The Next Moosejaw is March 8-10, 2019. We’re in the process of updating the information and registration. In the meantime, you can read about last year’s Moosejaw below.

We hope you’ll join us on March 9-11, 2018 for our annual dance weekend with The Canote Brothers, caller Susan Michaels, and Hello Heartache at the Maplelag Cross-Country Ski Resort near Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, about 4 hours northwest of the Twin Cities.

The cloggers began hosting the Moosejaw dance and music weekend 30+ years ago to provide an opportunity to take workshops in old-time music, clogging, square and contra dancing, and other traditional dance forms from national and local musicians, teachers, and artists.

The weekend features evening dances on Friday and Saturday night, workshops during the day on Saturday and Sunday, and lots of jamming all day long. Other highlights include skiing, hot tubbing, a woodburning sauna, and four endless cookie jars.

Homemade midwestern-style food and lodging at the beautiful Maplelag resort are included in the registration cost. The weekend is open to dancers and musicians of any experience level.

REGISTRATION:

Registration for Moosejaw 2018 is now closed.

For questions or comments, please email: moosejawdanceweekend@gmail.com

MOOSEJAW 2018 STAFF!

We are pleased to announce our staff for our 2018 weekend!

Old-Time Music by The Canote Brothers

Twin brothers Greg and Jere Canote have been taking advantage of their genetics for as long as they can remember; as Christmas elves tap dancing their way around the wishing well in the first grade, to their thirteen-year stint as the affable side-kicks on NPR’s Sandy Bradley’s Potluck.

These guys love what they do, and it shows. Equally at home on a blazing hot fiddle tune or soaring into the clouds with a scat singing swing solo – the twins know their stuff inside out and perform with an affable friendly approach that invites you into their genetically matched world for a little while. For audiences of all ages, the Canotes demonstrate their love and mastery of vintage American styles from fiddle tunes and country songs to novelty numbers and swing. They perform with spirit, humor, sterling musicianship, and those genetically matched voices. Greg and Jere also share a well honed ear for the quirky – “Their songs all have the ring of cockeyed classics!” Guaranteed fun!

Country music by Hello Heartache  

Hello Heartache is a Twin Cities-based classic country band. Playing the greats from Hank Williams to George Jones, Bakersfield to Nashville, and even some originals by lead vocalist Sarah York, Hello Heartache preaches the golden era of country music.

Featuring Aaron Tacke’s tele twang, AJ Srubas’s creamy pedal steel, and rock-solid rhythms of Rina Rossi and Andrew Bartleson, Hello Heartache plays the songs of romance and regret that will surely have you two-stepping out on the dance floor!

 

Caller Susan Michaels!

Susan Michaels has being leading family-friendly community square dances for more than 25 years. Susan has performed all over the United States and Canada at festivals, dance camps, family camps and community dances, such as Pinewoods English and American Week & Family Week (MA), Lady of the Lake June Week & Family Week (ID), Cascade Contras (OR), When In Doubt, Swing! (TX), Terpsichore (WV), Fleur de Lis Fling (KY), Mountain Madness (TN), and Contrastock (DC).

She has also led corporate team-building events using dance as a bridge to better communication, respect and empathy in the workplace. Susan has been an artist-in-residence teaching traditional dance to grades K-12 in public and private schools in California, Washington, Alaska and North Carolina. Susan has led Ford Theatres JAM Sessions both on site and in the cities of Santa Clarita and San Fernando since 2013.

Susan Michaels believes it is her calling to teach the world how to hold hands in a circle and move to music. Susan’s goal at every community dance is to encourage fun, courtesy and joy. Her square dance calling style is inclusive, welcoming and each dance is taught and prompted to the level of those involved. There is never anyone with two left feet when Susan is leading a dance! Susan draws from the rich heritage of traditional North American barn dancing including, squares, circles, mixers and folk dance.

This year’s theme is “Under the Sea.” Start thinking about your costumes for Saturday night’s costume parade. For some inspiration, here’s some artwork created by our multi-talented fiddler Marie for this year’s T-shirt.

           

FELLOWSHIPS & VOLUNTEER SCHOLARSHIPS 

There are 2 full-ride fellowships available for first time attendees ages 21 and older. (The deadline to apply February 10, 2018.) Download the fellowship form.

There are also a limited number of volunteer scholarships available. These are open to attendees of any age and are not restricted to first time attendees. Volunteer scholarships recipients are selected by lottery and attend the weekend for $155. (The deadline to apply is February 10, 2018.) Download the volunteer scholarship form.