Dance in the Desert 2023

Dance in the Desert

2023

Nov 10-12

Sorry, registration is closed for this year!

Bands

The Dam Beavers

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The Dam Beavers are Ben Schreiber on fiddle, Scotty Leach on piano, and Ness Smith-Savedoff on drums. 
 

Turnip the Beet

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Kelsey Wells and Jeremy Lekich

 

Callers

Gaye Fifer

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Jacqui Grennan

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Camp

Only an hour and a half from Tucson and two hours from Phoenix, the Triangle Y Ranch Camp is located in the northern foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains. At a 5000 foot elevation, the camp’s 400 acres provide beautiful scenery and ample facilities. Dance on our custom-made, resilient wood floor, and enjoy the amazing view of the San Pedro river valley from the dining hall. Hike and explore the surrounding Coronado National Forest in the Arizona sunshine.

Check-in opens at 3:00 p.m. on Friday. Please try to arrive before dark (5:30pm) to get settled in your cabin or camping spot.  Camp begins with supper, followed by a dance. We start Saturday with a hearty breakfast, then prepare for a full day of workshops for dancers, singers, and musicians. Saturday night’s gala dance will be followed by late night jamming. Sunday morning features more music and dance, and the weekend concludes with a dance after lunch on Sunday. Camp closes at 3:00 p.m.

\"\"Rustic cabins each house up to twelve campers in bunks and share nearby rest rooms and shower houses. Cabins are designated family, mixed-gender, or single gender, and will be available on a first-come basis at camp.  Some handicapped accommodations are available. There is plenty of space for tent camping and RV parking. A new shower house for campers was built in 2018.  You can also arrange your own off-site accommodations and receive a discount on your registration fee.

Six hearty meals (Friday supper through Sunday lunch) plus delightful snacks will be provided. There is a vegetarian option.

Making It Happen

Other than the musicians and callers, Dance in the Desert is entirely run by volunteers. Each camper is asked to do one chore at camp. Let us know in advance if you have any special needs or talents.

A limited number of partial work scholarships (2-3 hours of work) are available for those needing financial assistance. Please note on the registration form if you wish to request a work scholarship.

  • Y Camp
  • 1GCCDiningRoom 394high
  • Y DanceHall
  • Contra Dance Tucson General

About the Bands

Dam Beavers

Dam Beavers

THE DAM BEAVERS:  Once upon a time there was a small rodent named Bevo who woke up suddenly one morning after having a really good dream. In this dream, he had seen dancers dancing and smiling together, all moving in sync to a three piece band of beavers playing instruments. Bevo set out to find the musicians he had seen in his vision. He looked in rivers, lakes, and even ponds! To his dismay, he couldn\’t find any beavers that played music or even had any interest in playing an instrument. Since Bevo had already booked a contra dance weekend with his Beaver band, he called Ben Schreiber, Scotty Leach, and Ness Smith-Savedoff to fulfill his vision. Luckily, they all were super excited about Bevo\’s ideas. As Bevo hung up the phone, Scotty heard him exclaim, \”Those Dam Beavers!!!\” and that\’s how our name was born.

Turnip the Beet

Turnip the Beet

Turnip the Beet is a dance band duo from Nashville, Tennessee. Rooted in the traditions of Southern Appalachia and local contra dances, Kelsey Wells and Jeremy Lekich combine fiddle, guitar, percussion, and the occasional banjo in an innovative and jubilant musical harvest. Expect to hear an organic mix of eclectic tunes from the American South, Ireland, Cape Breton, Quebec, and Scandinavia, as well as a half-bushel of grooving, homegrown originals.

About the Callers

Wendy Graham

Gaye Fifer

Gaye Fifer is an accomplished caller from Pittsburgh, PA. An active dancer herself, Gaye understands the subtleties of making dances particularly satisfying for dancers. Her instructions are clear and concise, as she is a teacher by profession. An easy smile and delightful sense of humor are part of Gaye\’s relaxed, pleasant style at the microphone. Gaye calls contra and English dances throughout the U.S. and Canada. She is also an enthusiastic advocate and instructor of contra-style waltz. Gaye currently President of the Board of CDSS.

Jacqui Grennan
Jacqui Grennan

Jacqui Grennan started contra dancing in Los Angeles, CA, in 2009. Since then, she’s taken a deep dive into folk dancing, first as a contra caller, then choreographer, then English Country Dance caller and choreographer, and now taking on the challenge of learning modern western square dancing. These experiences of trying new things at different skill levels has enhanced her ability to consider different ways of teaching and learning. She is known for her clear and caring teaching with a stage presence that is a blend of calmness and dynamism. She considers herself the host of a dance party who wants to help everyone have a good time. When Jacqui isn’t calling or dancing at contra dances and English Country dances around the nation, she likes to host BBQs at her home, learn various musical instruments, hang out with her cat, and work on home projects.

Contact us about any questions you may have.