performers – schedule – registration – pumpkin carving contest – other details
Feel free to scroll down (or use the links above) to read about the 2024 PMFF. And, as plans firm up for 2025, we’ll post them here.
PHYLLA MAE FALL FEST #24!
OCTOBER 18-19, 2024
Phylla Mae (pronounced “fill-a-may”) is a music and dance party we throw each year on the third weekend in October. We always invite great musicians and callers from near and far, and we offer wonderful workshops and loads of dancing. We are also known for high spirits, tasty refreshments, decorations, camaraderie, and…well…pumpkins.
Featuring calling by
Sarah VanNorstrand grew up dancing at the Syracuse dances, served on our board, and then (darn it!) moved to a farm in Vermont. She’s an enormously talented caller whose infectious enthusiasm, musicality, and talent for effective teaching have earned her invitations from dance weekends across the country. Sarah’s first goal as a caller is to ensure that dancers have a wonderful time connecting with the music and each other. She never fails to achieve that goal!
And amazing music by two bands:
Anadama
Anadama (Amelia Mason, fiddle; Emily Troll, accordion; and Bethany Waickman, guitar) finds its roots in the traditional music of New England, Ireland, and Quebec. Held aloft by the dark pulse of Bethany’s open-tuned guitar, the trio has no need for a bass or drums. They infuse old and new tunes alike with a distinctly modern kick, fiddle and accordion woven together in tight, driving harmony. It is dynamic, earthy music, all—from sweetly rolling jigs to breathless, freewheeling reels—played with vigor and honesty, and dance at its heart.
Contranella (Meg Wobus, fiddle; Charley Beller, guitar, flute, percussion; and John Wobus, piano) exhibits the tightness that comes with playing together over many years as a family. Their repertoire includes traditional dance music from New England, Canada, and Ireland along with their original tunes. Originally one of our local favorite bands, Meg and Charley are now based in Baltimore, so our weekend will be something of a Contranella homecoming!
And more!
Ithaca-based caller Katy Heine has been leading contras and community dances in the Finger Lakes region and beyond for more than 30 years. She’s known for her crisp, fun, and efficient teaching style, as well as a large repertoire of satisfying and flowing dances. Whether the hall is full of experienced dancers or first-timers, Katy will get them dancing quickly and make sure they are successful and happy.
David Smukler is a choreographer and caller of contras and English country dances, as well as flexible dances for children of all ages. A long-time Syracuse resident, David also currently serves as the board president of the Country Dance and Song Society (CDSS). He is also the author, with David Millstone, of Cracking Chestnuts, The Living Tradition of Classic American Contra Dances, a collection of old-fashioned New England favorites.
Rita Wood is a long-time dancer and Certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher at Main Street Yoga in Mexico, NY
PMFF Schedule
| Friday | Dance Hall | |
| 6:00 – 7:30 | Potluck Dinner We’ll provide mulled cider and treats. Local dancers will provide the rest. If you are traveling from afar, just come and eat! |
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| 7:30 – 10:30 | Friday Night Dance Party Welcome to the Phylla Mae Fall Fest! Calling by Sarah. Music by Andadama (7:30-8:50) and Contranella (9:10-10:30). |
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| Saturday | Dance Hall | Lounge |
| 9:30 – 10:00 | Coffee and Couple Dancing Start the day with caffeine and Contranella. |
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| 10:00 – noon | Cracking Chestnuts David and Contranella in a session of classic American contras. We’ll include Money Musk to give you some practice before it appears in the evening dance party. |
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| noon – 1:00 | – Lunch Break – Register early and purchase a tasty on-site lunch. |
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| 1:00 – 2:30 | Timing, Tempo, and Twirls With Sarah and Anadama. Unlock musical mysteries that will bring your contra dancing satisfaction to a new level. |
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| 2:45 – 4:15 | Unexpected English With Sarah, David, and Contranella. Prepare for some enticing and varied surprises! |
Yoga for Dancers Rita will help your body and mind stay in good shape for dancing all day. |
| 4:30 – 6:00 | Smooth as Butter Contras With Katy and Anadama. It is all about the transitions that allow dances to flow seamlessly. |
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| 6:00 – 8:00 | – Dinner Break – Sample one of many nearby eateries. |
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| 7:30 – 8:00 | Waltzing and More More couple dancing with Contranella |
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| 8:00 – 11:30 | Saturday Night Dance Party Phylla Mae Fall Fest finale! Calling by Sarah. Music by Contranella (8:00-9:30) and Anadama (10:00-11:30). Break includes drawing for the pumpkin contest. And the 1st dance after the break will be Money Musk! |
Register for the Phylla Mae Fall Fest
Register early! Registering anytime before October 11 will save you money and allow you to reserve a lunch if you wish. When you pre-register, you can also request or offer local hospitality. And we’ll give you a PMFF button!
