Connecting with the generations

Above: Members of the party’s all female old-time string band, from left, Em Hammond on bass, Marcy Marxer on guitar, Rachel Eddy on fiddle, Cathy Fink (festival co-curator) on banjo, and caller Becky Hill, perform.

Left: The evening’s dancing provided a type of social mingling without the small talk.

Dozens of folks hit the dance floor for the Say Sister! Festival opening Square Dance at the Creative Alliance. Sloane Brown photos

Fans of old-time music got to kick up their heels a week ahead of the Creative Alliance’s inaugural Say Sister! Festival — which celebrates women who have contributed to the genre — with an opening Square Dance party. Several dozen folks sashayed, do-si-doed and allemanded to a local all-female old-time music string band in the Creative Alliance at The Patterson. When they took a break, they could also take in the new exhibit there, “I’ve Endured: Women of Old Time Music.”

“It’s a great way to connect with all generations, let your hair down, and let your ears do some listening because you have to keep up with the calls,” said Tinku Bhattacharyya, Creative Alliance performance director, who co-curated the event with Joy Davis, CA visual arts director, and Cathy Fink, old-time musician.