Erik Hoffman

Old Time Music and Dance

Contra Caller, Musician, Composer, Teacher and Author

Welcome to my Home Page. Here I share a bit of myself, what I do, and some of my thoughts. I hope you find it interesting, fun, and even educational.

First, I am a dance caller (You know, Allemande Left and all that...) and a musician. Check here for some of my Upcoming gigs.

I love all kinds of dancing. As a dance caller, I teach and lead Contra Dances for all sorts of groups, old and young: Contra Dances and Family Dances. All dances are to real people playing real Old-Time Dance Music.

Besides calling dances, I teach and play fiddle, guitar, recorder, and more. I love teaching and leading workshops in Music, Dance and Calling. And I'm currently in three contra dance bands, 3 O'Clock Shadow, The OpporTunists, and Erik Thor & Hands Four. We play for Contras, Squares, parties, and other events.

Also, I am a Universal Life Church Minister, and take great pride in working with couples to create and officiate personal, alternative weddings.

Born in California, I grew up in Santa Barbara and have lived in the Bay area since 1994. Find out more about me: Bio, Personal Interests, or Interview by Alice LaPierre.

Books I've Written:

The first two books are new. Old-Time Dance Calling for Weddings, Parties, and One-Night Stands The Contrarian - Contains many new dances and tunes. Contradictations - More Thoughts, Dances, & Tunes about and for Contradances Click to see the first four chapters of my book, or here to see the listing of dances. Contra Comments Click to see a couple chapeters from Contra Comments -Two chapters and a List of dances If you would like to order any of the above books, go to Ordering Information .
Tunes I've composed: Wee Hours Waltz Waltz for Phyris Idiochromatic My Own Waltz	Dance Caller's Notes: Missing Duck Melissa's Bliss There is No Way to Peace; Peace Is the Way
Upcoming Dates Gigs	My thoughts on Twirling

My Bands

3 O'Clock Shadow
     Erik Hoffman — Fiddle
     Chris Grampp — Guitar
     Peter Langston — Mandolin
     Adam Cavan — Bass

The OpporTunists
     Erik Hoffman — Guitar, Fiddle, Percussion
     Alan Snyder — Fiddle, Piano
     Topher Gayle — Bass, Mandolin, Mandola, Guitar, Percussion

Erik Thor & Hands Four
     Erik Hoffman — Fiddle & Calling
     Ingrid Noyes — Banjo & Accordion
     Michael Harmon — Guitar
     And when we play we often are joined by many friends.

"There is no way to peace; peace is the way."
This is a quote from the late A. J. Muste. He was once said to be the nations most famous pacifist. He would get coverage in Life and Time magazines. I wonder what it would be like if pacifist thoughts and ideals made it into the national press these days. ~ erik

Below are some links you might enjoy.

Bay Area Country Dance Society
North Bay Country Dance Society
Square Dance Moves

Contact: Erik Hoffman, P.O. Box 10821, Oakland, CA 94610
Phone (510) 444-4397, e-mail web@erikhoffman.com -- erik, with a 'k'

J Corman and P Tobler
Webmasters