Joan Walton teaches intermediate waltz class

7pm - ROLE REVERSAL IN CROSS-STEP WALTZ: This is an ideal dance for experimentation with the opposite role, as the footwork used in Cross-Step Waltz is similar for Leads and Follows. Role Reversal will also be helpful if you are staying for the 8pm lesson on Cross-Step Waltz Troika.

8pm - CROSS-STEP WALTZ TROIKA: Demonstrated in Portland last year, this beautiful variation is useful whenever there is a gender imbalance in the room, or even if there is not. Two Leads dance with one Follow, or one Lead dances with two Follows to make a flowing trio of Cross-Step possibilities. You need to be comfortable with more than the basics of Cross-Step Waltz to make this work.

Kimber Rudo is partnering Joan in the classes.

Tom Hill teaches an introductory waltz class from 7 to 9 pm in the downstairs room. To get the most from this class, try to start at 7pm. Excellent first time class

Rebecca Sacks is our first time DJ tonight, for waltz and polka

$12 for both the classes and the dance. $8 dance only. No partner necessary. All Ages. Casual comfortable attire. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto, CA. Upstairs, Fellowship hall, entrance on right of courtyard, facing away from street.

A very special dance! Crepes Musette returns for another live performance. A night not to be missed! Playing from 9 to 12 midnight. Rave reviews from their Bastille Day Waltz ball last July and many many compliments on their playing last December.

Crepes Musette played waltzes, polkas, tangos, and swing in Oakland Veterans Hall on December 22. What a great evening! Some comments "Best night dancing ever" "Their Congress of Vienna puts them in a class by themselves" "Where can I buy their cd" (This is only the second time they have played together!) "I loved the dance-singalong to Edelweiss" "They played 'Its a small world' which was great but now I can't get it out of my head!"   "excellent!"  "..played very tight, not one missed note"   "when are they coming back?""great great great" and many more positive comments. Silvia Herrold, Chuck Ervin, Shira Kammen, and Charlie Hancock.

Sylvia Herrold uses her crystal-clear voice and impressive guitar skills to draw on the diverse traditions of swing, jazz, and traditional folk and Celtic music. Her extensive musical scholarship and earthy, nostalgic interpretations span a variety of musical styles and have earned her critical acclaim over a successful music career spanning 25 years. Herold is known as a singer of folk songs as well as a swing chanteuse and guitarist.

For sixteen years Herold toured and recorded with popular Bay Area swing trio CATS & JAMMERS. The Cats enjoyed a full schedule of festivals and concerts including multiple ppearances at Strawberry Music Festival. Herold was a five-year member of the Django Reinhardt-inspired HOT CLUB OF SAN FRANCISCO, appearing at the Jazz at Filoli Concert Series and the San Francisco Jazz Festival. Herold currently performs with WAKE THE DEAD, a band that melds traditional Celtic music with songs of the Grateful Dead. Their concert list includes the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival, KMVR Celtic Festival and the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco.

In 2005 Herold released her third solo CD, Lovely Nancy, with the newly formed, café-style combo EUPHONIA. In addition to Herold on guitar and vocals, the high-energy collection of traditional folk songs features Paul Kotapish (Wake The Dead) on mandolin, Charlie Hancock on accordion and piano, and Brian Rice (Wake the Dead) on percussion. Chuck Ervin joins the group on double bass and vocals.

Charlie Hancock is a well known and long time Contra and English country dance musician, has been in many bands: ContraBandits,Raggedy Annes, Euphonia,Swing Farm.

Shira Kammen

Intermediate Waltz class from 7 to 9 pm.

$15 due to special live band. $10 for seniors and students. sorry, no separate pricing for dance only due to live music. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

Oakland Veterans Hall, 200 Grand Avenue Oakland CA X Harrison. A beautiful dance hall, with 3,500 square foot hardwood floor, extra room for socializing and meeting new people, easy access, great parking.

Richard Powers teaches intermediate class. He is also our DJ for Waltz and polka music from 9pm to midnight.
The Academy of Danse Libre is performing two elegant Victorian dances, plus a never seen,new dance tonight. The Academy of Danse Libre is one of the nation's premier vintage dance performance groups. The Academy of Danse Libre is dedicated to the lively exhibition of vintage social dances. Danse Libre performs a variety of breathtaking pieces from the 19th and early 20th centuries in authentic period costume. Each of their dances brings to life a period in history, complete with the music, dance, dress, and mannerisms of the time.

Tom Hill teaches an introductory waltz class from 7 to 9 pm in the downstairs room. To get the most from this class, try to start at 7pm. Excellent first time class
$12 for both the classes and the dance. $8 dance only. No partner necessary. All Ages. Casual comfortable attire. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto, CA. Upstairs, Fellowship hall, entrance on right of courtyard, facing away from street.

No Dance. Go to Gaskells

Fri Jun 20 Palo Alto
Friday Night Waltz

Joan Walton teaches intermediate waltz

Waltz and polka music from 9pm to midnight.

Tom Hill teaches an introductory waltz class from 7 to 9 pm in the downstairs room. To get the most from this class, try to start at 7pm. Excellent first time class

$12 for both the classes and the dance. $8 dance only. No partner necessary. All Ages. Casual comfortable attire. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto, CA. Upstairs, Fellowship hall, entrance on right of courtyard, facing away from street.

Lilli Ann Carey is in town from Seattle. She is our DJ for waltz and polka from 9 to 12 midnight.

Lilli Ann will teach intermediate Waltz steps she found in the Pacific northwest that we don't know down here in the Bay area. class from 7 to 9 pm.

Oakland Veterans Hall, 200 Grand Avenue Oakland CA X Harrison .A beautiful dance hall, with 3,500 square foot hardwood floor, extra room for socializing and meeting new people, easy access, great parking.$12 for both the classes and the dance. $8 dance only. No partner necessary. All Ages. Casual comfortable attire. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

NO DANCE TONIGHT! Gee, I wonder why?

Sat Jul 12 Oakland
Friday Night Waltz
Bastille Day Waltz Ball
Baguette Quartette

Baguette Quartette returns for another our annual "Bastille Day Waltz Ball". Always fun, always memorable. Special bistro waltzes, polkas, and tango. The music will take you away from your wordly cares. Baguette Quartette is a wonderful band who has played for us for Bastille Day several times. Not to be missed! Lilting, uplifting valse musettes. Musette music makes you happy to be alive! Music Samples One, Two,Three. and Four. Baguette Quartette from 9 to midnight.

Classes in La Java and Valse Musette Waltz from 7 to 9 pm.

Article by Peter Stack, San Francisco Chronicle:

Some say accordionist Odile Lavault is the personification of 1950s Paris. The idea has suited her just fine since she moved from France to Berkeley a decade ago and started playing Parisian tunes on street corners and in cafes and clubs.

Then she got discovered by the Bay Area's sizable French community. Come Bastille Day every July, the 48-year-old Lavault is totally booked.

"I used to play in Paris," said Lavault, who loved the echoing sound of her music in Metro corridors. She took up piano as a kid. But later, working for a French radio station in Paris, she heard an accordionist on the street below her office window.

"It was a Sunday, and I was alone in this office," she remembered. "The sound just made me cry. I dropped everything for the accordion."

In the Bay Area, which Lavault considers "a magical place," she has cultivated other styles beyond Parisian cafe music. In addition to her popular band, Baguette Quartette, with violinist Rachel Durling, guitarist Will Bernard and bassist Richard Trevor, she plays ripping polkas and tango music with a bandoneon.

