Elmo Eldridge
(Derbyshire, England) was first introduced to social dancing by the
Countrywide Holidays Association, a UK organization offering Guesthouse
holidays. They organized walks during the day and social activities,
including barn dancing, in the evenings. Though food and girls were the
initial attraction, Elmo loved the dancing and became a regular dancer in 1980.
When starting Manchester University in 1981, Elmo learned that the Folk Dance Society met on Wednesday afternoons, a time traditionally reserved for sports. Not being the sporting type, Elmo decided that dance was a better bet. He joined the Society, and within a few weeks was co-opted onto the organizing committee, which meant running the weekly dances.
Elmo began to learn the art of calling at the end of 1981. After a few years of learning everything from English Country to Israeli Circle Dances, Western Squares, and American Contras, requests began to come in from outside groups wanting an evening's entertainment of simple dances. Elmo was able to provide this service with the aid of the Society's records and amplification system. Thus, his career as a caller began.
These days, Elmo runs the Flying Clouds Contra Dance Club in Manchester, England, dances with the Adlington Folk Dancers (English Country Dance display team), and dances with three Morris Sides (teams): Freaks in the Peaks Border Morris, Boggart's Breakfast Border Morris, and Earl of Stamford Morris.
When in the UK, Elmo works with local bands, calling dances for weddings, PTA's, birthdays, etc. He has taught American Contra Dance, English Country Dance, French Dance, and Border Morris at festivals and events around the UK. He likes a wide variety of dance styles, but most of all, fast-flowing Contras that don't leave you standing around. He calls dances for all experience levels and all occasions.
During the day Elmo is a computer consultant specializing in laboratory systems. When this takes him away from home, he appreciates the hospitality of the dance communities around the world. He has danced from Hong Kong to Chicago and many places in between.