Thanksgiving Dance in Sautee

Dance off some holiday calories at the Sautee Contra Dance. On Saturday, November 30, SNCA will host a festive contra dance with music by the band Cattywampas and calling by Susan Davis, an experienced dance caller who has called in Sautee multiple times. 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 regional contra dance scene.

Jan Smith, fiddle; Tim Cape, fiddle; Scott Russell, guitar. (Missing from photo: Pete Senkowski, 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 banjo as well as fiddle.
Come join the friendly dancers of Sautee. If you have contra danced you know how much fun it can be. If not, come on out to try it. If you can walk you can contra dance. The caller will tell you the moves, so learning the dance is not necessary. Come in your festive and holiday attire.

No experience is needed. It is not necessary to bring a partner. Bring a snack to share during the break. There is a free contra dance lesson at 7:30 pm, followed by dancing at 8:00 pm This event is held at the Sautee Nacoochee Cultural Center historic gym, at 283 Highway 255 N., ¼ mile off Highway 17 in Sautee, Georgia, (706) 878-3300. Admission: Students & Teens $6, SNCA members $8, and non-members $10. Visit www.Sauteecontra.com or www.snca.org for more information.