Bill Martin is a musician and traditional square dance caller in Portland, Oregon, USA. Bill is dedicated to preserving and passing on the early community social dances that preceded the modern square dance club movement. Traditional square dancing does not require lessons because each dance is taught on the spot and the dances are quite accessible to neophytes. The dances are always done to live music, which adds to the excitement and fun.
Bill is skilled at teaching complete dance beginners, using humor and a well-organized presentation to connect people to the joyful and social nature of American folk dancing. Bill was instrumental in the recent revival of old-fashioned style square dancing on the west coast, especially around Portland. His own teaching and calling helped to popularize the dance form, and he inspired and taught several young musicians to call traditional squares.
Bill is a popular caller in communities around the Pacific Northwest and has called countless wedding, private party and school dances. Over the last twenty years Bill has been the featured square dance caller at music festivals in San Francisco, Berkeley, Seattle, Portland and Chicago. He is also one of the organizers for the nationally known Portland Old-Time Music Gathering and has published articles in the Old-Time Herald magazine on the Portland square dance and old-time string band movement.
Bill Martin
360-695-4361
nkm@bubbaguitar.com
http://www.bubbaguitar.com
