audio sample (Deliciosa Polka; more samples on each CD page)
latest CD: Returning Heroes
for booking, email or call Bill at 413-442-9172
Spare Parts has performed for social dances, concerts, period events and dance camps from Alaska to Maine. Bill Matthiesen on piano and Liz Stell on flute combine with one or more "spare parts du jour." Some of our favorite "spare parts" include fiddlers Eric Buddington, Ruthie Dornfeld, Naomi Morse, Frank Orsini, Mark Bagdon, Anne Hooper, Cathie Whitesides, Susan Conger, George Wilson, and Rebecca McCallum ... cornetist Peter Ecklund ... and bassists Ben Davis, Mark Murphy and Larry Unger.
2015 schedule:
January
- Sunday, Jan. 4, Albany, NY (www.danceflurry.org/)
English dance with Eric Buddington and calling by Mary Jones.
February
- Friday, Feb. 6, Bennington, VT (www.benningtondance.org/)
Contradance with Eric Buddington and caller Warren Doyle, 7:30-10 pm
- Friday Feb. 13 through Sunday Feb. 15, Saratoga Springs, NY (www.flurryfestival.org/)
DANCE FLURRY! schedule for Spare Parts:
Waltz Book Waltzes (Liz, Bill, Eric, and Mark Murphy): Friday 7 pm, City Center Mtg Rm 2
Introductory Cross-Step Waltz with Susan de Guardiola: Friday 11 pm, City Center B/C
Intro to Waltzing (Liz, Britany Orlebecke, and Kristen Hislop): Saturday 9:45 am, City Center Mtg Rm 2
Waltzes by Women for All (Liz, Britany Orlebecke, and Julie Vallimont): Saturday 10:45 am, City Center Mtg Rm 2
Vintage Dance (Liz, Bill, Eric, and Mark Murphy): Saturday 1 pm, City Center B/C
Austentatious! (Jane Austen era dancing) with Susan de Guardiola: Saturday 8 pm, City Center B/C
Intermediate Cross-Step Waltz with Susan de Guardiola: Sunday 10 am, Melita Ballroom
Farewell Contra (Liz): Sunday 4:00 pm, City Center Rosenberg Hall (Rm D)
March
- Saturday, March 21, Holliston, MA (www.vintagedancers.org/rh)
Returning Heroes Ball: commemorate the American Civil War with an evening of 1860s contra-dances, quadrilles, waltzes and polkas, sponsored by the Commonwealth Vintage Dancers, with Eric Buddington on violin and dance instruction by Barbara Pugliese, 7-10 pm dance workshop 3-5 pm
Note: historical dress is required for this event
April
- Saturday, April 11, Cromwell, CT (information: 860-635-0501 or www.cromwellhistory.org/)
Juleps & Viragoes: Ball of the Rebellion, 1865 Presidential Ball a formal Civil War ball in the Town Hall sponsored by the Cromwell Historical Society, with Eric Buddington on violin and precepting by Terry Brettman and Jim Strein
- Saturday, April 18, Scranton, PA (www.ScrantonCivilWarDay.com)
11th Annual Grand Civil War Ball sponsored by the Lackawanna Historical Society, in the beautiful ballroom at the Century Club, with Eric Buddington on violin and precepting by Martha Griffin
- Sunday, April 19, Scranton, PA (www.ScrantonCivilWarDay.com)
Ragtime brunch with music by Spare Parts at the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel, 11-2
- Sunday to Thursday, April 26-30, Asheville, NC (www.orgsites.com/ca/sdvdance/)
Biltmore in Bloom SD Vintage Dance Week: travel back in time to the Biltmore Estate for vintage dancing, costuming, parties, lectures, fabulous food, and more dancing! Teachers include Richard Powers and Marc Casslar, with music by Spare Parts.
May
- Saturday, May 9, Wethersfield, CT (http://www.reelnutmeg.org/)
Afternoon rehearsal for Reel Nutmeg's English Country Dance ball
- Saturday, May 9, Essex, CT (www.sailingmasters.org/ball1814/)
1814 Commemoration Ball in the Essex Town Hall, 8-11 pm, with Eric Buddington on violin and prompting by Susan de Guardiola
No experience required, period dress is encouraged but not required. Be a part of living history, join the fun, and step back in time with an evening of period dancing and music.
- Sunday, May 24, Brattleboro, VT (www.dawndance.org/)
Memorial Day Dawn Dance with fiddler Eric Buddington, Mark Murphy on bass, and calling by Bill Olson, 8-midnight
June
- Saturday, June 6, Peterborough, NH (information: 413-369-4369 or zakon-anderson@comcast.net)
Contra Dance to celebrate Mike and Barbara Gilman's 60th wedding anniversary! featuring: Bob Isaacs and Steve Zakon-Anderson with music by Spare Parts and Tidal Wave, 6-midnight
June
- Saturday, June 6, Peterborough, NH (information: 413-369-4369 or zakon-anderson@comcast.net)
Contra Dance to celebrate Mike and Barbara Gilman's 60th wedding anniversary! featuring: Bob Isaacs and Steve Zakon-Anderson with music by Spare Parts and Tidal Wave, 6-midnight
July
- Sunday, July 12, Lanesborough, MA (www.lanesborough-ma.gov/)
Concert at the Old Stone Church with several local bands to celebrate Lanesborough's 250th anniversary; Spare Parts will play dance music from 250 years ago.
