Jordan Valley Fiddlers Jamboree, Inc

04/20/2026

Dancers!
The last Blissfest Community Dance of the Winter-Spring session will be happening on Saturday, May 2nd, 7:30-10:00 PM.

Note the VENUE CHANGE: Belle Tower of Petoskey, 224 Michigan Street in downtown Petoskey. Please be aware that bathroom facilities may be limited to porta-potties due to renovation activities.

Also, we will not be hosting the usual pot luck meal this month.

Given all that, dancing fun will still occur with Larry Dyer doing the calling and Harbor HoeDown providing the music.

Admission is $10/person, $5 Students (Please have a student ID available), children 12 & under FREE.

You need not bring a partner to participate. All dances are taught.

03/27/2026

The next Blissfest Community Dance of the Winter/Spring dance season fun is Saturday, April 4.

This dance will held at the Littlefield-Alanson Community Building, 7631 US 31 (Burr Ave), Alanson, MI 49706 from 7:30 to 10 PM.

Admission is $10/person, $5 Students (Please have a student ID available), children 12 & under FREE.

All dances will be taught and called by Cynthia Donahey.

As for the band? We have the Purple Martins (ElP*e, pictured, + an adult child = Purple Martin) providing the live music!

You need not bring a partner to participate.

We host a potluck meal before our dances. Potlucks begin at 6:30 PM and you will need your own table service and dish to pass.

Mark your calendars for the rest of the Winter-Spring season:
May 2, caller will be Larry Dyer, band will be Harbor HoeDown. Watch for location change due to elections and there will be no potluck. More info to come.

A bit more about the band:
Laurie Eberhardt (El) and Peter Martin (P*e) have been contra dancing and playing music together for over 40 years. That’s a long time, hence the name sounding like LP, long playing. Elpee plays an eclectic mix of Old-time, New England, French Canadian, and their own original tunes. Peter plays hammered dulcimer, wooden flute and other flute-like instruments and Laurie plays backup piano. Both Peter and Laurie were once members of a performing clogging group (along with Petoskey’s own Larry Dyer!) and have an intuitive sense of how the music and dancers work together from their decades of dancing and playing. Callers often mention how their choice of tunes fit dance moves and their attention to the dance builds energy on the dance floor. They also play with their adult children as the band ‘Purple Martins’ and are members of several other contra dance bands in the Chicago region.

03/06/2026

DANCE!
Saturday evening, March 7 at the Littlefield-Alanson Community Building, 7631 US 31 (Burr Ave), Alanson, MI 49706 from 7:30 to 10 PM.
Larry Dyer will be doing the calling and The Hybrids (Peacemeal Stringband members Dale & Maureen Scott and Harbor HoeDown members John Richey and Ron Fowler) will be providing the music.
Admission is $10/person, $5 Students (Please have a student ID available), children 12 & under FREE. Cash, cards & checks accepted.
All dances are taught by the caller with LIVE music. You need not bring a partner to participate.
A potluck meal before the dance will begin at 6:30 PM. You will need your own table service and dish to pass.
See you then!

Send a message to learn more

01/06/2026

I wanted to take a moment to let you know that the Wheatland Music Organization offers scholarships for kids and adults to explore traditional music, dance, dance calling, and arts and crafts.
The scholarships can cover: instruments, lessons, camps, workshops, music, art and dance supplies.
Awards range from $75-$500.
Applications are accepted year-round.
Learn more at wheatlandmusic.org and click on the Scholarships Tab.

Send a message to learn more

12/17/2025

12/15/2025

THIS JUST IN from the Blissfest Dance Group!
Larry Dyer will be calling and the Hybrids will be providing the tunes at our first dance of 2026 on January 3.
Start the New Year right and dance off those holiday calories!
Our dances are held at the Littlefield-Alanson Community Building, 7631 US 31 (Burr Ave), Alanson, MI 49706 from 7:30 to 10 PM on the first Saturday of the month.
Admission is $10/person, $5 Students (Please have a student ID available), children 12 & under FREE. Cash, cards & checks accepted.
All dances (Contras, Squares, & Rounds) are taught by a caller with live music provided by Northern Michigan traditional bands. You need not bring a partner to participate.
Mark your calendars for the dates for the rest of the Winter/Spring dance season: February 7, March 7, April 4, and May 2. Details will be posted here as they become available.
We will continue holding a potluck meal before the dances. Potlucks begin at 6:30 PM and you will need your own table service and dish to pass.
By the way, if you are aware of any bands that can hold down a contra/square dance within a reasonable driving distance from Alanson, Michigan, please DM Ronald Fowler with an email or phone number.

