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Duck
for the Oyster
Duck for the Oyster specializes
in traditional music and dance from 18th and 19th century America
as well as a variety of dances from around the world. Since
1988 the band has been hosting and playing a regular dance series
in Northwestern Wisconsin featuring squares, contras, reels,
quadrilles, international, circle and round dances. Their dances
are sprinkled with waltzes, polkas, schottisches, swing dances
and music for clogging. In the time they have been together
Duck for the Oyster has become one of the Midwest's best traditional
dance bands. Their eclectic repertoire, compelling rhythms,
and sheer sense of fun make them a favorite among dancers of
all levels. Every dance is taught before the music starts; dancers
are prompted throughout by a caller; no previous experience
is needed; beginners are welcome.
Duck for the Oyster is made up of callers Karen Kaufman
and Kathy Brihn, with instrumentalists Kevin McMullin
on fiddle, Bob Clark on guitar, Larry Stelter
on mandolin, and Bruce Qualey on bass. In addition to
their regular dance series, Duck for the Oyster has appeared
throughout the upper Midwest at festivals, schools, museums
and town halls, where their unique brand of entertainment has
served as a focus for family and community gatherings. They
also host a weekend dance camp each June at Hunt Hill Audubon
Sanctuary in Sarona, Wisconsin.
Duck for the Oyster has two CDs, Migrations, and their
most recent release: May We Have This Dance. The two
discs are a reflection of the musical journey the "Ducks"
have been making throughout their history as a dance band. Migrations
is filled with a melting pot of tunes from all over the world
arranged in seamless medleys. May We Have This Dance is
a do it yourself dance disc, with music and instructions for
10 different traditional American Dances.
Working with people of all ages has always been important to
Duck for the Oyster. Most "Duck" evenings include
special dances for the young and the young at heart. The wide
variety of songs, dances, rhythm games, stories and fun offered
by Duck for the Oyster endear them to virtually every age group.
Quipped one third grader: "This is more fun than Disney
World!".
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