We are holding our 20th Annual Spring Thaw

and we want you to come and dance with us!

Our callers and musicians will have you kicking up your heels!

As always, we're offering advanced dances,

along with workshops for musicians and callers.

Featuring:

Great Bear Trio

(Andrew VanNorstrand, Noah VanNorstrand & Kim Yerton)

Sarah Van Norstrand

Plus Saturday Afternoon Myra Hirschberg & Tom Calwell with Tom Leighton & Conrad Kipping

St. Barnabas Church Hall 175 Hampton Ave. Map

Schedule	Bios	Directions to St. Barnabas
Prices	Pot Luck	Restaurants
Registration	Dance Apparel Exchange	Accommodation
Thaw Flyer 2013	10 Top Reasons to Come	Toronto

Top 10 Reasons to Come to the Spring Thaw

10. You'll get a great workout...even if you sit out half of the dances (which we know you're not going to do).

9. You can enjoy listening to a talented ensemble of musicians - with two bands playing for the event.

8. You'll dance to two enthusiastic and delightful callers.

7. You'll meet new people - and see some old pals, too.

6. You'll likely learn a few new dances.

5. You can nosh on healthy (and less-healthy) snacks, provided to keep you dance-ready all weekend.

4. You're going to see a beautiful part of Toronto, during a lovely time of year.

3. You can sample the incredible dishes that dancers bring to the Saturday potluck.

2. You can attend workshops with dedicated and passionate instructors.

1. You're going to have as much fun as is legally possible in a weekend!

And then there's the RESTAURANTS !

Talent 2013

Buest Band: Great Bear Trio

Great Bear Trio is one of the hottest contra dance bands in North America. Multi-instrumentalist brothers Andrew and Noah VanNorstrand are ably accompanied by their mom Kim Yerton on piano. They have been playing their unique brand of rocking dance music for over 12 years, thrilling dance crowds from coast to coast.

Guest Caller: Sarah VanNorstrand

Sarah VanNorstrand has been calling, organizing and teaching contra, square, and family/community dances for six years. She has a clear and engaging teaching style and a great repertoire of dances to share. Instantly hooked from her first contra dance as a teen, Sarah’s love of the dance and her joy in sharing it with all who will is evident and infectious. Above all, her goal as a caller is to make sure the dancers are having as much fun as she is!

Local Callers: Myra Hirschberg & Tom Calwell

Myra Hirschberg teaches and calls a great variety of dance forms - cajun, old time square dance, zydeco, waltz, hambo, ceilidh, English country, barn and contra - throughout Canada and the US.

With her partner, Tom Calwell, Myra has created Dancingthread. Together, they specialize in accommodating dancers of all backgrounds and levels of experience. Known for her easy-going walk-throughs and her dedication to dancer enjoyment, Myra will call several dances during the Spring Thaw.

Local Band: Tom Leighton & Conrad Kipping

Tom & Conrad have been performing together for 12 years and are currently playing every 2nd Wednesday at the An Sibon Pub on the corner of Queen and Broadview.

Conrad Kipping is a multi-instrumentalist, playing great mandolin, guitar and, fiddle. (Fiddle tunes being his not so secret passion.) In addition to playing with Tom, Conrad has played a variety of styles including bluegrass with Whiskey Jack, and has recorded and toured with Stompin' Tom. 

Tom Leighton: Another multi instrumentalist, Tom plays piano, accordion, accordion bass, bouzouki, bodhran, whistles, jaw harps, mandolin and trombone— sometimes several of them at the same time! He regularly accompanies Canadian fiddle greats on piano, accordion and bouzouki, in styles including Celtic, East Coast, Metis, Scandinavian, and swing.

St. Barnabas Church Hall 175 Hampton Ave. Map East of Broadview Ave, West of Pape Ave. -across from the Carrot Common

Saturday Lunch Potluck Options

All are welcome.  Bring a dish to share: many restaurants are available nearby to purchase take out food.  New option: pay $10.00 at time of Registration or by Friday evening & we will provide extra food for your meal.

Dance Apparel Exchange

Want to know what to do with the lovely dance gear you've tired of, or that no longer fits? Bring your pre-loved items to the Spring Thaw for re-sale.

Gently used dancewear and shoes will be displayed in the front hall near the registration desk.

If you find something you'd like to take home, it's yours for a $5 donation. Proceeds go towards the Toronto Contra Dance Spring Thaw. Thanks to everyone for re-cycling their dance apparel.

 

For our American guests

Welcome! Glad you are coming. Please go to the American consulate website page regarding entry to Canada and returning to the states, for current cross-border document requirements.

Toronto

Imagine dancing in an urban village community where everything is on offer on a fresh spring weekend–fabulous bookstores and cafes, fine dining, casual pubs, a full gamut of restaurants specializing in world cuisines, greengrocers, gourmet cheeses, health food stores, chic clothing – and some of the loveliest parks and ravines in North America.

Toronto ... Our famous subway can whisk you to any other part of the city if theatre or movies are what you seek; there's even an Irish session or two around ! If we say any more, we won’t get you to stay indoors dancing !

Prices After March 30^th