Your Logo Here

Whitewater Whirl!
a mini dance vacation in WV's New River Gorge area
Home | Register! | Download a flyer | About the weekend/FAQ | About the performers | Choose an outdoor adventure | Offsite Food & Lodging | Directions | Contact | Contrarians_CD | Make a papier-mache fish


 about the performers

The Figments incorporate an eclectic mix of styles into their inspired performances of music for dancing or listening. Whether grooving on an Old-time, Irish or French Canadian fiddle tune, trading daring improvisations on a gypsy jazz or swing number, or exploring the nuances of a graceful waltz or elegant English country dance tune, this trio of versatile musicians makes dynamic, spontaneous and electrifying music. The Figments are: Anna Patton (clarinet); Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle); and Owen Morrison (guitar/feet). Here's a sample - we love them already!   http://www.AnnaPatton.com/  http://ethanhw.com/  http://www.myspace.com/owenmorrison

The Contrarians  have become the Whirl's de facto house band. With their patent-pending, contrarian approach to traditional celtic, New England, and "New Traditional" tunes (including a batch of their ideosyncratic originals, some included on their new CD), the Contrarians deliver the goods. Underlying their driving melodies is a rhythmic underpinning that can either float like a butterfly or sting like a bee, providing dancers with an ever-changing musical magic carpet to fly on.

Their instrumental "arsenal for peace" includes fiddles, mandolin, tenor banjo, guitar, a bluesy trumpet, keyboard, bass, and when the fit takes them, vocals. "CONTRARIANS - YOU ROCK SO HARD!!!" -- Shouted from the floor in Greenville, SC by an as-yet unidentified young woman with long blond hair (and excellent taste)     http://pages.suddenlink.net/contrarians/

Shawn Brenneman  Returning to the Whirl for the third consecutive year, Shawn has been calling contra dances since 1999 in over 20 states, including CA, WA, CO, ME, MA, SC, GA, PA, IN. "When I call, my goal is to help create an atmosphere where dancers can best enjoy the music, each other, and the dance. I do this by choosing good dances, teaching them simply, clearly, and quickly, calling in a clear and timely manner, and dropping out when possible to let the music carry the dancers forward. I like to choose a varied and interesting program of well choreographed dances to provide a fun evening." http://www.shawnbrenneman.com/contra.html

Gaye Fifer She's wowed the crowd in '05, '06, '07, '08, AND '09 , and sheeeeeee's back!  Both as dance caller and leader of some fun and UNUSUAL workshops (like Dutch Crossing).  From Charlottesville , VA, Gaye has been a caller and teacher at almost every dance weekend in the eastern US. She delights dancers with her clear walk-throughs and smooth-flowing contras.

Gaye Fifer and Wayne Albright  (Waltz) Can't get enough of these two! Dance instructors par excellence, Gaye & Wayne are "elegant and accomplished waltz instructors who enjoy sharing this beautiful couples dance with those who love contra."  --Big Scioty. With their engaging and entertaining style, they teach moves to really get dancers connecting with each other and the music.