The next Bethany Music and Dance (BMAD) is Friday,         , 7:30 PM
information and directions Questions? e-mail; phone: 203.393.3464
fyi www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ1EJN8GL78
and view these fine tractor videos
Who needs a drummer? and Square dancing


last updated June 30, 2009

Bill Fischer
Contra Dance Caller

Bill Fischer, Contra Dance Caller Bill has been calling dances for over twenty-five years, starting out in New Haven, Connecticut, with the contra dance series that has been a fixture of the folk music and dance scene there for nearly thirty years. In addition to contra dances in and around the northeast, he has called at various festivals and dance camps regionally and nationally. Bill also calls several maypole dances each year in May. (Click here for pictures of the 2009 Celebration of May!)

Somewhat accidentally, he has focussed on groups which include a lot of beginners- of all ages- and has done events at schools, parties, special occasions, and nursing homes including square dances for people in wheel-chairs! Additionally, every year he does several local maypole dances in the New Haven area. Besides calling, he plays several folk instruments- primarily penny whistle- and has danced in and played music for performing dance groups at many events and festivals in and around the northeast.

Bill and his wife,
Mickey Koth (the fiddler in the band Wild Notes) are Out On A Whim, which plays for family and contra dances as well as for special events.

Read a New Haven Register article about Bill!

Contact Bill: e-mail; phone: 203.393.3464

Bill's schedule:
2009
Saturday, July 11 Private dance, Guilford, CT, 7:00 PM; with Out On A Whim
Saturday, July 18 New Haven Contra Dance Benefit, Branford, CT, 8:00 PM; with the Fiddleheads
Saturday, August 8 Dance, Stafford Springs Public Library, Stafford Springs, CT, evening; with Still the Homegrown Band
Saturday, August 15 Contra dance, HCD Dancefest, Town Hall, West Hartford Town Hall, CT, 7:30-8:30 PM; with the Fiddleheads
Saturday, October 3 Berlin Contra Dance, Berlin, MA, 8:00 PM; with the Berlin Country Orchestra
Saturday, October 17 Northboro Contra Dance, Northboro, MA, 8:00 PM; with the Polymorphous String Band
Sunday, October 18 Family Dance, Berlin, MA, 3:00-5:00 PM PM; with the Berlin Country Orchestra
Saturday, October 24 Private party, Goshen, CT, evening; with Wild Notes
Saturday, December 5 Berlin Contra Dance, Berlin, MA, 8:00 PM; with the Berlin Country Orchestra
2010
Saturday, January 9 Hartford Contra Dance, 8:00 PM; with Wild Notes
Saturday, February 13 Worcester Contra Dance, Worcester, MA, 8:00 PM; with Riverbend and friends
Saturday, March 13 Hartford Contra Dance Fundraiser, 8:00 PM; Saturday String Band
Saturday, April 3 Berlin Contra Dance, Berlin, MA, 8:00 PM; with the Berlin Country Orchestra
Past Dances: 2009
Saturday, January 3 Berlin Contra Dance, Berlin, MA, 8:00 PM; with the Berlin Country Orchestra
Sunday, January 11 Westford family dance, Westford, MA, 3:00 PM; with Au CONTRAire!
Friday, February 6 PTO dance, Wintergreen Magnet School, Hamden, CT, 6:30-8:30 PM; with Wild Notes
Saturday, February 7 Contra dance, Cornwall, CT; with Still the Homegrown Band
Saturday, February 14 Worcester Contra Dance, Worcester, MA, 8:00 PM; with Riverbend and friends
Tuesday, February 24 Pancake supper benefit dance, Church of the Redeemer, New Haven, CT, 6:30-8:30 PM; with Wild Notes
Saturday, March 7 Contra dance, Cornwall, CT; with Still the Homegrown Band
Sunday, March 8 Westford family dance, Westford, MA, 3:00 PM; with Au CONTRAire!
Saturday, March 14 Hartford Contra Dance Fundraiser, 8:00 PM; Strings & a Squeeze
Saturday, March 21 New Haven Contra Dance, Branford, CT; with Wild Notes
Friday, April 3 Private dance, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 9:00 PM; with Wild Notes
Saturday, April 4 Berlin Contra Dance, Berlin, MA, 8:00 PM; with the Berlin Country Orchestra
Saturday, April 11 Contra Dance for a Cause, 9:00-11:00 PM, GPSCY Ballroom; with Out On A Whim
Sunday, April 19 Private party, Washington, CT, afternoon
Thursday, April 30 Private high school dance, Winsted, CT; with Still the Homegrown Band
Friday, May 1 Maypole dance at the May Day International Workers Day, New Haven, CT, 4:00 PM, with Out On A Whim
Saturday, May 2 Maypole dance, Grace Church School, Manhattan, NY, noon
Saturday, May 2 Contra dance, Cornwall, CT, 7:00-9:30 PM; with Still the Homegrown Band
Sunday, May 3 Celebration of May, with Maypole dance, with Maypole dance, at Out On A Whim Farm, Bethany, CT, 2:00 PM; with Out On A Whim
Friday, May 8 Dance, Brooksvale Park, Hamden, CT, 7:00 PM; with the Fiddleheads
Friday, May 15 Contra dance, Cornwall, CT; with Still the Homegrown Band
Saturday, May 16 Private party, Orange, CT, evening; with Wild Notes
Thursday, May 21 school dance, KLHT School, Stamford, CT, noon
Saturday May 23 Mystic Contra Dance, 8:00 PM; with The Reel Thing
Saturday, May 30 Private dance, Woodbridge, CT; 2:00 PM
Saturday, June 6 Contra dance, Cornwall, CT, 7:00-9:30 PM; with Still the Homegrown Band
Friday, June 19 Private dance, Roxbury, CT; with the Fiddleheads
Saturday, June 27 Private dance, Stonington, CT, 6:00-9:00 PM; with Wild Notes
Past Dances: 2008
Saturday, January 5 Berlin Contra Dance, Berlin, MA, 8:00 PM; with the Berlin Country Orchestra
Saturday, January 12 Hartford Contra Dance, 8:00 PM; with Wild Notes
Sunday, January 13 Westford family dance, Westford, MA, 3:00 PM; with Au CONTRAire!
Saturday, January 19 Northboro Contra Dance, Northboro, MA; with the Polymorphous String Band
Sunday, January 20 Berlin Family Dance, Berlin, MA, 3:00 PM; with the Berlin Country Orchestra
Saturday, February 2 Contra dance, Cornwall, CT; with Homegrown Band
Saturday, February 16 Greenfield contra dance, Greenfield, MA, 8:00 PM
Sunday, February 17 Berlin Family Dance, Berlin, MA, 3:00 PM; with the Berlin Country Orchestra
Sunday, February 24 Contra dance fund raiser for the Hartford Contra Dance, Wethersfield, CT, 2:00-4:30 PM; with the Sunday String Band (beginner lesson at 1:30; waltz lesson at intermission)
Friday, February 29 Wedding; with Wild Notes
Saturday, March 1 Berlin Contra Dance, Berlin, MA, 8:00 PM; with the Berlin Country Orchestra
Friday, March 7 Girl scout dance, Chester, CT, 6:45-9:00 PM; with Calenda Maia
Saturday, March 8 Contra dance, Newtown Bridle Lands Association, Newtown, CT, 8:00 PM, with Wild Notes
Saturday, March 29 Private party contra dance, Greenwich, CT, 7:30 pm; with the Fiddleheads
Friday, April 4 Dance for developmentally challenged, Bristol, CT, 6:00-8:00 pm; with Sue Hill and Linda Thomas
Saturday, April 5 Contra dance, Cornwall, CT; with Homegrown Band
Saturday April 12 Family country dance, USNH, Hamden, CT, potluck 6-7, dance 7-9, The fiddleheads meet ash creek string band
Saturday April 19 New Haven Contra Dance, Branford, CT; with Wild Notes
