John Redemski started a Milford contradance on the 2nd Friday as a fundraiser for the Town Hall auditorium which was in disrepair. The Milford 4th Friday dance, the brainchild of Dave Bateman and John Redemski, followed shortly after. It began in 1992, 3 or 4. Dave can’t recall the year. For a time there was a 2nd and 4th Friday dance each month, but that fell away.

The open band idea was Dave’s and was inspired by the sight of great musicians lining up on the side of the Nelson Hall waiting for a chance to play. Thinking that was a shame, he suggested having them all play!

The idea was to have a monthly dance that would not conflict with other dances and would serve as a venue for any level caller and any level musician. It would need an experienced caller and a Band Boss.

The Milford Town Hall was available on 4th Friday evenings. It has a nice wood floor, an upright piano and a stage. Dave was the designated caller. Bob McQuillen agreed to play piano for the inaugural dance.

The first evening was successful. Nobody remembers how many people showed up or who the musicians were but there was a mix of experienced and beginner. Some musicians brought their tune books and we worked off Randy Miller’s New England Contra Tunes and the general repertoire of the other musicians.

By the next month the format was beginning to take shape. Bob said he was too busy to take on another dance and I assumed the Band Boss title. Most people had copies of the NE Fiddlers Tune Book and others just looked over a shoulder. I realized that in order to create a band we would need printed music and copies for everyone. Learning the tunes by ear on one’s own would take many weeks and we met to play for a dance only once a month.

I had many Quebecois tunes in my library and they are great for dancing. Each month I would bring 3 or 4 new tunes, with copies for everyone, and distribute them. Other people did the same. The band grew and so did the number of dancers.

After about 3 years I decided we were ready for prime time. The Ralph Page Legacy Weekend was always held in early January and I hired The Milford Musicians to play for the Friday Night Dance.

There were two rules. First: The participating musicians had to attend three dances and attendance was taken. This was easy as the RPLW was 8 months away. Second: I gave our tune list to the participating callers, ensuring the musicians would not be surprised by a new and probably difficult tune. At the monthly dances we chose tunes from The List. The Friday dance at the RPLW was a rousing success with compliments from dancers and callers. Even the original skeptics were pleased.

The 4th Friday Milford dance is in its 28th year. In 2016, a collection of the current tunes was published. Musicians and callers have come and gone. However the basic premise of the dance has remained the same. Any musician is welcome as is any caller and any dancer.