Dancing at Hoppin’ John

It’s all about the dance…

2024 Schedule:

Thursday in the Dance Tent

7:30pm – Square Dance with The Hoppin’ Johnnies, Caller Nancy Mamlin

Come kick up your heels at this intimate weekend kick-off! Our house band is an eclectic mix of talented folks who love and contribute to the whole Hoppin’ John scene. The general lineup includes Gil McNeill, Greg Hanson on fiddles and banjo, Cary Moskovitz on the 4-string banjo, Steve Fagan on guitar and Katy Shoemaker playing bass. Nancy Mamlin will call the steps.

Nancy Mamlin, from Durham, has been calling square dances for 30 years. She is one of the co-founders of Dare To Be Square, a gathering of square dance callers and dancers, which began in 2003. She also plays guitar, and has been in various bands over the years.

Friday in the Dance Tent

4:30pm – Flatfooting Dance Workshop with Rodney Sutton

Recipient of SouthArts/NC Arts Council’s Folk & Traditional Master Artist Fellowship Award, Rodney Clay Sutton teaches traditional flatfoot dancing in this relaxed-atmosphere workshop. Having learned Appalachian flatfoot dance from mentor Willard Watson over fifty years ago, Rodney brings this wealth of experience, plus his continued education afforded to him by the fellowship in Sean Nos` dance – the Irish step-dance equivalent to flat-footing. Though you can wear any kind of footwear for this intro class, smooth soled shoes with a low heel are the best shoes for this workshop. Located in the Dance Tent.

9pm – Square Dance with the Hop Pop Orchestra, Caller Liam Kelly

The Hop Pop Orchestra, for one night only, is Tatiana Hargreaves, Aaron Tacke, Sonya Badigian, and Hasee Ciaccio. From different corners of the country, all now residing in central NC, they’re excited to bring you their take on driving square dance music. Liam Kelly will call the steps. Located in the Dance Tent.

Saturday in the Dance Tent

10am – Kids Clogging with Tampa Enoch Reese

Suggested for ages 5 and up, this workshop provides a basic introduction to clogging, just for kids! Participants will learn fundamental clogging steps through fun, confidence-building exercises. They’ll also have opportunities to express themselves creatively with this energetic dance tradition. Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are recommended. Tampa Enoch is an educator, dancer and musician from Mebane, North Carolina. At an early age, she learned to flatfoot and buck dance from her grandmother, and she carries the tradition forward by teaching percussive dance to children both in her family and in the wider community. Tampa has been a member of Chapel Hill’s Cane Creek Cloggers since 2014 and has worked in public libraries as a youth services librarian for 18 years. In her free time she enjoys playing banjo and sharing about the rich and complex history of the instrument. Located in the Dance Tent.

11:30am – Clogging Workshop with the Green Grass Cloggers

Come dance with the Green Grass Cloggers, now in their 53rd year (yes you read that right)! This intergenerational group of high-energy dancers have been sharing their own style of clogging in their home state of North Carolina, and around the world for over a half century. Inspired by traditional mountain-style clogging teams and influenced by Appalachian flatfooters and buckdancers, they developed an original style of dance that was a radical departure from traditional team clogging. Today’s Green Grass Cloggers include dancers from multiple generations continuing that Green Grass style!

5:30pm – Family Square Dance Workshop & Cake Walk with the Hoppin’ Johnnies, Caller Sarah Owen

Everyone gets the chance to square dance, even if your bedtime is before 8pm! Join in this family dance for all ages. Our family band rendition of the Hoppin’ Johnnies plays the tunes, while Sarah Owen of Madison County, NC provides instruction and keeps you in step in these easy-to-follow squares. The workshop and dance is followed by the ever-popular cake walk! Located in the Dance Tent.

7pm – Cajun Dance with Tim Wells and Les Bons Temps

Tim Wells and Les Bons Temps play dance-oriented Cajun music with a traditional feel. Tim Wells sings in Cajun French, plays fiddle, accordion, harmonica, and, on occasion, pedal steel. Rounding out the band are Michele Dubow on t’fer, John Moore on snare, Lily Smith on guitar, and Perry Haaland on accordion. The band aims to please the dancers with a solid rhythm section laying down two-steps and waltzes, with a style that combines instrumentation of early cajun style with a modern Lafayette approach. You can also find them at their Cajun Dance Party at Lapin Bleu in Chapel Hill every Wednesday. Located in the Dance Tent.

9pm – Rowdy Square Dance with the Five Points Rounders, Caller Nancy Mamlin

This beloved rowdy, ruckus version of the traditional square dance is back again! Join a version of the Five Points Rounders: David Bass on fiddle, Shawn Galbraith (filling in for Colin Booy) on banjo, Tracy Lafleur on guitar and Rob Vanveld on the washtub bass for some fast-paced, frenzied fun. Nancy Mamlin will be calling moves as quickly as she can and we will all try to keep up!

Saturday, Main Stage Dancing:

1pm (following Youth Instrument Contest) – Youth Dance Contest

The competition is getting tough with the young dancers! Stop by the main stage and support the next generation of flat-foot, buck dancers and cloggers.

7:30pm – Clogging Performance with the Green Grass Cloggers

See description above.

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