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   May 26, 2018 SPECIAL DANCE -- Eloise & Co.
ELOISE & CO. features the combined creative force of two of the country’s premier contra dance musicians, fiddler Becky Tracy and accordianist Rachel Bell, joined for this event by guitarist Owen Morrison. All three are among the most highly-sought-out performers when it comes to putting out the energy and uplift that dancers hanker for. Also, we'll be welcoming back the renowned ADINA GORDON as the caller for this dance. To get a taste of what you're in for on May 26, just click one of the following links or hit "play" on the video just below!
about Rachel
about Becky
about Owen
about Adina

  St. Croix Jig
As a college freshman, RACHEL BELL surprised even herself when she picked up a piano accordion and “accidentally” fell in love with it. Now she plays tunes from France, New England, Scotland, Ireland, England, Quebec, and beyond, as well as songs, original compositions, and even crazy roots-rock arrangements. Her passion is to share with others the delight she finds "when immersed in this music, ushering them into a place where their toes can’t help tapping and their ears are dunked in strawberry jam." [Even more about Rachel]

Fingal's / Cooley's / excerpt from Berea
  Rachel, Becky, and Julie Vallimont
Fiddler BECKY TRACY's clean, powerful playing exemplifies what it means to be a dancer's musician. She has been a defining presence as the fiddler for some of the most popular and innovative contra dance bands to come out of New England, Wild Asparagus and Nightingale and is featured on recordings by both these groups. She has performed for dance events and concerts in about 40 states across the US, as well as Canada and Europe and is a popular fiddle teacher at summer music camps. Her 2001 solo recording, Evergreen, is an album of "haunting beauty, intimacy and exuberance." [Here's even more about Becky]

  Nightingale with Becky playing
John Henry's Reel / The Wild Irishman
Guitarist OWEN MORRISON grew up in a musical family surrounded by English, Irish, American, and Canadian folk music and traditions. Owen began playing professionally at the age of fifteen and now performs guitar, mandolin, and foot percussion across the United States and abroad. His musical projects include the traditional dance bands Elixir, The Figments, The Morrison Brothers, Night Watch, and House Red, and he has performed at the National Folk Festival, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and dozens of other festivals and venues. Check out his crisp flatpicking and backup style below or visit his website here.

  Owen Morrison and Rob Zisette
Owen flatpicks Tarbolton Lodge
Caller ADINA GORDON says she creates "joy and minor chaos" wherever she goes. When that's Tracy Hall, the joy-to-chaos ratio is about as good as it gets. Her calling has complemented the music of more top-echelon bands than we have space to mention. As for dancers, Adina has proven that she can truly delight those with long experience, while giving new dancers what they need to discover the rewards of contra dancing for themselves. explore Adina's website


  Adina calling at Glen Echo, MD in 2017

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