Fiddling Frog Dance Festival
February 24-26, 2023
A full weekend of great contra dancing to fabulous bands and skillful callers in beautiful Pasadena, CA, February 24-26, 2023!
Registration is OPEN!!!
Talent
Bands:
Root System is a new trio with their first official gig together in 2023 after many years of planned bookings. Veterans in the dance scene, they are Audrey Leigh (Knuth) Jaber (fiddle), Ashley (Broder) Hoyer (mandolin) from SoCal and Amy Englesberg (Keyboard, accordion) from Vermont. They’re excited to take their unique energies and musical ideas to create new and undeniably danceable music.
Dam Beavers are Ben Schreiber on fiddle, Scotty Leach on piano, and Ness Smith-Savedoff on drums. With roots in a wide variety of styles and genres, their music comprises an eclectic mix of old and new, familiar and unfamiliar. Let the current sweep you away as the Dam Beavers build a dam of rhythm beneath your feet.
Callers:
Gaye Fifer is an accomplished caller from Pittsburgh, PA. An active dancer herself, Gaye understands the subtleties of making dances particularly satisfying for dancers. Her instructions are clear and concise, as she is a teacher by profession. An easy smile and delightful sense of humor are part of Gaye’s relaxed, pleasant style at the microphone.
Jeremy Korr is a popular bicoastal caller, based in SoCal most of the year and in Eastern Massachusetts during the summer. A 2nd-generation dancer and dance leader, Jeremy has been dancing his whole life, and has been calling contras and squares around the country since 2003. Jeremy is acclaimed for his fun dances, efficient walkthroughs, precise calling, and community spirit.
Gender neutral calling (Larks and Robins) all weekend.
Interlude music & Broadway singalong by Chip Prince.
Sound by Victor Garza.
COVID Policy
We acknowledge the ongoing concerns, uncertainties, and differences of opinion surrounding COVID and safety protocols. With an eye to everyone’s safety and drawing on the successful outcomes of several dance weekends on the West Coast, we will be asking all attendees to:
- Be vaccinated with at least one booster (including preferably the most recent one available at the time).
- Wear N95/KN95/KF94 masks when indoors. (Hundreds of dancers have already learned that you can dance comfortably while wearing a mask.)
- We may also ask for an antigen test on or before arrival at the hall.
These guidelines may change in line with current conditions and health advisories, and we will provide plenty of advance notice, while also refunding the fees for anyone who feels they cannot comply with any changes.
Draft 2023 schedule –
Friday
| 7:00 | Welcome / Registration |
| 7:30–11:45 | Contra Dance |
| 7:30–8:45 | Contra Dance |
| 8:45-9:15 | Break |
| 9:15-10:30 | Contra Dance |
| 10:35-11:45 | Contra Remix |
Saturday
| 9:30-10:00 | Waltzing |
| 10:00-11:45 | Contra Dance |
| 11:45-12:15 | Break |
| 12:15-1:00 | Medley – Both bands & both callers |
| 1:00-1:15 | Break |
| 1:15-2:45 | Contra Dance |
| 2:45-3:00 | Break |
| 3:00-4:30 | Contra |
| 4:30-7:00 | Dinner |
| 7:00-11:00 | A Fancy Affair |
| 7:00-8:45 | Contra Dance |
| 8:45-9:15 | Break |
| 9:15-11:00 | Contra Dance |
Sunday
| 10:00-10:30 | Waltzing |
| 10:30-12:00 | Contra Dance |
| 11:00-12:30 | Singing with Jeremy Korr – Upstairs (Unconfirmed) |
| 12-12:30 | Break |
| 12:30-2:15 | Contra Dance |
| 2:15-2:30 | Break |
| 2:30-3:30 | The Final Hoorah – Both bands & both callers |
| 3:30-4:00 | Clean up and Goodbyes |
| 6:30-10:30 | Open-to-the-public dance – Both bands & both callers $18 |
| 6:30-8:15 | Contra Dance |
| 8:45-10:30 | Contra Dance |
Registration and Pricing
Registration for Fiddling Frog Dance Festival 2023 is now open! Online registration (see the button below) as well as by mail is available.
Online Payment — Paypal
Prices below include registration fee plus PayPal’s service charges (about 3%), so they are higher than if you send a check.
• Click on the button for 1 registration ($180+$5 fee=$185), 2 registrations ($360+$10 fee=$370), click on the 3rd button to type in your amount.
• SCHOLARSHIP REGISTRATIONS – Please only make payments for these if you have arranged it with one of the organizers in advance.
• Questions? Contact Registrar – 2fiddlingfrog@gmail.com
Work scholarships are available, please email us at 2fiddlingfrog@gmail.com prior to registration to discuss. Late registration begins January 1, 2023, and is $190.
Registration is not transferable. Given the uncertainties around COVID, we will give full refunds if you need to cancel at any time for any reason.
Location
Fiddling Frog is held at the fabulous Pasadena Masonic Temple, at:
200 South Euclid Avenue, Pasadena, CA
Nearby Accommodations
A list of local hotels is provided below.
| Name | Address | Phone Number | Miles From Hall |
| Sheraton | 303 Cordova St, Pasadena, CA | 626-449-4000 | 0.07 |
| Hilton Hotel | 168 S Los Robles Ave, Pasadena, CA | 626-577-1000 | 0.10 |
| GreenTree-Pasadena Inn | 400 S Arroyo Pkwy, Pasadena, CA | 626-795-8401 | 0.34 |
| Westin Hotels & Resorts | 191 N Los Robles Ave, Pasadena, CA | 626-792-2727 | 0.50 |
| Courtyard Marriott- Old Town Pasadena | 180 N Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA | 626-403-7600 | 0.65 |
| Pasadena Rose & Crown | 1203 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA | 626-449-3170 | 1.03 |
| Saga Motor Hotel | 1633 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA | 626-795-0431 | 1.53 |
Food
A wide variety of healthy and hearty refreshments will be provided throughout the daytime and evening dances. There are many options for meals nearby.
Clothing Exchange
Want your old favorites to become someone else’s new ones? Start perusing those closets now.
Contact
Questions or comments? Reach us at 2fiddlingfrog@gmail.com