Meet The Polekats
We are a lively ceilidh band based in the southwest of England. We are accompanied by Michael Catovsky - a renowned called on the UK folk scene.
We are available for private and public ceilidhs and folk festivals. Get in touch now for more information.
Julia Catovksy - fiddle
Julia has been playing the fiddle since the late 90s and when not leading the arrangements for The Polekats also appears with Dorset Fiddlers, Bellows 'n' Bows and Treacle Eater Clog (North West Morris side). Julia runs the monthly music workshops and gigs for Sherborne Folk Band and enjoys playing in music sessions and at festivals.
Liz Hall - fiddle
A former music teacher, Liz started playing the violin at age seven. She plays classical and folk music with Wessex Strings, Sherborne Community Orchestra, the Bach Cantata Group, Sherborne Folk Band, and a Reading-based Scottish dance band. Her passion for music is evident in her regular session playing.
Emma Higgs - flute
Emma has been playing the flute since she was 10, performing with church worship groups, joining folk sessions, and playing in an Irish pub band and Sherborne Folk Band along the way. Whether it's hymns, reels or something in between, she always enjoys adding her flute to the mix.
Mickey Little - octave mandola
Mickey is slow at providing his biog...
Amira Higgs - tenor horn, recorder
Amira is the youngest member of The Polekats. She provides the band's distinctive "bum-bum" on the tenor horn (no, we're not entirely sure what that is either) and occasionally plays the recorder. She also plays with church worship groups, Chard Concert Brass and Somerset Youth Concert Band.
Jim Sawyer - melodeon
Jim has been playing the melodeon since the age of 10 and has played for a number of Morris dance sides, including Customs and Exiles, Chiltern Hundreds and the World-Famous Hammersmith Morris Men. He has performed with The Diatonics ceilidh band at many of the UK’s leading folk festivals.
Michael Catovsky - caller
Michael has been calling since the late 90s and has appeared at all the big festivals including Cambridge, Chippenham, Warwick, Shrewsbury and Sidmouth, where he now runs annual workshops to help people begin calling. Michael is very experienced calling for beginners and experienced dancers alike and and makes sure that everyone has a great evening!
Next on stage
Check the Gigs page for our latest bookings.