About Charley
Caller Charley Harvey, in Asheville, North Carolina, began dancing in Berea Kentucky over twenty five years ago. He has called dances far and wide, teaching American Folk dance in Denmark and leading local dances and dance weekends throughout the eastern US.
Charley Harvey loves dance. He began as an English Country Dancer, went on to become a member of Berea College Country Dancers. In 1992 he helped found the Berea Kentucky dance series "Oh Contraire!" and began calling dances regularly shortly after that. He has served as a workshop leader (Waltz, Swing, Hambo, Salty Dog Rag to name a few) at various Contra Dance Weekends throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Mid-West.
Widely regarded as an exciting and enthusiastic dance caller and sometime Washboard impresario, he has worked with highly regarded bands such as Giant Robot Dance, Notorious, Hotpoint Stringband, Crowfoot, Footloose, The Avant Gardeners, Atlantic Crossing, U4 and The Berea Castoffs. Charley's goal is for everyone to have as much fun on the dance floor as possible.
What others say:
Charley delights contra dancers with his easy concise instructions. He creates a fun-filled evening as he builds the dancers confidence with increasingly complex dances which he weaves into a delightful fun-filled program.---- Charlotte Dance Gypsies
The inimitable Charley Harvey! When Charley's calling you know you are in for high energy dances - and nothing run of the mill! He's just pure fun! MJT, Asheville NC
Paul B. said...Well, as expected, it was a really fun dance with Charley and the Possums. It's fun to see a new dance community in the making.
Ann B said...Charley, thanks for a GREAT dance in Charleston last Friday. We had a very mixed crowd of experts and novices - and all left thrilled.
From Southeastern Ohio Traditional Dance Society:
Be Careful! The enthusiasm of caller Charley Harvey, from Kentucky, is highly contagious. A great caller with great teaching skills opens our season of contra and square dancing in Athens.
Lynday said...Great Dance at the Folk School, Charley. I heard many happy dancers saying that they really enjoyed your calling! Good to see you. Look forward to the next time you are calling a dance where I am dancing!
Charley is noted for clear and concise teaching (he is great with beginners!) and an enthusiasm that is contagious! No matter how much experience you have as a dancer (or how little), Charley will lead an evening of dance that will leave you smiling!
One of his musings resulted in an essay being included in the NPR collection, "This I Believe"
Find it here: www.thisibelieve.org/essay/29279/
You can keep up with his dance calling tours on FaceBook at: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=108454390761&ref=mf
Here is video shot by Bob Green of St Louis, MO at Sugar Hill 2010. The dance is "Asheville Playground". Find it on Dances page.
Charley Harvey loves dance. He began as an English Country Dancer, went on to become a member of Berea College Country Dancers. In 1992 he helped found the Berea Kentucky dance series "Oh Contraire!" and began calling dances regularly shortly after that. He has served as a workshop leader (Waltz, Swing, Hambo, Salty Dog Rag to name a few) at various Contra Dance Weekends throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Mid-West.
Widely regarded as an exciting and enthusiastic dance caller and sometime Washboard impresario, he has worked with highly regarded bands such as Giant Robot Dance, Notorious, Hotpoint Stringband, Crowfoot, Footloose, The Avant Gardeners, Atlantic Crossing, U4 and The Berea Castoffs. Charley's goal is for everyone to have as much fun on the dance floor as possible.
What others say:
Charley delights contra dancers with his easy concise instructions. He creates a fun-filled evening as he builds the dancers confidence with increasingly complex dances which he weaves into a delightful fun-filled program.---- Charlotte Dance Gypsies
The inimitable Charley Harvey! When Charley's calling you know you are in for high energy dances - and nothing run of the mill! He's just pure fun! MJT, Asheville NC
Paul B. said...Well, as expected, it was a really fun dance with Charley and the Possums. It's fun to see a new dance community in the making.
Ann B said...Charley, thanks for a GREAT dance in Charleston last Friday. We had a very mixed crowd of experts and novices - and all left thrilled.
From Southeastern Ohio Traditional Dance Society:
Be Careful! The enthusiasm of caller Charley Harvey, from Kentucky, is highly contagious. A great caller with great teaching skills opens our season of contra and square dancing in Athens.
Lynday said...Great Dance at the Folk School, Charley. I heard many happy dancers saying that they really enjoyed your calling! Good to see you. Look forward to the next time you are calling a dance where I am dancing!
Charley is noted for clear and concise teaching (he is great with beginners!) and an enthusiasm that is contagious! No matter how much experience you have as a dancer (or how little), Charley will lead an evening of dance that will leave you smiling!
One of his musings resulted in an essay being included in the NPR collection, "This I Believe"
Find it here: www.thisibelieve.org/essay/29279/
You can keep up with his dance calling tours on FaceBook at: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=108454390761&ref=mf
Here is video shot by Bob Green of St Louis, MO at Sugar Hill 2010. The dance is "Asheville Playground". Find it on Dances page.