SHORT TERM IDEAS

Sunday, December 6th: Sing the Season Concert and Video Shoot

Four really amazing musicians approached Brooklyn Contra (BkC) about hosting their “Sing the Season: Songs to Warm the Dark” tour. “Sing the Season is both cheerful and soulful, a midwinter celebration of traditional songs and tunes from England alongside American and Celtic folk traditions. The program blends driving instrumental music, percussive dance and harmony-rich song with ample opportunities for audience participation, creating a festive atmosphere that feels intimate and cozy.”

The musicians are all quite well-regarded folk musicians:

Alex Cumming of The Tea Cups (UK)
Andrew VanNorstrand of The Faux Paws
Audrey Jaber of Alex Cumming and Audrey Jaber
Laurel Swift of Gadarene complete with clog dancing (UK)

This event would be in the evening. We’d also like to use the auditorium to shoot some contra dance instructional videos that day. This would enable us to do two events in one day, and allow us to use funds earmarked for the rental of a video shoot space to enhance your space instead!

Saturday, December 12th: Nic Gareiss: Solo Square Dance And Percussive Dance Workshop

Nic Gareiss, a well-known percussive dancer wanted to see if we’d be interested in hosting his show “Solo Square Dance” on Dec. 12th, alongside a percussive dance workshop during the day and evening.

“Solo Square Dance is a one-person percussive dance show created and performed by Nic Gareiss commemorating the 1935 Irish Dance Halls Act which banned citizens from dancing in homes. Always set in-the-round in houses, this 60-minute performance combines movement, speaking, and song inspired by this and other such dance bans, including the dancing ban in Pound, Virginia (only lifted in 1999!) which required that dancing permits not be granted "to anyone not a proper person, nor to anyone without good moral character." Solo Square Dance engages traditional and original step dance movement from Ireland, Canada, and Appalachia to explore the dialectic of public/private life, probing the subversive power of dancing bodies. The show begs the question: in light of its historic prohibitions, can dance act as a vehicle of transgression, liberation, and social transformation for our times?”

Tuesday, January 11th: Forsyth Album Release Tour Concert

Forsyth reached out to us about hosting a concert for them in January. We’ve previously worked with them on a very successful concert and really enjoy them!

“Forsyth is a collective of Boston-based musicians— Kate Knudsvig, Erin Shea Hogan, Kat Wallace, and Helen Kuhar— who utilize their four unique voices and a wide array of instrumentation as their canvas. Each member is a formidable musician in their own right and when combined, form a supergroup of rising artists in folk music. Drawing from their diverse musical backgrounds and spanning across multiple genres, each member contributes equally to the ensemble’s vibrant tapestry. United by a deep appreciation for Celtic musical traditions, Forsyth breathes new life into age-old melodies, offering a shared interpretation that is as intricate as it is heartfelt.”

Saturday, January 24th: Bugs on a Log String Band

Bugs on a Log String Band is playing BkC’s contra dance on January 24th, and we’d love to host a concert for them the night before, alongside a local opener.

“Brimming with festivity, Bugs on a Log is an emerging stringband that cultivates warmth and joy wherever they go. With a wealth of expertise spanning from classical to old-time to bluegrass under their collective belt, Bugs on a Log is a group sculpted from dynamic abundance. The New England-based band marries their spread of music with care, the result an uncommon blend of precision, vitality, and innovation. Composed of Lana Auerbach (fiddle, banjo), Austin Scelzo (fiddle, mandolin, guitar), Jeff Smith (guitar, banjo, mandolin), Malcolm Callagy (cello, fiddle), Jack Corcoran (bass), and Oriana Mack (fiddle), each member is a multi-hyphenate talent and vocalist in their own rite. Their chemistry palpable and compelling, Bugs on a Log is a new outfit full of promise, ever sure to deliver a sweeping alchemy of strings and spirit.”

Other Short Term Notes:

As part of this ongoing collaboration, BkC is excited to help keep enhancing the space. During this short term series of concerts, we’d look to complete a series of small projects such as:

Repair and paint bathroom walls and other bathroom repairs
Paint doors into hall
Create magnetic signage for bathrooms and private areas
Fix door jams for hall doors
Clean and polish main doors

I (Joe) am also happy to come help out with upcoming student work days if needed!

MEDIUM TERM NEXT STEPS

Ok! Looking forward to the rest of 2027 BkC would love to host a series of concerts at Mary House once or twice a month. We would envision:

Installing a sound system at Mary House that could be used by both BkC and other Mary House residents and users. We’d set up a relatively simple system (soundboard) for Mary House’s use that could play music for films, talks, and other events and train Mary House folks to use it.
Continuing to invest in improvements to the Mary House auditorium and public areas with supplies and labor. The list below details potential projects for 2027. We’d look forward to co-creating a set of projects that work for everyone.
Working with one or two Mary House residents who have been delegated to book shows so that we can be responsive to bands.
These shows would be free to residents of Mary and Joseph Houses, and the broader world of CW volunteers. BkC would handle all ticketing and sales for other attendees.

Potential Project List for 2027

Improve Hall "House" Lighting
Repair and paint back window area
Paint lower entry
Add show lighting
Paint hall
Paint stairwell
Paint hallway on right entry
Paint and scrape back wall of hall

Just as a note, we would expect to pay all associated costs of the above improvements, but may need to collaborate with CW on labor for some of the larger projects.