Ethan's fiddling combines expressive subtlety, playfulness, and compelling rhythmic power born out of more than two decades of experience as a dance musician. A versatile and inspiring performer, Ethan is equally at home digging into an Irish, Quebecois, or New England fiddle tune, improvising on a classic blues, swing, or honky-tonk song, or interpreting a lyrical waltz or English Country Dance melody.
Based in Brattleboro, Vermont, Ethan tours extensively throughout the U.S. and abroad, playing for dances, festivals, camps, concerts, weddings, and other events with his bands Elixir and The Figments. He performs closer to home with honky-tonk band The Rear Defrosters. Ethan is also an avid composer of tunes in traditional styles, and his compositions and arrangements have been played and recorded widely.
Jan 12, 2017at 7:30 pm | House ConcertPhoenix, AZ, United Stateswith ElixirFor details and reservations contact: or (602)791-1238 |
Jan 13, 2017to Jan 14, 2017 | Phoenix Winter FrolicPhoenix, AZ, United States with Elixirwith Brian Bender (trombone) |
Jan 23, 2017at 7:00 pm | Amherst English Country DanceMunson Library, Amherst, MAwith ElixirMary Lea (violin), Pat McPherson (piano), and Brad Foster (calling) |
Feb 4, 2017at 9:00 am | Percussive Dance IntensiveGuiding Star Grange, 401 Chapman St, Greenfield, MAwith ElixirRebecca McGown, Gillian Stewart, and Meg Ryan teaching. Music by Graham DeZarn and Ethan Hazzard-Watkins. |
Feb 5, 2017at 7:00 pm | Percussive Dance House ConcertRebop Farm, 1320 Sunset Lake Rd. Brattleboro, VTwith Elixirwith dancing by Rebecca McGowan, Meg Ryan, and Gillian Stewart, plus music by Nicole Singer (vocals), Graham DeZarn (fiddle), and Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle) |
Feb 6, 2017at 7:00 pm | Amherst English Country DanceMunson Library, Amherst, MAwith Elixirlydia ievins (violin), Karen Axelrod (piano), and Anna Rain (calling) |
Feb 17, 2017to Feb 19, 2017 | Ann Arbor Dawn Dance WeekendAnn Arbor, MIwith Elixirwith Adina Gordon (calling) and The Figments: Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Anna Patton (clarinet), and Owen Morrison (guitar/feet) |
Mar 1, 2017at 7:30 pm | Downtown Amherst Contra Dance99 Main St Amherst, MA, United Stateswith ElixirThe Figments: Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Anna Patton (clarinet), and Owen Morrison (guitar/feet) |
Mar 2, 2017at 7:30 pm | Concord Contra Dance74 Walden St Concord MA 01742 United Stateswith ElixirThe Figments: Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Anna Patton (clarinet), and Owen Morrison (guitar/feet) |
Mar 23, 2017at 8:00 pm | The Rear DefrostersThe Rendezvous 78 3rd St, Turners Falls, MA 01376, United Stateswith ElixirBrattleboro's loudest Honky Tonk band returns to Turner's Falls! Kate Lorenz opens with a solo set. |
Apr 21, 2017to Apr 23, 2017 | Hands Four Spring DanceBerea, KYwith Elixirwith Wendy Graham (calling) and Brian Bender (trombone) |
Apr 27, 2017at 7:30 pm | Concord Contra Dance74 Walden St Concord MA 01742 United Stateswith Elixir |
Apr 28, 2017at 8:00 pm | Greenfield Experienced Contra Dance401 Chapman St Greenfield MA 01301with Elixir |
Apr 29, 2017at 8:00 pm | Montpelier Contra DanceCapitol City Grange, Montpelier, VTwith Elixir |
