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Bev
Bernbaum
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Bev Bernbaum has been addicted to all things contra since she was first introduced to it 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 ! 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 town of Toronto, and at other dances and dance weekends in Ontario. She's called at the Toronto "Spring Thaw", the Owen Sound "Spring Fling" and the Hamilton "Harvest Dance" Weekend. Bev was delighted to be calling contras at the inaugural dance program at the Summerfolk Festival in 2007. She was the staff caller at The Woods Music and Dance Camp in Muskoka in 2009 and 2010.
Bev often travels south of the border to call in both small and large venues. From a small family dance in Buffalo, NY to a large New Years Eve dance in Hartford, CT, communities seek her out to provide a great experience for their dancers. She made her 6th consecutive appearance calling dances at the New England Folk Festival, and called her first American Dance Weekend in Lansing, MI in 2009.
In 2010, Bev headed to the southern hemisphere to participate in a group organizing, playing music and calling for 15 dances on the south island of New Zealand! She continued to use her passport to call at the "Big Fun" Dance Weekend in Athens, OH and the "Fall Dance Weekend" in Pittsburgh, PA.
In 2011, Bev travelled to Dallas, TX to call at the "When in Doubt, Swing!" Weekend and to Madison, WI for the "Squirrel Moon" Dance Weekend. She just called her first "techno" dance at "Contra Sonic" in Washington DC.
Bev's easy going style has also made her a popular choice with bands. She's called with up and coming bands like Montage, Mean Lids, Hu$hmoney, and Magic Foot and also bands well known across North America like Hotpoint Stringband, Crowfoot, Great Bear Trio and The Latter Day Lizards. Whether it be New England style, Irish, or Old Time, Bev's a master of them all.
Bev's philosophy is to call the dances that she likes 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.