Staff,  Between the Bays UK 2005

I have assembled what I consider my "dream" staff.

Lisa Greenleaf:  My all time favorite Contra Dance caller.  If you wish to read rave reviews of her calling, just type her name into Google.  On some days I will admit other callers might be as good as she is.  I have yet to encounter a caller who is better than she is.  She is a witty lady who has an outstanding command of her craft.

John Krumm:  I have only danced to his calling one weekend.  He arrived late because his flights were delayed. He was slightly "under the weather."  And I was mesmerized. I have a love-hate relationship with squares; I was enchanted by his square dance calling, his melodious voice.  He (& Lisa) have an unfailing sense of humor.  After several years of asking him to please come & call at our dance week, he has at last agreed.

The Groovemongers:  When it comes to dance bands, my feet are more intelligent than I am.  I cannot explain what makes a good dance band good.  My feet can.  When the band is mediocre, my feet drag: if the music is good my feet leap & girate; my legs weigh nothing at all!  I’ve danced many times to the Groovemongers.  My feet vote yes!

The Latter Day Lizards: "Swing cannot be written into the music and is often dependent on the interaction between the orchestra & the dancers."  The "orchestra," in this case, is composed of three superb musicians: Peter Barnes, Dave Langford, Bill Tomczak.  And they got swing!  They play contra music, with, at times, the groovy beat of good jazz.  And they play wonderful English Country Dance Music as well (Without(!) a jazz beat).

Ian Jones:  For a few of you, the following will be high enough praise.  In a workshop where Ian called & Belshazzar’s Feast (Paul Hutchinson & Paul Sartin) played, BF were rendered speechless by the rapier-like wit of Ian Jones.  And the dances Ian calls -- and the way he explains them!  I’ve danced thirty years on several continents.  His workshops have been among the most entertaining I’ve ever encountered.  Someone once said that a humorist is not a man who sees funny things, he is a man who sees things funny.