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THE
POLKA DOTS SONG AND BARN DANCE
are based in Leeds/Harrogate and play
mainly in Yorkshire. They are a three piece traditional
band including Roy Hardacre on melodeon, Nigel Swan
on keyboard /guitar and the dance caller, Jan Porter
on bass/recorder.
Jan Porter, Roy Hardacre and Nigel
Swan, have been playing for /running dances for many
years. A professional trio they take a pride in providing
good quality entertainment at weddings and party dances
for all ages.
Roy specialises in melodeon and has
some lively Irish and English songs in his repertoire,
Nigel provides a strong rhythmn on keyboard or guitar
together with classic folk songs, and Jan adds bass
for Scottish marches and recorder for English tunes.
Jan's most popular dances include traditional classics
such as The Virginia Reel, Cumberland Square Eight and
Strip the Willow - good for beginners. She also calls
American contras and sung squares - and novelty dances
such as the Lambeth Walk and Rock Barn Dance. The type
of dance will depend on the event - and on the age and
experience of the dancers.
The Polka Dots music originates from
England, Scotland, Ireland and America with not only
lively tradtional polkas but jigs, reels, hornpipes
and gentle waltzes – ideal for dancing.
The trio also perform songs and include
in their repertoire Irish songs for St Patricks Nights,
Scottish for Burns nights , American for a hoe down,
and a variety of lively songs from the Music Hall era
and 30s and 40s – even some Rock and Roll.
Because of their flexibility the Polka
Dots play regularly for country dance nights such as
Heatherdene Dance Club in Harrogate and the Yorkshire
Mixtures in Batley – which both attract experienced
dancers – and also for childrens events such at
the Family Ceilidh at the Day of Dance in Shipley.
The Polka Dots diversity of tunes and
songs are excellent for a general general ceilidh where
they can include a mix of styles. They also take on
more specialised events such as St Patricks Nights,
St Georges and Burns Nights and Jan and Nigel have performed
songs from 30s and 40s songs and Music Hall at parties
for older people such as the Unity Day event in Leeds.
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