Submitted by Lopez Center for Community and the Arts

Countercurrent, Brian Lindsay and Alex Sturbaum, is a contra dance and folk music band from western Washington, featuring driving guitar, foot percussion, lyrical fiddle, and harmony vocals. They will be performing during Lopez Center’s upcoming contra dance on Saturday, Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m.

Lindsay was surrounded by both contra dance and Irish music and dance throughout his childhood, spending much of his youth going to sessions in the New York area and studying with respected Irish fiddle player Brian Conway. He competed in both Irish music and step dancing at an international level, but also continued to find influences of many other musical styles and traditions make their way into his playing. The dynamic, living tradition of contra dance embraces the new and the old, and Lindsay’s playing draws on both a wealth of traditional influence and an enthusiasm for new things. That enthusiasm is also observed in Linday’s proclivity for other instruments, as he has picked up (and, for the most part, taught himself) the tenor banjo, whistle, and flute. When not playing music (which is not very often), Lindsay works in environmental conservation, and enjoys hiking, climbing things, and eating tasty food.

Sturbaum grew up in a house that was always filled with traditional music. When Sturbaum was 13, his father (himself a talented multi-instrumentalist) bought him a bodhran for Christmas and told him to beat it. Alex has been playing traditional music ever since, picking up the guitar, button accordion, mandolin, bouzouki, tenor banjo, and piano in addition to the bodhran. He was first exposed to contra dance in his first year at Oberlin College, and immediately fell in love with the dancing, the scene, the people, and the style of music. He uses his guitar and varied background to add Irish, Newfoundland, and modern rock and pop influence to create Countercurrent’s unique sound. In addition to his work in Countercurrent, Sturbaum is a prolific songwriter, writing songs in both traditional and modern idioms as well as interpreting traditional and other folk songs. He is also a lover of sharks and snakes, and enjoys making extravagant chocolate desserts.

Michael Karcher will be calling the dances. Karcher has been having the time of his life calling around the U.S. and Canada over the last four years. He has honed a friendly and relaxed style of teaching and calling, to the delight of dancers across North America.

All dances will be taught and no experience is necessary. Come alone or with a partner; all ages and experience levels are welcome.

Contra dances are wonderful community events with families, individuals and couples of all ages dancing and having a great time together. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youth.