Friday, April 25 Christ Church Greenwich fundraiser dance, Greenwich, CT, 7:00-9:00 PM; with Calenda Maia
Thursday, May 1 May Pole dance at the May Day International Workers Day, New Haven, CT, 4:00 PM, with Out On A Whim
Saturday, May 3 Maypole dance, Grace Church School, Manhattan, NY, 12 noon-2:00 PM
Saturday, May 3 Quiet Corner Contra Dance, Hampton, CT, 8:00 PM
Sunday, May 4 Celebration of May, with May Pole dance, Out On A Whim Farm, Bethany, CT, 2:00 PM, with Out On A Whim
Saturday May 10 Mystic Contra Dance, 8:00 PM; with The Reel Thing
Friday May 16 St. Patrick's Church, Farmington, CT; 7:30-10 PM; fundraiser for vallis musicae tour - $15/$25 family
Saturday, May 17 Wedding, Columbia, CT; 1:00-3:00 PM; with Wild Notes
Friday, May 30 School dance, Greenwich, CT, 7:00-9:00 PM; with Calenda Maia
Saturday, May 31 Wedding dance, Wallingford, CT, evening; with the Professors of Bluegrass
Saturday, June 14 Private barn dance, New Pond Farm, West Redding, CT, with Wild Notes
Friday, June 20 Summer Solstice celebration
Sunday, June 22 Dance, International Festival of Arts & Ideas Village of villages, New Haven Green, 1:40 PM, with Out On A Whim
Tuesday, June 24 Private dance, Bloomfield, CT; with Wild Notes
Saturday, June 28 Benefit dance for the Goshen Community Care and Hospice, 5:00-8:00 PM; with Wild Notes
Friday, July 18 Summer school camp dance, West Hartford, CT, 1:00 PM, with Out On A Whim
Saturday, July 19 Private party, Noank, CT, with Out On A Whim
Saturday, July 26 Mystic Contra Dance, 8:00 PM; with The Reel Thing
Wednesday, August 20 Family dance; Norfolk Library, Norfolk, CT, 5:30-7:30; with Homegrown Band
Thursday, August 28 Private dance, Cornwall, CT, 7:00-9:00 PM; with Homegrown Band
Friday, August 29 Fundraiser dance, Hamden Elks Club, Hamden, CT, 7:30 PM; with Wild Notes
Sunday, September 7 Wedding dance; with Wild Notes
Friday, September 12 Country dance, Brooksvale Park, Hamden, CT; 7:00 PM; with the Fiddleheads
Saturday, September 13 Hartford Contra Dance, 8:00 PM; with Wild Notes
Saturday, September 20 Private party, Woodbridge, CT, 6:00 PM; with Out On A Whim
Saturday, September 20 Barn-raising contra dance at the Yale Sustainable Food Project, New Haven, CT, 8:00-10:00 PM; with The Professors of Bluegrass
Saturday, September 27 Westford contra dance, Westford, MA, 8:00 PM; with Au CONTRAire!
Friday, October 3 As Out On A Whim: music at the studio of Valerie Richardson, City-Wide Open Studios; 4:00-6:00 PM
Saturday, October 4 Contra dance, Cornwall, CT; with Homegrown Band
Sunday, October 5 Friends of East Rock Park fund-raising dance, College Woods; 6:00-8:00 PM; with Jim and Willow Sirch with Ellen Cohn
Saturday, October 11 Private party, Goshen, CT; with Wild Notes
Saturday, October 18 Bethany Harvest Dance, town hall gym, Bethany, CT; 5:00-9:00 PM; with Calenda Maia
Saturday, October 25 Wedding dance, Old Wethersfield, CT; evening, with Wild Notes
Saturday, November 1 Quiet Corner Contra Dance (Hampton, CT); with Neo-contras
Friday, November 7 Dance, Pomeraug Middle School, Southbury, CT 7:00-9:00 PM
Saturday, November 8 Guildford PACT "bluegrass bbq" and dance; 7:00 PM; with Calenda Maia
Sunday, November 9 Westford family dance, Westford, MA, 3:00 PM; with Au CONTRAire!
