MUSIC
The Latter Day Lizards are a New England based dance band featuring a trio of musicians fervent with the desire and talent to ignite flames under dancing feet. With a wide ranging and hopelessly eclectic repertoire including everything from Irish and Scottish traditional jigs and reels to Balkan, blues and swing tunes (often juxtaposed next to each other) the Latter Day Lizards bring excellent musicianship, playfulness, drama and unrelentingly infectious rhythm to their dance performances. With Peter Barnes on piano, guitar and flute, Bill Tomczak on clarinet, sax and drum and Dave Langford on guitar and fiddle, they blend swing, rock-and-roll and jazz influences with traditional foot-stomping dance music to make an innovative, spontaneous and rhythmically inflammatory sound. At Stellar, they will be playing for contra, squares, English, swing, and waltz. Visit their website.
The Icy Mountain String Winders hail from Chaffee County, Colorado.
Situated high in the Rockies and nestled under the icy mountains
of the Continental Divide, the home of the IMSW inspires crisp musicianship with a strong pulse to keep the
dance hall moving all night long. Andrea Earley Coen on fiddle (formerly of Pigs Eye Landing) sets the stage
with smooth and distinct melodies while Seth Roberts on guitar and Rob Readmond on bass & cajon provide a solid
and steady beat full of funky rhythms and syncopation.
They will be sure to keep the dancers at Stellar going, despite the icy weather outside!
Katherine Sanden will be playing swing tunes for Wendy's Lindy workshops.
Born on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Katherine mixes an urban sensitivity with a deep reverence for the mountains.
She is a lifelong piano player, rapper and beatboxer. After El Dog (aka Eleanor Fahrney)
introduced her to Lindy Hop, Kat Dog (aka Kat Sanden) felt called to mix her love for dance with
her love for making music. For the past two years she's been honing her jazz piano, studying with Joyce DiCamillo
and playing with jazz groups in the
New York area. She is known for her bouncy, bluesy, old-timey piano style.
CALLING & DANCE INSTRUCTION
Adina Gordon finds an outlet for her loves of travel, music, dance and silliness by calling and dancing throughout the US and Canada, creating joy and minor chaos wherever she goes. Combining a voice that makes you want to do what she says with a commitment to using that power for good and not evil, Adina calls contras and squares both old and new that cause spontaneous eruptions of joy on dance floors. Visit her website.
Wendy Graham discovered folk dance, music and song in 1991. Now, the self-described “dance maniac” serves up delicious and nutritious dance for all with an infectious enthusiasm and a smile. Wendy calls regularly throughout the southwest, and tours nationally and internationally. She has broad repertoire and will be leading English Country and couple dancing at Stellar this year.
Check out Wendy's website.
Pat Tognoni first began calling during a blizzard in 1996 when the caller did not show and the dancers were ready to dance! Pat loves to spread the joy of dance and music. "It's so wonderful to look out at the dancers and see everyone smiling and having fun!" She calls regularly across Colorado, including at community events, weddings, and private parties. She has also called in Kansas, Utah, Pennsylvania, New Mexico and Maine. At times you can see Pat clogging while calling. She also plays bass with the Tuney Loons, teaches clogging, and plays guitar.
SONG LEADING
Karina Wilson blew us all away at her Stellar debut two years ago, and we're excited to have her back leading singing and teaching African dance. She has studied classical and folk music from all over the world for almost 20 years. Karina's soul is constantly singing and she shares her songs whenever she can. She teaches regularly including at the annual Folkmadness dance weekend in New Mexico. She also is a co-choreographer for the dance troupe "Djun Djun Dance Santa Fe" and has several independent music projects.
FOOD
Beth Gibans has been cooking for dance camps with Annie Johnston since 1992, including the last four years at Stellar Days and Nights. She branched out with her own catering business in 2000 and currently delights the palates of dancers at the Tropical Dance Vacation in St. Croix and has cooked on commercial river trips in the Grand Canyon. Beth is also an organic farmer and so always aims at serving up fresh, seasonal, delicious fare.
“Beth Gibans is a remarkable cook. Using whole foods and fresh produce whenever possible she designs memorable feasts that are delicious and versatile. With a flair for beautiful presentation, Beth makes the food a delight for both the eye and palate. Appetizing and healthy, her creative menus make you feel great! Over the past 8 years Beth has been cooking for the Tropical Dance Vacation on St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands. Our participants and staff always eagerly anticipate the meals that Beth and her crew present. It's only fair to alert you that when Beth cooks you may find yourself indulging in recreational eating...” - George Marshall, Wild Asparagus
EVENT FOUNDERS
Eleanor & Andrew Fahrney started Stellar Days & Nights in 2005 when they were living and working at Adventure Unlimited Ranches. Their abode is now “downtown” Buena Vista and they enjoy their annual return to the ranches to share traditional dancing and music with great people from all over. Now they also get to share Stellar with their son, Jake.
Although Andrew and Eleanor continue to spearhead Stellar Days & Nights, the event is really made possible thanks to hundreds of hours of work by volunteers. Please check out the Thank You page to see other key volunteers.