunes so new they didn't even make it into the book put together by Sue Songer, and those in between. Tunes for people, places, events, digestive episodes, and seasons, composed in cars, planes, and trains, with computer, pen and ink, and eye-gaze technology. Tunes with three-fiddle harmonies and piano, coming straight to you from Montague, Massachusetts. Maybe some of us will even remember to play melody. Grab an instrument and play along, or bring your dancing shoes!
More about us:
Rebecca Rose Weiss has played for contra dances around the country and recorded on a variety of albums. She eagerly learns from elder musicians about community music and the old days and tunes, notably as mentee of David Kaynor, legendary New England dance caller and musician. Lately, she has been following around a variety of other New Englanders in hopes of absorbing not only rock solid rhythm but also winter driving tips. She gets especially excited about harmonizing, teaching, and composing.
https://www.rebeccaroseweiss.com
Susan Conger has been playing fiddle for contradances and other events since the late 1980s. She has performed at numerous dance camps and festivals in the US and Canada, and has especially loved the opportunity to teach many fiddle classes over the years at the John C. Campbell Folk School and Ashokan Fiddle & Dance Camp. Susan conceived of and published Along the River, a collection of dance tunes written by musicians from the Connecticut River Valley. Some of her own tunes have become widely played and recorded. https://alongtheriver.com/susan/
Becky Hollingsworth’s first encounter with a piano was in an unused, unheated room in her grandparents’ farmhouse, where she would attempt to plunk out tunes on an old upright, undeterred by missing key tops, stuck keys, and keys that didn’t sound at all. A quarter-century or so later, she discovered the exhilaration of contra dancing, which re-introduced her to the joys of banging on a piano, particularly when someone else is doing the hard work of playing the melody. She loves to play for dances of all sizes and at multi-level sessions. She has helped anchor numerous open band dances at the Guiding Star Grange in Greenfield, Massachusetts, and has played with the Fiddle Orchestra of Western Massachusetts (https://fiddlewesternmass.com), a wonderfully welcoming organization whose possibilities she encourages musicians at all levels to explore.
Cynthia Thomas entered the trad music scene through David Kaynor’s welcoming door at his weekly Monday night session. Her trad favs, Quebecois and French-Breton Balfolk - any music with a French accent. And she loves to play harmony: "Whenever I don't know the tune, I play harmony. It's much easier," she says. So we're glad she's here! She is on the board of the Northeast Heritage Music Camp and co-instigator of Danse Café’s Festibal, a local French-Breton dance, and can often be spotted biking to a session with her travel fiddle slung across her back.
Book of David's original tunes, dances, autobiography, jokes, flyers, etc- tunes also available in PDF here: https://www.theportlandcollection.com/coming-soon-david-a-kaynor-living-music-and-dance/
Tips- Venmo: @Rebecca_Weiss or PayPal: paypal.me/rebeccarweiss
Or, check via mail- inquire for mailing address.
Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/5zxAUtq3Q
June 3, 2022 - Mostly Waltz CANCELLED due to covid situation
with Kristen Planeaux
Doors open 7:15 pm; recorded music
Live music for mostly waltzing, 8 - 10:30 pm
Guiding Star Grange; Preregistration is required.
Greenfield, MA
June 4, 2022 - Montague Music Festival
Lead public contra dance music jam session with Becky Hollingsworth, 10:30 am - noon, Montague Common Hall
Wandering musician slot, 12:50 - 1:10 pm with Rose Jackson, Montague Common
Montague Center, MA
June 5, 2022 - Fiddle Workshop, Jam Session, & Concert
with the Wise Geese (Rebecca, George Wilson & Becky Ashenden)
Email Rebecca if interested in Zoom option, rebeccaroseweiss at gmail
Fiddle workshop: 2 - 4 pm
Jam session: 4:30 - 5:30 pm
Concert: 5:30 pm
Shelburne, MA
This afternoon program will be a celebration of music and an opportunity to gather with friends and fellow musicians in the Barn at the Basset Road Homestead in Shelburne.
