Bennington, VT – The next event in the Better Bennington Corporation's Thursday Night Live series features Contra Dance with Tamarack Band. Bring your dancing shoes and get ready for a great party! Food will be available for purchase in the park and, of course, in all our downtown restaurants. We will cancel and attempt to reschedule in the event of rain. This event is FREE and open to the public.

Every remaining Thursday Night Live is dedicated to Jim Woodward, who came to every single one, clearly bringing him great joy.

Tamarack brings the joyous touch of traditional fiddle music to every one of their events. Fiddle, flute, tenor banjo and guitar weave their way through smooth waltzes, foot-tapping reels and lively jigs. Traditional Celtic, early American, Old-Time, French-Canadian and International tunes -- melodies handed down through the years -- are mixed with original creations to round out the group's repertoire.

Local dance caller, Paul Rosenberg, joins the ensemble to teach the participants the dances. Rosenberg has been leading dances throughout the northeastern United States since 1986. In recent years, he has been one of the busiest callers in North America, working over 200 dance engagements a year. He is known for his gentle but energetic, encouraging style, concise teaching, and offbeat sense of humor.

Patricia Kernan -- an artist and musician, Patricia adds the brightness of Irish penny whistle and the smoothness of flute to the the music of Tamarack, and plays fiddle, clarinet and light percussion, as well. She is also a member of the local English Country Dance band, HeartsEase.

Jim Mead -- backs dances and fiddle music with his strong "boom-chuck" guitar rhythm and occasional foot percussion. A computer programmer by day, and punster with an upbeat attitude, Jim is married to band mate, Sue Mead. They also perform together as the duo TuneFolk.

Sue Mead -- plays fiddle, mandolin, tenor banjo, guitar and djembe. A folk singer (from back in the day), other instruments were added over the years. A part-time administrative assistant for a dance/music festival, writer and avid gardener, her passion has always been music. She and her husband Jim host a barn dance as "TuneFolk & Friends," twice a year at Harmony Hall in Charlton, NY.

We will run a 50/50 during all performances so bring your singles! Raffle tickets are $2 for 1 or $10 for 12. You can pick up food from any of our downtown eateries to eat during the performance or go out downtown before or after. So many to choose from. Check our website and the DISTRX app to make your choices.

Thursday Night Live was originally made possible in 2022 by the Better Places Grant that matched $5,345 from 60 donors via a crowd-funding campaign using Patronicity with $10,000 as well as amazing sponsors.

Date: June 29, 2023

Time: 6:30pm to 8:00pm

Location: Merchants Park's Thomson Family Stage at 119 North Street, Bennington, VT 05201

Admission: Free

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