The late Tony Parkes will be honored November 22, 2025, as a recipient of the Lifetime
Contribution Award from Country Dance and Song Society. The event takes place at the Scout
House, Concord, MA.
A renowned caller of contras and squares for more than 50 years, choreographer, musician,
band leader, textbook author, workshop leader, dance historian, and organizer, Tony was
widely recognized as the preeminent traditional New England caller at the time of his
death.
The November 22 program will be mask optional. It begins at 4 PM with a square dance
session taught and prompted by Tony himself! (on recordings), followed by an award
presentation, a potluck supper (6 PM), and an evening dance (7:30 PM) of contras and
squares called by Annie Kidwell, Ben Sachs-Hamilton, and Lisa Greenleaf, with music by
Stove Dragon: Oliver Scanlon, Max Newman, Rose Jackson, Sam Zakon-Anderson.
(Note that the language on Tony’s recordings is gendered. The evening dance will use role
terms robins and larks.)
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