During two 45-minute workshops welcoming all levels, George and Rebecca will teach groove and bowing skills and help participants develop their stylistic and melodic harmony strategies. After the workshops, everyone is invited to a jam session to practice their new skills and connect with fellow musicians. At the conclusion of the jam session, the Wise Geese will play a lively concert with a variety of fiddle tunes, many featuring Becky on the piano.
There will be snacks available and a hearty soup as we push into the evening.
This event is part of a series through Fabric of Life to celebrate the life and legacy of the late David Kaynor.
Payment via sliding scale, event details here.
June 17, 2022 - FSGW Friday Night Contra and Square Dance
with Charlie Pilzer (piano), Andrea Hoag (fiddle), Susan Brandt (flute), & Leigh Pilzer (soprano sax)
Calling by Susan Taylor
Lesson at 7:30, dance 8 - 11 pm
Preregistration required online.
Glen Echo, MD
June 21, 2022 - Private dance event
Green Mountain Camp
Dummerston, VT
June 24-26, 2022 - Great Groove Band, Old Songs Festival
Strings teaching staff
Altamont, NY
July 1, 2022 - Leverett Co-op Pizza & Music Night
with Kristen Planeaux (accordion) and Rose Jackson (fiddle)
Leverett Co-op
5:30 - 7:30 pm
Leverett, MA
July 2, 2022 - Friday Night Cafe Community Contra Dance
with Becky Hollingsworth (piano) and Deborah Stevens (guitar)
Calling by Steve Howland
8 - 9:30 pm (yes, it's a Friday cafe event on a Saturday!)
Cummington, MA
July 8, 2022 - Leverett Co-op Pizza & Music Night
with Mary Beth (fiddle) and Tim (banjo) Boyle and Becky Hollingsworth (piano)
5:30 - 7:30 pm
Leverett, MA
July 15, 2022 - Third Friday Contra Dance at the Guiding Star Grange
with Annika Amstutz (fiddle), Becky Hollingsworth (piano), Joe Blumenthal (bass), and the Back Row Band (of all comers! Bring your acoustic instrument and join us!)
Calling by Liz Nelson
Lesson at 7:45, dance 8 - 11 pm
Preregistration recommended but not required, here. Vaxxed, boosted, masks, and other covid precaution requirements available at the links.
Guiding Star Grange
Greenfield, MA
July 23, 2022 - Private dance event
Hampshire College
Amherst, MA
July 24, 2022 - Cooking up Sets: from the Kitchen to the Dance Hall, a Concert on Zoom with The Rebeccas: Rebecca Rose Weiss & Rebecca (Becky) Hollingsworth
8:00 - 8:45 pm EDT
Lately, we've been lucky to get to play for in-person dances, practicing beforehand in Becky's kitchen. Even in the sweltering heat, we've been having so much fun doing it - and we realized you might like to come along, too! Grab your dancing shoes (or a seat in front of the fan with an ice pack) and join us!
*Note: this particular concert is inspired by sets we are practicing for the Montpelier contra dance on July 30, where we'll be joined by Gianna Marzilli Ericson to make the band Three Potatoes Four, calling by Mary Wesley. While this concert will be on Zoom, the dance will be in person - and we hope to see folks there, too - details here.
More about us:
Rebecca Rose Weiss has played for contra dances around the country and recorded on a variety of albums. She eagerly learns from elder musicians about community music and the old days and tunes, recently as mentee of David Kaynor, legendary New England dance caller and musician. Lately, she has been following around a variety of other New Englanders in hopes of absorbing not only rock solid rhythm but also winter driving tips. She gets especially excited about harmonizing, teaching, and composing. https://www.rebeccaroseweiss.com
Becky Hollingsworth’s first encounter with a piano was in an unused, unheated room in her grandparents’ farmhouse, where she would attempt to plunk out tunes on an old upright, undeterred by missing key tops, stuck keys, and keys that didn’t sound at all. A quarter-century or so later, she discovered the exhilaration of contra dancing, which re-introduced her to the joys of banging on a piano, particularly when someone else is doing the hard work of playing the melody. She loves to play for dances of all sizes and at multi-level sessions. She has helped anchor numerous open band dances at the Guiding Star Grange in Greenfield, Massachusetts, and has played with the Fiddle Orchestra of Western Massachusetts (https://fiddlewesternmass.com), a wonderfully welcoming organization whose possibilities she encourages musicians at all levels to explore.
