Jacqui Grennan has been a caller, choreographer, and dance organizer in the Los Angeles contra dance scene since 2010. Jacqui currently calls at dances around the nation. Delighting in the dance for many years, Jacqui decided to pick up the mic in 2013. She likes to put together an evening that is varied in movement and in pace and that will be enjoyable for newer dancers as well as for those who are more experienced. She is noted for her clarity in calling and her ability to adjust to the dancers on the floor. She sees herself as the host of a party and gets great satisfaction helping the dancers and band have a good time during the dance.
Fiddle Tunas Band
we’ve once again been able to hook the Fiddle Tunas to play for our Sunday contra dance, with a bonus catch of Jacqui Grennan at the mic!
Fiddle Tunas is based in Santa Barbara / San Luis Obispo and is comprised of Michael Mendelson on fiddle, Amber Roullard-Mueller on fiddle/bass, Tom Wolverton on banjo and dobro, and Mike Mullins on mandolin.
After many years as a bluegrass guitarist and singer, Michael Mendelson switched to the fiddle because it was louder and easier to carry around. Over the years he has played a variety of styles, from old-timey and bluegrass to Texas-style and swing to New England and Cape Breton. Michael has composed many fine new fiddle tunes, and works with several contra dance bands.
Amber Roullard-Mueller has been playing Appalachian music since 1985. She plays fiddle, bass, piano and guitar and also enjoys clogging and has taught at several camps.
Tom Wolverton has been playing old-time 5-string banjo for over 35 years. In addition to banjo, he also plays dobro and various steel guitars. His skills have been used in various central coast string bands including the Gap Tooth Mountain Ramblers and the Rattlesnake Creek String Band.
Mike Mullins is widely regarded as a top-tier mandolinist and has been a regular fixture on the California acoustic music scene for over 30 years. He toured and recorded with notable bands and musicians including renowned fiddler Phil Salazar, The Acousticats, The Hay Dudes, The Tom Corbett Trio and The Cache Valley Drifters