You can take advantage of our Early Bird Registration. The early-bird price (whole weekend only), available only until September 15, shaves an additional $15 off the cost of the weekend.
Click here to go to the Registration Page
Enter the Pumpkin Carving Contest
The PMFF is the only contra dance weekend with a pumpkin carving contest. Bring your carved pumpkin with you, or we’ll supply some that you can carve on Saturday. You could win a delicious homemade pumpkin cheesecake!
You Can Help — Volunteer!
Contact Patty at any time to volunteer for our dance organization, including if you’d like to help out at the Phylla Mae weekend. Volunteers may help with decorations, floor sweeping, kitchen duties, tear-down, etc. We also encourage you to bring something to our Friday potluck at 6:30 PM before the first dance of the weekend. Thanks for lending a hand!
Getting to Phylla Mae Fall Fest
Our venue is the United Church of Fayetteville which is also where most of our regular dances are held. It is located at 310 East Genesee Street in Fayetteville, NY. From either the NYS Thruway or I-81, get onto I-481. Take 481 to exit 3E. This puts you on E. Genesee St. (Rte. 5), heading east. The church is about 3 miles from that exit. You should stay to the left at the fork at Lyndon Corners to follow Rte 5. The church will be on your right in the village of Fayetteville.
Local Accommodations
We cannot guarantee finding beds for everyone, but if you register a.s.a.p. and let us know that you would like to stay with a local dancer, we will do our best to match you with a good host.
Information on other local accommodations is available from VisitSyracuse.org
Check Out Previous Years of the PMFF
2023 – Bev Bernbaum, Ostara, Sister Haggis, and more
2019 – Will Mentor, Sarah VanNorstrand, Genticorum, and more
2018 – Dela Murphy, Tempest, Sister Haggis, and more
2017 – Gaye Fifer, David Kaynor, New Brew, and more
2016 – Bev Bernbaum, George Wilson, Andrew VanNorstrand, and more
2015 – Kathy Anderson, Pete’s Posse, and more
2014 – Russet Trio, Seaglass, The Squash Family, and more
2013 – Luke Donforth, Firefly, Happy Endings, and more
2012 – Adina Gordon, Montage, VanNorstrand brothers, Aaron Marcus, and more
2011 – David Kaynor, Magic Foot, and more
Who was “Phylla Mae”?
Phylla Mae was the “nom de dance” of Phyllis Antos — the name she always put on buttons or nametags at the many dance events she attended. Phyllis was one of the organizers who got our fall dance weekend off the ground in its first two years (1998 and 1999). Sadly, Phyllis died in a head-on collision on her way home from a clogging team rehearsal. Because Phyllis loved this fall dance weekend so much, and worked so hard on it, our Board voted unanimously to name it after her, and starting in the fall of 2000 it became The Phylla Mae Fall Fest.
Phyllis’s favorite contra dance was Delphiniums and Daisies by Tanya Rotenberg, and we often find a way to include it in the weekend.
