Hokitika Contra Weekend - Videos
Thirty dancers and musicians from the USA converged on Hokitika and ran a special weekend February 17-19, 2012. Together with locals (Auckland and Australia included) who had caught the contra bug (or wanted to), we had a great 3 days of dance, music and fun. A big thanks to Ron and Cathy Arps for bringing the tour here to NZ. Of course thanks to all the dancers on the tour for dancing and sharing their knowledge with us. Thanks to the callers and musicians who ran the workshops. Thank you John and Hilary Turner from the UK for the "Introduction to Playford" workshop. Thank you Rob Danford and Susi Thompson from Hokitika for helping me with the organization.
Contra callers: Gaye Fifer, Alice Milmoe, Bob O'Brien and Susie Rudder. Tour musicians: Cathy Arps (fiddle), Mike Boerschig (guitar), Lisa Frankel (bass, flute), Robin Gurule (keyboard), Glenn Lee (accordion, guitar), Susan Jones (concertina) and David Wright (fiddle).
Thank you Folkworks from Christchurch (Roger Buckton (flute, dudelsack), Jonathan Le Cocq (mandoline, guitar, lute), Michael Cwach (tuba, euphonium, serpent, dudelsack), Heather Gladstone (accordion, keyboard) George Stewart(percussion, whistle, saw) and Claire Weyland (violin, mandolin) for coming and playing some of their special tunes and unusual instruments.
Here is a flyer. Share this event on facebook.
Friday Evening 7.30 pm – 10.30 pm - welcome contra dance
Saturday - Workshops throughout the day
Saturday Evening 7.30 pm – 10.30 pm - contra dance
Sunday Morning 10.00 am - farewell the tour contra dance
More information or to request being on mailing list please contact Bill Baritompa.
Contra Dances - Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday morning
All dances will feature local NZ and tour musicians and are open to the public. They will be onsite in the lovely hall.
Workshops during Saturday
| Time/Venue | Hall | Kotuku Lounge | Tui Lounge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 am | Dance techniques – Swing, flourishes, helping others - Gaye Fifer | Calling and teaching contras - Susie Rudder | Rhythm accompaniment to Contra dance - Robin Gurule, David Wright and Mike Boerschig |
| 1 pm | Introduction to Playford - John Turner and Roger Buckton with Folkworks | Playing for contra and learn some tunes | |
| 3 pm | Unusual dances – grids, different progressions - Bill Baritompa, Alice Milmoe, John Turner | Beginner's Waltzing - Gaye Fifer and Wayne Albright | Music jam – learn a tune to use this evening |
Venue - Seaview in Hokitika
Seaview (03 755 5230) has a variety of accomodation - a lodge, basic hostels, camping and RV sites. The tour will be staying at Seaview Tui lodge, and
all other options are available for participants. A large hall is onsite for the dances and smaller rooms available for workshops. The kitchen
facilities can be used by those staying.
Google map of seaview site,
Information and contact and
photos
Cost and Registration
A $10 registration fee covers cost of entrance to the dances and workshops.
Accomodation and food must be arranged individually.
Hostel, camping and RV facilities are available onsite for NZ participants.
Accomodation options at Seaview (03 755 5230) (which include use of the kitchen) are:
Kotuku Hostel $20pp without linen $35 pp with linen. Single and twin rooms available.
20 largish tent sites on front lawn $15 pp. Use hall toilets and kitchen and Seaview/ Tui showers.
RV sites - 4 with power $30 site/night. Any number without power (parking) - $25 per site.
Here are some contact details for the closest motel-type accommodation.
Fitzherbert Court Motel 191 Fitzherbert St 03 755 5342
Shining Star Beachfront Accommodatation 16 Richards Drive 03 755 8921
Beachside Motels and Holiday Park 252 Revell Street 03 755 8773
Aneden Motel 123 Tudor St 03 755 8193
The Olson’s motel is further away alongside the river:
Rain on the Roof 92 Gibson Quay 03 755 7097
Background
When Ron and Cathy Arps came to NZ in 1998 for a wwoofing holiday, they feel in love with the country. Only their favorite dance form was missing. Since then they return every two years bringing contra dance musicians and dancers to tour the country. As a result there are now contra dances in Dunedin , Wellington, and Christchurch. We felt the time was ripe for a grand get together - the visiting Americans and the contra convertees! See this article by one of the past tours participants for more background.