Brad Foster loves sharing the joy of dance through his teaching. He started teaching in his teens and running events in his twenties. Brad is co-founder of the Mendocino Country Dance Camps and was Executive and Artistic Director of the Country Dance and Song Society for 28 years; he was Programme Director for English Week ten times between 1986 and 2013. Brad has travelled throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe as a teacher of English country, morris & sword, and contra dance.
Brian started dancing and calling at barn dances and ceilidhs in his teens and came to folk dancing via ballroom dancing. He has called at various national venues including Halsway Manor and Eastbourne and Chippenham Festivals. He is also chairman of the excellent Mercian Folk Callers' Forum.He enjoys Playford, modern English and American styles of dance and, as a caller, likes to share his enthusiasm with fellow dancers and to help them to get the most from a dance by encouraging them to think of the two big Ts — Timing and Technique.
Geoff is well known as a caller for American Squares and Contra and English Ceilidh. He has called at national dance festivals including Whitby, Chippenham, Eastbourne and Sidmouth, and is well respected by his peers. He has considerable experience as a dancer himself, particularly in Appalachian clogging.His experience as a dancer stands him in good stead when calling, as his sympathy with those on the floor means that he is helpful to beginners as well as extending the expert dancers.
Website: geoffcubitt.com
Louise Siddons is a well-known contra and English country dance caller on both sides of the Atlantic. After a 35-year sojourn in the States, she is once again based in the south of England, where among other things she is the co-founder of the Brighton Gender-Free Contra+ series. She also teaches a variety of couple dances including swing and waltz. In all of her teaching and calling, she aims for a fun, welcoming atmosphere that encourages dancers to enjoy familiar and new dances alike.Website: louisesiddons.com
Bearded Dragons is a modern folk duo featuring expert dance musicians Benjamin Rowe (fiddle) and Vic Smith (keys, synthesizers). Pioneers of Techno Contra and Techno Ceilidh in the UK, they provide anything ranging from savage analog synthesizer beats to smooth traditional sounds, always with a focus on danceability and excitement.Facebook: facebook.
Facebook: facebook.com/ContraSutra
Julia Day, Shane Day and Tina Brown were part of the legendary “Wild Thyme”, and have been playing as “Keeping Thyme” since 2000. They provide good, danceable music with energy or a gentle touch as required, in many styles, and will still be smiling at the end of the festival.
Created by Paul Hutchinson (Piano Accordion) and Karen Wimhurst (Clarinets) to evolve their fusion sound, Pagoda Project brings together a unique blend of traditional folk music with jazz improvisation to create a warm and dynamic sound.Paul Hutchinson, previously known as half of Belshazzars Feast, and Karen Wimhurst, previously a member of the Cauld Blast Orchestra, have a wealth of musical experience in a diverse range of genres from classical to folk. Both are talented composers, educators and performers, and are highly regarded musicians in their own right.
Websites: paulhutchinsonmusic.
Purcell's Polyphonic Party is a trio of musicians come together to combine their love of Purcell, Playford, Baroque and the Nordic Noir. Take one harpsichord, one viola d'amore, one nyckelharpa. Stir occasionally with bouzouki and accordion. Once mixed add one set of bagpipes, a light sprinkling of flageolet and allow to simmer gently together on stage for around 3 hours. Then enjoy some beautifully served up dance music.With a wide range of experience from Playford and social dance to ceilidh and contra, Purcell's Polyphonic Party has a unique sound, combining the beauty and style of the baroque era with raw foot-tapping dance energy. You can be assured that a dance evening has plenty of variety.
Website: purcelltrio.co.uk
Facebook: facebook.
Twitter: twitter.com/purcelltrio
Stradivarious is Rod Stradling on accordion, Poppy Weatherall on violin and Frances Stradling on percussion. We are all keen dancers and aim to give energy and encouragement to those who dance to our music.Website: rodstradling.co.uk
Deeply rooted in Balkan traditions, Opa Rosa's music aims to explore and reinvent the motifs of Eastern Europe by subtly drawing from other musical influences such as Post-Rock, Classical and Jazz. With their lineup of violin, clarinet, accordion, double bass and percussion, their unique and refined sound consists of an explosive and grooving rhythm section combined with intricate melodies soaring over rich and nuanced harmonic structures.Email:
You must enable JavaScript to see this email address.
Website: oparosa.com
Sound Engineers and Sound Systems will be provided for all live music by the Folk Dance Sound Collective (FDSC). This is an informal collective of folk dance musicians who are keen to give dancers the best kind of sound experience. They differ from the usual sound engineers at large events because they really understand the dynamics of a dance. You need to hear the caller clearly, but the band and their music should lead you in your dance.