The Historic Jonesborough Dance Society will present a contra dance on Saturday, April 17, at the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center, 117 Boone Street. Performing for the dance will be Dennis Spring and the Sons of the Full Moon from Charlotte, N.C., called by Dean Snipes. The dance will run from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. with a country waltz and Klondike Bar break at 9 p.m. No partner is necessary and all dances are taught by the caller. Every contra dance is smoke and alcohol free and family oriented. Admission to the dance is $7 for the general public, $5 for HJDS members and $4 for students. Dennis Spring and the Sons of the Full Moon are made up of Dennis Spring, Buddy McManus and Tim Mace.
The band plays a broad range of traditional and Irish music and has performed in popular contra dance locations such as Charlotte, N.C.; River Falls, S.C.; Greensboro, S.C.; Winston-Salem, N.C.; Boone, N.C.; and Columbia, S.C. McManus plays guitar and mandolin, and has written much of the music that the band plays in their contra dance sets. Mace plays mandola, banjo, guitar and fiddle. In addition to being an accomplished musician, he makes beautiful mandolins. Spring plays guitar as well as fiddle, sings, and has written waltzes and jigs. Spring was exposed to Irish music, dance and poetry at an early age. His Irish grandmother lived with the family when he was young.
He has taught Irish fiddling to students for over 20 years, won first place in the fiddle category, and second place in the vocal category at the Atlanta Feis, regional qualifying competition for the world final in Ireland. Spring was also a first violinist with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and the leader of the Symphony String Quartet for over 15 years. He was also the Concertmaster of the Charlotte Pops Orchestra, before it was absorbed into the CSO. As a recording studio musician, he has put together string groups for background tracks on gospel, rhythm and blues, jazz, beach, country and folk albums, as well as radio Jingles and movies. He has performed with nationally-known artists, such as Harry Connick Jr., Benny Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Smokey Robinson, Dionne Warwick, Doc Severinson, Chet Atkins, The Moody Blues, Beverly Sills and Luciano Pavarotti.
Dean Snipes has been a regular caller in Jonesborough. His enthusiasm and clear calling have made for some very exciting dances. So impressed with the spirit and sense of community at this event, he wrote a special dance called "The Jonesborough Way," which he describes as tribute to all the people who have come together to celebrate and enjoy traditional music and dance. For more information, call event organizer David Wiley, at 913-3246 or visit www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org and Historic Jonesborough Dance Society on FACEBOOK.
Appalachian Craft Fair
This event showcases local artisans and the traditional style of homemade arts and crafts. There will be a variety of food vendors and sweet treats. Crafters and artisans will be present to provide the public with an opportunity to obtain quality handmade items. Many crafters will be demonstrating their craft such as spinning fiber, basketry, dough bowl making and much more. The replica cabin of Davy Crockett will be open for visitors to walk through and local re-enactors will be on hand to talk with visitors about Davy Crockett and the ways of ancestors. "We are very pleased with this event and with the support of the community and hope that each year we continue in successfully sharing our culture and heritage with the public," said Park Ranger Dawn Coleman. "We have asked local farmers to participate in this year's event as they did last year. They are a vital part of the local heritage, so it's only logical for them to be a part of this event. This year we are also pleased to have the Tri-State Antique Power Association here showing off some antique tractors." This year's entertainment will be provided by Mountain Strings Band, which will play on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. "There is so much talent here in our own community and it will be a great weekend to show that talent off to the public," Coleman said. "The park staff is excited about bringing events such as this to the public not only to educate people but to make sure everyone is having a good time."The public is welcome to come by to experience this educational and entertaining event. The times are as follows: Saturday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information about the Appalachian Craft Fair or any other events here at the park, call 257-2167 or send e-mail to: Dawn.Coleman@tn.gov.
