"Turning, moving, spinning, dresses swirling, music beating, eyes in contact with a partner, then another, then another, then another, and the fiddle turns a corner, the phrase repeats, the dance repeats. You smile. Your body smiles. Everywhere. " - Doug Plummer
What is Contra Dance? Read more here
"Ask a group of contra dancers to describe contra dancing and you will probably get many different answers. Basically, contra dancing is a high-spirited dance that can be elegant, lively and most importantly, FUN! Based upon Old English and New England country dancing with some aspects of American square dancing blended into it, the dances are danced to Irish, Celtic, Old English, Early American and modern 'traditional' tunes that are played by live bands.
Dances are led by a caller and each dance is taught and walked through. The dances are a blend of a fairly small group of movements: Allemandes; Stars; Do-Si-Dos; a LOT of Swings; and several other older and modern movements. Dance choreographers arrange the different movements into unique dances. Together, the caller and musicians match each dance to the music, and the skill level of the dancers." By Earl Cook, Atlanta Dance community.
Read what Wikipedia has to say...
View a sample video...
What's been said about Karen's Calling:
"She called three times at camp and hasn't stop calling since!" referring to BACDS American Week, Mendocino, July 2004
"Within just a few years, Karen has established herself as one of California's most dynamic and fun-filled callers...", 2007
"... Karen has quickly made an impression on dancers throughout California with her precise, clear, and heartfelt calling. Karen brings years of experience as a workshop leader to the art of calling and has developed a relaxed, warm, and rhythmic calling style. ... She has a unique ability to communicate her love of the dance and music with warmth and passion to both newcomers and experienced dancers alike."
"Karen brings an infectious enthusiasm to her calling..."
"Dancers have commented that they appreciate Karen's natural ability to connect with the dance floor and engage with the band, her personality, love for calling, her passion for music, and her deep, clear voice. Karen has fun dancing and enthusiasm shines through in her calling."
"The memory of the open and relaxed contentedness of her dance here only two months ago provides a more appealing promotion of Karen Fontana's teaching and calling than this writing could propose. Care of the collective and individual dancer is her trademark."
"Caller Karen Fontana has a special affinity for calling dances and keeping dancers entertained and enjoying their experiences. Karen is moving up the caller scale with leaps and bounds, gaining more in experience and dance creativity with each venue she graces."
What's been written about Karen's Calling:
"Star Attractions - Karen Fontana", The Santa Barbara Dance Star Newsletter, Fall 2005
"Meet the Caller: an interview with Karen Fontana", article, The Living Tradition Newsletter, Los Angeles, CA. Volume 10, Issue 2; May 2006. (Posting coming soon)
"Caller of the Dance - for Karen Fontana," a poem written by Ellen Hegman Wall, Professor of English at City College of San Francisco. Inspired while Ellen was dancing at the June 23, 2006 BACDS San Francisco contra dance called by Karen Fontana with Kathrine Gardner and Erin Shrader on fiddles and Charlie Hancock on piano
"Meet the Caller: an interview with Karen Fontana", article, poem and photos, CDSS News, Issue 192, September/ October 2006. Revised from The Living Tradition interview. (Posting coming soon)
"Fiddlerats and Fontana heat up Colorado in February!", Article; Calendar, Attic Windows: The Newsletter and Calendar of CFOOTMAD (The Colorado Friends of Old Time Music and Dance). January/ February 2007
Couldn't have done it without you!
"I am extremely grateful for the mentoring and encouragement I received from Susan Petrick and Lynn Ackerson to become a caller, especially during the first year; to Lisa Greenleaf and Cis Hinkle for providing a solid foundation during my first weeklong caller's class, and beyond. And to my neighbor, Sue Emory, and Kermit for dancing around and around in my living room while I practice calling. Thank you!" ~Karen Fontana
When not Calling a Contra Dance, Karen can also be found:
- Secretary, Bay Area Country Dance Society (BACDS) Board of Directors, May 2007
- Co-chair, First BACDS Urban Contra Dance Weekend, "Balance the Bay", with Diane Frank, May 9 - 11, 2008, San Francisco, CA
- Co-producer and Co-founder, Hayward Contra dance, with Davey H, introducing a new fourth Sunday 4 - 7 pm contra dance in the East Bay, April 2007
- Contra Program Coordinator, SF Free Folk Festival, June 2006, 2007, 2008
- Assist with publicity for special contra dance events for multiple dance organizations
- Learning guitar at Hayward Music Slow Jam and taking classes at Gryphon Instruments in Palo Alto
and previously...
When not Calling, Dancing or Organizing:
Karen Fontana is an Engineering Program Manager at Hewlett-Packard Company ( HP ) in the Research & Development department for the Home Personal Computer division.
Karen holds a certificate in Information Technology (I.T. Management); an M.B.A. in International Business; and a B.S. in Spanish (major)/ Psychology (minor). She speaks Chinese and Spanish, and lived overseas in Hong Kong, Mainland China, Spain, and Costa Rica.
Karen currently lives in Northern California's San Fransisco Bay Area. A native of Manhattan Beach, Southern California, Karen enjoys combining calling and dancing trips with visiting family and friends.
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