La Java
The java is said to be the only dance invented in Paris. Patterned around 1920 after the mazurka, it is danced with small steps, without twirling, with hands on the partner's derriere. The java and the valse musette together constitute the centerpiece for the musette style. The java name comes from the speech pattern of people from Auvergne, where they tend to transform the "S" sound into an "SH"; hence auvergnat pronunciation of the traditional French greeting "ca va ? ca va" ("how is it going ? it's going OK") would be "SHa va ? SHa va". Youtube videos valse musette 1, 2, and 3.

Valse Musette
The valse musette is a blend of folk music from Auvergne and light Parisian music from the 19th century. It matured into its current form during the 1930s under the influence of Italian immigrants. A distinctive jazzy flavor was introduced by Gypsy musicians who had quickly picked up on the new American style. (Django Reinhardt started his career as a banjo player in musette and dance bands.) Guitarists like Boulou and Matelot Ferre, Didi Duprat and Didier Roussin made the Musette accompaniment style a very recognizable one. Accordionists like Gus Viseur instilled a definite swing flavor into the genre. The musette name itself refers to a small bagpipe-like instrument that was played in the center of France, especially in Auvergne ("musette" being the name for a small bag).

$20 general, $10 students. Tickets at the door. Sorry due to live band, no special discount for dance only. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian. Comfortable attire ok, though we encourage anything that suggests French costume or clothing. Some people will be in sem-formal or formal attire, well, just because it is fun to dressup for a waltz ball. We admire them from afar...

Oakland Veterans Hall, 200 Grand Avenue Oakland CA X Harrison. A beautiful dance hall, with 3,500 square foot hardwood floor, extra room for socializing and meeting new people, easy access, great parking.

Intermediate waltz classes at 7pm and 8pm in the large upstairs room

Tom Hill teaches an introductory waltz class from 7 to 9 pm in the downstairs room. To get the most from this class, try to start at 7pm. Excellent first time class.

dj Waltz and polka music from 9pm to midnight.

$12 for both the classes and the dance. $8 dance only. No partner necessary. All Ages. Casual comfortable attire. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto, CA. Upstairs, Fellowship hall, entrance on right of courtyard, facing away from street.

Brassworks is back for another wonderful night of waltzes, polkas and some latin, swing and tango. Brassworks is the nations premier vintage dance band. They have played at Gaskells ball for 25 years.

introductory waltz class from 7 to 9pm

casual attire. $13 general, $9 students. sorry due to live band, no discount for dance only.. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

Oakland Veterans Hall, 200 Grand Avenue Oakland CA X Harrison .A beautiful dance hall, with 3,500 square foot hardwood floor, extra room for socializing and meeting new people, easy access, great parking.

Richard Powers teaches intermediate waltz and djs tonight. Intermediate waltz classes at 7pm and 8pm in the large upstairs room

Tom Hill teaches an introductory waltz class from 7 to 9 pm in the downstairs room. To get the most from this class, try to start at 7pm. Excellent first time class.

dj Waltz and polka music from 9pm to midnight.

$12 for both the classes and the dance. $8 dance only. No partner necessary. All Ages. Casual comfortable attire. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto, CA. Upstairs, Fellowship hall, entrance on right of courtyard, facing away from street.

Dj waltz and polka from 9 to 12 midnight.

Anna Botelho teaches Intermediate Waltz class from 7 to 9 pm.

Tom Hill teaches an introductory waltz class from 7 to 9 pm in the downstairs room. To get the most from this class, try to start at 7pm. Excellent first time class

Oakland Veterans Hall, 200 Grand Avenue Oakland CA X Harrison .A beautiful dance hall, with 3,500 square foot hardwood floor, extra room for socializing and meeting new people, easy access, great parking.$12 for both the classes and the dance. $8 dance only. No partner necessary. All Ages. Casual comfortable attire. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

Our anniversary dance. 8 years and going strong! Richard Powers teaches intermediate waltz and djs tonight. Intermediate waltz classes at 7pm and 8pm in the large upstairs room

Tom Hill teaches an introductory waltz class from 7 to 9 pm in the downstairs room. To get the most from this class, try to start at 7pm. Excellent first time class.

