Swingin' Tern: KEN CRAWFORD'S 80th BIRTHDAY BASH

Saturday, August 15th 12 noon - 10:30 pm

KEN CRAWFORD'S 80th ALL-DAY BIRTHDAY BASH

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 200 Main Street, Chatham, NJ

Noon The celebration begins with a catered brunch.

1pm The afternoon dancing starts off with waltz basics led by Ken Crawford & Karen Justin followed by an hour of waltzing.

3pm After reviewing English Country Dancing basics, Jenny Beer will lead an English Country Dance as a remembrance of Loretta Holz.

4:30pm Ken’s Playpen — fun and games

5pm Catered Buffet Dinner

6:15pm Entertainment

7pm Contra Beginner Instruction led by Christie Riehl

7:30 – 10:30pm Contras called by Bob Isaacs, Christie Riehl, and Karen Justin.

The evening will include a contra medley, waltzing, Landans in tribute to Joel Remde, and of course, Birthday Cake!This is a Free Dance. 

Swingin’ Tern extends their sincere appreciation to Ken Crawford for covering all expenses for this event so that the dancers, callers, musicians, family and friends may come together to celebrate not only Ken’s birthday, but to celebrate the unique joy of our dance community.All dances at Swingin’ Tern are called to Larks & Robins

Providing the music for the afternoon English Country Dancing and Waltzing will be Bronwyn & Justin.

Bronwyn Bird specializes in the traditional Swedish nyckelharpa (keyed fiddle), a bowed instrument with 16-strings. Justin Nawn provides hearty 6 and 12 string guitar accompaniment. They work as a husband and wife duo who love to craft performances that feature Irish, Swedish, Appalachian, old-time and bluegrass music.

After graduating from Berklee College of Music, Bird and Nawn founded the Birdhouse Center for the Arts in 2012 (Lambertville, NJ). Their business is a creative hub that is located in the heart of Lambertville. Inspired by the core belief that music can transform lives, The Birdhouse strives to provide quality learning and healing opportunities for all. Offering music therapy services, private music lessons, performances, ensembles, workshops and more, the Birdhouse serves as a creative home to the community, where life through song takes flight!

Providing the music for the Evening Contra Dance and Waltzing will be Larry & Tory.

Larry Unger has been a full-time musician since 1984, playing guitar, banjo, and bass, while composing more than 5000 tunes played by his various bands Notorious, Big Table, The Reckless Ramblers, Uncle Gizmo, and Kaleidoscope. Tory Horner is a fiddler based in Cambridge, MA. She got her start playing for dances in the Asheville music scene in 2023 and in 2024 moved to Boston and formed Here on the Hill. A graduate of Vassar College with a music degree focused on violin performance, Tory’s playing balances her technical skill with her sensitivity to the groove. She draws from her deep knowledge of contra dance to enthrall dancers and listeners alike with fiddling ranging from rhythmic and driving to groovy and flowing.Full calendar for Swingin' Tern Dances.

USEFUL INFORMATION:

• Your presence is the only gift to bring. Donations to Swingin' Tern Dances are optional.

• Newcomers are welcome to come at 7pm for an introductory lesson on the basics of contra dancing before the evening dance. No partner is necessary. All dances are taught with a “walk-through” by the caller. 

• All dances at Swingin’ Tern are called to the gender-neutral terms Larks & Robins. Dance whatever role you’re comfortable in.

• We are in an air-conditioned hall along with the option for open windows on all four sides.

• Our dance is two blocks from the Chatham station on the Morris/Essex line out of Penn Station, NYC.

• Please bring your own water bottle. Water bottles may be filled at the orange Igloo cooler.

• Wear comfortable clothing. Contra dancing is aerobic. We prefer you carry in your shoes.

• We are a friendly, inclusive group. Pack plenty of smiles!