Author: Sola Grantham

  • Winter North Bay Family Dance

    Sat, Jan 25     2–4pm

    240 Channing Way
    San Rafael CA 94903

    Enjoy Family Dancing with us in the North Bay!

    Caller Celia Ramsay will lead us in easy and welcoming community dances to the live music of Craig Johnson (piano), Erik Hoffman (guitar), and Anne Goess (violin).

    During the break, enjoy a craft project, join us in song, try out stilt-walking, and/or learn some body percussion. Snacks provided.

    Dance is co-sponsored by the North Bay Country Dance Society and will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Marin. Suggested donation $10/adult or $20/family.

    Please, share the word to families with small children!

  • The Family Dance fun continues…

    on Saturday Oct 12 in Palo Alto in the afternoon

    The August 24th dance in Berkeley was a blast. Over 50 people attended with a wonderful mix of ages. We enjoyed dancing, singing, stilting, and socializing. Save the date for our next dance in Palo Alto on October 12. More info coming soon.

  • Berkeley Family Dance

    Saturday Aug 24   2:00–4:00pm

    We had so much positive feedback about our two family dances in the spring that we are planning on holding several more this coming year. Our first is coming up in Berkeley, August 24, 2–4pm. Let us know at familyweek@bacds.org if you’d like to help us make these happen.

    Christ Church, 2138 Cedar St, Berkeley

    Come on out to our next Family Dance! All ages welcome.

    Caller Kelsey Hartman will teach easy-to-learn dances from American and British Isles folk traditions, accompanied by live music from Craig Johnson (piano), Richard Page (winds), and Anne Bingham Goess (violin).

    At the break, sing along with Revels members, explore the instrument petting zoo, and/or try your hand at juggling or stilts. Snacks provided.

    Suggested donation: $10/adult or $20/family

    Please, share the word to families with small children!

  • 2024 Photos

    A smattering of the many joyful moments

    Family Week 2024 was more amazing than ever. If you have photos you’d like to share—or would like to help us figure out a way to create an online album for campers to view—please contact Sola at familyweek@bacds.org.

  • Lost & Found

    Claim me!

    Thank you to everyone for being so diligent about packing up and labelling your items Friday and checking the lost and found on your way out. Very little was left without a home. If you are missing any of these items, let us know before Sept 1, and we’ll endeavor to return them to you.

  • Getting ready for camp

    New information is unmasked!

    The time has come to start prepping for camp. As such we have unveiled lots more useful information including a packing list, maps, forms, and even a preliminary schedule on the For Campers page.

    This is also your last chance to convince more friends to join in the fun this year. Registration will close on June 13, 2024.

  • Palo Alto Family Dance

    Saturday May 18         2:30-4:30pm

    We had so much fun gathering and dancing in Berkeley last month that we want to do it again, this time featuring some of our Peninsula and South Bay talent.

    505 East Charleston Rd Palo Alto CA 94306

    Join us for the Palo Alto Family Dance!

    Susan Petrick will lead us in family dance frolics, to the music of Valerie Rose (fiddle), Craig Johnson (piano and accordion) and Ben Saylor (Irish flute).

    During the break, enjoy a craft project with Lorraine Kostka, watch our camp “cranky” presentation, check out cool live instruments, and try your hand at juggling or stilting. Snacks provided.

    Dance is co-sponsored and located at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto. Admittance is free. Donations welcome to help cover costs.

    Please, share the word to families with small children!

  • Spread the Word!

    Post me!

    Do you have a local music or dance studio that has a community board? Are you attending a dance that has a flyer table? Is there a Waldorf or parent-participation preschool in your neighborhood?

    We are always looking for ways to reach families that would enjoy joining us in music, dance, arts, and laughter under the redwoods. Please feel free to print out the poster here and help us let people know about our camp.

  • Spring Family Dance

    Saturday, March 23     2:30-4:30pm

    Curious about what “Family Dance” is? Want to meet some of the campers and staff who regularly attend the summer Family Week?

    Christ Church, 2138 Cedar St, Berkeley

    Come on out to the spring Family Dance!

    Kelsey Hartman will lead us in family dance frolics, to the music of Anne Bingham Goess (fiddle), Craig Johnson (piano and accordion) and Paul Kostka (accordion and tin whistle).

    See rapper sword dance, check out cool live instruments, and try your hand at juggling at the break. Snacks provided.

    Please, share the word to families with small children!

  • Registration 2024 Open

    Sign up now!

    We are proud to announce that registration is open for BACDS Family Week 2024.

  • New Website

    Yay!

    Our website is getting an overhaul this year for better info and more recent pictures. If you have suggestions or feedback on what you find here, now is the perfect time to let us know by writing to familyweek@bacds.org so we can continue show folks about the special summer event that is BACDS Family Week.

  • Craig Johnson

    piano, accordion

    , , ,
    Craig Johnson

    Craig Johnson has been to almost every Family Week, and has also played piano and accordion for dancers since 1982. He plays for community and Celtic dance at SF’s Dickens Fair, performs with the Dogwatch Nautical Band, and is a regular musician for San Francisco’s Cotswold and longsword teams, Goat Hill and Ring of Cold Steel.

  • Rhonda Cayford

    rapper sword dance

    , , ,
    Rhonda Cayford

    Rhonda Cayford has been an avid contradancer for over 40 years, starting in Boston in 1978 and having the good fortune to move to San Francisco in 1980, just as the dance scene was taking off here. She discovered rapper at BACDS English Week in 1986 and it has been her passion ever since. She is the founder of a womens’ rapper team called Twisted Sisters, and was a long-time member of Swords of Gridlock. She has taught Rapper, Longsword, Cotswold, and Northwest Morris at camp. In 2022 and 2023, she held the role of camp programmer.