NOREASTER: Boston-based trio Nor’easter is Cedar Stanistreet on the fiddle, Max Newman on the mandolin and guitar, and Julie Vallimont on the piano and accordion. Drawing from New England musical traditions, they delight in creating an exciting, joyous sound that catches both your ear and your feet. They began playing together in 2008 and in that time their musicianship and dedication to a great performance has earned them a wide following. They have traveled throughout the continent, playing in more than twenty US States and three Canadian provinces. Whether at a contra dance, English dance, or in concert, their music showcases a contemporary approach to tunes. Layered, dance-driven arrangements and fiery performance are at the heart of their commitment to playing great, powerful music.

SASSAFRAS STOMP: Johanna Davis sings and plays fiddle and sometimes banjo. She grew up in Round Pond, Maine and started playing the fiddle in the 4th grade at Waldorf School. Growing up in a thriving community of dancers and contradance musicians, she was one of those little kids with a sleeping bag at the dance hall. Adam Nordell plays guitar, sings, stamps his feet in syncopated patterns and sometimes plays the banjo.  He grew up in the hills south of Helena, Montana. At age 13 he received a bass guitar instead of a Bar Miztvoh, and yes, things have gone downhill since. He discovered high octane, traditional fiddle music at the little contradance in Trenton, Maine. Soon there-after, he bought a guitar and a pair of leather soled cowboy boots. He also performs as a songwriter. Putnam Smith sings, plays banjo and mandolin. He’s a fine songwriter who often tours as a solo performer and also bakes a mean cornbread. When he’s not otherwise on the road or tending his large vegetable garden in Durham, Maine, we do our best to rope him into playing as part of Sassafras Stomp.

Raised in the cradle of Vermont’s Green Mountains, Mary Wesley found her way to a Burlington contra dance in the fall of 2005 and was immediately hooked.  She was later happy to learn that the tradition is in her DNA – she is the granddaughter of two square dance callers! It wasn’t long before she took to the mic herself.  She started calling in 2008 and keeps a full schedule, which includes gigs up and down both coasts.  Mary loves to share her infectious joy for traditional dancing with dancers of all ages and she has something to offer every crowd.  After unearthing her grandparents’ collection of dance records she was inspired to start practicing patter and add some squares to her arsenal.  She calls family and community dances with great joy and finds “chestnuts” absolutely irresistible. After taking a course with Ralph Sweet and Nils Fredland at Pinewoods in 2011, Mary has also been working on building her repertoire of singing squares.  Her calls are sure to make dancers smile and sing along.

By profession Susan Petrick is a cognitive psychologist who does software usability research for Intuit in Reno, Nevada and in the Bay area. In contra dance circles, she is a local treasure rapidly gaining national prominence who has been calling contra dances for over 12 years. Her greatest pleasure is to program interesting, varied dances with great flow, and to teach them clearly and concisely. She has enjoyed working with wonderful bands, traveling and calling throughout the country in addition to up and down the West Coast. Susan has many contra calling talents including exceptionally clear teaching, expert pacing, and gracious manner. Her efficient guidance makes even complex dances accessible to all.