Contra, English Country, and square dances, weddings, parties.
Bev Bernbaum has been addicted to all things contra since she was first introduced to it as a dancer at the wonderful Falcon Ridge Folk Festival (Albany, NY) in the summer of 1996.
Not long afterwards, she made her debut as a caller for a group of drunken students in a college pub in Toronto! Seeing that things went much better than anticipated that night, she decided to keep at it. Since then, Bev has been in demand as a regular caller in her home province, and as an intermittent caller at other dances, dance weekends and dance camps across Canada, the US, New Zealand, Europe and the UK.
Bev has travelled south of the border to call in both small and large venues. From a small family dance to a large New Year’s Eve dance, communities seek her out to provide a great experience for their dancers. She’s called at the New England Folk Festival on a voluntary basis since 2004. Bev called dances on the south island of New Zealand in 2010, as part of a group touring the country spreading the joy of contra dancing. She made her European debut calling at Den Sønderjyske SommerFestival in Denmark in 2014. In January 2019, Bev called Larks and Robins for the first Toronto contra dances, helping to usher in the move to using non-gendered role terms. She embraced calling and dancing at Zoom-based events to stay connected with her beloved community during the pandemic. In 2022, Bev called dances at the Country Dance Festival Jasana Bonuše in Prague, Czech Republic and she was invited back to be the featured caller from North America on the Country Dance Tour and festival there in October 2024, and will be back in 2026. Bev had a blast calling a contra dance in Edinburgh, Scotland in September 2025.
Bev's easy going style has also made her a popular choice with bands. She's called with up and coming bands like Sister Haggis, Ostara and Gròóvåtrøñ, and also bands well known across North America like Mean Lids, The Cosmic Otters, and Genticorum. Whether it be New England style, Irish, Old Time, or Techno, Bev's a master of them all.
Bev's philosophy is to call dances that she loves to dance herself. She's always on the lookout for interesting figures or formations to mix things up. Her clear voice, calm manner and straightforward teaching style make contra dancing a pleasure for both beginning and experienced dancers alike. She’s now calling English Country Dances too!
As a retired computer consultant, Bev *loves* this hobby of calling and dancing both English Country, contra and squares.
Are you looking for a dance caller? Replace the (dot)s with periods and email me at:
witful(dot)turnip@gmail(dot)com