New England Folk Festival’s 37th Ralph Page Dance Event!

Sponsored by the New England Folk Festival Association

• Come to Ralph Page Dance Weekend. As one of NEFFA’s two major sponsored events, you’ll experience a full program of exceptional music, varied traditional dancing, and lots of opportunities to be learn what makes the Ralph Page community special.
• Callers: Sue Rosen, Steve Zakon-Anderson, and Tod Whittemore!
• Live Music by: David Langford, Randy Miller, Nat Backes, Bruce Rosen, and Sam Zakon-Anderson!
• Celebrate: This year, we will celebrate the careers and achievements of Randy Miller and Sylvia Miskoe–both former recipients of the Governor’s Arts Award for their long-time contribution to the folk heritage of New England. We invite you to come and share their musical journey with us through music and dance.
• Scholarship Program: This year we are also restarting the scholarship program for new and developing callers. It is an opportunity to learn about the traditional dance and participate in our Callers’ Showcase. To apply, send an email to info@ralphpage.neffa.org.
• The Ralph Page Dance Weekend committee: Chair: Tod Whittemore. Members: Paul Lizotte (Program), Don Heinold (Publicity), Matt Burke, Justin Godin, Richard Hart, Sandy Lafleur, Gary Nielsen, Andy Taylor-Blenis
• Notes: The Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend began in 1988 to recognize the contributions that Ralph Page made to contra and New England folk dancing. Ralph Page (1903-1985) was known as “the dean of contra dance callers.” He almost single-handedly kept contra dancing alive in the United States when many had abandoned their local dances for that new invention, the television. Page was a dance organizer, band leader, caller, author, and recording artist as well as a leader of weekly dances and dance camps.
  • Page was one of the founders of the New England Folk Festival Association and served as its president from 1960-1963. The New Hampshire Library of Traditional Music and Dance is the site to which Ralph Page donated his archives.
  • The Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend presents traditional New England contra and square dancing as Page did it, along with modern dance styles as well.
• Clothing & Footwear: Just bring clean shoes to dance in to preserve the floor (no high heels please). Dress is comfortable and as you like.
• Role Terms are: “Ladies & Gents,” but dancers are welcome to choose whatever role that works for them, as has been done for many years.