Cakes, pies, ice cream, Peppridge Farm cookies, shrimp platter, cheese and slices platter, and the usual selection of grapes, strawberries, mms, raspberries, blackberries, good'n'plenty, dots, gummies,chocolate malteds.

$12 for both the classes and the dance. Sorry, due to party food, no separate price for dance only.No partner necessary. All Ages. Casual comfortable attire. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto, CA. Upstairs, Fellowship hall, entrance on right of courtyard, facing away from street.

This is a very very special event. Not to be missed! We are expecting a very large crowd. We will have about total of an hour of waltzes, polkas, hambos,and schottische interspersed with 2 hours of contra dances. Waltz, polka, contra, waltz, hambo, schottische, contra, repeat. 9pm to 12 midnight. 2 hours of introductory social dance classes from 7 to 9 pm. Local contra group, BACDS, Bay Area Country Dance Society. They have 60+ monthly contra dances.

Richard Powers will be calling contras. He started out calling contra many years ago in Cincinatti and is now returning to his roots. Richard will also be teaching two hours of social dances from 7 pm to 9 pm.

Contra dancing is very similar to the line dancing in "Gone with the Wind". Think Virginia Reel. The local contra group is "Bay Area Country Dance Society"

We are very pleased to present Hillbillies from Mars, one of the country's most popular contra bands. They are superb musicians. You will not be disappointed. We are expecting a very large crowd.

From their website, "The Hillbillies From Mars have been rocking the contradance scene in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1982. They combine their love and dedication to Celtic and American traditional fiddle music with a healthy dose of their own "folk roots" of rock 'n' roll, swing, Latin and African beats, forging a new tradition of dance music."

	Kevin Carr:  fiddle, bagpipes, accordion, banjo, vocals, storytelling Kevin's powerful fiddling forms the backbone of the Hillbillies' French Canadian and Irish repertoire. In addition, he adds musical texture through his virtuosity on the Irish bagpipes and diatonic accordion. Kevin is also an accomplished storyteller, and delights audiences young and old with tales from Celtic and Appalachian sources.
	Ray Bierl:  fiddle, guitar, vocals Ray's background in Appalachian and Cape Breton fiddle styles adds another dimension to the group's repertoire. His driving fiddle backup technique shifts squares and contradances into highgear. Ray is well known on the west coast as a folk singer, and his country and cowboy songs are often featured in the Hillbillies' performances
	Paul Kotapish: mandolin, guitar, percussion Paul's versatility on the mandolin and guitar have made him a long-time favorite in the traditional music scene. His rock solid rhythms and harmonic textures form an integral part of the Hillbillies' sound. Paul has recorded and toured internationally with several bands, including Kevin Burke's Open House.
	Daniel Steinberg:  keyboards, flute, percussion Daniel's polyrhythmic piano/synthesizer backup and dynamic flute playing fill out the band's sound. The Hillbillies perform many of his original dance tunes and feature his innovative arrangements of traditional material. Daniel's workshops in French Country Dance and Instant Choir have received rave reviews at dance festivals around the country.

$20 for the evening. $15 for students with id and seniors over 60. No partner necessary. All Ages. Casual comfortable attire. Sorry due to live band, no discount for dance only. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

We will have our traditional selection of cherry pies, double chocolate devine mousse, raspberry cheesecakes, lemon merengue pies, and a zingy selection of Mitchell's ice creams, including avocado, mango, ginger and green tea.

Oakland Veterans Hall, 200 Grand Avenue Oakland CA X Harrison. A beautiful dance hall, with 3,500 square foot hardwood floor, extra room for socializing and meeting new people, easy access, great parking.

djs Waltz and polka music from 9pm to midnight.

