Members of Scatter the Cats have for almost 30 years been inviting folks across Grey and Bruce Counties to drop everything and dance, and the acoustic quintet likes nothing better than hitting the groove for a big blast of tunes for contra dancers.

Band members have been making traditional dance music together at barns and town and church halls, folk festivals, pubs, parties, plowing matches, weddings and other community celebrations since 1991. The Cats have enjoyed a long association as the house band for dances hosted by Owen Sound’s Fiddlefern Country Dancers.

Fiddler Will Henry, with Dan McGee, flute, tinwhistle, clawhammer banjo and harmonica, Frank Francalanza, mandolin, tenor banjo, foor and hand percussion, dancer and dance caller are all former members of the long-lived Grey-Bruce music collective Glenelg Full Moon Country Dance Band.

Bob Robins now adds the pulse on guitars, mandolin, and tenor banjo and Randy Martin holds up the bottom on acoustic and electric bass, and percussion. Both are veterans of a long list of rock, roots, folk and other regional music ensembles.

A long time contra dance enthusiast, Frank Francalanza now has a growing reputation as an in-demand, engaging, entertaining and instructive dance caller throughout and beyond the Grey-Bruce region.