May 13, 2017at 8:00 pm | Norwich Contra DanceNorwich, VT, United States with Elixirwith Dave Eisenstadter (calling), Jeremiah McLane (accordion/piano) and Owen Marshall (guitar/banjo) |
Jun 8, 2017at 9:00 pm | Rear Defrosters @ Thing in the SpringHarlow's Pub 3 School St, Peterborough, NH 03458, United Stateswith Elixir |
Jun 26, 2017at 7:00 pm | Amherst English Country DanceMunson Library, Amherst, MAwith ElixirBrad Foster (calling), Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Anna Patton (clarinet), and Karen Axelrod (piano) |
Jun 29, 2017to Jul 3, 2017 | Boston Centre July 4th WeekendPinewoods Camp, Plymouth, MAwith Elixir |
Jul 3, 2017to Jul 7, 2017 | ESCape (English, Scottish, Contra) week at PinewoodsPinewoods Camp, Plymouth, MAwith Elixir |
Jul 15, 2017at 6:00 pm | Rear Defrosters @ Bunker FarmThe Bunker Farm, 857 Bunker Rd, Dummerston, VTwith ElixirPizza available for purchase starting at 6pm, with music to follow. BYOB. Opening Act: New Barnyard Seranaders $10 suggested donation for the bands |
Jul 22, 2017to Jul 29, 2017 | CDSS Harmony of Song & Dance WeekPinewoods Camp, Plymouth, MAwith Elixir |
Aug 17, 2017at 7:30 pm | Concord Contra Dance74 Walden St Concord MA 01742 United Stateswith ElixirThe Figments: Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Anna Patton (clarinet), and Owen Morrison (guitar/feet) |
Sep 23, 2017at 2:15 pm | Rear Defrosters @ Garlic and Arts FestivalOrange, MA, United States with ElixirHonky tonk and garlic! |
Oct 6, 2017at 8:00 pm | Concord Experienced DanceConcord Scout House 74 Walden St, Concord, MA 01742, United Stateswith Elixir |
Oct 7, 2017at 8:00 pm | Montpelier Contra DanceCapital City Grange, Montpelier, VTwith Elixir |
Oct 26, 2017at 8:00 pm | Rear Defrosters @ The WhetstoneWhetstone Station Restaurant and Brewery 36 Bridge St, Brattleboro, VT 05301, United Stateswith Elixir |
Nov 19, 2017at 2:00 pm | Mostly WaltzWhately, MAwith Elixirwith Anna Patton (clarinet) and Karen Axelrod (piano) |
Dec 18, 2017at 7:00 pm | Amherst English DanceMunson Library, Amherst, MAwith Elixirwith Brad Foster (calling), Anna Patton (clarinet), and Karen Axelrod (piano) |
Jan 10, 2018at 7:30 pm | Rear Defrosters @ EchoEcho Restaurant and Lounge 73 Main St, Brattleboro, VT 05301, United Stateswith Elixir |
Jan 26, 2018to Jan 28, 2018 | Florida Snow BallThe Gulfport Casino Ballroom 5500 Shore Blvd S, Gulfport, FL 33707, United Stateswith Elixir |
Feb 23, 2018to Feb 25, 2018 | Dancing with the GODSGainesville, FLwith Elixirwith The Figments: Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Anna Patton (clarinet), and Owen Morrison (guitar/feet) |
Apr 6, 2018to Apr 8, 2018 | Epicenter Dance WeekendStrawberry Recreation Center, Mill Valley, CAwith ElixirWith Naomi Morse on Fiddle and Brian Bender on Trombone |
Apr 6, 2018at 7:00 pm | Rear Defrosters @ Root CellarRoot Cellar 10 Fiske Ave, Greenfield, MA 01301with Elixir |
Apr 13, 2018to Apr 15, 2018 | Call of the Loon Contra Dance WeekendMinneapolis, MNwith Elixir |
Apr 26, 2018at 8:00 pm | Rear Defrosters @ The WhetstoneWhetstone Station Restaurant and Brewery 36 Bridge St, Brattleboro, VT 05301, United Stateswith Elixir |
