The First Annual Chautauqua Square Dance

The First Annual Chautauqua Square Dance

The New Pleasant Valley String Band is one of Colorado’s premier live traditional Square Dance bands. Pulling repertoire from the Missouri Ozark square dance tradition, dancers will be carried through the evening with square dances, waltzes, two-steps and more. The band has played a major role in organizing CROMA (Central Rockies Old-Time Music Association) and its festival “The Rocky Mountain Old-Time Music Festival. Band members have performed for dances and taught old-time music across the country.

Dance caller, Larry Edelman, has taught and called traditional square dances for more than 40 years, delighting both novice and veteran dancers with his humor, enthusiasm, skillful teaching, knowledge of dance history, unique repertoire, and colorful calling. Larry travels widely and has performed, called, and taught at music and dance workshops and festivals throughout the U.S. and in Europe, including the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes, Ashokan, Augusta, Pinewoods, Lady of the Lake, Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp, Berkeley Old-Time Music Convention, Austin Old-Time String Band Festival, Dare to Be Square, and many more. You can learn more about Larry at his website: http://www.larryedelman.com/

The Chautauqua Square Dance will be beginner-friendly, and no dance experience is required! All dances will be taught before conducted, so attendees can learn a dance before it begins. A partner is not required, and solo dancers can fill into squares as space becomes available.

Doug Demusz

Doug Demusz, a passionate lifetime member of Colorado's outdoor community who enjoys backpacking, adventure cycling, backcountry skiing, along with creating music, and a well rounded appreciation of literature, and community events.