Country Dance & Song Society

Grange Fest - Contra Dance!
2025-11-29 12:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Grange Hall, 1067 State Road, West Tisbury, MA, 02568, United States
Join the Vineyard Preservation Trust for the first annual Grange Fest! Celebrate community with local artisans, food, and live music. Browse artist booths, enjoy live music, and join the all-ages Contra Dance. A new Vineyard fall tradition begins!

Local Makers market (12–5 PM)
Bluegrass music by “Brad Tucker’s Pickpocket Band” (12–2 PM)
Contra Dancing with “The Flying Elbows” band & caller, Don Heinold (2–4 PM)

Come join the fun on Martha’s Vineyard!

Brattleboro Bal Folk: Intro Session & Dance Party
2025-11-30 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Broad Brook Community Center, 3940 Guilford Center Road, Guilford, VT, 05301, United States
6-6:40: Beginners’ Session: learn the basics
6:45-9: Bal with minimal teaching

Fun, accessible French and European traditional dances.
No experience or partner necessary.
Live music by Eloise & Co.: Becky Tracy (fiddle) & Rachel Bell (accordion)
Suggested donation sliding scale $12-$25

Bal folk is a vibrant and inclusive dance tradition that started out in France, incorporated a bunch of other European influences, and took Europe and the UK by storm during the past 50 years or so. It has become increasingly popular in North America, no doubt due to its accessibility and captivating energy. You can easily join in even if you’ve never danced before.
At Brattleboro Bal Folk, all dances are taught (this time, in the beginners workshop and with brief reminders as needed during the bal), and part of the big bal folk tradition all over the world is looking around to see what other people are doing and jumping in to try it out. No experience or partner required! Dances are in lines, spirals, circles, and pairs and range from hypnotic to meditative to raucous. The music is infectious!
Please bring a clean pair of shoes to change into, or clean your shoes off thoroughly once you get inside, before you step onto the dance floor. We want to protect that beautiful wood floor!
Share our video with friends to whet their appetite!
Masks are welcome but not required. Please stay home if you feel ill or are testing positive for Covid-19.
Mark your calendars for December 21.

St. Andrew's Day Dinner Ceilidh
2025-11-30 18:00 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub and Whiskey Bar, 534 Main St., Bethlehem, PA, 18018, United States
McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub & Whiskey Bar in downtown Bethlehem, in collaboration with Hearthsong Folk Arts Cultural Programming & The Scottish Society of the Lehigh Valley, hosts a A St. Andrew’s Day Dinner Ceilidh.
Ceilidh dancing, featuring traditional Scottish figures & tunes, is from 6-7:30pm, followed by a formal dinner with readings, song & more.
Kick off your Yuletide season in high style with a celebration of Celtic Culture in honor of Scotland’s folk patron Saint Andrew!
The evening will feature:

A superbly crafted traditional Scottish Supper including traditional dishes such as cock-a-leekie, cullen skink, salmon & more
Scotch Flight of Single Malts by the Glen Moray Distillery (optional)
Select Readings – Burns, Scott and more
75 minute traditional Ceilidh! Dancing called by Fiona Gillespie; Band: Alison & Tom Gillespie & Liv Castor (6-7:30)
Piping by Ceol Deamh
Community Gaelic Sing-Along

Prices range from $65 (no alcohol) to $90 (including whiskey flight)

Bloomington Contra Dance
2025-12-03 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-12-10 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-12-17 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-12-24 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-12-31 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.

Flying Shoes First Friday Community Dance & Contra Dance
2025-12-05 18:00 - 23:00, 2026-01-02 18:00 - 23:00 (America/New_York) | First Church in Belfast, UCC, 8 Court Street, Belfast, ME, 04915, United States
Everyone is welcome at this two-part monthly dance series. From neophytes to lifelong participants, and so many other demographic variations, we all collaborate to make this community-building participatory arts program a joyful success. See you at the dance!
Schedule:

6:00 pm ~ Musicians Warmup ~ Tunes on the All Comers Band page
6:30-7:30 pm ~ Community Dance ~ Lisa Newcomb & Chrissy Fowler calling with the All Comers Band, led by Benjamin Foss & Willy Clemetson ~ Community Dance admission is $1 kids, $2 adults
8:00-11:00 pm ~ Contra Dance ~ We use the terms lark and robin to identify the dance roles. (More on roles here.) ~ Contra Dance Admission is $20 – $15 (a sliding scale lets us cover expenses and compensate performers; please pay as much as you can!)

Location: First Church in Belfast UCC, 8 Court St, Belfast (enter via Spring St)
Policies: See Community Care Policy and First Friday FAQ ~ BFS programs are chem free (please be sober) ~ Stay home if you don’t feel well
Sponsors: Artisan Builders, Belfast Community Co-op, Colburn Shoe Store, Daisychain Farm, First National Bank, Grace Chiropractic, The Green Store, Searsport Shores Oceanfront Camping, Thomas Fowler PE, Trillium Caterers, and Worth Real Estate

English Country Dancing
2025-12-05 18:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Massanutten Presbyterian Church, 50 Indian Trail Rd, Penn Laird, VA, 22846, United States
We invite you to dance with us on the first Friday of each month at Massanutten Presbyterian Church. It’s free and open to the public; most appropriate for people 10 years old and up; no experience needed; no partner needed. Wear casual clothes and comfortable shoes.
Tom Mack is the caller and we dance to recorded music enjoying dances from the 1700’s and 1800’s: lines, circles and squares.
Health issues: If you feel sick, stay home.

Quiet Corner Contra Dance!
2025-12-05 19:30 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | Patriot’s Park Lodge, 172 Lake Street, Coventry, CT, 06238, United States
A 1st Friday contra dance from September to June!

Time: Dance 7:30-10:30pm [orientation session 7:15 – 7:30 pm]
Where: Patriot’s Park Lodge @ 172 Lake Street, Coventry, CT 06238.
Who: Anyone who wants Live Music, dancing, camaraderie, and exercise! Bring your family, friends or just bring yourself to our traditional public contra dance! No fancy footwork needed to attend, just come, enjoy the friendly atmosphere, dance to live fiddle music and see everyone’s smiling faces!

Buena Vista Community Contra Dance
2025-12-06 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Denver) | Buena Vista Congregational United Church of Christ, 217 Crossman Ave, Buena Vista, 81211, United States
Come contra dance with us! First Saturdays, September thru May.
We will have live music to dance to, starting at 7 PM.
And for our September, December and May dances, we start at 6 PM with Potluck Dinner.
Each dance will be taught before it is danced.
Partners are not required, nor is previous dance experience.
Donations will be accepted at the door.
Are you a musician? Join our Band Jam each First Saturday starting at 5:30pm!
If you have questions, feel free to call Lee Dodge at 210-275-3355.
or
Email us at: ArkValleyMusicAndDance@Gmail.com
Sponsored by Arkansas Valley Music and Dance.

Asheville Community Square Dance
2025-12-06 19:00 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Haw Creek Commons, 315 Old Haw Creek Rd, Asheville, NC, 28805, United States
Grab your friends or your partner! Live music, dancing, and community fun—no experience needed and everyone’s welcome! Start the night with a flatfoot lesson, and dance your heart out to driving fiddle tunes and a caller who knows how to bring the fun. Our dances are on the first Saturday of every month, September through May.
Plenty of free parking is available at Haw Creek Elementary School (10 Bethesda Rd), just a short walk from the hall. Accessible spots are also available next to the dance hall at Haw Creek Commons.
Admission: $10 per person, $5 for kids 12 and under. Pay at the door via cash, Venmo, or Zelle.
Callers and musicians are announced monthly via our email list.

Holiday Contra Dance Extravaganza!
2025-12-06 19:30 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Groton Grange #7, 80 Champney Street, Groton, MA, 01450, United States
Honoring Dudley Laufman! It is with great pleasure that Groton Grange #7, with The Contra Banditos, host a one-time Holiday Contra Dance Extravaganza. We will be honoring our internationally celebrated 95 year old caller, Dudley Laufman (read his Wikipedia page).
The dance will be held December 6th, 7:30 to 10:30 PM, at the Groton Grange #7. All ages, beginner and experienced dancers, are invited. Park on grange side of Champney St. only.
Caller: Dudley Laufman
Admission: $6 per person / $20 max per family.
Refreshments will be provided.

Worcester Contra Dance!
2025-12-13 19:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Wesley United Methodist Church, 114 Main St., Worcester, MA, 01608, United States
Note: We start at 7:00pm! Beginners 6:45pm!
2nd Saturday contra dances from September to June!

When: Dance 7:00-10:00pm [orientation session 6:45 – 7:00 pm]
Where: Wesley U M Church’s Gymnasium, 114 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608
Who: Anyone who wants Live Music, dancing, camaraderie, and exercise! Bring your family, friends or just bring yourself to our traditional public contra dance! No fancy footwork needed to attend, just come, enjoy the friendly atmosphere, dance to live fiddle music and see everyone’s smiling faces!
Cost: (your choice) $10–$12 per person, $6–$8 students, families $25.

Valley Contra Dance
2025-12-13 19:00 - 22:30, 2025-12-27 19:00 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | West Side Moravian Church, 402 Third Ave, Bethlehem, PA, 18018, United States
We dance twice a month, 2nd and 4th Saturdays.
Dance instruction at 7:00 PM
No partner or experience needed!
The moves in the dances are called by a caller, and the music is always live.
Parking is available right next to the church or on the street. Please enter on Prospect St.
Please carry in clean soft-soled shoes for dancing, to protect the floor (and our reputation). Sneakers are usually fine. FREE large socks with treads are provided to cover your street shoes if necessary.
Sliding scale—pay what you wish. Suggested: $8 (student), $15 (friend of VCDS), $20+ (supporter). Children 12 and under accompanied by a paying adult FREE.
Special Pricing for Double Dances

English Country Dance
2025-12-14 13:45 - 15:45, 2025-12-28 13:45 - 15:45 (America/Denver) | First Evangelical Free Church, 820 North 30th St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80904, United States
Twice-monthly English Country Dance session in Colorado Springs, CO. Each dance will be taught and then practiced. Great social atmosphere and fun!

Indy Family Folk Dance
2025-12-14 16:00 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | Rocky Ripple Town Hall, 930 West 54th St, Indianapolis, IN, 46208, United States
Join us for a fun, easy folk dance for families with kids with live music! All instruction provided as we go. $5 suggested donation.

Contra Dance for a Cause!
2025-12-14 18:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Knights of Columbus #109, 15 Winslow Street, Arlington, MA, 02474, United States
2nd Sundays contra dances all year long @ Knights of Columbus #109!
K of C has a Beautiful wood floor and enough heat for comfort!
NOTE!!! This time a special start time!

When: 6:30 – 9:30pm (beginners 6:15pm) Sunday December the 14th
Where: Arlington Knights of Columbus #109, 15 Winslow St, Arlington, MA 02474.
What: For a great cause: This month we are supporting Santa’s cause that provides presents and support for in-need children and families. There is a potluck dessert, and as usual for the winter we will be providing warm spiced cider.
Who: It is a public and community shindig! All are welcome, and no need to bring a partner as we partner up there and you will find a partner!
Why? To have one heck of a good time and support local charities!

Facebook event

English Country Dancing
2025-12-19 18:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Luray United Methodist Church, 1 West Main St., Luray, VA, 22835, United States
We invite you to dance with us on the third Friday of every month at Luray United Methodist Church. Parking behind the adjacent bank building. It’s free and open to the public; most appropriate for people 10 years old and up; no experience needed; no partner needed. Wear casual clothes and comfortable shoes.
Tom Mack is the caller and we dance to recorded music enjoying dances from the 1700’s and 1800’s: lines, circles and squares.
Health issues: If you feel sick, stay home.

3rd Friday Hot Springs NC Contradance
2025-12-19 19:30 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | Pine Hall, 64 South Spring St, Hot Springs, NC, 28743, United States
Monthly 3rd Friday dance in Hot Springs North Carolina, a mere 200 yards from the Appalachian Trail!
Find us on Facebook: Friends of Hot Springs Contradance

Lancaster, PA Monthly Contra Dance
2025-12-20 19:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | St. John’s Episcopal Church, Lancaster, PA, 321 W. Chestnut St, Lancaster, PA, 17603, United States
Join us on the third Saturday of each month for a community contra dance! Fall, winter and spring at the church; summer in the park pavilion.

Brattleboro Bal Folk & Winter Lights Celebration
2025-12-21 17:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Broad Brook Community Center, 3940 Guilford Center Road, Guilford, VT, 05301, United States
Celebrate the turning of the season with an evening of art, music, and dance!
Sunday, Dec 21
Bal folk: 6:30-9 pm

Fun, accessible French and European traditional dances.
No experience or partner necessary.
Live music by Eloise & Co.
Becky Tracy (fiddle) & Rachel Bell (accordion)
Dance: Suggested donation sliding scale $12-$25

Come early to check out the fun winter festivities downstairs!
Winter Lights Celebration

A Broad Brook Community Center event
Starting at 5 pm, free
Mulled cider, a very special art opening hosted by Uriel Najera, and more!

Bal folk is a vibrant and inclusive dance tradition that started out in France, incorporated a bunch of other European influences, and took Europe and the UK by storm during the past 50 years or so. It has become increasingly popular in North America, no doubt due to its accessibility and captivating energy. You can easily join in even if you’ve never danced before. At Brattleboro Bal Folk, all dances are taught, and part of the big bal folk tradition all over the world is looking around to see what other people are doing and jumping in to try it out. No experience or partner required! Dances are in lines, spirals, circles, and pairs and range from hypnotic to meditative to raucous. The music is infectious!
Please bring a clean pair of shoes to change into, or clean your shoes off thoroughly once you get inside, before you step onto the dance floor. We want to protect that beautiful wood floor!
Share our video with friends to whet their appetite!
Masks are welcome but not required. Please stay home if you feel ill or are testing positive for Covid-19.
Mark your calendars for Feb 15

Square Dance Brevard, NC
2025-12-26 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Grace Brevard Church, 55 E Jordan St., Brevard, NC, 28712, United States
Open community dance, old time mountain squares and circles.
$10 donation requested.

1980's Music Community Contra Dance
2025-12-27 18:30 - 21:00 (America/Denver) | Timpanogos Valley Theater, 90 N. 100 W., Heber City, UT, 84032, United States
Lace up your dancing shoes and tease your hair—contra dance goes full 1980s!
Join us for a high-energy community contra dance set to totally rad ’80s-inspired tunes, spun by DJ Butterfly Cari.
There will be a brief lesson before the dance. Contra dancing is a beginner friendly style of dance.
Expect joyful dancing, neon vibes, and a costume contest celebrating all things leg warmers, big hair, glam, and retro flair.
Whether you come full Madonna, New Wave, or classic contra-with-a-twist, this is a night to dance like it’s 1985!

Mystic ‘Tween the Holidays Pie Dance!
2025-12-27 19:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Groton Active+ Living Center, 102 Newtown Road, Groton, CT, 06340, United States
A 4th Saturday live music, contra dance in Southeastern CT!
For this dance festive attire encouraged but not required!

When: Our new times are 7:00pm and go to 10:00pm! Beginners come early to learn the ropes!
Where: Groton Thrive+ Center, 102 Newtown Road, Groton CT 06340
What: Contra dancing dates back to the 17th century with roots in England, Scotland, and France. According to those who practice it today, it remains alive and well as a way to socialize, exercise, and have fun.
Why: To have a wicked good time dancing to live music, meet and make friends and eat delicious homemade pie slices!

Facebook event

Fiddler's Dream Music and Dance Camp
2026-01-01 - 2026-01-04 | Cross Point Methodist Camp, 7310 Rock Creek Rd, Kingston, OK, 73439, United States
This ALL-VOLUNTEER event is a 3-day/3-night weekend for callers, dancers, and traditional musicians to enjoy one another’s talents and company in a camp setting. The focus is contra dance and related music. Everyone has the opportunity to help provide the entertainment for this event.
Musicians can jam, play for dancing, and lead workshops in tunes or techniques.
Callers and others can lead a dance session (contra, square, English Country, folk, couples dance, etc.) a song session, or other activities (juggling, water color, or whatever you want to share), or just dance.
