New England Folk Festival
2026-04-24 18:00 - 2026-04-26 17:30 (America/New_York) | Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel and Trade Center, 181 Boston Post Road West, Marlborough, MA, 01752, United States
NEFFA attracts over 2000 attendees from all over the country and overseas and features close to 1000 performers. The Festival is unique because of the participatory nature of the events. Not only are there concerts and performances, but there are also opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with music, dance, and folk arts culture.

TECDA Friday Evening Dance
2026-04-24 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Ralph Thornton Community Centre, 765 Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4M 1H3, Canada
Come and join us every Friday for an evening of dance with our talented callers:
Dave Berman, Cathy Campbell, Alan Rosenthal, Walter Zagorski.
Masks are optional. Please bring your dancing shoes, water bottle and come and enjoy an evening of English Country Dancing.
email: info@tecda.ca

Square Dance Brevard, NC
2026-04-24 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.

Childgrove English Country Dance
2026-04-24 19:00 - 21:30 (America/Chicago) | The Monday Club of Webster Groves, 37 S. Maple Ave., Webster Groves, MO, 63119, United States
The regular dance generally starts out with simpler dances early in the evening, progressing to dances with more difficulty later on, depending on the experience level of the crowd.

Milford NH Contra Dance
2026-04-24 19:00 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Milford NH Town Hall, 1 Union Square, Milford, NH, 03055, United States
The Milford contra dance happens every 4th Friday, unless the 4th Friday happens on Thanksgiving weekend or a Christmas weekend. Music is provided by a large 15+ member band, which allows anyone to sit in for just a single dance or the whole evening. Callers are usually local callers. The dance is usually large, with 100 or more in attendance. The dance is located in the Milford NH town hall, in the center of town. Entry is on either side of the building, but not the big front steps.
Under 10 free; students/seniors $5; adults $12

Phoenix 4th Friday Contra Dance
2026-04-24 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Phoenix) | Irish Cultural Center, 1106 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, United States
Join us for our Fourth Friday contra dance! Doors open at 6:00 pm. Intro lesson at 6:30 pm. Dance from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Check our website for changes in dance schedule or location.
$10 General • $5 for 25 years & younger

Monrovia English Country Dance
2026-04-24 19:30 - 22:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 122 California Avenue, Monrovia, CA, 91016, United States
Please join us for English Country Dancing on the 2nd and 4th Friday of every month from 7:30-10pm in the Guildhall of St Luke’s Episcopal Church. $5 admission (cash only). Beginners welcome! All dances are taught, walked through and called. No partner or costume required; just bring comfortable closed-toed shoes and a water bottle. We’re friendly, laid-back, and welcoming!

Portland Country Dance Community Friday Night English Dance
2026-04-24 19:30 - 22:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Burlingame Water Tower Dance Hall, 8936 SW 17th Ave, Portland, OR, 97219, United States
For details about venue, callers, or musicians, please go to our website, or email ecd-chair@portlandcountrydance.org
Sliding scale: $7 – $20.

International Folkdance at Tapestry Folkdance Center
2026-04-24 19:30 - 22:30 (America/Chicago) | Tapestry Folkdance Center, 3748 Minnehaha Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55406, United States
Every Friday

Ed Stern Large Studio
7:30 – 8:30 pm Lesson
8:30-10:30 pm Request Dance – recorded music
​Cost: $12 General Admission | $9 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)

Discover heritage and dance roots! International features dances from many regions of the world including Europe, Eastern Europe, the Balkans, Brittany, the Middle East, South and North America. All International Fridays are a mix of international styles and dances unless noted otherwise. No partner is needed, and most dances are done by the group in a semi-circular line formation following a leader.
Dance instruction takes place for the first hour, with teachers covering 4-6 dances of varying degrees of difficulty, and typically from different regions. Instruction on the first Friday of the month is geared toward newcomers. After the hour of instruction, it’s time for request dancing from our large collection of recorded music. Everyone is welcome to stay. The programmer (DJ) creates a set from a list of requests generated by attendees. The programmer chooses a range of dances, from basic patterns to tricky sequences.
​​What is International Request Dance?
Dancers can request dances taught recently or old favorites – so what gets programmed is a mix of old and new. There are dances from every continent, and the most-requested dances are from eastern European countries like Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Greece. We also do Israeli dances, and couple dances from (western) Europe and the Americas – but you don’t need to bring a partner.

