Dancing Folk

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.

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.