THE POLKA DOTS BAND – 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 lively tunes such as 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 Band music originates from England, Scotland, Ireland and America with lively traditional polkas, 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 Band 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.
ROY HARDACRE - on melodeon is a mainstay of the music session at the Tap and Spile pub in Harrogate which is held every Tuesday from 8.30pm in Harrogate and attracts a variety of traditional musicians.

SWAN AND PORTER - also perform as a duo for private parties with a mix of songs - folk, 1920s to 60s, comedy verse and Music Hall. Their CD "Oh Mrs Porter" features songs made famous by such artists as Gus Elen and Marie Lloyd.

Nigel and Jan are available to run song and dance sessions for adults with learning disabilities and have recently devised a series of workshops which they ran for the Leeds-based Pyramid of Arts. This included playing guitar/keyboard/recorder and singing for dances and the finale was a Barn Dance with add-on fiddler Roddy.
 
THE POLKA DOTS BAND regularly perform for themed events such as Irish Nights, American-style Hoedowns, Scottish Flavour Ceilidhs , or fancy dress events.