BOVINA CENTER — On summer evenings generations ago, Catskills farm families often gathered after chores were finished, pushing furniture aside to make room for dancing in parlors, dining rooms and, when weather allowed, on front lawns and porches. Children learned the steps alongside their parents, growing up immersed in a tradition that served as both entertainment and community gathering.
The Catskills Folk Connection hopes to keep that tradition alive this summer with a series of monthly square dances celebrating the region’s old-time dance heritage.
The organization’s dances draw inspiration from the style of the late fiddler and caller Hilt Kelly and his band, the Sidekicks, whose music and calling became synonymous with traditional Catskills square dancing. Organizers say the events are designed to welcome both experienced dancers and newcomers, with instruction provided throughout the evening and introductory dances aimed at helping beginners learn the basic figures.
The first dance of the season is scheduled for Saturday, June 27, at 7 p.m. at the Bovina Community Hall, 1866 County Route 6 in Bovina Center.
Musicians for the opening dance include fiddlers and callers Dane Scudder and Earl Pardini, along with Patti Sellevold on keyboard, Lynn Brittain on flute and Amy Lieberman on upright bass.
Additional dances are planned for the last Saturday of each month through September, with organizers hoping to continue the series into the fall and winter if funding permits. Events will alternate between the Bovina Community Hall and the Margaretville Fire Hall in an effort to attract dancers from across Delaware County.
Admission is a suggested $10 donation, while children 12 and younger will be admitted free. Refreshments will be served, and all dances will be taught.
For information, contact Ginny Scheer at 607-238-9162 or gscheer.mcs@gmail.com
