Fiddling Frog Dance Festival

Thank you to all the dancers and talent who made our 2023 a fabulous festival.
We can’t wait to see you again next year.
Save the date – February 23-25, 2024

February 23-25, 2024

A full weekend of great contra dancing to fabulous bands and skillful callers in beautiful Pasadena, CA, February 23-25, 2024!

Check back in October 2023 for registration!

Talent

Bands:
Stomp Rocket is a New England based trio that delivers high energy foot-stomping dance music for Contra dancing. The band consists of Dave Langford on fiddle, Glen Loper on mandolin and banjo, and Bethany Waickman on guitar and keyboard.. They’ve played for contras throughout New England, and at dance weekends from Alaska to Tennessee, and Quebec to Florida. Sample their music by clicking here!

The Engine Room is a brand new contra dance band hailing from both coasts and places in between. Featuring Noah VanNorstrand (fiddle, mandolin, foot percussion), Kelsey Wells (fiddle, banjo), and Alex Sturbaum (guitar, button accordion), the Engine Room will lay down a driving, nonstop groove that is sure to get you moving. Sample their music by clicking here and here!

Callers:
Lisa Greenleaf calls regularly in the Boston and New England areas and has been a staff member at dance camps and festivals throughout the country and beyond. She combines a deep understanding of contra choreography and tradition with a high-spirited presence and irreverent wit. Her specialties include traditional and contemporary contras, fun squares, challenging dances of all shapes and sizes, and caller training. See her being “gatored” (an honor to the caller) at Fiddling Frog 2010 here! And notice her amazing recovery after the gatoring!

Susan Michaels is a caller of traditional American dancing, especially contra dancing and square dancing especially known for her terrific sense of humor. She has called and taught dances at local evenings to dance weekends to week-long family camps throughout the U.S. and Canada. Susan believes her “calling” in life is to teach people how to hold hands in a circle. She specializes in creating joy, making community, and allowing everyone with whom she comes into contact to experience the pure pleasure of dance. Sample her calling by clicking here!

Gender neutral calling (Larks and Robins) all weekend.

Sound by Victor Garza.

Chef extraordinaire and volunteer coordinator Brenda Goodwin.

The following information is from 2023. We will update the website for 2024 information at the end of 2023. Stay tuned!

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 show us your:

  • Proof of vaccination 
  • Same day rapid test results.  If you test before you arrive, please take a picture of you with the test results and show the photo at registration. We expect you to provide your own test kits. They are readily available, often at low or no cost through your health insurance or here: COVID.gov. If you have extra tests to share, please bring them to the registration table on Friday night. Thanks!
  • Masks must be worn at all times while indoors dancing and socializing. We will allow unmasking only in the side break room while actively eating but not while resting or socializing. Masking will be optional for callers and musicians while performing on stage. Thanks for your understanding. 
  • If you are not feeling well at any time during the course of the weekend, please do not come to the dance and let the organizers know.
  • If you have air purifiers, please bring them with you for use in the side break room. Thanks so much!

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.

2023 schedule

Friday

6:30-7:00 pmWelcome / Registration
7:30–11:00 pmCONTRA DANCE!! Theme – _________: Show off your sparkles and your favorite stars!
7:30–9:00 pmContra Dance – Caller #1 & Band #1
9:00-9:30 pmBreak
9:30-11 pmContra Dance – Caller #2 & Band #2

Saturday

9:30-10:00 amWaltzing with Band #2
10:00-12:00 pmContra Dance – Caller #1 & Band #2
12:00-12:30 pmBreak
12:30-1:00 pmMedley – Both bands & both callers
1:00-1:15 pmBreak
1:15-3:15 pmContra Dance – Caller #2 & Band #1
3:15-3:30 pmBreak
3:30-4:30 pmWorkshop – Caller #2
4:30-7:00 pmDinner Break
7:00-11:30 pmA Fancy Affair Contra Dance!
7:00-9:00 pmContra Dance – Caller #2 & Band #2
9:00-9:30 pmBreak and Victor’s Dance Party!
9:30-11:30 pmContra Dance – Caller #1 & Band #1

Sunday

10:00-10:30 amWaltzing with Band #1
10:30-12:00 pmContra Dance – Caller #2 & Band #1
11:00-12:00 pmWorkshop with Caller #1
12:00-12:30 pmBreak
12:30-2:15 pmContra Dance – Caller #1 & Band #2
2:15-2:30 pmBreak
2:30-3:30 pmThe Final Hoorah – Both bands & both callers
3:30-4:00 pmClean up and Goodbyes (help appreciated!)
6:30-10:30 pmEVENING DANCE: Open-to-the-public dance – Both bands & both callers. Sliding Scale $25-$40. Check website for COVID requirements for Fiddling Frog weekend.
6:10-6:30 pmContra dance lesson for beginners – Caller #1
6:30-8:15 pmContra Dance – Caller #1 & Band #2
8:15-8:45 pmBreak
8:45-10:30Contra Dance – Caller #2 & Band #1

Registration and Pricing

Registration for Fiddling Frog Dance Festival 2024 will be open in October 2023! Online registration (see the button below) as well as by mail will be available. Registration will close on Thursday, Feb. 22nd; there will be no day-of or walk-up registration available. 

