A variety of easy, fun folk dances (lines, circles, & mixers) for all ages will be taught and then called by Claire Takemori with live fiddle music by Elizabeth Dequine and Derry Akin & Friends. No experience or partner needed. All ages are welcome. Babies and toddlers should be worn in a carrier. Some children might dance as “one” with a parent/adult. Bring water & wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Your face might hurt from smiling so much!
Claire Takemori is passionate about sharing the JOY of folk music & dancing with kids and families. She is known for clear & fun teaching. She is an accomplished dancer and has infectious smiles when dancing. In her free time, she enjoys singing, gardening, sewing, scuba, and travel. She is learning to play fiddle and foot percussion, and is the organizer for the South Bay Contra Dance (an intergenerational, gender-free, kid-friendly dance) on 3rd Sunday afternoons in San Jose. (www.bacds.org/sbc)
https://www.facebook.com/ClaireTakemoriDanceCaller
Elizabeth Dequine is a musical powerhouse of energy, talent, and flair, having been on stage for as long as she can remember. Having picked up the fiddle and started Irish step dancing at the age of 5, she played her first paid gig at 10 and had already become a world-qualifying Irish dancer. Having already attained such a high level of success in her performance career, Elizabeth’s story continues; she continues teaching and performing, collaborating both with musicians from around the country, and joining Celtic Spring in the band’s select shows throughout the year. She looks forward to sharing her talents for years to come—both in the limelight of the stage and in the intimacy of her teaching studio.
https://www.celticspringband.com/
Multi-instrumentalist Derry Akin has been playing American and Irish traditional music since she was a young teen. Her main instruments are fiddle, banjo, piano, and bodhrán, and she is also a singer of American old-time and Irish sean-nós songs. When Derry isn’t playing, you can usually find her out dancing — contra dance, céilí, or Irish step dance!