Tips- Venmo: @Rebecca_Weiss or PayPal: paypal.me/rebeccarweiss
Or, check via mail- inquire for mailing address.
Facebook event here.
July 26, 2022 - Private dance event
Green Mountain Camp
Cummington, MA
July 30, 2022 - Montpelier Contra Dance
with Three Potatoes Four: Gianna Marzilli Ericson (fiddle) and Becky Hollingsworth (piano)
Calling by Mary Wesley
Lesson at 7:40, dance 8 - 11 pm
Covid precautions info available at links.
Capital City Grange
Montpelier, VT
August 12, 2022 - Private event
Montague, MA
August 13, 2022 - East Thetford Contra Dance
with The Grasshoppers: Gianna Marzilli Ericson and Susan Reid (fiddles) and Aaron Marcus (piano)
Calling by Dave Eisenstadter
Covid precautions info available at links; preregister at link above.
Facebook page here.
7:30 - 10:30 pm
East Thetford, Vermont
August 14, 2022 - Private event
Ashfield, MA
August 28, 2022 - Together again! Concert on Zoom with Andrea Hoag
8 pm Eastern Time / 5 pm Pacific
RSVP to rebeccaroseweiss at gmail for the Zoom link.
About us: Rebecca and Andrea have been playing twin fiddles together long enough to have become actual twins! They love lively New England and Quebecois tunes, the groove of southern old-time music, and the rich and mysterious sounds of Swedish fiddling. Rebecca has played for contra dances around the country and recorded on a variety of albums; she eagerly learns from elder musicians about community music and the old days and tunes, recently as mentee of David Kaynor, legendary New England dance caller and musician. Andrea is a Grammy nominee for her Swedish album Hambo in the Snow, has performed on NPR’s All Things Considered and Performance Today, and is an album producer as well as having recorded several albums of her own and with Maggie Sansone, Jacqueline Schwab, and others. Both of us are composers, harmonizers, teachers, and energy-generators. We’re thrilled to be together again and to share our music with you.
$20 suggested donation/no amount required, any amount welcome.
Venmo: @Rebecca_Weiss or PayPal: paypal.me/rebeccarweiss
Or, send a check via mail — inquire for address.
More about our music:
Andrea: http://www.andreahoag.com/
Rebecca: https://www.rebeccaroseweiss.com/
Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/1VqWNbmBk
September 10, 2022 - Taste of Northampton Festival
Performance, 12 - 2 pm
Northampton, MA
September 10, 2022 - Northfield Creamie
Music to eat ice cream by, with Imogen Mills & lydia ievins (fiddles)
6:30 - 7:15 pm or longer
Northfield, MA
September 16, 2022 - Third Friday Contra Dance at the Guiding Star Grange
with the Back Row Band of all comers! Bring your acoustic instrument and join us.
Calling by TBD
Lesson at 7:45, dance 8 - 11 pm.
Covid policies in place; check back for details.
Guiding Star Grange
Greenfield, MA
October 6, 2022 - Northfield Creamie
Music to eat ice cream by, with Gianna Marzilli Ericson (fiddles)
2 - 5 pm or longer
Northfield, MA
October 8, 2022 - Northfield Creamie
Music to eat ice cream by.
5 - 7 pm or so
Northfield, MA
October 21, 2022 - Third Friday Contra Dance at the Guiding Star Grange
with Rebecca Bosworth Clemens (clarinet), Becky Hollingsworth (piano), Joe Blumenthal (bass) and the Back Row Band of all comers! Bring your acoustic instrument and join us.
Calling by TBD.
Lesson at 7:45, dance 8 - 11 pm.
