A guide to the finest dance bands in Tasmania.
Most of these bands have played for the Folk Federation’s monthly dance series. They are all available to play for a variety of other events. Please support them. They can all help your group have a great time.
Northern Tasmania:
Black Wattle: celtic/bush music and dancing. Contact John McPhee, 03 6424 6243 or Guy Carey, 03 6427 9685.
The Bottom Pub Ceilidh Band: bush/Scottish/…. Contact Mark Phillips, 0447 342 773 or John Roden ceilidh@activ8.net.au, 0488 642 648
Rough Bark: Bush Dances, Weddings, Concerts, Community Events, PA provided Contact: Eddie Tuleja, 03 6369 5126, 0407 971103, edtuleja@hotmail.com
Southern Tasmania:
Buttongrass Serenade: bush dancing/Tasmanian. Contact Steve and Marjorie Gadd 03 6266 3446, woden@bigpond.com
The Devil’s Own: Contact Peter Hicks, 03 6266 3010, peterhickstas@hotmail.com
Formed to perform the songs from the play about the Irish-heritage Tasmanian bushranger Matthew Brady “The Devil’s Own” feature one of Australia’s premier folk fiddlers Ross Smithard, Annie Parsell, Mat Woolley and Peter Hicks. Ross has years of experience performing throughout NSW in the popular bush dance band “The Tin Shed Rattlers”. Annie and Mat perform regularly as Twice Bitten and previously Mat, Annie and Ross performed as part of the To Rags celtic group. Peter performs rhythm guitar and sings with The Ranters. The Devil’s Own play can play for a variety of dance styles, including bush dances, contra dances and Irish ceili dances.
Hobart Old Time String Band (HOT String Band): Hillbilly, traditional, American old-time and rootsy music and songs, for listening or for dancing, including bush dancing.
Contact Cathy, 03 6273 2127 cathleen.hutchinson@gmail.com
Iain Macleod (Scottish accordion player available for Scottish country dances, Scottish ceilidh dances, Irish ceili dances, Irish step dancing, contra dances, Playford dances etc.): 0412 021 237; iain1@live.com.au
The Jog Alongs (as in “we’ll jog along till shearing”): Bush dances, Australian songs and tunes, morris dances, even contra dances. Contact Dave Meikle dmeikle@bigpond.net.au 0419 551 447.
Shake Sugaree: Old time blues and bluegrass – American in its origins, Tasmanian in its character. Contact Steve Gadd, 03 6266 3446, woden@bigpond.com.
Steptoe Bush Band: dances and music from many cultures. Contact Paul Calvert-Smith, 03 6239 1495, 0407 123 410.
Tasmanian Heritage Fiddle Ensemble: Tasmanian music, collected and contemporary. Contact Marjorie Gadd, 03 6266 3446
VerandahCoots: traditional Australian dancing. Contact Stuart Graham, 03 6239 1517; Julie Edwards, 03 6266 4566
Xenos: inspiring Balkan/Breton music and dancing (Macedonian, Moldavian, Greek, Turkish, …). Contact Rob Bester, 0418 865 498, robbest@xenosmusic.com
Learning the Dances
All of the above bands teach dances, and there is no substitute for live music with your dancing, so the best way to learn is to hire a band or go to one of their dances. Attending one of the regular or special dance events/groups listed on our Forthcoming Events or Dance Groups and Regular Events pages is a good way to learn whilst having a great time.