Click here to register online
Click here for pdf form

Online Payment — Check, Paypal, and new for this year… ZELLE!

Checks – $180 per person if registered AND paid by 12/31/23. $190 per person starting 1/1/24.

Zelle – Send to treasurer@caldancecoop.org. Write in memo section “Fiddling Frog 2024”

Paypal – Prices below include the registration fee plus PayPal’s service charges (about 3%), so they are higher than if you send a check.
Registration is $180 (plus Paypal fees) if registration and payment are made by 12/31/23. Starting on 1/1/24, registration is $190 (plus Paypal fees).
•  Click on the button for 1 registration ($180+$5 fee=$186), 2 registrations ($360+$10 fee=$370), or click on the 3rd button to type in your amount if you are making a donation.
•  SCHOLARSHIP REGISTRATIONS – Please only make payments if you have arranged it with one of the organizers in advance.
•  Questions? Contact Registrar – 2fiddlingfrog@gmail.com

Paypal – Single Registration
Paypal – Two person registration
Paypal – Donation to Scholarship Fund

Work scholarships are available, please email us prior to registration to discuss. Late registration begins January 1, 2024, and is $190 (+Paypal fees where applicable) for anyone who has not registered AND paid by 12/31/2023.

Registration is not transferable, please contact us at 2fiddlingfrog@gmail if you need to cancel. Cancellations up to Jan. 31, 2024 will be issued in full less any bank/Paypal transaction fees incurred. Cancellations on Feb.1, 2024 or later will be issued at 50% after bank/Paypal transaction fees are deducted.

Location

Fiddling Frog is held at the fabulous Pasadena Masonic Temple, at:
200 South Euclid Avenue, Pasadena, CA

Parking

Pasadena has varying parking rules which change by days of the week and the time. Please plan your parking IN ADVANCE. On-street parking in the area is limited but usually possible within a few blocks, especially south of the hall. There are also paid lots in the area. Read the parking restriction signs carefully. Carpooling is recommended. THERE IS NO OVERNIGHT STREET PARKING IN PASADENA WITHOUT A PERMIT (WHICH CAN BE PURCHASED ONLINE).
City of Pasadena parking rules

Nearby Accommodations

A list of local hotels is provided below.

NameAddressPhone NumberMiles From Hall
Sheraton303 Cordova St, Pasadena, CA626-449-40000.07
Hilton Hotel168 S Los Robles Ave, Pasadena, CA626-577-10000.10
GreenTree-Pasadena Inn400 S Arroyo Pkwy, Pasadena, CA626-795-84010.34
Westin Hotels & Resorts191 N Los Robles Ave, Pasadena, CA626-792-27270.50
Courtyard Marriott- Old Town Pasadena180 N Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA626-403-7600 0.65
Pasadena Rose & Crown1203 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA626-449-31701.03
Saga Motor Hotel1633 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA626-795-0431 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.

No Fragrances, please!: Please no perfume, scented lotions, aftershave, etc. Many dancers have severe allergies to scented products. Thank you!

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

Performers in previous years
2023 – Gaye Fifer, Jeremy Korr, Root System (Audrey Jaber, Amy Englesberg, Ashley Hoyer), Dam Beavers (Ben Schreiber substituted by Audrey Jaber, Scotty Leach, Ness Smith-Savedoff)

2022 & 2021 COVID closure

2020 – Frannie Marr, Lindsey Dono, Wake Up Robin (Audrey Knuth, Andrew Van Norstrand, Noah Van Norstrand, Amy Englesberg), Uncle Farmer (Ben Schreiber, Michael Sokolovsky)

2019 – Lisa Greenleaf, Bob Isaacs, Free Raisins (Audrey Knuth, Jeff Kaufman, Amy Englesberg), Eloise & Co (Rachel Bell, Becky Tracy, Andrew Van Norstrand)

2018 – Steve Zakon-Anderson, Dana Parkinson, Groovemongers (Rebecca McCallum, Jane Knoeck, Tom Santarsiero, Ralph Gordon, and Mark “Pokey” Hellenberg), Gaslight Tinkers (Audrey Knuth, Peter Seigel, Garrett Sawyer, and Joe Fitzpatrick)

2017 – Lisa Greenleaf, Will Mentor, Latter Day Lizards, StringRays

2016 – Lisa Greenleaf, Luke Donforth, Giant Robot Dance, The JEMS