Twenty years ago, a fiddler and a dancer chose to combine their musical and physical talents into a single unstoppable entertainment duo. Together Jamie Gans and Tamara Loewenthal are Fiddle ‘n’ Feet -- Gans plays the fiddle and Loewenthal moves her feet.
Fiddle ‘n’ Feet plays old-time, traditional Americana music, drawing on a broad range of North American and Celtic traditions. On Oct. 8, Fiddle ‘n’ Feet will perform in Kresge Auditorium at 7:30 p.m..
Joining them on stage will be the Midwest Central Ramblers, which includes Sam Bartlett on banjo and mandolin, Jim Nelson on guitar and vocals, and Dedo Norris on bass and vocals. Fiddle ‘n’ Feet will also be accompanied by Loewenthal’s dance troupe, the Foot Squad.
Their performance at Kresge will consist of of Old Time tunes and songs, clogging, flatfooting, and other related percussive dances. Percussive dance is a dance form that relies on precise foot-based dance patterns, such as clogging, modern Irish stepdance, and tap dancing.
Following the performance, the public will be called to participate in a social square dance. Percussive dance takes years to master, but square dancing is accessible to every age and level of experience. Loewenthal said the dances will be very interactive and “the family atmosphere on stage is very much present.”
Ron Dye, coordinator of the Performing Arts Series, is excited for Fiddle 'n' Feet’s performance because the elements of their performance combine different cultures and genres. “While it may seem old-fashioned, this kind of dancing is great fun and traditionally a chance to flirt with someone you might have your eye on,” said Dye over email, “or if you're a couple and want to go on an ultra-hip date, this is the ticket.”
Fiddle ‘n’ Feet’s performance will combine elements from different traditional Appalachian, Irish, and French Canadian music to create a unique sound. “I think having the school bring in different artists and groups is a really amazing opportunity, as college students we don’t really get to see these kinds of performances,” said Arianna Plett, a sophomore music student,.
Loewenthal said Fiddle ‘n’ Feet are excited to perform at DePauw, and to meet students. “We want to continue spreading old town music, the love of percussive dance and social dance, and sow the seeds [of interest] in the younger people,” Loewenthal said.