Dudley Laufman

William Dudley Laufman was an American contra and barn dance caller and musician widely credited with having helped spur the revival of contra dance in the 20th century.

Early life Laufman was born in Newton, Massachusetts, on February 7, 1931, and grew up in the nearby town of Arlington. His father, M. Miller, was a businessman, and his mother, Marjorie was a civil rights activist. They became popular with adherents of the back-to-the-land movement of the 1950s. At times, he was the only remaining caller of contra dances with live music. on a plot. He received a natural burial in a clearing at the edge of his property at a gravesite marked with timothy grass.

Awards and honors In 1990, the University of New Hampshire Archives approached Laufman to donate his recordings, writings, personal photographs and other materials to a special collection, which was named the "Dudley Laufman Collection No. 107".

The recreation barn at Camp Quinebarge, a children's sleep away summer camp, on Lake Kanasatka in Moultonborough, New Hampshire, which hosted "Dudley Dances" for 50 years, is named in his honor.

Discography With Jacqueline Laufman

Where'd You Get Them Great Chunes (alongside the Sugar River String Band) (Two Fiddles, 2007)

With Canterbury Country Orchestra

Mistwold (F&W Records F74-FW-5, 1974) Swinging On A Gate (Front Hall Records, 1974) Here's to Every Country Dancer (F&W F72-FW-3, 2019)