Ranagri
2026-04-24 20:00 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | ONLINE
This hybrid gig is being livestreamed in partnership with our friends at The Met in Bury. Tickets to watch it in person at The Met are available here.
We’re pleased to welcome critically-acclaimed folk quartet Ranagri to the Live to your Living Room stage as part of our 2026 programme of events.
Well-loved on the festival scene, as well as drawing huge crowds across the UK and Europe, come and see why Ranagri is such a stand-out act!
What to expect: Ranagri plays with such unbridled passion—whether you’re watching at a festival or at home, you’ll be up and dancing in no time at all!
As well as exceptional musicianship, Ranagri specialises in thought-provoking lyrics, skilfully delving into current world topics and deftly playing with politics.
About the artists
An award-winning Anglo-Irish folk band, Ranagri consists of Dónal Rogers, Eliza Marshall, Eleanor Dunsdon, and Jordan Murray.
Highly skilled in unique and mesmerising instrumentation including the bouzouki, bodhrán, and hammered dulcimer, Ranagri has been captivating audiences around the world with its live performances for over a decade.
Echoes of Pentangle, Jethro Tull, and new Celtic folk sounds cemented by strong contemporary songwriting—RTÉ
They’re a really serious proposition live—Mark Radcliffe
About the Gig
This event will be held live on Zoom, with a remote sound engineer for high-quality sound. Our gigs allow interaction between artists and audiences, so the artist can hear you applaud and you can even have the chance to ask them any burning questions.
Tickets are £18, with the option to pay a bit less (£12) or a bit more (£30) depending on what is affordable for you. You only need one ticket per household.

Friday Night Contra at Glen Echo, Maryland
2026-04-24 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.

Save the Date: Gilding the Green 50th Anniversary Ball
2026-04-25 | Fort Garry Hotel, 222 Broadway, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 0R3, Canada
Join the Village Green English Dancers as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary on April 25, 2026 with dining and dancing at the historical Fort Garry Hotel in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. See our website for updates.

Scissortail Contra Dance in Oklahoma City
2026-04-25 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!

Syracuse Country Dancers ECD
2026-04-25 19:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Manlius Village Auditorium, #1 Arkie Albanese Avenue, Manlius, NY, 13104, United States
English country dance every 2nd and 4th Saturday.

Portland Country Dance Community 4th Saturdays Contra Dance
2026-04-25 19:00 - 22:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Fulton Park Hall (L’Etoile French Immersion School), 68 SW Miles St, Portland, OR, 97219, United States
Mark your calendars now for the next Saturday night dance at Fulton Hall. Dances are called using gender-neutral terms.

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!

CDK Contra & Square Dance
2026-04-25 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

Valley Contra Dance
2026-04-25 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

Toronto Contra Dance
2026-04-25 19:00 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | St. Barnabas Hall, 175 Hampton Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M4K 2Z3, Canada
Shake off the week and hit the floor for an unforgettable night of music, movement, and community joy.
Caller and band change with every dance.
Dances are either mask optional or mask mandatory. Full details and schedule are at the Toronto Contra Dance website.
New to Contra? No problem!
No partner needed, and beginners are always welcome—we’ll teach you everything you need to know.
Schedule:
7:00 PM – Beginner Lesson
7:30 PM – Dance the night away!
Bring a refillable water bottle – hydration stations available
Full details at the Toronto Contra Dance website
Tag your dance crew, grab your shoes, and get ready for a night of pure Contra joy on the Danforth!

Contra Dancing in Houston, TX
2026-04-25 19:30 - 22:30 (America/Chicago) | Dauntless Dance Studio, 3300 Jensen Dr, Suite B, Houston, TX, 77026, United States
HATDS hosts contra dances on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of most months. We dance to live music. All skill levels are welcome and all dances are called. Bring water and clean shoes!
The admission price for contra dances is $10 for members, $15 for non-members. Cash, checks, credit cards, and digital wallets are currently accepted at the door. If paying cash, please bring correct change. No large bills accepted.

Princeton Country Dancers' Combination Contra and English Country Dance
2026-04-25 19:30 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | Suzanne Patterson Center, 1 Monument Dr, Princeton, NJ, 08502, United States
Combination Contra and English Country Dance every 4th Saturday, 7:30-10:30 (except February)

Contra Dance at Tapestry Folkdance Center
2026-04-25 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

Brownsville English Country Dance
2026-04-26 13:30 - 16:30 (America/New_York) | Brownsville Town Hall, 22 Brownsville-Hartland Rd, West Windsor, VT, 05037, United States
The winter 2025 series of ECD runs on the fourth Sunday of the month from September to April. This dance welcomes all levels of dancers, from first-time dancers to experienced dancers. An introduction or review will be held if needed at 1:15.