- Saturday, July 18, Lenox, MA (http://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/pleasant-valley/news-events/
An Evening in the Woods Summer Party and Barn Dance to benefit the education programs of Berkshire Sanctuaries; food, drink, and silent auction 6-8pm; indoor barn dance and outdoor bonfire start at 8pm
August
- Saturday, August 1, Windham, NY (www.eventcrazy.com/Windham-NY/events/)
When Johnny Comes Marching Home: An 1865 Music Tribute To Our Returning Heroes, 7:30 pm; Grand Concert is part of a weekend-long music gathering. Contact John Quinn for more details: jcquinn@webtv.net
- Friday, August 7, Nahant, MA (vintagevictorian.com/)
Seaside Soirée at the historic Egg Rock Estate, dancing to music of various eras plus light refreshments, 7:30-10:30 pm
- Saturday, August 8, Nahant, MA (vintagevictorian.com/)
Grand Ball: A 19th-century Evening in Vienna: 24th annual benefit dance for the Nahant Historical Society, with Eric Buddington on violin, Max Newman on mandolin and Ben Bishop as prompter. Dancing from 7:30-11 pm; formal or semi-formal attire is requested, costumes of the 1860s through 1890s encouraged but not required
- Sunday, August 9, Nahant, MA (vintagevictorian.com/)
La Bella Cubana: Vintage dance music from Cuba and beyond: concert of late 19th and early 20th century music, 1 pm at the historic Egg Rock Estate, followed by afternoon tea and dancing; attire of late 19th or early 20th century is especially welcome
- Saturday, August 15, Lenox, MA (www.lenoxcontradance.org/)
Contradance at the Lenox Community Center, Liz and Bill with fiddler Eric Buddington, Mark Murphy on bass and caller Katy Heine, 8:00-11:30 pm
- Saturday, August 29, North Bennington, VT (http://parkmccullough.org/prod/node/212)
Sesquicentennial celebration for the Park-McCullough House with music by Spare Parts, 6-9 pm. Also features hors d'oeuvres, "Big House" punch, antique cars, silent auction, and a performance by Living Room Theater.
September
- Friday, Sept. 4, Greenfield, MA (www.guidingstargrange.org/events)
Mostly Waltz at the Guiding Star Grange with Eric Buddington: waltzes plus other couples dances such as tango, swing, schottische, hambo, one-step and blues from 8-10:30, preceded by 1-hour workshop
- Saturday, Sept. 12, Winsted, CT (information: debkessler1944@gmail.com or 201-388-5912)
Winsted Soldiers' Monument Civil War Ball at the Winsted Elks Lodge, 8-11 pm, to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the monument's dedication;
dance workshop with Martha Griffin 2:30 pm. Attire of 1865-95 encouraged but not required; formal 21st century attire is acceptable.
- Friday, Sept. 18, Seattle, WA (http://seattledance.org/contra/emeraldcity)
Emerald City contra at the Phinney Ridge Community Center, with Ruthie Dornfeld on fiddle
October
- Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10-11, near Cape May, NJ (information: 609-889-2168 or CpMyVicDan@aol.com)
Vintage Dancing in the Villas: a weekend of ragtime dancing with Naomi Morse on violin and precepting by Jan and Al Seabra, preregistration required
Friday Welcome Dance to CD music (vintage or modern casual); Saturday Ragtime Ball with Spare Parts, and Sunday afternoon Ragtime Tea Dance with Spare Parts
- Saturday Oct. 31, Lenox, MA
Victorian Wedding at Ventfort Hall
November
- Sunday, Nov. 1, Wethersfield, CT (www.hcdance.org/waltz.htm)
Mostly Waltz dance with Bill & Liz featuring waltzes, waltz mixers, and other couple dances (every 3rd tune is a tango, foxtrot, swing tune, or other couple dance),
3-6 pm preceded by free lesson
- Friday, Nov. 6, Bennington, VT (www.benningtondance.org/)
Contradance with Eric Buddington and caller Peter Stix, 7:30-10:30 pm
- Saturday, Nov. 14, Jamaica Plain, MA (lcfd.org/harvest-ball.html)
18th Annual Harvest Ball: Gender-role-free Victorian-era ball with Eric Buddington and calling by Chris Ricciotti
elegant, period, or festive attire encouraged but NOT required.
candlelit potluck supper 5:30 pm; dessert potluck about 9:30 pm
warmup waltzes at 7 p.m.; dance features elegant contras, squares and couple dances
December
- Friday, Dec. 4, Greenfield, MA (www.guidingstargrange.org/events)
Mostly Waltz at the Guiding Star Grange with Eric Buddington: waltzes plus other couples dances such as tango, swing, schottische, hambo, one-step and blues from 8-10:30, preceded by 1-hour workshop
- Saturday, Dec. 12, Salem, MA (www.vintagedancers.org/)
Fezziwig's Ball: an evening of Dance and Merriment from the era of Dickens, with Susan Conger on violin; sponsored by the Commonwealth Vintage Dancers; costume from the lifetime of Dickens (1812-1870) or modern evening dress requested
dancing starts at 7 pm, following a lantern procession through town
- Tuesday, Dec. 15, North Adams, MA
Storey Publishing Holiday Party with music by Spare Parts