RiverJam Romp

09/06/2026

GOOD NEWS! We made some changes to our registration mid-stream this year, which means we’re able to accept all types of registrations through NOON on 9/8! Payment must also be received on 9/8. So if you’re reading this, hoping to come, and haven’t registered yet, you didn’t miss the boat! We even have a couple of dorm rooms left.

REGISTRATION: To REGISTER for the weekend, or a day pass, or a Saturday concert/dinner/dance ticket, go to riverjamromp.org/register.

DONATIONS: If you’re not able to attend this year, but you like what we’re doing, we could use your support. Here’s a link for donating if you want to send a general donation or one earmarked for the scholarship fund. All donations are tax-deductible (we’re a 501c3).

DROP-IN FUN: New this year, anyone can DROP IN on Sunday afternoon from 1-4 to sample a workshop and enjoy the Staff Concert! Donate at the door; no registration needed. Arrive at 1pm to check in; workshops begin at 1:15. The staff concert begins in the Dining Hall at 2:30.

~ Drop-In Sunday workshops include an open Irish Session in the Dining Hall, “Songs for Right Now” by Becky Graber and Peter Siegel (for all singers), “Tunes from Right Here” by Louisa Engle (for all instruments and levels), “Juggle Juggle Juggle!” with Tom Yahner (for EVERYONE!), and “Fun for All Ages” with Stefan Amidon. Your choice!

You can also DROP IN for either evening dance! Dances begin at 7:30, followed by a potluck snack at 9:30, then late-night jamming and singing for all who want to stay. (Bring your instrument!) Donate at the door, all are welcome. No registration needed. Music for both dances will be provided by this year’s Romp Staff Band, including Keith Murphy, Naomi Morse, Marko Packard, Peter Siegel, and other local superstars.
~ Friday’s family-style community dance for all ages and abilities
~ Saturday’s New England contradance for all experience levels

DONATE for drop-in activites in advance if you prefer! Bring cash, check, or a smartphone that can access a QR code to donate at the door.

08/30/2026

Purchase your package by MONDAY September 7th! On Saturday, September 12, 2026 you can come to the RiverJam Romp Saturday Concert, the Dinner, and the Dance!

This package really hits a sweet spot if you love to hear live music, eat good food, and enjoy contradance and just want to come to The Romp just for the afternoon/evening instead of the whole day or the whole weekend! Check out the details and reserve your spot: riverjamromp.org/concert-dinner-dance

If you have already purchased a Saturday Day Pass or have registered for the entire weekend, you do not need to purchase this kind of ticket

See you at The Romp!

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08/29/2026

Can't commit to the whole weekend? That's OK! A Day Pass might be what you need! Make your choice before the deadline next MONDAY SEPT 7th! See our Day Pass page for pricing: riverjamromp.org/day-passes

Here are your Day Pass choices:

Friday only (Sept. 11) ~ 4:30 pm - 10:30+ pm (includes dinner, jamming, welcome gathering, dancing, evening activities)

Saturday only (Sept. 12) ~ 7:30 am - 10:30+ pm (includes all three meals, workshops, concert, dancing, evening activities)

Sunday only (Sept. 13) ~ 7:30 am - 4:30 pm (includes breakfast, lunch, workshops, concert, farewell gathering)

RiverJam Romp takes place Friday, September 11 - Sunday, September 13, 2026 at Potash Hill, 2582 South Road, Marlboro, VT (formerly Marlboro College). The Rom is for You! Me! Kids! Elders! Anyone who loves traditional New England music/dance and likes to have fun.

08/28/2026

IN TWO WEEKS! Join us in the Potash Hill Dining Hall for community dancing and fun with expert callers and an all-star band. All ages and abilities are welcome. No registration necessary. By donation at the door. Public welcome!

Park in the visitor lot at Potash Hill (formerly Marlboro College). The campus address is 2582 South Rd, Marlboro, Vermont, and the second visitor lot on the left is the lot closest to the Dining Hall. Cross the street, go up the stairs, listen for the music, and you'll find us!

On Friday, Sept. 11, 2026 from 7:30 - 9:30 pm, we'll enjoy a family-friendly dance featuring community contras led by Louisa Engle to the playing of this year's fabulous Romp Staff Band. No experience necessary! All ages and abilities are welcome.

Louisa Engle began calling and fiddling for dances right here at Marlboro College in the early 2000s and has been calling and playing at family contra dances and camps throughout New England ever since. She is passionate about bringing together musicians and dancers of different ages and abilities, and can often be found calling at the longstanding Village Dance sponsored by New England Dancing Masters.

Our Saturday night dance on Sept. 12 from 7:30 - 9:30 pm will feature New England contra dancing called by Liz Nelson to the playing of this year's fabulous Romp Staff Band. No experience needed; all dances will be taught. All are welcome!

Liz Nelson is a contra caller known for her clear, easy-to-follow teaching style, steady presence, and warm, welcoming energy. Liz approaches every event with an open mind because she knows that people of all ages and experience levels can find joy and success in the dance hall. Liz has called at regular dances, festivals, and special events across the country from Maine to Hawai’i, and regularly calls dances in Greenfield, MA.

