Contra NYC 2025 Artists

The image shows five musicians from the band Red Case Band with a red background. Each person is holding a musical instrument: Alex Cumming with an accordion, Stuart Kenney with no instrument visible, Clara Stickney with a violin, Max Newman with a guitar, and Matt Kenney with drums. The band name is displayed at the top in stylized text.

The Red Case Band

The Red Case Band is an electrifying deep-space groove party machine, featuring Stuart Kenney (interstellar banjo trance, deep bass pulsars), Clara Stickney (star-shimmering harp and fiddle), Alex Cumming (cumulonimbus accordion and piano), Matt Kenney (galactic percussion), and Max Newman (gamma ray electric guitar). Their richly textured musical signal shakes to the planetary core and broadcasts on all danceable frequencies.

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KingFisher

Kingfisher, the eclectic duo of Cecilia Vacanti and Jeff Kaufman, plays both traditional and modern contra dance music, and has been hailed as one of the most versatile up-and-coming dance bands on the road today. Already a mainstay in the Greater Boston area, they've performed to large, enthusiastic crowds on the West Coast, Eastern Seaboard, and throughout the Northeast. Jeff Kaufman, a multi-instrumentalist, anchors the duo from the piano, as well as mandolin and a number of innovative electronic instruments he created himself, providing the duo with bass and drum grooves — all of which gives Cecilia Vacanti opportunity to wow you with intense fiddling renditions of tunes across the spectrum, surprising even the most seasoned listener with a genre-bending playlist thats is absolutely breathtaking.

Will Mentor

Will Mentor is perhaps the foremost contra dance caller in the United States. For the last 20 years, his clear teaching, upbeat wit, and relaxed stage presence have been delighting new and old dancers alike.

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Liz Nelson

Liz Nelson is a dance caller residing in Western Massachusetts. She is well-known for her clear, concise teaching and warm, welcoming presence. She knows that everyone can dance and firmly believes “if you’re having fun and being safe, you’re doing it right!” Nothing delights her more than working with a group of enthusiastic, joyful dancers (no matter what age or experience level).

Sean Oshima

Sean Oshima - Is a long time contra dancer and contra musican halling from Maine! He’s 1/2 of Oshima Brothers will sing a few sappy waltzes between bands.

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Matthew Christian

Matthew Christian has established himself as one of Brooklyn’s most dynamic young traditional musicians. His work as a performer and advocate has been featured in the Economist and Rolling Stone.

Matthew will provide music for the Flourish Workshop Sunday Morning

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Jules Peiperl

Jules Peiperl (they/them) is a traditional singer and instrumentalist. They harmonize and play mountain dulcimer in the maritime and trad trio the Ranzo Boys. In their day job, Jules works as a tailor for Broadway, film, and red carpet.

Jules will lead Saturday’s folk music sing, 1-3pm at the Church.

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Maia McCormick

Maia is a contradance caller and choreographer based in New York City. She got her calling start while organizing the Williams College contradance, and has been gigging across the country ever since. Maia is known for her accessible and stimulating programming, her dedication to building safe and comfortable dance floors, and for her terrible (charming?) puns.

Maia will teach the waltz workshops on Sunday morning at the Center.