Covid policies in place, check back for details.
Guiding Star Grange
Greenfield, MA
October 23, 2022 - Smith College Contra Dance
with Mo Brachfeld (fiddle) and Kristen Planeaux (piano)
7 - 9:30 pm; currently just for students- may become public
Northampton, MA
October 26, 2022 - Opening Reception for Quilts by Ann Feitelson
Music at the Montague Center Library accompanying Ann Feitelson's quilts.
5:30 - 7 pm
Montague, MA
November 6, 2022 - Fiddle Hell Massachusetts
Teaching Harmony Tips, Tricks, and Tools with Gianna Marzilli Ericson.
Many many cool workshops to choose from!
11 am - 12 pm as part of a whole weekend Nov 3 - 6.
Westford, MA
November 12, 2022 - Norwich Contra Dance
with Rose Jackson and Guillaume Sparrow-Pepin
Calling by Mary Wesley
Norwich, VT
November 16, 2022 - Amherst Contra Dance
with Around the Corner: Susan Conger (fiddle) and Becky Hollingsworth (piano)
Lesson at 7; dance 7:30 - 10 pm
Calling by Julian Blechner
Amherst, MA
November 18, 2022 - Third Friday Contra Dance at the Guiding Star Grange
with Susan Conger (fiddle), Becky Hollingsworth (piano), Joe Blumenthal (bass) and the Back Row Band of all comers! Bring your acoustic instrument and join us.
Calling by Julian Blechner
Lesson at 7:45, dance 8 - 11 pm.
Covid policies in place, check back for details.
Guiding Star Grange
Greenfield, MA
December 1, 2022 - Triple Fiddles Concert at the Montague Common Hall
with Rose Jackson and Willy Clemetson (fiddles)
Sliding scale $15-$20, no one turned away for lack of funds
*Masking required, vaccinations encouraged
7 pm
Montague, MA
Email rebeccaroseweiss at gmail for more info
More details:
The music of New England, Quebec, and the British Isles layered with rich three-fiddle harmony, played by Rose Jackson, Rebecca Rose Weiss, and Willy Clemetson.
Three fiddles is three times the fun, right? Something magical happened one July evening when Willy, Rebecca, and Rose found themselves in a barn in Montague, Massachusetts and discovered a shared love of harmony and New England tunes new and old. They swore they’d find a way to make it happen again, and now, here they are to share the magic with you.
Rose Jackson discovered contra dance music at the age many kids discover the Beatles. As an aspiring dance musician, she was lucky enough to study with fiddler Becky Tracy, and later learned a thing or two about song and arrangement from Pete Sutherland through Young Tradition Vermont. She toured nationally with the contra dance band Polaris, and lately has been playing gigs across New England with a rotating cast of musicians she admires. She knows the cool hip new tunes, but she’d rather play the old ones, thanks all the same.
Rebecca Rose Weiss eagerly learns from elder musicians about community music and the old days and tunes, most recently as mentee of David Kaynor, legendary New England dance caller and musician. Her first contra dance band tour involved being adopted by the Polka Pants Band (Andrea Hoag, David Kaynor, Charlie Pilzer) for a road trip around the country wearing poofy pants. Lately, she has been following around a variety of other New Englanders in hopes of absorbing not only rock solid rhythm but also winter driving tips. She gets especially excited about harmonizing, teaching, and composing. https://www.rebeccaroseweiss.com
Willy Clemetson is a fiddler and song-crafter with a passion for living traditional music. He grew up learning fiddle and singing in Belfast, Maine and has since toured with a variety of projects, including the choral group Northern Harmony and the band Spintuition. Living in one of the hidden stashes of incredible folk music in Maine, he has developed a love of playing and a deep gratitude for the genuine connection and community that music inspires.
December 2, 2022 - Triple Fiddles Concert at Rebop Farm
with Rose and Willy (fiddles) (see Dec 1 event for full bios)
7:30 pm
Brattleboro, VT
RSVP to rebopfarm@gmail.com to reserve a seat and get directions.
