audio sample (Josefin's Waltz, with Donny MacLean; more samples on each CD page)
New book!
Habaneras, Maxixes & Tangos
for booking, email or call Bill at 413-442-9172
Spare Parts has performed for dance camps, concerts, period events and social dances 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 Frank Orsini, Eric Buddington, Ruthie Dornfeld, Mark Bagdon, Eden MacAdam-Somer, Anne Hooper, Lissa Schneckenburger, Jane Rothfield, Cathie Whitesides, Donny MacLean, Susan Conger, Dave Langford, Hanneke Cassel, George Wilson, Rebecca McCallum, Britany Orlebeke and Matt Glaser ... cornetist Peter Ecklund ... and bassists Corey DiMario, Carol Hamm, Cal Howard and Larry Unger.
(Liz and Bill with Ruthie Dornfeld in Seattle; photo: Matti Mero)Performing schedule for Spare Parts:
March 2008
- Saturday, Mar. 8, Holliston, MA (www.vintagedancers.org/events.html)
Returning Heroes Ball: Civil War (1860s) ball sponsored by the Commonwealth Vintage Dancers, with Susan Conger on violin, 7:30-11 pm (Civil War-era dress required)
afternoon workshop on period dances, 3-5 pm
- Saturday, Mar. 29, New Haven, CT (www.elegantarts.org)
1880s Victorian Bustle ball sponsored by The Elegant Arts Society. An evening of waltzes, polkas, and schottisches, plus the intricate Polo Quadrille and the lively Star cotillion, with Eric Buddington on violin and precepting by Susan de Guardiola, 8-11 pm. Costume of the 1880s is admired but not required; formal wear is requested. Delicious Victorian refreshments will be served.
Afternoon workshops on 1880s era dances
April 2008
- Friday, April 4, Wynantskill, NY
Family Dance at the Robert C. Parker School
- Saturday, April 5, Cromwell, CT (information: (860) 635-0501 or cromwellhistory@aol.com)
Juleps & Viragoes: Ball of the Rebellion, a formal Civil War ball in the Cromwell Town Hall sponsored by the Cromwell Historical Society, with Susan Conger on violin and precepting by Terry Brettman and Jim Strein
- Saturday, April 11, Albany, NY (www.danceflurry.org/new/albanycontra)
Albany Contradances! (formerly the Eighth Step contradance) with fiddler Frank Orsini and calling by Bob Nicholson
- Friday, April 18, Bennington, VT
Private wedding with Liz performing flute - Saturday April 19, Scranton, PA (www.ScrantonCivilWarDay.com)
Grand Civil War Ball sponsored by the Delaney Delacy Guard, Sons of Veterans Reserve and the Lackawanna Historical Society. Note: this event sold out the last two years, so advance registration is highly recommended
1-3 pm: vintage dance workshop (no prior experience necessary)
8 pm ball (period dress and dress blues greatly admired but not required)
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Saturday and Sunday, April 26-27, Cape May, NJ (www.capemaymac.org/)
Victorian Dance Weekend in Cape May's beautiful Victorian setting, with Mark Bagdon on violin and teaching by Chris Imershein
May 2008
- Saturday, May 3, Montpelier, VT (www.contracopia.net/sites/montpelier/)
Contradance with fiddler Frank Orsini
- Sunday, May 4, East Greenbush, NY
Ice Cream Social English Country Dance with Eric Buddington on violin and calling by Judy Rivkin, 2-5 pm at the Masonic Temple, 710 Columbia Tpk.
- Sunday, May 18, Colonie, NY (www.danceflurry.org/new/buhrmaster)
Buhrmaster Barn Contradance with Eric Buddington on violin and calling by Rich Futyma
June 2008
- Sunday, June 1, East Hartford, CT (www.hcdance.org/)
Mostly Waltz: Liz and Bill perform an afternoon of waltzes and other couples dances
3-6 pm; free beginner workshop at 2 pm and more advanced workshops during both breaks - Friday, June 7, Bennington, VT
Private wedding in Lenox, MA, with a Victorian ball performed by Spare Parts - Saturday, June 28, New York City (www.elegantarts.org)
Regency Assembly sponsored by The Elegant Arts Society at the 92nd St. Y
An evening of country dances, quadrilles and the scandalous waltz of the era of Jane Austen, Beau Brumell, and Napoleon. Light refreshments in the style of the early 19th century will be served. 7-8 pm workshop; ball begins at 8:30