Tom Hill teaches an introductory waltz class from 7 to 9 pm in the downstairs room. To get the most from this class, try to start at 7pm. Excellent first time class

$12 for both the classes and the dance. $8 dance only. No partner necessary. All Ages. Casual comfortable attire. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto, CA. Upstairs, Fellowship hall, entrance on right of courtyard, facing away from street.

Dj waltz and polka from 9 to 12 midnight.

Intermediate Waltz class from 7 to 9 pm.

Tom Hill teaches an introductory waltz class from 7 to 9 pm in the downstairs room. To get the most from this class, try to start at 7pm. Excellent first time class

Oakland Veterans Hall, 200 Grand Avenue Oakland CA X Harrison .A beautiful dance hall, with 3,500 square foot hardwood floor, extra room for socializing and meeting new people, easy access, great parking.$12 for both the classes and the dance. $8 dance only or students. No partner necessary. All Ages. Casual comfortable attire. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

djs Waltz and polka music from 9pm to midnight.

Tom Hill teaches an introductory waltz class from 7 to 9 pm in the downstairs room. To get the most from this class, try to start at 7pm. Excellent first time class

$12 for both the classes and the dance. $8 dance only. No partner necessary. All Ages. Casual comfortable attire. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto, CA. Upstairs, Fellowship hall, entrance on right of courtyard, facing away from street.

Brassworks is back for another wonderful night of waltzes, polkas and some latin, swing and tango. Brassworks is the nations premier vintage dance band. They have played at Gaskells ball for 25 years. We will emphasize Strauss waltzes and polkas tonight.

casual attire. $13 general, $8 students.. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

Oakland Veterans Hall, 200 Grand Avenue Oakland CA X Harrison .A beautiful dance hall, with 3,500 square foot hardwood floor, extra room for socializing and meeting new people, easy access, great parking.

djs Waltz and polka music from 9pm to midnight.

Tom Hill teaches an introductory waltz class from 7 to 9 pm in the downstairs room. To get the most from this class, try to start at 7pm. Excellent first time class

$12 for both the classes and the dance. $8 dance only. No partner necessary. All Ages. Casual comfortable attire. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto, CA. Upstairs, Fellowship hall, entrance on right of courtyard, facing away from street.

Dj waltz and polka from 9 to 12 midnight.

Intermediate Waltz class from 7 to 9 pm.

Tom Hill teaches an introductory waltz class from 7 to 9 pm in the downstairs room. To get the most from this class, try to start at 7pm. Excellent first time class

Oakland Veterans Hall, 200 Grand Avenue Oakland CA X Harrison .A beautiful dance hall, with 3,500 square foot hardwood floor, extra room for socializing and meeting new people, easy access, great parking. $12 for both the classes and the dance. $8 dance only or students. No partner necessary. All Ages. Casual comfortable attire

djs Waltz and polka music from 9pm to midnight.

Tom Hill teaches an introductory waltz class from 7 to 9 pm in the downstairs room. To get the most from this class, try to start at 7pm. Excellent first time class

$12 for both the classes and the dance. $8 dance only. No partner necessary. All Ages. Casual comfortable attire. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto, CA. Upstairs, Fellowship hall, entrance on right of courtyard, facing away from street.

No Dance tonight- go to Gaskells!

djs Waltz and polka music from 9pm to midnight.

Tom Hill teaches an introductory waltz class from 7 to 9 pm in the downstairs room. To get the most from this class, try to start at 7pm. Excellent first time class

$12 for both the classes and the dance. $8 dance only. No partner necessary. All Ages. Casual comfortable attire. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto, CA. Upstairs, Fellowship hall, entrance on right of courtyard, facing away from street.

Dj waltz and polka from 9 to 12 midnight.

Intermediate Waltz class from 7 to 9 pm.

Tom Hill teaches an introductory waltz class from 7 to 9 pm in the downstairs room. To get the most from this class, try to start at 7pm. Excellent first time class

Oakland Veterans Hall, 200 Grand Avenue Oakland CA X Harrison .A beautiful dance hall, with 3,500 square foot hardwood floor, extra room for socializing and meeting new people, easy access, great parking.$12 for both the classes and the dance. $8 dance only or students. No partner necessary. All Ages. Casual comfortable attire. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

djs Waltz and polka music from 9pm to midnight.

