Hillsboro Hoedowns bring traditional dance and music to Hillsboro

Nationally and regionally acclaimed string bands and callers take to Hillsboro’s Old Stone School Gap Stage for a new series of performances and traditional square dances in 2024

Traditional string bands and top callers from across the country headline the inaugural season of Hillsboro Hoedowns starting Saturday, Feb. 17, in Hillsboro’s Historic Old Stone School. Central Virginia string band Stay All Night, led by renown fiddler and caller Bill Wellington, starts at 7 p.m.

The new series is in response to growing interest in traditional and old-time string band music and dancing of the Appalachian region, said Hillsboro Mayor Roger Vance. “We’re delighted to expand the music and arts programming we offer in Hillsboro and bring this rich and entertaining music and dance—born and nurtured in our own backyard—to the broader Loudoun community. Whether it’s just to listen to phenomenal traditional music or to join in the dancing, all are welcome!” Vance said Hoedown proceeds will support the Town’s free Fireworks Spectacular, during this year’s Independence Day the Hillsboro Way.

“We’re kicking off the season with the legendary talent of Bill Wellington and his band Stay All Night, followed by an extraordinary lineup of top performers and callers,” Vance said.

Coming up March 30 will be Baltimore’s Brad Kolodner, fresh off a tour in Australia and New Zealand. Accompanying the extraordinary clawhammer banjo playing of Kolodner will be multi-instrumentalist Rachel Eddy and bassist Alex Lacquement, with caller Janine Smith, founder of the DC Square Dance Collective.

On April 27 Appalachian fiddler Dakota Karper from Capon Bridge, West Virginia, joins Devil in The Mill with Kim Forry, a top Mid-Atlantic caller and world-class flatfoot step dancer. Forry will also call the May 25 Hoedown featuring the Furnace Mountain Band, with Fiddlin’ Dave Van Deventer, Morgan Morrison on guitar and bouzouki, Aimee Curl on bass and the acclaimed Danny Knicely on mandolin and fiddle. Local favorite Short Hill Mountain Boys rounds out the spring lineup on June 15.

Sara Eddy, Hillsboro events coordinator, said that after a summer break Hillsboro Hoedowns will pick up on Sept. 21 with power-house American fiddler, clawhammer banjo and guitarist Janie Rothfield, Oct. 19 with Hoppin’ Molly and Gina Faber, and Nov. 23, featuring Kate MacLeod and Mind the Gap, with caller Kim Forry.

Advance tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for teens under 16, with kids under 12 free. Tickets at the door will be $22 for adults and $18 for teens. Eddy urged early ticket purchases as the indoor capacity is limited.

“Doors open at 6 p.m. with The Gap Bar offering Old 690 beers and assorted local wines,” Eddy said. “There will be food trucks in Millstone Plaza and seating available inside the Old Stone School for diners during cool weather.”

For more Hillsboro Hoedown information and tickets, visit OldStoneSchool.org.