Dancing Folk is the campus's folk dancing group, most known for holding monthly contradances, but whose dances often include selections of square, hambo, polka, waltz, English country, and anything else the members want to experiment with. The group was founded in the 1997-1998 academic year by Ethan Plunkett '00 and Julia Goren '01, alongside their sister group and band, Rude Cider.
Of the Folk's approximate ten monthly dances, two are usually professional bands and callers and the remaining are played by Rude Cider and called by students. Two dances, one near Halloween and one near Valentine's, are themed dances with traditions. The Folk also coordinate trips to dances occuring in the area, most commonly in Greenfield with Wild Asparagus and other bands, North Adams with the Flying Garbanzos, or regional dance festivals like the Dance Flurry and [www.neffa.org/ New England Folk Festival].
The contact person for the Folk is Molly Hawkins, <email>Amelia.A.E.Hawkins@williams.edu</email>. Ariel Heyman and Daniel Rosensweig are the co-chairs for the fall 2006 season, while Molly will be away from campus.
History in people
One can recount much of the history of the Folk just by going through the people who have lead it over the years.
Ethan Plunkett '00 founded Dancing Folk in his sophomore year. At the April 22, 1998 meeting of College Council, Ethan is on the record as requesting $195 for a dance May 8, though this was probably not the first dance. Ethan was the Folk's first caller, and was also the first person to pass on training and dances to the next generation. Among others, he wrote "The Witch Flew the Coop", the contradance of his most called after he left for its inclusion of the popular, but dangerous, swinging star figure.
Julia Goren '01 was a close help to Ethan if not co-founder with him, and was the first leader and founder of Rude Cider, a band formed in Spring 1998 so that there could be live music at the campus contradances the Folk put on.
Bill Sacks '03 was the second caller and leader of the Folk, taught by Ethan. His leadeship marked a shift in focus from coordinating travel to off-campus dances to a major increase in regular, well-attended, monthly campus dances. He led until his graduation (receiving major help with organization in his last year because his thesis was massive). Known for his excellent Abe Lincoln costume at the Halloween contra '01.
Nina Trautmann '03 took leadership of Rude Cider after Julia left, but was also was co-leader of the Folk with Bill, and his close friend. Known for proficiency with many instruments, especially strange percussion tools. Knowledged also in many strange forms of swinging, which she passed onto us.
Jonathan Landsman '05, taught to call by Bill, took leadership his junior and senior year. Focused on adding themes and traditions to dances, such as Valentine's and Ides of March, and worked with Matt to raise the difficulty of some dances. Known for elaborate ASCII pictures in all-campus emails.
Matthew Spencer '05 learned to call from Bill as well. Taught himself piano, just cuz he felt like it and knew it was needed, and became an active member of Rude Cider, leading it his senior year. Close friends and co-leader with Jonathan junior year. A contradancer since childhood at summer dance camp, Matt was one of the most experienced contradancers of the Folk, and a true Renaissance dancer through music, calling, and dance ability.
Molly Hawkins '08 learned to dance back home in Florida, learned to call from Jonathan in a Free University class during her freshman Winter Study. Came up to Jonathan in the first dance of her freshman year and asked if he could teach her to call. Thrust semi-unwillingly into a leadership position next year due to the great need and her undeniable fitness. Breaks her heart not to be able to dance all the time.