12/02/2025

Happy Holidays Dancers!
This coming Saturday, December 6, will provide you with a "Blissful" opportunity to escape holiday shopping and dance off those Thanksgiving calories at the monthly Blissfest Dance.
Cynthia Donahey will be teaching and calling the dances with
The Hybrids (Peacemeal Stringband members Dale & Maureen Scott and Harbor HoeDown members John Richey and Ron Fowler) providing the music.
The dance will be held at the Littlefield-Alanson Community Building, 7631 US 31 (Burr Ave), Alanson, MI 49706 from 7:30 to 10 PM.
Admission is $10/person, $5 Students (Please have a student ID available), children 12 & under FREE. Cash, cards & checks accepted.
All dances are taught by the caller with LIVE music. You need not bring a partner to participate.
A potluck meal before the dance will begin at 6:30 PM. You will need your own table service and dish to pass.

Lastly, mark your calendars for the 2026 Winter-Spring dance series for the following dates: January 3, February 7, March 7, April 4 and May 2. Details will follow once they are set.

10/10/2025

Hello fiddlers, followers and friends.

I regret to inform you that we ceased to be an official Michigan nonprofit on October 1, 2025. I'll keep updating jams, festival and traditional dances as best I can.

Which leads to...tomorrow! The monthly Bayside Travellers Traditional Dance Society's will feature Dave Goodwin calling and Harbor HoeDown providing the tunes. Details here: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=787929230857633&set=gm.804805818604528

The next Blissfest monthly dance will be on Saturday, November 1. The dance will feature Pat Reeser doing the calling. Pat is a key member of and a regular caller for the Bayside Travelers Traditional Dance Society. Mark your calendars for this extra special dance.
The Hybrids (Peacemeal Stringband members Dale & Maureen Scott and Harbor HoeDown members John Richey and Ron Fowler) will be providing the music.
The dance will be held at the Littlefield-Alanson Community Building, 7631 US 31 (Burr Ave), Alanson, MI 49706 from 7:30 to 10 PM.
Admission is $10/person, $5 Students (Please have a student ID available), children 12 & under FREE. Cash, cards & checks accepted.

All dances are taught by the caller with LIVE music. You need not bring a partner to participate.

A potluck meal before the dance will begin at 6:30 PM. You will need your own table service and dish to pass.

Follow us at The Blissfest Dance Group page here on Facebook.

Send a message to learn more

09/17/2025

HEY Dancers!
I just wanted to let you know about a couple of upcoming dance opportunities:

COUNTRY DANCE
Live band - Country Rhythm
Manton Senior Center Dance
302 W. Main - Manton
Saturday, September 20th, 2025 – 5:30 – 9 PM
Squares
For more information contact:
Judy Heady - 231-434-5405

AND

Saturday, September 27, 5:30 pm Potluck dinner, bring a dish to share, your own beverage & utensils.
7 pm Barn Dance*, Bliss Gardens Farm 5322 Hill Rd, Cross Village. This is a benefit for Readmond-Friendship Cross Village Fire & Rescue; Donations to RFC are most appreciated.
Cynthia Donahey will be calling to music by The Hybrids (Dale & Maureen Scott, John Richey & Ron Fowler).

09/15/2025

The October 4th Blissfest Community Dance will feature Larry Dyer calling the dances with Harbor HoeDown providing the tunes.
We'll convene at the Littlefield-Alanson Community Building, 7631 US 31 (Burr Ave), Alanson, MI 49706 from 7:30 to 10 PM.
Admission is $10/person, $5 Students (Please have a student ID available), children 12 & under FREE. Cash, cards & checks accepted.
All dances are taught by the caller with live music. You need not bring a partner to participate.
We will be holding a potluck meal before the dance at 6:30 PM. You will need your own table service and dish to pass.