May 5, 2018at 8:00 pm | Montpelier Contra DanceCapital City Grange, Montpelier, VTwith Elixirwith Sue Rosen (calling), Peter Siegel (mandolin/guitar) and Bruce Rosen (piano/guitar) |
May 25, 2018at 8:00 pm | Rear Defrosters @ The HiveKeene, NH, United Stateswith Elixir |
May 26, 2018at 8:00 pm | Greenfield Contra Dance401 Chapman St, Greenfield, MAwith Elixirwith the Gaslight Tinkers |
May 31, 2018at 7:30 pm | Concord Contra DanceConcord Scout House, 74 Walden St Concord MA 01742with Elixir |
Jun 3, 2018at 6:00 pm | Rear Defrosters @ Twilight on the Tavern LawnPutney, VTwith Elixir |
Jun 7, 2018at 10:00 pm | Rear Defrosters @ Thing in the SpringHarlow's Pub 3 School St, Peterborough, NH 03458, United Stateswith Elixir |
Jun 13, 2018at 7:30 pm | Rear Defrosters @ EchoEcho Restaurant and Lounge 73 Main St, Brattleboro, VT 05301, United Stateswith Elixir |
Jun 28, 2018to Jul 2, 2018 | Pinewoods 4th of JulyPinewoods Camp, Plymouth, MAwith Elixir |
Jul 21, 2018to Jul 28, 2018 | Harmony of Song and Dance WekPinewoods Camp, Plymouth, MAwith Elixir |
Sep 7, 2018at 8:00 pm | Rear Defrosters @ The Stone ChurchThe Stone Church 210 Main St, Brattleboro, VT 05301, United Stateswith Elixirwww.facebook.com/events/1355870321223769 |
Sep 8, 2018at 6:00 pm | Rear Defrosters @ Glendale Ridge WineryGlendale Ridge Winery, Southampton, MAwith Elixir |
Sep 21, 2018to Sep 22, 2018 | Contrashock 2018Brooklyn Waldorf School 11 Jefferson Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238with ElixirWith Nils Fredland and Will Mentor calling, music by Elixir and Wake Up Robin! Friday 9/21: 7:30 PM Contra Dance Lesson 8-11:00 PM Contra Dance Saturday 9/22: 2:15-5:30 PM Challenging Contras 7:00 PM Contra Dance Lesson 7:30-10:45 PM Contra Dance |
Sep 23, 2018at 1:00 pm | Contrastock VIIISpanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MDwith ElixirAnother great Contrastock party! With Elixir, Maivish, Wake Up Robin, Nils Fredland, Will Mentor, and Susan Michaels |
Oct 5, 2018at 8:00 pm | Mostly Waltz GreenfieldGuiding Star Grange, 401 Chapman St, Greenfield, MAwith ElixirThe Figments: Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Anna Patton (clarinet), Owen Morrison (guitar) |
Oct 6, 2018at 8:00 pm | Montpelier Contra DanceCapital City Grange, Montpelier, VTwith Elixir |
To order Elixir CDs please visit the Elixir store.
Selected traditional and original material arranged to highlight the diverse musical ideas that grow out of the New England contra dance tradition. Ethan’s solo CD moves gracefully between high energy jigs and reels, contemplative airs, and lovely waltzes, flirting with musical ideas drawn from a wide range of styles. Recorded and Mixed by Bob Mills in Guilford, VT.
Anna Patton (clarinet), Bob Mills (guitar & bouzouki), Chuck Corman (bass), Erica Morse (cello & bass) Elvie Miller (piano & accordion), Jesse Hazzard-Watkins (trumpet), lydia ievins (fiddle), Marko Packard (guitar & sax), Naomi Morse (fiddle & viola), Peter Siegel (guitar, mandolin, banjo, & feet), Roger Kahle (guitar), Seth Houston (piano).
Ethan's collection of original tunes, published in 2007, is no longer available in print. You can download a complete PDF of the book or find some individual highlights and more recent compositions below.