Saturday, November 15 Family dance, New Pond Farm; 6:30-8:30 PM; with Wild Notes
Saturday, November 22 Mystic Contra Dance, 8:00 PM, beginner lesson 7:45 PM; with Dogtown
Saturday, November 29 Private party, Woodbridge, CT, 2:00-4:00 PM; with Out On A Whim
Saturday, November 29 Private party, Franklin, MA, 7:30-9:30 PM; with the Berlin Country Orchestra
Saturday, December 6 Contra dance, Cornwall, CT; with Homegrown Band
Saturday, December 13 Hartford Contra Dance, 8:00 PM; with the Fiddleheads
Sunday, December 14 Wedding dance, Plantsville, CT, 1:30 PM
Wednesday, December 31 Private barn dance, Greenwich, CT, evening
Past Dances: 2007
Saturday January 20 Cornwall dance, Cornwall, CT, with Homegrown Band
Sunday, January 21 Berlin Family Dance, Berlin, MA, 3:00 PM; with the Berlin Country Orchestra
Saturday January 27 Danbury Contra Dance; with Wild Notes
Saturday, February 3 Private dance, Goshen, CT with Wild Notes
Saturday February 17 New Haven Contra Dance, Branford, CT; with Get Reel
Sunday, February 18 Berlin Family Dance, Berlin, MA, 3:00 PM; with the Berlin Country Orchestra
Saturday February 24 Danbury Contra Dance; with The Reel Thing
Friday, March 2 Pittsburgh Contra Dance, Pittsburgh, PA, 8:00 PM; with the New Lost Chicken Ramblers (Rebecca McCallum, Mickey Koth, Ned Quist, Drew Beisswenger, Alec McLane)
Saturday, March 3 Contra dance, Newtown Bridle Lands Association, Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street, Newtown, CT with Wild Notes
Saturday, March 10 Hartford Contra Dance, 7:30 PM
Friday, March 16 Private dance for girl scouts, Cheshire, CT; with Calenda Maia
Saturday, March 31 Private 60th Birthday dance, New Haven CT; with Wild Notes
Thursday, April 5 TGIF party, Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, New Haven CT; with Professors of Bluegrass
Saturday, April 7 Berlin Contra Dance, Berlin, MA, 8:00 PM; with the Berlin Country Orchestra
Saturday, April 14 Mystic Contra Dance, Mystic, CT, 8:00 PM; with The Reel Thing
Tuesday, May 1 May Pole dance at the May Day International Workers Day, New Haven, CT, 4:00 PM; with Out On A Whim
Saturday, May 5 Maypole dance, Grace Church School, Manhattan, NY, 12 noon-2:00 PM
Sunday, May 6 May Day Festival and May Pole dance, Bethany, CT, 2:00 PM; with Out On A Whim
Thursday, May 17 Camp Delaware dance, Winsted, CT, 7:30 PM; with Calenda Maia
Saturday, May 19 Dudley Farm, Guilford, CT, 1:30 pm, barn dance; with Calenda Maia
Saturday, May 19 Private dance, Berlin, MA, 7:00-9:00 PM; with the Berlin Country Orchestra
Friday, June 1 School dance, Warren, CT, 7:00 PM; with Wild Notes
Saturday, June 2 Quiet Corner Contra Dance, Chaplin, CT, 8:00 PM; with Becky Miller and Norb Spencer
Sunday, June 3 Shoreline Arts Showcase demo and dance, Guilford; with Calenda Maia
Saturday, June 9 Girl Scout jamboree dance, 9:30 AM, East Haven; with Calenda Maia
Saturday, June 16 International Festival of Arts & Ideas Village of villages, New Haven green, 1:00 pm, country dance; with Calenda Maia
Saturday, June 16 Private Barn Dance, New Pond Farm, West Redding, CT, with Wild Notes
Tuesday, June 26 Dance, St. Thomas Seminary, Bloomfield, CT, evening; with Wild Notes
Saturday, July 7 Community dance, Cornwall, CT, with Homegrown Band
Saturday, July 14 Private party; with Wild Notes
Saturday, August 11 Private party, Rhinebeck, NY, with The Reel Thing
Thursday, August 16 evening dance, private party, Guilford, CT; with Calenda Maia
Thursday, August 30 Private dance, Cornwall, CT, with Homegrown Band
Sunday, September 16 Private party, Stamford, CT, with Wild Notes
Saturday, September 22 Contra dance, Westford, MA, 8:00; with Au CONTRAire!