Caller: Jill Delaney
Musicians: Carol Compton, piano; Thal Aylward, violin
Cost $15, sliding scale $12 to $20
Mask optional
Potluck table at the break – feel free to bring something!
As always, if you are not feeling well, regardless of the reason, please stay home. We’ll be happy to see you next time!
Please bring clean, soft-soled shoes for dancing. Also bring a water bottle.
Singles welcome!
Location is the Town Hall, 22 Hartland-Brownsville Rd., West Windsor, VT (some GPS want the town to be Brownsville, VT).
There is a great little store/cafe across the street if anyone wants lunch or dinner.

This dance is supported in part by a grant through the Country Dance & Song Society (CDSS).

English Country Dance
2026-04-26 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!

North Jersey English Country Dancers, 2nd and 4th Sundays
2026-04-26 14:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, 113 Cottage Place, Ridgewood, NJ, 07450, United States
Our dances are on the second and fourth Sunday of every month, always with live music and friendly dancers. No partner needed – come alone or with a friend! Introduction for newcomers at 1:50 pm. In the summer, we enjoy ice cream during the break.
Our Fabulous Callers:
Alex Deis-Lauby
Dorothy Cummings
Daniel Popowich
Helen White
Judi Rivkin
Margaret Bary
Orly Krasner
Paul Ross
Our Tiny Orchestra:
Diane Fedora – bassoon
Dominik Landowne – violin, viola
Donn Williams – mandolin
Norma Castle – flute, percussion
Robin Russell – piano
Sometimes with:
Danny Elias – clarinet
Lisa Terry – viola da gamba
Marnen Laibow-Koser -​ various

4th Sunday Monthly Albuquerque, NM Contra Dance
2026-04-26 14:00 - 17:00 (America/Denver) | Albuquerque Square Dance Center, 4915 Hawkins St. NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87109, United States
Everyone is welcome at contra dancing, no partner required. For more details about contra or FolkMADS organization, see our website at folkmads.org
All dances are Pay What You Want – suggested $10/person, $10-20/family.

Louisville English Country Dance
2026-04-26 15:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Woodbourne Avenue, Louisville, KY, 40205, United States
Louisville English Country Dance meets on the 2nd and last Sundays of most months. Please check our website for details.

English Country Dance Atlanta
2026-04-26 15:00 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | First Existentialist Congregation, 470 Candler Park Dr NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, United States
2nd, 4th, and 5th Sunday afternoons
$9, cash or check

English Country Dance at Tapestry Folkdance Center
2026-04-26 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Tapestry Folkdance Center, 3748 Minnehaha Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55406, United States
Every Sunday
Small Studio
7:00 – 9:00 pm

2nd Sunday of the Month
Live Music with Anytime English Players | 6:30 – 9:00 pm
​Cost:
​Recorded Music: $12 General Admission | $9 Tapestry Member | $8 Young Adult (Ages 18-30) | $4 Youth (Ages 10-17) | Under 10 – Free
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) – Newcomers especially encouraged to attend!

English country dancing is an accessible social dance form with a history going back several centuries. This is the dancing of Queen Elizabeth I, of Jane Austen, and a living tradition that inspires musical compositions and choreographies today. The music can be stately or spritely, traditional or modern, recorded or live. It is danced with simple walking or skipping steps in time to the music. All dances are taught and are usually done in “long-ways sets” with partners facing in lines down the hall. After a walk-through, the easy-to-learn figures are called throughout the dance as you interact with other couples in your set and then move on to the next and repeat.
​
You can come by yourself and be assured of dancing throughout the evening, since our tradition is to welcome and teach beginners and change partners for each dance. Anyone can invite anyone else to dance, regardless of gender or experience. English country dance will satisfy your wish for pleasurable exercise, a warm social community, mental stimulation, or even transcendent aesthetic experiences. We invite you to join us!

Contra Dance in St Louis
2026-04-26 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.

Joyfully Dancing (Ages 55+)
2026-04-27 09:30 - 10:30 (America/Chicago) | Tapestry Folkdance Center, 3748 Minnehaha Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55406, United States
Every Monday
Ed Stern Large Studio | 9:30-10:30 AM
Cost: $5
Note: NO CLASS on Monday, February 3 and Monday, March 31.

Robin Nelson strives to help build connections and create a joyful community wherever people gather on the dance floor! She has over 30 years of experience leading singing and traditional dance for people of all ages and abilities.
