Dance for Joy with the O’Shanigans on January 20 

The O’Shanigans is the featured band for the Dance for Joy Contradance planned for Sunday, Jan. 20, at the Countryside Community Center located at 9 Sheldon Guile Blvd. in Owego. 

Highlighted with imaginative arrangements that make old familiar tunes sound fresh, the O’Shanigans perform invigorating Celtic, American and world fiddle music from New England, Southern Appalachia, Canada, Ireland, Scotland, England, France, Finland, Sweden and the Middle East. 

The O’Shanigans was originally formed by Phil Robinson to fill a fun gig for Saint Patrick’s Day in March of 2009. The name was coined as a spin off on the word shenanigans and that first Irish gig! 

Combining the skills of two of Ithaca’s most experienced open music jam leaders, O’Shanigans is comprised of Phil Robinson on guitar (Ithaca Bluegrass jam leader, multi-instrumentalist), and Michael Ludgate (Canaan jam leader, waltz jam originator, CMEMME member, etc.) on mandolin as core members, with other members shifting and changing a bit. For Dance for Joy, Phil and Mike will be joined by Joe Avery on fiddle and Katrina Macky on flute. 

Michael comes from a long local line of Ithaca musicians. His grandfather Morris “Moe” Harper was a local jazz clarinet and tenor saxophone player in the Ithaca area in the 1940’s through the 1960’s. Moe’s wife, Ina, played violin in a more classical style. Mike’s mother Roberta played flute and piano and was popular around town as a piano accompanist for a variety of musical tasks. 

Michael picked up his grandmother’s violin as an adult in his mid-forties and taught himself to read treble clef with help from a Suzuki book. He took lessons on violin from IC Masters violinist Rebecca Anne Geiger Hamlen for three years. He learned the basics of playing fiddle tunes for contra dancers from Ted Crane and Pamela Goddard’s many open band opportunities. 

Most recently Michael has developed a passion for mandolin, which he plays mostly melodically in a Celtic style with some New England, bluegrass and old-time influence.

Phil Robinson’s grandmother and mother both played piano and sang, and his father played saxophone in a swing band. His family noticed early on that Phil had perfect pitch, so they encouraged him to learn piano and music theory. He competed in National Piano Players Guild auditions and earned several honorary certificates as a boy. 

In elementary school, Phil learned recorder, baritone horn, and tenor sax as well. As a teen, Phil thought electric guitar would be way cooler than anything, so at 13 he bought a bizarre bright blue electric with dozens of semi-functional buttons to play with. Phil took a few lessons but mostly practiced scales and chords endlessly, from junior high school through grad school. In high school and college, Phil played with various rock cover bands.

Recently Phil moved into Old-Time, bluegrass, Celtic, Cajun, zydeco, and contra dance music. Phil also decided to branch out and teach himself fiddle, mandolin, 5-string banjo, and sitar.

Contradance (or contra dance) is a called dance done to a walking step as in square dancing. This family friendly dance requires no experience and is so easy to learn that you don’t take lessons. Each dance is taught in a “walkthrough” before the dance starts allowing even beginning dancers to feel comfortable. By the end of the dance you’ll have learned contradance moves and you will be able to enjoy the next dance even more. 

People are friendly and welcoming to beginners. The age range is from kids to folks who have been around for a while. Both singles and doubles come to contradances, and women as well as men ask people to dance. You’ll meet people in a relaxed, pleasant, smoke free atmosphere. 

Everyone had a first time and other dancers will help you. Listen to the caller and go with the flow of the dance. Some people may find that they get a little dizzy at first, but looking directly at the person you are dancing with usually eliminates this sensation. 

For many, the exciting and lively music is what keeps them coming back. People come to dance, socialize, and have a good time. Bring friends, family, or come by yourself, partners are not required. Contradancing is joyous, so be sure you bring a smile along with smooth soled shoes and comfortable lightweight clothing.

Ithaca caller Casey Carr will be teaching and prompting each dance.  

General admission is $7 for adults, $5 for students and seniors 55 and older, and there is a family maximum of $15. 

For information, call Stu Johnson at (607) 687-4034, or Dean Thelen at (607) 654-3185.