Saturday, September 29 Chorus Angelicus contra dance, Litchfield, CT, evening
Saturday, October 6 Wedding, Fishkill, NY, 4:00-7:00 PM; with Homegrown Band
Saturday, October 6 Contra dance, Hamden, CT, 10:00 PM, New Haven Morris and Sword Reunion
Saturday, October 13 Mystic Contra Dance, Mystic, CT, 8:00 PM; with Wild Goose Nation
Saturday, October 20 Private party, Goshen, CT; with Wild Notes
Sunday, October 21 Harvest barn dance, Guilford, CT, 4:00-5:30 PM; with Calenda Maia
Sunday, October 21 Contra dance, Falls Village, CT, 7:30
Tuesday, October 23 Dance, Mansfield Middle School, Mansfield, CT, 7:00-8:30 PM
Saturday, November 3-
Sunday, November 4
NOMAD: CT's festival of traditional music and dance, New Haven, CT
Saturday, November 3 Falls Village contra dance, Isabella Freedman Retreat Center; 8:00 PM; with Homegrown Band
Saturday, November 10 Private party, Hamden, CT, 7:00, with Calenda Maia
Sunday, November 11 Private barn dance, New Pond Farm, West Redding, CT, 4:00; with Wild Notes
Saturday, November 17 Church family dance, Stratford, CT, 7:00; with local band
Saturday, December 8 Worcester Contra Dance, Worcester, MA; with Get Reel
Past Dances: 2006
Friday, January 6 Long Island contra dance, Plainview, NY; with the Lissa Schneckenburger, Corey DiMario
Saturday, January 7 Long Island contra dance, Water Mill, NY; with the Lissa Schneckenburger & Friends
Sunday January 22 Family Dance, Berlin, MA; with the Berlin Country Orchestra
Saturday January 28 Danbury Contra Dance; with Wild Notes
Saturday February 18 New Haven Contra Dance, Branford, CT; with Wild Notes
Saturday March 4 Quiet Corner Contra Dance, Chaplin, CT; with Dogtown
Saturday March 11 Newtown Bridle Lands Association's Annual Contra Dance, Newtown, CT; with Wild Notes
Friday, March 17 Family dance, Bethany (CT) Congregational Church
Saturday April 8 Hartford Contra Dance, Wethersfield, CT; with Dogtown
Sunday, April 9 Westford family dance, Westford, MA
Saturday April 15 Northboro Contra Dance, Northboro, MA; with The Polymorphous String Band
Friday, April 28 Long Island contra dance, Smithtown, NY
Monday, May 1 May Pole Dance at the May Day Celebration, New Haven (CT) green; with Out On A Whim
Sunday, May 7 A Celebration of May, Bethany, CT with Out On A Whim
Saturday, May 13 Private contra dance, Rutland, MA, 3:00-6:00 PM; with the Berlin Country Orchestra
Saturday,  May 13 Mystic Contra Dance, Mystic, CT, 8:00 PM; with The Reel Thing
Wednesday, May 17 Private dance, Plainfield, CT, with Out On A Whim
Saturday, June 3 Long Island contra dance, Watermill, NY; with Out On A Whim
Saturday, June 10 Country dance on the green, 3:00-4:00, International Festival of Arts & Ideas Village of villages, New Haven; with Out On A Whim
Sunday, June 11 Country dance on the green, 3:00-4:00, International Festival of Arts & Ideas Village of villages, New Haven; with Out On A Whim
Thursday, June 15 Private dance, Guilford Day Care Center; with Out On A Whim
Saturday, June 17 Private dance, Wallingford, CT; with some of the Wild Notes
Saturday, July 1 Private party, East Haven, CT, with Out On A Whim
Saturday, July 8 CT Hospice Fireworks show, Branford, CT; with Wild Notes
Saturday, July 15 Private party, West Hartford, CT; with Wild Notes
Thursday August 17 Guilford Daycare Center, Guilford, CT
Saturday, September 9 Private party/contra dance, Watermill, NY
Saturday, September 30 Dance, West Rock Park Day, Common Ground High School, New Haven, CT
Sunday, October 8 Private barn dance, Guilford CT, 5:30 PM
Saturday, October 14 Private barn dance, Goshen CT, with Wild Notes
Sunday, October 15 Contra dance, New England Chapter of the Music Library Association Fall Meeting, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT, with The NEMLA pick-up band
Tuesday, October 24 Dance, Mansfield Middle School, 7:00 PM
Saturday, November 3-
Sunday, November 4
NOMAD
Saturday, November 11 Hartford Contra Dance, 7:30 PM; with Wild Notes
Saturday, November 18 Private dance, Redding, CT, with Wild Notes
Saturday, November 25 Private dance, Woodbridge, CT with Wild Notes
Saturday, December 2 Berlin Contra Dance, Berlin, MA, 8:00 PM; with the Berlin Country Orchestra
Sunday, December 3 Family dance, Westford, MA, 3:00-5:00 PM; with Au CONTRAire!
