YES! LET'S DANCE!

I'm healthy again and very much looking forward to calling a couple of dances. So far, it looks like it's all systems "go" for the Sacramento Contra Dance on Saturday, August 27 with Claudia's Kitchen, and the Berkeley Contra Dance on Wednesday, August 31 with Paul Kotapish, Dan Warrick, and Scott McWilliam (aka the New Vintage Revelers). It's still early days pandemic-wise, so please check the website links to confirm each dance is happening, as well as what's required for masking before you drive to either of them. If you're new to Contras, be sure to come 20 minutes early so you can enjoy a free lesson. All the dances are taught before we do them, and then I call the figures for you till it looks like everyone has it down.

TEACHING AND PERFORMING AGAIN

Porchfest was a lot of fun. Rebecca turned to me as we set up our gear on my front porch and said, "Doesn't it feel good to be part of something?" She was absolutely right, and I felt the same way. Even silly stuff like setting up sound gear (not my favorite job) felt like doing something cool. It was a blast was to see SO MANY PEOPLE out in the streets for this huge event with over 100 performers on porches and in front yards, and hundreds more people, strolling with their kids, their dogs, and each other. Everyone seemed very happy.

Zoom is far from our perfect world. Teachers and performers always feel better when they can hear their audience breathe, but teaching online for Lark Camp Online this time also fed something that I've been missing. Libby McLaren joined me on the final day and we showed folks how to "hunt for harmonies" with a pal.

COMING SOON – LESSON FIVE!

The next time I send you email, I'll be announcing Lesson Five's availability on Celia & Libby's Excellent Harmony Lessons YouTube channel. We have had a good time working on this project during the pandemic, and we think you'll enjoy the videos. We're especially proud of this last one—intended to be the final one for this project—so stay tuned for that announcement, and while you wait for its release, please go and admire Libby's gorgeous new website!