April 25-May 1, 2015

Tucson, AZ, Sunset (photo by Warren Deming)

To celebrate CDSS’s Centennial next year, we’re going on the road! Each Tour stop will be a community residency, an opportunity for each participating group to use its existing strengths to focus on their longterm resilience and growth, create a “pipeline” of new talent, or reach out to new audiences. We’re very excited about these partnerships, and are looking forward to kicking off the Tour on April 25-May 1, 2015, in Tucson, Arizona.

See the Centennial Tour workshop and dance schedule

TFTM's Annual Dance in the Desert (Peter Bergonzi)

Tucson will focus on skill building, energizing their volunteers, organizers, dancers and musicians, and on reaching new audiences within an urban environment which includes the University of Arizona. In addition the Tour Staff will travel to northern Arizona, to meet and work with people in the more isolated towns of Flagstaff, Prescott and Cottonwood, who are looking for instruction for their musicians and dancers, and in adding new activities to their skill sets, including singing.

“Being in a group with like-minded people can help us feel grounded and connected to what matters in our lives. Contra dancers and musicians, by their very nature, love to gather. Tucson Friends of Traditional Music has a vision of the joy and benefits of community in participatory contra dance and music and we are honored and eagerly anticipating hosting our friends from the Country Dance and Song Society Centennial Tour Stop in Tucson in April, 2015.”

~ Donna Fulton, President, Tucson Friends of Traditional Music

Tucson Friends of Traditional Music

TFTM dance every Saturday (except second Saturdays) at the First United Methodist Church, 915 East Fourth Street, from 7-10 pm (6:30 pm lesson); they also present and promote concerts, dances, workshops and informal music jams throughout the year. See their website for more info, For a list of dances in Arizona, including Cottonwood, Flagstaff, Phoenix and Prescott, click here.

Traveling Staff for Tucson

“When considering staff for the Tucson stop, I confidently settled on musicians Jaige Trudel, Adam Broome, Matt Olwell and caller Carol Ormand; all are incredibly skilled artists with a diverse range of talents and offerings, who are passionate workshop leaders not afraid to bring their hearts fully into their work. I can’t wait to see what happens when this staff meets the Tucson community. Magic, no doubt!”

~ Nils Fredland, CDSS Tour Manager