For more info on RiverJam Romp: riverjamromp.org

See you at the dance!

08/27/2026

Mary Fraser (Montague, MA) has been fiddling in the region throughout her life in dance halls, cafes, and festivals. She's a mainstay at Maine Fiddle Camp, organizer of the Harry Smith old time weekend in Greenfield, MA, and a founding organizer of our very own RiverJam Romp.

Register NOW to join us at the 5th Annual RiverJam Romp, Sept. 11-13, 2026, in Marlboro, Vermont! “The Romp” at Potash Hill is for singers, musicians, dancers, and traditional music and dance enthusiasts to celebrate the music and dance traditions of Southern Vermont, the Monadnock Region, and the Pioneer Valley. Highlighting local and regional staff, RiverJam Romp nurtures these traditions and strengthens community connections. Register today: riverjamromp.org/register

08/27/2026

***DEADLINE EXTENDED*** We have a couple of dorm rooms left! Register ASAP (before Monday 9/7 at the latest). Don't miss out on the chance for a bed just steps away from all the Romp action! riverjamromp.org/register

For tenting, commuting, or buying a day pass, the deadline has also been extended to Monday 9/7. After that, drop-in options are limited to evening dances and a special drop-in opportunity for the public on Sunday afternoon from 1-4 pm.

See our website for more details! www.riverjamromp.org

IF YOU MISS THE DEADLINE - DON'T WORRY! Email us ASAP at [email protected] and we’ll fit you in if we can!

08/26/2026

Thanks to the Commons News Arts page, you can read all about the RiverJam Romp!

There is STILL TIME to register to join in the fun Sept. 11 -13 in Marlboro, VT! Register by Monday 9/7 or drop in on Friday or Saturday night at 7:30 for dancing followed by jamming, or Sunday afternoon at 1pm for a free workshop and concert! More info: www.riverjamromp.org

Many thanks to The Commons for doing such a fabulous job with this writeup. We appreciate our local news media! Check it out...

https://www.commonsnews.org/issue/879/879river_romp

MARLBORO-Get ready for lively fiddles, energetic dancers, and lots of singing when the RiverJam Romp returns Friday, Sept. 11 through Sunday, Sept. 13, at the campus at Marlboro Music on Potash Hill, the former home of Marlboro College. This family-friendly event celebrates the music and dance tradi...

08/26/2026

Garrett Sawyer (Wendell, MA) is a bassist and educator who loves bringing flavor from global genres into the melting pot of contra dance music. He has performed with a Trinidadian soca band in an abandoned fort in the heart of Grenada, a Senegalese hip-hop group in a National Geography concert at Grand Central Station, a klezmer group at the opening of the Boston Greenway, and an Eastern European heavy metal/reggae band in a dark club in Springfield.

Garrett writes and performs with a depth of understanding borne from both academic analysis (as a Berklee graduate) and real-world experience. Since 2012, Garrett has played concerts, festivals, and contra dance weekends across the US with The Gaslight Tinkers.

Register NOW to join us at the 5th Annual RiverJam Romp, Sept. 11-13, 2026, in Marlboro, Vermont! “The Romp” at Potash Hill is for singers, musicians, dancers, and traditional music and dance enthusiasts to celebrate the music and dance traditions of Southern Vermont, the Monadnock Region, and the Pioneer Valley. Highlighting local and regional staff, RiverJam Romp nurtures these traditions and strengthens community connections. Register today: riverjamromp.org/register

08/26/2026

We especially love having FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN at the Romp. During workshop periods, willing kids can hang out and do fun things with our fabulous Children’s Coordinator, Alice Cu***ng. Kids can hang with the family, attend workshops if they are interested, or enjoy group activities with Alice, doing fun things like apple picking, c***r pressing, outdoor games, and more! Register by Monday 9/8 and join in the fun from 9/11-13!

More info for parents and families: riverjamromp.org/for-parents

theromp.org
riverjamromp.org/register
riverjamromp.org/workshops
riverjamromp.org/schedule

08/22/2026

RiverJam Romp is coming to Marlboro, VT Sept. 11-13, 2026! Register Now: riverjamromp.org/register

C***r pressing! Screenprinting! Juggling! Community! The Romp is so much more than just music and dancing! Screenprint our beautiful logo onto blank t-shirts (buy one at the Romp or bring your own!) Pick apples from the campus orchard, help press them into fresh c***r by hand, and sing c***r songs to speed the pressing! Learn to juggle on Sunday with our friend Tom Yahner! And more…

All of the workshops welcome listeners and dabblers. The staff concerts are great entertainment. We have workshops specifically for folks who might never have played an instrument before. Our evening dances are taught so that anyone at any level can join in and have fun. And everyone is welcome to join in the singing, all weekend long! Find out more: theromp.org

No experience required! Come find out for yourself.

riverjamromp.org/schedule
riverjamromp.org/workshops