PORT ANGELES — This month’s community contra dance — an event open to newcomers — features renowned fiddler Lisa Ornstein and guitarist Dan Compton playing music of French Canada and the Appalachians at the Black Diamond Community Hall on Saturday night.
Ornstein, who’s played in Port Angeles before, “is maybe the best fiddler we’ve ever hosted,” said contra enthusiast Tom Shindler.
“She recorded with La Bottine Souriante, perhaps the best-known Quebec ensemble,” he added.
“Three years ago, she moved to Portland [Ore.] and has been doing small West Coast tours, and we have been lucky enough to snag her for yet another dance.”
The evening starts as always with a 7:30 p.m. workshop for beginning contra dancers. Then, Ornstein and Compton, known for their energetic fiddle-to-guitar dialogue, will play at 8 p.m.
Admission is a suggested donation of $6 for adults and $2 for children, and the Black Diamond hall is at 1942 Black Diamond Road, about 2 miles south from Pine Street.
For more details about Port Angeles’ monthly contra dances, phone 360-457-5667.
On Sunday, Ornstein and Compton will both give workshops at the Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend, the first of which starts at 11:45 a.m.
After the workshops, the pair will play a concert in the fort chapel at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 or $10 for workshop participants.
To learn more, visit www.Centrum.org.
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Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-417-3550 or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.