December 4, 2022 - Triple Fiddles House Concert in Middlesex, VT and livestream
with Rose and Willy (fiddles) (see Dec 1 event for full bios)
3 pm
Middlesex, VT
RSVP to rebeccaroseweiss at gmail for the address and/or Zoom link
December 8, 2022 - Mount Holyoke Contra Dance
with Rose Jackson (fiddle) and Ann Percival (piano)
Calling by Liz Nelson
South Hadley, MA
December 16, 2022 - Cancelled due to weather- Third Friday Contra Dance at the Guiding Star Grange
with Gianna Marzilli Ericson (fiddle), Becky Hollingsworth (piano), Joe Blumenthal (bass) and the Back Row Band of all comers! Bring your acoustic instrument and join us.
Calling by TBD.
Lesson at 7:45, dance 8 - 11 pm.
Covid policies in place, check back for details.
Guiding Star Grange
Greenfield, MA
2021:
January 31, 2021 - Rooted & Renewed Tunes with Rebecca Virtual Concert
New year: Newly composed tunes. Old classics.
All-aged tunes for all ages.
Fiddle tunes from New England, Ireland, Appalachia, and Sweden... requests and tips appreciated!
7 - 7:45 pm Eastern time
Watch via Facebook Live here: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccarwfiddle/live/
(Anyone can view the Facebook stream, even if you do not have Facebook)
Tips- Venmo: @Rebecca_Weiss or PayPal: paypal.me/rebeccarweiss
February 28, 2021 - Friendly Tunes with Rebecca: David Allen Kaynor & Gianna Marzilli Ericson; Virtual Concert
Various circumstances make it impossible for us to play together in person. So let's have the next best thing: a concert of tunes composed by my good, dear, and creative friends, David Allen Kaynor and Gianna Marzilli Ericson. With a smattering of tunes by myself and some old traditional classics, too.
David has mentored and contributed to the New England contra scene for decades. Gianna has inspired me for a whole 1/8 of my life! Both of them write wonderful tunes which I can't wait to share. Requests and tips appreciated.
7 - 7:45 pm Eastern time
Watch via Facebook Live here: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccarwfiddle/live/
(Anyone can view the Facebook stream, even if you do not have Facebook)
Tips- Venmo: @Rebecca_Weiss or PayPal: paypal.me/rebeccarweiss
March 21, 2021 - March On! Tunes with Rebecca Virtual Concert
It's March! We continue on, towards sunlight, longer days, warm weather, mud...spring is approaching.
March-y fiddle tunes: marches, March tunes, Things that Move...from New England, Ireland, Appalachia, and Sweden. Requests and tips appreciated!
7 - 7:45 pm Eastern time
Watch via Facebook Live here: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccarwfiddle/live/
(Anyone can view the Facebook stream, even if you do not have Facebook)
Tips- Venmo: @Rebecca_Weiss or PayPal: paypal.me/rebeccarweiss
April 25, 2021 - Spring Tunes with Rebecca Virtual Concert
It's spring! The forsythia, peepers, and red-winged blackbirds are out. What better time to play tunes about spring, flowers, occasional snow flurries, more mud...from New England, Ireland, Appalachia, and Sweden. Requests and tips appreciated!
7 - 7:45 pm Eastern time
Watch via Facebook Live here: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccarwfiddle/live/
(Anyone can view the Facebook stream, even if you do not have Facebook)
Tips- Venmo: @Rebecca_Weiss or PayPal: paypal.me/rebeccarweiss
May 30, 2021 - Friendly Tunes with Rebecca, Vol. 2
It's time for more tunes from, by and about friends...in the styles of New England, Ireland, Appalachia, and Sweden. Tunes by David Allen Kaynor for sure. Tunes from other friends! Tunes about animal friends by yours truly. Requests and tips appreciated.
