Contemporary and historical English country dance music The members of Bangers & Mash at Fezziwig's Warehouse at the Dickens Fair, December 2001 (counter-clockwise): Susan Kramer--flute, recorders, vocals and percussion Stanley Kramer--violin, recorder, string bass David Strong--violin and viola Craig Johnson--piano, accordion (and other keyboards, too, being the author of this site.)

The Band | Upcoming Events | Our CDs: "Breakfast at Fezziwig's" and "Sir Roger de Coverley" | Have us play your event
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Last updated on Monday, March 18, 2013.

Bangers and Mash started playing together in 1994, and have been performing music for English country and historical couple dancing ever since. We're regulars at events for PEERS (the Period Events and Entertainment Recreation Society) as well as for BACDS (the Bay Area Country Dance Society).

We've done a number of formal balls, as well as playing for innumerable dance series. For twelve years now we've performed at Fezziwig's Warehouse, the community dance stage of the Great Dickens Christmas Fair in San Francisco. We also play weddings, parties and private dances, of course. Feel free to use the links in the photo caption to contact any of us for more information about the band's availability...

"Steampunk In Space" is the theme for this year's exhibition, the setting for this ball is the surface of Mars. "Early Bird" pricing for the weekend's exhibition until February 15th. The evening includes High Tea and performances by many other artists, including Dickens Fair faves "Brass Farthing". More information at the event website, we'll update this site when advance tickets for the evening are available.

Saturday, May 4th, 2013, 8pm
PEERS' Sherlock Holmes Mystery Ball
Masonic Lodge of San Mateo
1090 N Ellsworth (at Tilton), San Mateo
8:00 to midnight

If the feet are game, the game's afoot! The Eye of Kali has been stolen at the Duchess of Manchester's ball, promising an evening of dancing and deduction. Once again, period or formal wear is "admired, not required." For further clues, consult the event webpage on the PEERS site. (Does anyone else remember "Though he might be more humble, there's no police like Holmes!"? Apologies if you'd managed to forget.)

Saturday, August 2nd, 2013, 8pm
PEERS' Pre-Raphaelite Picnic
Lincoln Park
1450 High Street, Alameda
10am on, with music starting at 1pm

The Period Events and Entertainment Re-Creation Society has the wonderful tradition of producing an annual thank-you event in the charming Lincoln Park in Alameda. There's no admission, all are welcome to bring a picnic lunch, and enjoy couple and set dancing afterwards. This event recreates an artistic outing set in the last half of the 19th century. As always with PEERS, period or formal wear is "admired, not required," (and that applies to the food of the period as well). All dances are taught. The picnic is always lots of fun, the dancing is spirited, and many vintage items not appropriate for a concert hall (ranging from vehicles to parasols) make their appearance every August. For further details, please see the event webpage on the PEERS site.

Our Recordings

Our first CD was released in 2002, and is a 24-cut collection of our favorite country and couple dances, recorded in real time and at dance length before a live audience. The tunes range from Playford tunes of the 1650s to recently composed waltzes. We named "Breakfast at Fezziwig's" in honor of our friends at the Dickens Fair. It's out of print right now, but we'll be reissuing it soon. Check out the Breakfast at Fezziwig's webpage for a tracklist.

Our second CD was released in 2010, and is a collection of longer pieces (only 17 cuts). Still more of our favorite country and couple dances, recorded in real time and at dance length. This one has many of the our favorite ballroom standards, as well as a few choice recently-composed waltzes. For more information, including notes on the album, check out the webpage.