Highlighting the roots and branches of the contra dance music we love here in Belfast, Maine and beyond, the musicians who play it with and for others, and the dancers of all ages that it inspires!
In each episode, host Chrissy Fowler welcomes contra dance musicians to an informal recording session, where we get to hear their sound up close and personal, as well as stories about their history and approach to playing.
All content for Flying Shoes Radio Hour is the property of Chrissy Fowler and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Highlighting the roots and branches of the contra dance music we love here in Belfast, Maine and beyond, the musicians who play it with and for others, and the dancers of all ages that it inspires!
In each episode, host Chrissy Fowler welcomes contra dance musicians to an informal recording session, where we get to hear their sound up close and personal, as well as stories about their history and approach to playing.
In February of 2025 we talked with River Road, in Northport, Maine in the late morning after their first time playing for the Belfast Flying Shoes First Friday dance series. The trio from the Connecticut River Valley in Massachusetts features Sarah-Hadley Yakir (fiddle), Kristen Planeaux (piano, flute & accordion) and Jesse Ball (mandolin, guitar & foot percussion).
Lounging on comfortable chairs looking out at Penobscot Bay, they shared a variety of anecdotes and personal perspectives related to their experiences as friends, dance musicians, and as dancers! They provided a bit of the back story on the music, including the tunes that Kristen and Jesse composed. We even heard a little bit about their lives beyond the contra dance subculture. It was all quite jolly and relaxing, but when it was time to play, that’s when their focus as a band came fully clear. They moved their chairs and instruments into a tight circle around the microphone, and launched into their planned sets with palpable energy, communicating with facial expressions, head gestures, and plenty of eye contact. We loved listening to their arrangements in person and on the recording, and it was a pleasure hearing their stories. We hope you enjoy this River Road episode just as much as we did!
Flying Shoes Radio Hour
Highlighting the roots and branches of the contra dance music we love here in Belfast, Maine and beyond, the musicians who play it with and for others, and the dancers of all ages that it inspires!
In each episode, host Chrissy Fowler welcomes contra dance musicians to an informal recording session, where we get to hear their sound up close and personal, as well as stories about their history and approach to playing.
