Boom Chuck Time at Sautee Contra Dance

Laurie Fisher, a dazzling fiddler from Asheville, NC, has assembled two equally dazzling musicians as the band Boom Chuck for the May 19 contra dance at the Sautee Nacoochee Center. Complimenting an evening of high energy dancing will be veteran caller Cis Hinkle from Atlanta.

Laurie Fisher has made several recordings for contra dancing over the years, most notably with the band String Beings. With Boom Chuck, she will play lead fiddle, accompanied by Nic Coker on guitar and Géraud Barralon on fiddle and acoustic bass.

Laurie Fisher, fiddle

Nic Coker is known to Sautee dancers for his guitar and fiddle playing with the band, The Stuff. Based in Asheville, he plays a wide range of energetic fiddle tunes covering many styles that keep the dancers moving. He plays with other contra dance bands, such as Spinning Wheel and Kudzoo.

Nic Coker, guitar

Géraud Barralon comes from the Rhône-Alpes region of France. Drawn to the Django Reinhardt style of rhythmic swing guitar, he has performed for swing dances in France and has recorded original and traditional French songs accompanying himself on guitar, fiddle or octave mandolin. As part of the French Appalachian old-time band Ida Red Trio, Geraud has played bass for contra and square dances both in the States and abroad. He currently lives near the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina, where his wife recently served as director of the music and dance program. The couple now joins other traditional musicians in the area to play music events and mentor younger musicians through Geraud’s role as director of the Cherokee County Junior Appalachian Music program.

Cis Hinkle is one of the most sought-after contra dance callers on the circuit. She is much in demand at music and dance festivals from the USA to England and Denmark. Cis has delighted contra and square dancers since 1985 with her skilled teaching, welcoming manner, playful enthusiasm, and masterful selection of dances. When not on the road, Cis teaches t’ai chi classes in her native Atlanta, Georgia. 

Cis Hinkle, caller

Introductory lesson, 7:30 pm; dance, 8-11 pm. No partner or prior experience necessary.  SNCA members, $7; non-members, $10; students, $5; children 12 and under, free. The SNC historic gym is located at 283 Highway 255 North, ¼ mile off Highway 17 in Sautee, Georgia. Contact: (706) 878-3300; www.snca.org or www.sauteecontra.com.