Past Dances: 2005
Saturday, February 5 Quiet Corner Contra Dance (Chaplin, CT); with Rambling Pitchfork
Saturday, February 11 New London contra dance; with the Can Kickers
Saturday, February 26 Danbury Contra Dance; with Wild Notes
Sunday, February 27 Family Dance, Berlin, MA; with the Berlin Country Orchestra
Thursday, March 31 Private party, Bolton, MA
Saturday, April 2 Berlin Contra Dance, Berlin, MA
Saturday April 9 Hartford Contra Dance, Wethersfield, CT; with Step It Up!
Wednesday April 13 Contra dance at East Granby Middle School; with Pegasus
Saturday April 16 New Haven Contra Dance, Branford, CT; with Wild Notes
Saturday April 30 Newtown Bridle Lands Association's Annual Contra Dance, Newtown, CT; with Wild Notes
Sunday May 1 May Pole dance at the May Day International Workers Day, New Haven green
Saturday May 7 Quiet Corner Contra Dance, Chaplin, CT; with The Polymorphous String Band
Sunday May 8 Maypole dance, Bethany, CT, with Out On A Whim
Monday May 9 Nursing home dance, Kent, CT, with Danny Gardella
Thursday May 12 Contra dance, Winsted High School, with Pegasus
Saturday May 28 Contra dance (private), Norfolk, CT; with Wild Notes
Saturday June 11 Contra dance, Berlin, MA; with the Berlin Country Orchestra
Saturday June 18 Contra dance (private), Trinity Retreat Center, West Cornwall, CT; with Wild Notes
Sunday June 26 Block party and dance, Cambridge, MA; with Mickey Koth and the Berlin Country Orchestra
Thursday July 14 Contra dance (private), Stonington, CT; with Wild Notes
Saturday July 23 Contra dance (private), Rhinebeck, NY; with Wild Notes
Saturday August 6 Contra dance at the Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival, East Hartford, CT; with Wild Notes
Saturday August 20 Contra dance (private), Bantam, CT; with Out On A Whim
Saturday October 8 Hartford Contra Dance, Wethersfield, CT; with Wild Notes
Saturday October 15 Contra dance (private), Goshen, CT with Out On A Whim
Friday October 21 Contra dance New England Chapter of the Music Library Association meeting, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY
Saturday October 22 Contra dance (private), Monroe, CT; with Wild Notes
Fri. November 4-
Sun. November 6
NOMAD (NOrtheast Music and Dance festival), New Haven, CT
Sunday November 20 Barn dance, Guilford, CT, with Out On A Whim
Saturday December 3 Contra dance, Berlin, MA; with the Berlin Country Orchestra
Saturday December 10 Mystic Contra dance, Mystic, CT; with Out On A Whim

Go to CONNtra CONNection
The place for everything related to contra dancing in Connecticut
This page created and maintained by Mickey Koth
Best viewed on Mozilla Firefox