The Program
Choose among daytime dance and music workshops, and spend the evenings dancing rousing contras, squares, and couples dances. Late night activities, a Chesapeake Dance Weekend hallmark, include jamming, dancing, socializing, and generally whoopin' it up! Enjoy delicious and healthy meals in the company of friends, sun yourself on the deck, walk in the woods, leave the everyday world behind, be exhilarated and rejuvenated ... it's all waiting here for you at Camp Letts, on the beautiful shores of the Chesapeake Bay, a mere 45 minutes from the heart of Washington, DC. For a full rundown of this year's activities, check out the schedule.
Lisa Greenleaf with the Latter Day Lizards
Lisa Greenleaf has been treating dancers across the country and overseas to her high spirited, witty calling for many years. Her rich repertoire, succinct teaching, and commitment to community building make her a dance camp favorite. The Latter Day Lizards are a New England-based trio that ignites flames under dancing feet. With a wide-ranging and hopelessly eclectic repertoire including everything from Irish and Scottish traditional jigs and reels to Balkan, blues, and swing tunes, the Latter Day Lizards bring excellent musicianship, playfulness, drama, and unrelentingly infectious rhythm to their dance performances. With Peter Barnes (piano, guitar, and flute), Bill Tomczak (clarinet, sax, and drum), and Dave Langford (guitar and fiddle) they blend swing, rock-and-roll, and jazz influences with traditional foot-stomping dance music to make an innovative, spontaneous and rhythmically inflammatory sound.
Kathy Anderson with Sugar Pie
Kathy Anderson is internationally known for her smooth flowing contras and fast-moving, intricate squares. Her quick, clear teaching and delightful sense of humor make dancing feel effortless. Sugar Pie features the deliciously energetic virtuosity of Jane Rothfield (fiddle), Hilarie Burhans (banjo), Kellie Allen (guitar), and Sabra Guzmán (bass). Combining extracts of the Great Big Taters, The Orpheus Supertones, and Old Sledge into a unique identity, their solid, hard-driving instrumentals, and creative arrangements showcase the best in traditional and neo-traditional tunes. This sweet Southern confection will turn up the heat until the dances sizzle. M’mmmmm!
Michael Hart and Sharon Schiliro with Squeeze Bayou
Grab your main squeeze and (faux) croc-skin boots because Squeeze Bayou will have your feet grooving to a spicy cajun beat! Lively two-steps and soulful waltzes will transport you to the moss-covered cyprus trees of the Mississippi River. Special guest Jesse Lége (accordion, vocals) joins Karen Collins (fiddle, vocals), Matt Levine (lap steel), Fred Feinstein (guitar), Kevin Enoch (bass), and Wes Crawford (drums) to cook up an irresistible musical mélange. You won't roux dancing to this group! And if you're new at this spicy strutting, the engaging teaching of Michael Hart and Sharon Schiliro will having you busting some moves unheard of this side of the Appalachians.