7 - 7:45 pm Eastern time
Watch via Facebook Live here: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccarwfiddle/live/
(Anyone can view the Facebook stream, even if you do not have Facebook)
Tips- Venmo: @Rebecca_Weiss or PayPal: paypal.me/rebeccarweiss
June 10, 2021 - Contra Dance Tunes Class Special Event: Learn Moneymusk
Let's learn Moneymusk in continuation of honoring dear friend & mentor David Allen Kaynor, who advocated playing Moneymusk every day. Let's meet at 8 pm EDT- **Note time change for this week.**
Message me or comment for the Zoom link. It's the same link as last week. If the Zoom meeting fills up I will also livestream the class on Facebook.
It's a classic chestnut tune. Never fear- we will break it down and play it reaaallly slowly and calmly for a good while. If you know it already- a chance to try out some high harmony; see below!
My thoughts here on this.
Video of David, Lissa Schneckenburger, and Becky Tracy.
The class is drop-in and pay-what-you-can, suggested contribution $20-30 per class.
Donations in memory of David welcomed and appreciated to: Massachusetts Chapter of the ALS Association; Montague MA Common Hall; Guiding Star Grange in Greenfield, Mass.; Vermont Fiddle Orchestra; Fiddle Orchestra of Western Mass.; Northeast Heritage Music Camp; or the Ashokan Center.
Rebecca's tip info: Venmo: @Rebecca_Weiss or PayPal: paypal.me/rebeccarweiss; or message for mailing address.
June 16, 2021 - Celebrating David Kaynor at the Quiet Room- RRW concert guest
8 - 9 pm Eastern time on Facebook Live (no Facebook account required; click the link below at the time of the event to watch)
From Jay Ungar and Molly Mason: Join us and our special guests as we share tunes and memories in celebration of David Kaynor and his lifelong love of traditional music, dancing, and community.
The Quiet Room is a live online music series of music to Heal the Heart and Soothe the Soul. This is our 65th show since we started in March of 2020. It’s our pleasure to continue to share this time with you each Wednesday at 8pm EDT on Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/jayandmolly/live
June 27, 2021 - June Tunes with Rebecca, Sophie, and Bobby
Special guests joining Rebecca (fiddle) for June tunes: Sophie Chang (cello) and Bobby LaRose (piano, mandolin, etc)! We'll be together in the same location for the first time since March 2020 and are excited to play after so long- we are 3/4 of Tea & Honey, the DC-area contra dance band. Original and old tunes in the styles of New England, Ireland, Appalachia, Sweden...Requests and tips appreciated!
**Note earlier start time: 6:30 pm Eastern so as to finish up before the FSGW concert.**
6:30 - 7:15 pm Eastern time
Watch via Facebook Live here: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccarwfiddle/live/
(Anyone can view the Facebook stream, even if you do not have Facebook)
Tips- Venmo: @Rebecca_Weiss or PayPal: paypal.me/rebeccarweiss or check via mail- email Rebecca for a mailing address.
July 11, 2021 - Cool Morning Tunes (with Rebecca)
Tunes for holding on to the cool morning, for cooling off... in the styles of New England, Ireland, Appalachia, and Sweden. Requests and tips appreciated!
**Note: this is a special breakfast and brunch-time concert!**
10 - 11 am Eastern time
Watch via Facebook Live here: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccarwfiddle/live/
The recording will stay posted afterward for late sleepers.
(Anyone can view the Facebook stream, even if you do not have Facebook)
Tips- Venmo: @Rebecca_Weiss or PayPal: paypal.me/rebeccarweiss or check via mail- email Rebecca for a mailing address.
July 31, 2021 - Concert with GoodAIR (Andrea Hoag, Irene Myers, Rebecca Weiss!)
7 pm Pacific; 10 pm Eastern.
In-person in Seattle and streaming on Facebook. Email Rebecca at rebeccaroseweiss.com if questions arise.
