Ithaca College

This Friday, and every Friday! Want to come play (or learn to play) contra music? Come to Fish Bowl, the open contra music group that meets on Friday afternoons in the Campus Center, near or inside the Fish Bowl (the glass-walled room near the coffee shop). 

Contra music is a style of folk music that includes tunes of American, Irish, British, Scottish, and Canadian origin. It consists of short tunes played with repetitions and variations in a danceable style. 

You don't have to be a music major or a highly skilled player to join us! All players of all levels are welcome. Especially encouraged are players of fiddle, viola, recorder, guitar, mandolin, ukelele, banjo, flute, whistle, cello (or upright bass), washtub, harp, spoons, and accordion. However, anyone is welcome to come give it a try. If you've never played contra music, come see what we're up to. It's easy, playable by ear or by sheet music (based on your preferences), and really great fun. Faculty, staff, students, and community members (including people of all ages) are welcome! If you'd like to see the kind of music we play, send an email to rwagner@ithaca.edu for a pdf of the main book of tunes.

If you don't play an instrument, just come listen! We would like to have occasional contra dances on campus, but for now, Friday afternoons will be for just playing the music itself in a relaxed style. 

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Rachel Wagner at rwagner@ithaca.edu or (607) 274-3249. We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible.