Country Dance & Song Society

Bloomington Contra Dance
2026-07-08 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-07-15 19:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Harmony School, 909 East 2nd Street, Bloomington, IN, 47401, United States
Please see our home page for the latest information.
Entrance fee: by sliding scale donation, with a suggested range from $3 to $20.
Striving Toward Safe Space Policy: We hope to create a dance in which everyone feels safe and welcome. Please take a moment to review our policy on respect and consent.
Membership: Membership is optional. Both members and non-members pay a sliding scale entrance fee; see above.
Volunteers are always welcome! Sign up with a dance coordinator for set-up or clean-up if you’d like! Many of us also go out for drinks and munchies after each Wednesday night dance.

Weekly Austin Contra Dance
2026-07-08 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-07-15 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Chicago) | Hancock Recreation Center, 811 East 41st St., Austin, TX, 78751, United States
A free weekly dance at Hancock Recreation Center, with music by the jam/pickup band, Local On-Call Orchestra (LOCO). We dance every week that Hancock Recreation Center is open. A brief beginners session is taught at 7:30, before the dance program begins. Dance ends about 9:30. Free parking lot.

We welcome beginners. If you can walk to a beat, you can contra dance! All dances are taught and called. No partner necessary. Dance either role – or both. Everyone is welcome.

Sober event. Family-friendly. LGBTQ+

Berkeley Contra or English Dance
2026-07-08 19:30 - 22:30, 2026-07-15 19:30 - 22:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Christ Church Berkeley, 2138 Cedar St., Berkeley, CA, 94709, United States
BACDS presents a dance every Wednesday (contra on 1st/3rd/5th Wed 8pm-10:30pm; English on 2nd/4th Wed 7:45pm-10pm) at Christ Church East Bay, 2138 Cedar St. (near Oxford), Berkeley. Both series include an introductory lesson about 15-20 minutes before the dance start time.

Contra Callers’ Corner
2026-07-08 20:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | ONLINE
Contra Callers’ Corner is a series of free monthly Zoom calls for contra callers of all levels. It’s a place to ask questions, network, and address hot topics from your local dance community in a safe space. Hosted by Seth Tepfer and a different featured guest each month, the sessions are free and open to everyone (registration required).

San Francisco Contra Dance
2026-07-08 20:00 - 22:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Polish Club of San Francisco, 3040 22nd Street, San Francisco, CA, 94110, United States
2nd & 4th Wednesday in San Francisco!
Role names: The role names usually used at this series are “Larks” and “Robins.”
Beginner lesson at 7:30, dance 8:00-10:30
Check our website for details.
$25 supporters; $20 non-members; $15 members; $6 students or low-income; or pay what you can.

Princeton Country Dancers’ Contra Dance
2026-07-08 20:00 - 22:30, 2026-07-15 20:00 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | Suzanne Patterson Center, 1 Monument Dr, Princeton, NJ, 08502, United States
Weekly contra dance on Wednesday nights, 8:00-10:30.

Chattanooga Contra Dance
2026-07-09 19:00 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Thankful Memorial Episcopal Church, 1607 W 43rd St, Chattanooga, TN, 37409, United States
Come on out to the dance floor! Bring your soft-soled shoes and water bottle! We host callers and bands from across the East Coast! The beginner lesson is at 7 pm, and the dance goes from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

Contra Caller Workshop
2026-07-10 19:00 - 21:30 (America/Chicago) | St. John’s Lutheran Church, Nashville, 3259 McGavock Pike, Nashville, TN, 37214, United States
Come try your hand at calling contra dances or support those who want to learn to call at this free workshop.

Lewiston Contra Dance
2026-07-10 19:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Trinity Commons, 247 Bates Street, Lewiston, ME, 04240, United States
We dance in the beautiful Trinity Commons at 247 Bates Street, Lewiston, ME. Sliding Scale $15-25, teens $5, kids under 12 free. Pay what you can! We’d love to dance with you! Beginners’ lesson at 7, dancing from 7:30-10. For more information, see our website or find us on Facebook!

Tally Contra Dance
2026-07-10 19:30 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Tallahassee Senior Center Ballroom, 1400 N Monroe St, Tallahassee, FL, 32308, United States
Tallahassee community contra dances are in full swing the 2nd and 4th Fridays of most months! Refer to our website for details, as bands and callers vary each dance. Those new to contra dancing are strongly encouraged to come by 7:15, when a beginner lesson will be taught. Consider bringing a snack to share during the break!
Admission cost: $10 for adults, $9 seniors over 50, $6 for students, free for kids under 12. Admission is payable by cash, check, or card at the door. Newcomers get in to their 2nd dance free!
See a video of a recent contra dance here.

Friday Night Contra at Glen Echo, Maryland
2026-07-10 20:00 - 23:00 (America/New_York) | Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Boulevard, Glen Echo, MD, 20812, United States
Join us in Glen Echo, Maryland, for a fun night of contras and an occasional square! There’s a free lesson at 7:30pm.

Scissortail Contra Dance in Oklahoma City
2026-07-11 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | First Unitarian Church Oklahoma City – Daniel Hall, 600 Northwest 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK, 73103, United States
Scissortail Contra Dance in Oklahoma City, second and fourth Saturdays. Check our Facebook or our website for more details!

Portland Country Dance Community 2nd Saturdays Contra Dance
2026-07-11 19:00 - 22:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Fulton Park (L’Etoile French Immersion School), 68 SW Miles St, Portland, OR, 97219, United States
7:00 pm newcomer/refresher lesson
7:30 pm dancing starts
10:30 dancing ends

Sliding scale $6-$20.
Some dancers head to a pub for “afters”—all are welcome!
For more current information and last-minute changes, see the PCDC calendar.

CDK Contra & Square Dance
2026-07-11 19:00 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | Oshtemo Grange, 3234 North 3rd St., Kalamazoo, MI, 49009, United States
Contra & Square Dance – Beginning Workshop 7pm, Dancing 7:30-10:30pm
Suggested donation $5-$20

Contra Dance at Tapestry Folkdance Center
2026-07-11 20:00 - 23:00 (America/Chicago) | Tapestry Folkdance Center, 3748 Minnehaha Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55406, United States
Every Saturday
LARGE STUDIO

7:30 – 8:00 pm Lesson
8:00 – 11:00 pm Dance

Cost:
Live Music: $15 General Admission | $12 Tapestry Member | $8 Young Adult (Ages 18-30) | $4 Youth (Ages 10-17) | Under 10 – Free
“Pay What You Choose” first seven days of every month (1st through the 7th)
Recorded Music: $12 General | $10 Members | $7 Young Adult & Youth (Ages 10 -21)
What is Contra Dance?
In a Contra dance, a leader, known as a caller, teaches basic dance steps during an introductory “walk-through” of the dance. Dancers learn by walking through the steps and formations, following the caller’s instructions. The dance figures are similar to those of old-time square dancing except the figures are usually danced in a line, with leaders and followers facing each other.
​These dances are lively, social, easy to learn, and aerobic. Although you will dance with a partner, it isn’t necessary to come with one. All dances are taught and are usually done in “long-ways sets” (partners facing in long lines down the hall). Many of the regular Tapestry Folkdance Center Contra bands play old-time music (similar to bluegrass), but the music at any given Saturday night Contra may reflect a range of music traditions, such as New England, French Canadian, Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton and modern compositions.
How does Contra Dance Work?
“A contra dance can be thought of as a triangle of energy with the three vertices being the musicians, the dancers and the caller. Magical evenings occur when all three come together, feeding off of each others’ energy to raise and sustain an atmosphere of fun and joy. The caller’s role in this is paramount. Good music and dancers without a good caller may not be magical. Poor teaching, lack of rapport or inappropriately selected dances can lead to frustration. But a good caller can make even new dancers feel like they are good, and by working with the musicians to match music to dances, set the right tempo, and feed off the energy of everyone in the hall, the caller can help make magic.”
by Beau Farmer, Tapestry Folkdance Center Contra Caller

Hayward CA Contra
2026-07-12 16:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Hill and Valley Club, 1808 B Street, Hayward, CA, 94541, United States
Hayward Contra presents contra dancing on 2nd & 4th Sunday afternoons, 4pm-7pm in Hayward (SF Bay Area). Check the website for details, including how to find carpools or arrange for a pickup from BART (advanced registration).

Contra Dance in St Louis
2026-07-12 19:00 - 21:30 (America/Chicago) | The Monday Club of Webster Groves, 37 S. Maple Ave., Webster Groves, MO, 63119, United States
Weekly contra dance in St Louis area (actually Webster Groves MO). Always great live music. First dance each month features open calling.

Common Floor Contra Dance
2026-07-12 19:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Temple Beth El, Deering Avenue, Portland, ME, 04103, United States
Contra dancing in Portland, ME every second Sunday. For details, visit our website.
$15 suggested donation.

Chicago Contra Dance
2026-07-13 19:00 - 21:40 (America/Chicago) | Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N Knox Ave, Chicago, IL, 60630, United States
The Chicago Barn Dance Company sponsors and supports contra dance, traditional square dance, and old-time music in the Chicago area. Our dances are held every Monday night, except holidays, in the beautiful fourth-floor Erin Ballroom at Chicago’s Irish American Heritage Center. The dance venue is near the Montrose Blue Line stop, or you can park in the large FREE parking lot on site.
Admission is $7-$10 for adults, $5 for seniors and students. Come at 6:30pm if you would like a beginner/refresher lesson.

The Asheville Monday Night Contra Dance
2026-07-13 19:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | The Ivy Building at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, 9 Genevieve Circle, Asheville, 28801, United States
New Location, Times, & Admission
The Ivy Building at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
9 Genevieve Circle, Asheville, NC 28801
(On GPS, type the address, not the building name! The building looks like an old church and is across from the Ferguson Medical Building at 10 Genevieve Circle.)

Lesson: 7:00pm – 7:30pm
Dance: 7:30pm – 10:00pm
$0 – $50 Sliding Scale; $12 Suggested
Check our Facebook page for caller and musician info

The Asheville Monday Night Contra Dance, every Monday. Dancing to a live band and caller! Contra dancing is fun and energetic. The welcoming atmosphere makes it a perfect evening for beginners as well as seasoned contra dancers.
Beginners are welcome, lesson 7:00pm–7:30pm. Contra dancing from 7:30pm–10:00pm. A waltz ends the night!
Safe dance for all! Families welcome. All ages, races & ethnicities, LGBTQIA+ welcome. No discrimination or bullying of any kind will be tolerated. Volunteers earn a free dance.
Bring a water bottle. Bring comfortable, smooth soled shoes to dance in. No partner required. No experience needed for the beginners’ lesson.

Knoxville Monday Night Contra
2026-07-13 19:00 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Ave, Knoxville, TN, 37916, United States
Contra dancing to live music every Monday evening in Knoxville, TN. The dance begins at 7:30 with a lesson for new folks starting at 7:00. Everyone welcome.

Monday Cincinnati Contra Dance
2026-07-13 19:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Wyoming Fine Arts Center, 322 Wyoming Ave, Wyoming, OH, 45215, United States
Weekly Contra Dance at Wyoming Fine Arts Center, including waltz and maybe squares. Live music from many rotating bands. Many rotating callers using gendered or gender-free prompts. Teaching at 7 pm. Dance from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm.

Louisville Contra Dance
2026-07-13 20:00 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | Highlands Community Campus, 1228 E. Breckinridge Street, Louisville, KY, 40204, United States
Louisville, Kentucky’s weekly Monday night contra dance, always featuring live music from the Monday Night All Stars open band! Dancing is 8:00-10:30pm with a beginner’s lesson at 7:30pm. Waltzing and snacks available at the break. Check out our website for details on the caller and special performances. Open calling on 5th Mondays!

Saint Louis Queer Contra
2026-07-14 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Focal Point, Sutton Boulevard, Maplewood, MO, 63143, United States
Come on out to Saint Louis Queer Contra
Second Tuesdays 7-9 pm (Lesson 6:45) at Focal Point – 2720 Sutton, Maplewood, MO
One of the most wholesome, friendly, and affirming things to do in St. Louis!
All dances taught, non-gendered calling, live music – no partner or experience needed.

Park Avenue Contra (Swarthmore PA)
2026-07-14 19:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Park Avenue Community Center, 1229 Park Ave, Swarthmore, PA, United States
Joyful community contra dancing on 2nd & 4th Tuesdays. Sit-in musicians welcome on 2nd Tuesdays for our By-Ear Open Band (tunes + other details on our website).

Baltimore Folk Music Society Wednesday Contra Dance
2026-07-15 20:00 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | Lovely Lane Church, 2200 Saint Paul St, Baltimore, MD, 21218, United States
The Baltimore Folk Music Society presents Contra Dancing on 1st, 3rd, and 5th Wednesdays, 8:00 to 10:30 p.m., in the hall at Lovely Lane United Methodist Church.

Gender-free calling
No partner? No problem.
New dancer lesson every week at 7:30pm
Live music from local, regional, and national bands

Admission

$10 for members and affiliates (FSGW, ATDS)
$15 for non-members
Under 21 and full-time students with IDs: Free!

The Wednesday Contra Dance is sponsored in part by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council.
See our Contra dance FAQs for general information on Contra Dances.
Please see our Behavior Policy.