Rebecca and Andrea have been playing twin fiddles together long enough to have become actual twins! They love lively New England and Quebecois tunes, the groove of southern old-time music, and the rich and mysterious sounds of Swedish fiddling. Rebecca has played for contra dances around the country and recorded on a variety of albums; she eagerly learns from elder musicians about community music and the old days and tunes, most recently as mentee and caregiver of David Kaynor, legendary New England dance caller and musician. Andrea is a Grammy nominee for her Swedish album Hambo in the Snow, has performed on NPR’s All Things Considered and Performance Today, and is an album producer as well as having recorded several albums of her own and with Maggie Sansone, Jacqueline Schwab, and others.
Irene and Andrea first played together in the band Norrsken (The Northern Lights) in the 80s, and have enjoyed sharing the intricacies and intimacies of Swedish fiddling ever since. Irene has also recorded albums with other Seattle groups she has performed with over the decades. She received “Diplom” recognition playing for the Zorn jury in Sweden.
All three are composers, harmonizers, teachers, and energy-generators. Fun and beauty ahead! (Maybe even some singing, and corny jokes!)
RSVP to rebeccaroseweiss@gmail.com for the Seattle house concert address. The concert will be recorded and available for several days afterward.
$20 suggested donation/no amount required, any amount welcome
Venmo: @Rebecca_Weiss or PayPal: paypal.me/rebeccarweiss
Or, check via mail.
Watch the concert via Facebook Live here: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccarwfiddle/live/
(Anyone can view the Facebook stream, even if you do not have Facebook)
More about their music:
Andrea: http://www.andreahoag.com/
Irene: https://johnpeekstok.com/album/1316745/sommarstormen
Rebecca: https://www.rebeccaroseweiss.com/
August 29, 2021 - Reunion Tunes with Rebecca and Gianna Online Concert
7 pm Eastern / 4 pm PDT & MST
Gianna and I (Rebecca) first met at Fiddle Hell in Westford, MA, in fall 2017, playing tunes in the stairwell. Since then, we've created many late-night tunes and harmonies together. I have often featured Gianna's tunes in my concerts. We are excited to finally join together in person again and share some music with you, live from the lovely acoustics of the Great Room in Montague! Double fiddles, double stories, more than double fun. See you there.
Watch the concert via Facebook Live here (no Facebook account needed): https://www.facebook.com/rebeccarwfiddle/live/
Tips appreciated- Venmo: @Rebecca_Weiss or PayPal: paypal.me/rebeccarweiss
Or, check via mail- inquire for mailing address.
More about us:
Gianna: https://www.facebook.com/gmericsonmusic
Rebecca: https://www.rebeccaroseweiss.com/
September 26, 2021 - Tunes with Rebecca & Kristen Online Concert
7 pm Eastern / 4 pm PDT & MST
Tunes with Rebecca Rose Weiss & Kristen Planeaux, livestreaming on Facebook!
We first started playing together regularly as neighbors in Montague during the pandemic shutdown. From sheltering under the porch roof during the cool rains of early spring to blistering summer humidity and darkening November, we've played tunes together to get us through. We are very excited to share them with you! Rebecca brings driving New England steadiness; Kristen groovy syncopations. Our discussions of complimentary rhythm and favorite winter wear span months. Can't wait to see you soon!
Watch the concert via Facebook Live here (no Facebook account needed): https://www.facebook.com/rebeccarwfiddle/live/
Tips appreciated- Venmo: @Rebecca_Weiss or PayPal: paypal.me/rebeccarweiss
Or, check via mail- inquire for mailing address.
October 24, 2021 - Warm Tunes for a Chilly Evening with Rebecca & Mo Online Concert
7 pm Eastern / 4 pm PDT & MST
Tunes with Rebecca Rose Weiss & Mo Brachfeld, livestreaming on Zoom!
Fortunate encounters with each other while we were both in our early teens led to Rebecca's starting to play fiddle and spiraled into over a decade of playing together, which is not much less than half our ages. After separate journeys involving two states, a district, three countries, and a myriad of original compositions, dances, workshops taught, and miles run, not only are we in the same state again but we're in the same valley! That means it's about time for a concert together.
**RSVP to Rebecca at rebeccaroseweiss@gmail.com to receive the Zoom link.
Stick around afterward for some visiting.