Tom Hill teaches an introductory waltz class from 7 to 9 pm in the downstairs room. To get the most from this class, try to start at 7pm. Excellent first time class

$12 for both the classes and the dance. $8 dance only. No partner necessary. All Ages. Casual comfortable attire. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto, CA. Upstairs, Fellowship hall, entrance on right of courtyard, facing away from street.

Brassworks is back for another wonderful night of waltzes, polkas and some latin, swing and tango.

introductory waltz class from 7 to 9pm

casual attire. $13 general, $8 students. sorry due to live band no separate price for dance only.

Oakland Veterans Hall, 200 Grand Avenue Oakland CA X Harrison .A beautiful dance hall, with 3,500 square foot hardwood floor, extra room for socializing and meeting new people, easy access, great parking.

The church is not available this night. We will relocate. Check in November for location.

djs Waltz and polka music from 9pm to midnight.

Tom Hill teaches an introductory waltz class from 7 to 9 pm in the downstairs room. To get the most from this class, try to start at 7pm. Excellent first time class

$12 for both the classes and the dance. $8 dance only. No partner necessary. All Ages. Casual comfortable attire. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto, CA. Upstairs, Fellowship hall, entrance on right of courtyard, facing away from street.

Dj waltz and polka from 9 to 12 midnight.

Intermediate Waltz class from 7 to 9 pm.

Tom Hill teaches an introductory waltz class from 7 to 9 pm in the downstairs room. To get the most from this class, try to start at 7pm. Excellent first time class

Oakland Veterans Hall, 200 Grand Avenue Oakland CA X Harrison .A beautiful dance hall, with 3,500 square foot hardwood floor, extra room for socializing and meeting new people, easy access, great parking. $12 for both the classes and the dance. $8 dance only or students. No partner necessary. All Ages. Casual comfortable attire. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

Richard Powers teaches intermediate waltz and djs tonight. Waltz and polka music from 9pm to midnight.

Tom Hill teaches an introductory waltz class from 7 to 9 pm in the downstairs room. To get the most from this class, try to start at 7pm. Excellent first time class

This is our Holiday/Xmas/Festive/Winter Solstice party. Cheesecakes, strawberry pies, Praline pecan ice cream, Double layer Chocolate cakes, Peppridge Farm cookies, more.

$12 for both the classes and the dance. Due to special holiday dance, no separate price for dance only. No partner necessary. All Ages. Casual comfortable attire. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto, CA. Upstairs, Fellowship hall, entrance on right of courtyard, facing away from street.

No Dance tonight- go to the Friday Night Waltz New Year's Eve "Over the Rainbow" Waltz Ball!

Our Seventh Annual New Year's Eve Waltz Ball.
Always fun, always a great time, a wonderful way to ring in the new year.
Sells out every year. 300 attendance.
East Bay Express article
Tickets available in October.
Formal attire strongly preferred, but dressy is fine too.
Delightful light refreshments - raspberry cheesecake, lemon merengue pies, apple tartes, triple chocolate cake, fruit, vegetable and meat platters.
A non alcohol event. All Ages. Under 18 must be accompanied by parent or guardian.
Dancing to live music from 9 pm to 12:30 am.
Midnight countdown, sing along.
Mostly Waltzes and polkas, with some swing, latin, and tango,
with Congress of Vienna and Bohemian National Polka dances and mixers.
No partner necessary, many attend as singles.
3 hour introductory waltz class Tuesday December 23 from 7 to 10.
upstairs First United Methodist Church 625 Hamilton Palo Alto $20, at door.
Check back in early November for more details and ticket purchase.
Pictures from previous NYE balls
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 New Year's Eve Ball