Old Time Good Time in Sautee

Get ready for another fun evening of contra dancing in Sautee, on Saturday, September 22, with band Cattywampas and caller Susan Davis.  Last month 150 dancers enjoyed the dance. Come find out what drew so many to the Sautee contra dance.

Cattywampas is a four-person band much in demand throughout the Southeast community of contra dancing. The four members have a long, active history as musicians in the region.

Cattywampas includes Jan Smith (fiddle); Tim Cape (fiddle); Scott Russell (guitar); Pete Senkowski (not shown, acoustic bass)

Fiddler Tim Cape and guitarist Scott Russell, originators of the band, are both legendary musicians in the Atlanta contra dance community. They have provided an eclectic mix of dance music with a hearty old-time core since the beginnings of the Atlanta community dances in the mid-1970s. Over the years, they have joined their talents with many musician friends to play for contra dances and other community events.
 
Fiddler Jan Smith and acoustic bassist Pete Senkowski have played with Cattywampas for several years. Pete, known for his upbeat and reliable rhythmic playing, backs up the band with strong, acoustic playing and has been the bassist of choice for many other groups as well. Jan is an accomplished old-time fiddler with many contest wins to her credit and has recorded with several different groups, including The Rosin Sisters, with whom she sings and plays both banjo and fiddle.
 
Caller and musician Susan Davis, along with her husband Scott Russell, has been a key player in establishing and nurturing contra dancing in the Atlanta area as part of the traditional Appalachian music scene for over thirty years. Susan has called regularly with the Chattahoochee Country Dancers and as a guest caller at dances throughout the Southeast. Both beginning and experienced dancers love her clear calling and helpful instruction.
 
Contra dance is a fun and easy-to-learn way to get great exercise while listening to fine music and making new friends. No experience is needed. It is not necessary to bring a partner. Come by 7:30 p.m. for free lessons, with dancing from 8 to 11 p.m. Admission is a bargain at $7 for SNCA members, $10 for other adults, $5 for students, and free for children under 12. Dances are held at the Sautee Nacoochee Cultural Center historic gym, 283 Highway 255 N., ¼ mile off Highway 17 in Sautee, Georgia, (706) 878-3300. Visit www.Sauteecontra.com or www.snca.org for more information.