Tips appreciated- Venmo: @Rebecca_Weiss or PayPal: paypal.me/rebeccarweiss
Or, check via mail- inquire for mailing address.
More about us:
Mo Brachfeld (they/them) is a musician, dancer, and caller from Washington, DC. With a background in Irish and contra dance music, Mo performs on fiddle, mandolin, feet, and voice, in addition to choreographing dances and writing tunes. They recently moved back to Western Massachusetts, and are thrilled to be here to experience a beautiful New England fall.
Rebecca (she/her) has played for contra dances around the country and recorded on a variety of albums. She eagerly learns from elder musicians about community music and the old days and tunes, most recently as mentee and caregiver of David Kaynor, legendary New England dance caller and musician. She gets especially excited about harmonizing, teaching, and composing.
November 14, 2021 - Hampshire College
Accompanying a percussive dance class taught by Mo Brachfeld.
November 28, 2021 - Thankful Tunes with Rebecca & Charlie
7 pm Eastern / 4 pm PDT & MST
Thankful Tunes with Rebecca Rose Weiss & Charlie Pilzer on Zoom!
Charlie and Rebecca began playing together several years ago as part of the Polka Pants Band and Not Enough Fiddles. They enjoy eating together at diners. Their friendship has survived many, many road trip miles and a treacherous encounter with iced tea. Charlie encourages Rebecca to get into more trouble! Including learning F, Bb & Eb tunes, embracing crazy chords and writing new tunes. We are thankful we get to play together and share contra dance tunes with you!
Streaming: **RSVP to Rebecca at rebeccaroseweiss@gmail.com or via FB message to receive the Zoom link. Stick around afterward for some visiting.
Tips- Venmo: @Rebecca_Weiss or PayPal: paypal.me/rebeccarweiss
Or, check via mail- inquire for mailing address.
More about us:
A performer on piano and bass, Charlie is fortunate to have toured and played at concerts and dances in the US and Europe for close to 50 years. He recently returned from a short tour in Denmark with Spælimenninir. Charlie spends much of his time as an audio engineer at Tonal Park in Takoma Park, MD His credits include thousands of recordings. And he is currently the president of the Folklore Society of Greater Washington. Tonalpark.com
Rebecca has played for contra dances around the country and recorded on a variety of albums. She eagerly learns from elder musicians about community music and the old days and tunes, most recently as mentee and caregiver of David Kaynor, legendary New England dance caller and musician. She gets especially excited about harmonizing, teaching, and composing. www.rebeccaroseweiss.com
November 29, 2021 - Contra Dance Tunes Workshop with an in-person option!
Silver Spring, MD and online
See below for the regular tunes class description- except, this one will be on Monday with an in-person option in Silver Spring, MD.
Email rebeccaroseweiss@gmail.com to RSVP
December 4, 2021 - Mount Holyoke College
Accompanying a percussive dance class taught by Mo Brachfeld.
December 10, 2021 - Covers for Cover Online Concert
7:30 pm EST
Duo with Kristen Planeaux- livestream concert raising funds for GirlForward.
Tickets available here.
December 26, 2021 - Quilt Concert with Rebecca & Ann on Zoom
7 pm Eastern / 4 pm PDT & MST
Ann and Rebecca first met when Rebecca started visiting Montague. At the fabled Monday Night Session, Ann has been a fixture, sitting and knitting beautiful strands together as musicians weave harmonies of notes through the air. After Rebecca moved to Montague, Ann and Rebecca became neighbors, and, some time later, bike partners. We are both artists, trying to channel beauty and send it out- so why not do a concert together? There will be tunes and a quilt show-and-tell, an exploration of how those things which can't be put into regular words can be represented in so many ways.
Streaming: **RSVP to Rebecca at rebeccaroseweiss@gmail.com to receive the Zoom link. Stick around afterward for some visiting.
Tips- Venmo: @Rebecca_Weiss or PayPal: paypal.me/rebeccarweiss
Or, check via mail- inquire for mailing address.
Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/4tMalWVuD