Parties/Events/Dances

Bands for weddings, parties, dances and special events:
(listen) My Romance 

I (we) offer a variety of music and dance services for all ages and occasions. Each band is versatile, adding instruments for a bigger band sound (up to 8 pieces). Cost depends on band size, travel distance, time length, and season.
*Dance lessons and exhibitions are also available.       

(listen) Rhode Island Is Famous For You

DINA BLADE JAZZ DUO/COMBO- jazz and bossa nova for elegant affairs

*SWINGIN’ IN THE RAIN - plays a danceable variety of swing, blues, latin and waltz


(listen) Buffalo Gals_

Dance Caller Dina Blade with the Canote Brothers: Greg (left) and Jere (right)

Community Dance / Hoedown “For the last two decades, the Canote Brothers and I have visited many elementary schools with our ‘moving assembly’ program. As an introduction to “organized” dancing with circles, lines, squares, and singing games, we get the kids moving right away, and then after a few dances, we settle them down with a demonstration of tap and clogging, and finish up with a dance “contest” between our two wooden limberjacks. It’s always great fun!” -Dina

NEW! Dance Book with companion CD!
“Dina Blade’s Dance Party For All Ages”includes 16 infectiously fun dances and singing games and a companion CD  featuring caller/vocalist Dina Blade and the Fabulous Canote Brothers (fiddle and guitar). From crowd pleasing ice breakers to theatrical story songs, these circles, lines, squares and singing games will get the crowd buzzing with lively activity in any classroom or festive social event. All of the dances are simple in nature and everyone can feel successful doing them in a short amount of time. Cost of book with cd (songs with and without instruction) is $29.95 (contact me for purchase).

 Testimonials:
What Dancers Said About Dina Blade and Swingin’ in the Rain:
“The music was superb. It really was a marvelous dance. The musicians – they were all so talented. The pianist sang wonderfully. And I think Dina has such an incredible voice.” ~Sharon Sternoff

“Superb. Very danceable. Sexy. It was a wonderful night.” ~Linda Clark

“Just great. A great dance.” ~Heber Farnsworth

“You guys make me look like a genius!”-Dean Paton, dance organizer Northwest Dance Network

“Thank you so much for the music at my wedding!  It was more perfect for the setting and the crowd and the couple (that would be us) than I had even imagined it would be, and it is the one thing all of the guests have been consistent in praising.  You both did an amazing job, and your presence and talent and voices added immeasurably to my (and everyone’s) experience of the evening.” -P.S.

The Israelis were all thrilled by the songs you learned in their honor!”- Megan D.

“Thank you, Dina! You had universal good reviews, and everybody loved you. You helped make the party the party.” -R. Doherty, father of the bride

“Thank you for the wonderful music. The event you played for was called the Grand Master’s Banquet and was by invitation only. We had 175 in attendance for the evening. Your group was fantastic! Thank you for your flexiblity with the time schedule for the evening.  It was greatly appreciated. Everyone that I spoke with really enjoyed your sound.  Thank you, again.” -G. Kenney

Workshops in Tap or Clogging

“Percussive” Dance Bio:Dina Blade has been a mainstay of Seattle’s percussive dance scene for over two decades. An irresistible and effervescent performer, she began her rhythmic explorations with American clogging and made frequent visits to the southern Appalachian mountains to learn “buckdance” and precision clogging styles along with the regional music for calling square and round dances. Dina added “rhythm tap” to her repertoire, attending workshops and residencies with greats like “Honi” Coles, “Sandman” Sims, and Eddie Brown among other giants. Dina has performed with the Step Sisters, Taptone Syncopators and Mill Creek Cloggers as well as being a solo artist. Her one-woman show “Ya Gotta Wannit” is a celebration of the elements that influence Dina’s artistry as a jazz vocalist and tap dancer. She has collaborated with Indian kathak dancers and musicians, and performed and taught at music and dance festivals throughout the U.S. Dina enjoys calling, teaching and dancing for people of all ages, and always works with live music.

“Trading fours” with Dina (tap shoes) and Helder (drums) at the Ugambikkula Cultural Center, Campinas, SP, Brazil