"Probably the best thing I've heard for a long time ... Go seek them
out and dance to them."
-- Gareth Kiddier (English
Contra Dance Band)
"Originally formed as the house band of the Sheffield Contra series,
Vertical Expression have gone from strength to strength, driven by the double
bass and guitar rhythm with excellently danceable melodies played on the
fiddle and melodeon. A treat for dancers."
-- Sheffield Folk
Festival
Vertical Expression are:
Ian Roberts - one- and two-row melodeons
Ian Benton - guitar
Margaret Benton - double bass
Upcoming gigs
- Saturday 11th October 2008 - London Barndance, Cecil Sharp House, London, with caller Andrew Swaine
- Friday 9th January 2009 - Phoenix Ceilidhs, Horwich, with caller Rhodri Davies
Past gigs
- Saturday 1st March 2008 - IVFDF 2008, Sheffield, with caller Andrew Swaine
- Saturday 24th November 2007 - Leeds Contra, Leeds, with caller Rhodri Davies
- Sunday 26th August 2007 - Towersey Village Festival, Towersey, Oxfordshire, with caller Andrew Swaine (workshop 10am, dance 3:15pm)
- Sunday 3rd June 2007 - Mumpers, Derby, with caller Geoff Cubitt
- Saturday 3rd March 2007 - IVFDF 2007, Edinburgh, with caller Rhodri Davies
What's contra?
Contra is a form of social dancing similar to ceilidh dancing that originated in the US, picked up influences from various forms of European dance during its creation and is now making its way across the UK via contra dance series and festivals.
The dances are done in groups of pairs, usually in longways or square 'sets'. There is a caller to 'teach' the dances in the form of a walkthrough before each dance starts and to continue providing instructions all the way through the dance once the music starts. Although contra dances are generally partner dances, you don't need to bring a partner to join in and you don't need to have done the dances before.
For those of you familiar with ceilidh dancing, contra tends to be more flowing and intricate than ceilidh, the moves all fit together so that you spin out of one and straight into the next, and the dancers tend to walk rather than stepping or bouncing.
What's the band like?
Think of it as a fusion of ceilidh and bluegrass. At the core of the music is the solid, funky sound of the bluegrass guitar and double bass rhythm section, combined with energetic playing and enticing tunes from the box and fiddle. Our set list currently consists of mainly American, French-Canadian and Irish tunes, along with a few others from around the British Isles. The band members are all experienced dance musicians who, in addition to contras, play regularly for ceilidhs and for Appalachian dance team Feet First, so we know how to provide what dancers' feet need.
Sheffield Contra series
The last series of Sheffield Contra Dances finished on Saturday 9th December 2006 and unfortunately, due to low attendances that weren't covering the cost of the hall, the organisers have decided to call it a day. There are currently no plans for future regular dances but if any do emerge we'll try and post details here.
Sound clips
The following MP3 clips were recorded on a minidisc player at a band practice, so no fancy editing or mixing - this is the real thing.
We haven't got any photos of the band yet, but then it doesn't matter what we look like, all you need to know is what we sound like and what we're like to dance to. The dancers never seem to look at us, anyway, so it can't be that important...