Contradance to take place Strawberry Festival weekend in Owego

Mandigo Blue will perform music on Sunday, June 18, from 4 to 7 p.m. for a contradance at the Countryside Community Center located at 9 Sheldon Guile Blvd. in Owego. 

Mandigo Blue is a trio of Carol Mandigo on guitar; Solvei Blue on clarinet, whistle and saxophone; and Peter Blue on nyckelharpa (a traditional Swedish keyed fiddle), button accordions and percussion.  

Carol and Peter have play together in Eleemosynary, The Blue Rugg Cutters and other bands in the Oneonta area for over 30 years. Solvei, daughter of Peter, grew up hearing traditional music and brings a unique approach to contra dance music. 

Carol is known for her backup guitar playing in several bands including Heaven’s Back Door and in a duo with her husband John Potocnik and the Catskill Puppet Theater. 

Peter has been playing and composing traditional music for over 40 years. He has performed with the legendary Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, Tunescape, and other contra dance bands and called square and contra dances for many years.

This project is made possible, in part, with public funds from NYSCA’s Decentralization Program, administered regionally by the ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes.  

Tickets are available at the door for $7 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, with a family maximum of $15. Dances are typically held on the third Sunday of each month.