Hosted by The Genesee Valley Council on the Arts—and open to all—this year’s dance will take place on Saturday, May 6, 2023, from 7:00-10:00 p.m., at York Central School elementary gym, 2578 Genesee St., Retsof. Music and calling will be provided by Kelly’s Old Timers and members of the Geneseo String Band led by SUNY Geneseo Professor, Jim Kimball. Admission is $5 Adults, $3 Spectators, 18 & under free—all ages are welcome at this family-friendly event.
If you’ve never been to a square dance, you can come early at 6:30 p.m. and learn the basic steps. No special clothing or prior knowledge is required—beyond knowing one’s left from one’s right! The dance is truly a fun evening for all ages, and a great opportunity to enjoy a longtime local tradition. Refreshments will be available.
Kelly’s Old Timers was started by brothers, Woody and Roger Kelly of Perry in the 1950’s and has been getting people up on the floor for more than 60 years. The group continues with Doug Kelly (Woody’s son) calling the dances and playing bass, Doug Kelly, Jr. on bass, Eric Kelly (Roger’s son) on keyboards and vocals, Guy Macaluso on keyboards, vocal, trumpet and guitar, Tom Kwiecien on drums, and Elise Kelly on vocals and guitar–and now, as a dance caller! Elise is a 2023 recipient of an Apprenticeship grant to learn dance calling from Doug Kelly, funded by the New York State Council on the Arts.
Also a long-standing ensemble in the valley, the Geneseo String Band was formed in 1976 at SUNY Geneseo by Jim Kimball, playing traditional American fiddle, dance and vocal music. For more than 40 years, the student group (and some alumni and townspeople) has played for countless on and off-campus events, performing for receptions, clubs, dances, concerts, local churches, historical societies, camps and schools. Much of their music comes from the Genesee Valley region, documented and recorded from old time players by Jim Kimball.
Many of Kimball’s recordings have been recently digitized and can be viewed and heard at https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/kimball.