Country Dance & Song Society

Nashville Monday Night English Country Dance Class
2026-08-17 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | Sevier Park Community Center, 3021 Lealand Lane, Nashville, TN, 37204, United States
Sevier Park Community Center. Parking and entrance to the building are at 3021 Lealand Lane.
Note: Sevier Park Community Center is closed on Government Holidays. If in doubt, call 615-862-8466 (Park Office) to check.
We welcome experienced and beginning dancers. This is an excellent opportunity for beginners.
Cost: free.
No registration is required. Please sign in at the front desk when you enter.

Joyfully Dancing (Ages 55+)
2026-08-17 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.

English Country Dance at Tapestry Folkdance Center
2026-08-16 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.
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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!

Ballroom Variety Dance
2026-08-16 18:30 - 21:30 (America/Chicago) | Tapestry Folkdance Center, 3748 Minnehaha Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55406, United States
1st, 3rd, and 5th Sunday of the Month
Ed Stern Large Studio
6:00 – 7:00 pm Lesson | 7:00 – 9:30 pm Dance
Live Music: $20 General | $17 Member | $8 Young Adult (18-30) | $4 Youth (Ages 17-10)
Recorded Music: $15 General | $12 Member | $8 Young Adult (18-30) | $4 Youth (Ages 17-10)
“Pay What You Choose” first seven days of every month (1st through the 7th) – Newcomers and beginners especially welcome!

Invited to a wedding and want to make a good impression? Remembering the fun of swing dancing or Tango? Tapestry Folkdance Center is the place to experience the joy of social dances so often seen in movies. No partner needed, you can find one here!
You can learn a different Ballroom dance style each month. We offer high-quality instruction from professional dance instructors who provide progressive lessons in 18 different dance styles that rotate monthly.
Beginning with a basic lesson on the 1st Sunday and building on those skills each remaining Sunday of the month. Ballroom dances include foxtrot, cha-cha, salsa, waltz, American tango, west coast swing, east coast swing, bachata, lindy hop, quickstep, rumba, and more. After the lesson, the lights go down and you can practice what you’ve learned or strut your stuff! Fancy dress is certainly welcome, but feel free to come as you are.

Third Sunday English Regency Dancing & Tea in Van Nuys, CA
2026-08-16 14:30 - 17:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | First Lutheran Church of Van Nuys, 6592 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys, CA, 91405, United States
Get whisked away to the year 1815 and dance in Jane Austen’s footsteps.
Caller: Laura Beraha
Music: Recorded Music of Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, Purcell, Handel & Traditional Tunes
Food: SEATED TEA provided from 3:30 to 4:30pm: Homemade Scones, Cucumber Sandwiches, quinoa-broccoli-cheddar bites, & other nibbles provided. Donations of snacks gratefully appreciated. Fancy place settings admired.
Water: Please bring your own water
Partner: Don’t need one – you’ll always get one in these social mixer dances
Costumes: Admired but never required.
Cost: $20 Prepaid on PayPal [Friend] or Zelle to (818) 970-5118 or email us for an address to send a check. Will also accept payment at the door.
Parking: Plenty in lot and street. Dance entrance = PARKING LOT IN REAR
Covid Protocol: No Boosters or tests required: masks optional
Contact: Laura Beraha at KFreasStudio@earthlink.net or (818) 970-5118
Let’s all party like it’s 1799!!

Mostly Waltz at Tapestry Folkdance Center
2026-08-16 14:30 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Tapestry Folkdance Center, 3748 Minnehaha Avenue, Minneapolis, MN, 55406, United States
3rd Sunday of the Month

Large Studio
2:30 – 5:00 pm
Cost: Recorded Music: $12 General Admission | $9 Tapestry Member | $8 Young Adult (Ages 18-30) | $4 Youth (Ages 10-17) | Under 10 – Free
Instructor: Gerhardt Quast

Want to have fun on the dance floor? Mostly Waltz invites and encourages anyone and everyone to learn and enjoy the waltz as a group of social ballroom dancers! This dance is for anyone who loves waltzing, is curious about waltzing, or just likes listening to music in 3/4 time. ​
The program offers 30-45 minutes of basic waltz instruction at the start of every session, then recorded music and a DJ to practice waltzing. The instruction will include Turning Waltz, Linear Waltz, and Cross-step Waltz (not all during one session). These are some of the waltz variations not taught by Ballroom Dance instructors.
The waltz is one of the world’s most popular couple dance. It is both easily accessible for beginners and endlessly challenging for experienced dancers and it can serve as a gateway to other dance forms. The extensive canon of waltz music is both extraordinarily beautiful and wildly varied. ​

LITMA Contradance
2026-08-16 14:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Brush Barn, 211 E Main St, Smithtown, NY, 11787, United States
LITMA Contradances are usually held on the 3rd Sunday of the month from 2:00-5:00PM from September through June at the Brush Barn, 211 E Main St, Smithtown, Long Island.
Basic instruction at 1:45 PM
$15 General admission
$10 LITMA Members
Students Half Price
Children under 16 FREE with paid Adult

Junction Song Circle
2026-08-16 14:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Community Room, Greater Hartford UCC, 1721 Maple St., White River Junction, VT, 05001, United States
Come sing: Bring a ballad or traditional song to share!
On the third Sunday of every month, we meet up in the community room of the Greater Hartford UCC in White River Junction to share ballads and other unaccompanied songs. Traditional British and North American ballads are our specialties: stark, spellbinding story-songs handed down orally as homespun entertainment among regular people. But traditional songs from any tradition, in any language, are welcome!
Bring your favorite ballad or folk song, memorized or not, and share it with our friendly circle—all unaccompanied voices: no instruments. Or just come to listen and immerse yourself in the world of these tales and their tunes. If a song has a chorus to join in on, we’ll learn it together by ear, and solo songs are welcome, too. It’s a participatory event, and everyone is welcome, regardless of ability, expertise, or confidence.

Louisville Third-Saturday Contra Dance
2026-08-15 20:00 - 23:00 (America/New_York) | Highlands Community Campus, 1228 E. Breckinridge Street, Louisville, KY, 40204, United States
Louisville, Kentucky’s monthly third-Saturday contra dance. Check our website for details on bands and callers. Don’t miss the free lesson at 7:30pm. First-time attendees dance free! Waltzing and snacks at the break.

Contra Dance at Tapestry Folkdance Center
2026-08-15 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

Swingin' Tern Contra Dance
2026-08-15 19:00 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Chatham, NJ, 200 Main St., Chatham, NJ, 07928, United States
Our contra dances are held every first and third Saturday evening year-round from 7:30pm–10:30pm with a beginners’ workshop at 7pm. We have occasional double dances along with a New Year’s Eve dance.
Our full calendar
Useful Information:

Newcomers are welcome to come at 7pm for an introductory lesson on the basics of contra dancing. No partner is necessary. All dances are taught with a “walk-through” by the caller.
We no longer require vaccination. Masks are optional.
All dances at Swingin’ Tern are called to the gender-neutral terms Larks & Robins. Dance whatever role you’re comfortable in.
We are air-conditioned. We have windows on three sides when we want to let the breeze come in.
Our dance is two blocks from the Chatham station on the Morris/Essex line out of Penn Station, NYC.
We welcome contributions of home-baked [or not] goodies to share at the break.
Please bring your own water bottle. Water bottles may be filled at the kitchen sink.
Wear comfortable clothing. Contra dancing is aerobic. We prefer you carry in your shoes.
We are a friendly, inclusive group. Pack plenty of smiles!

$15 adults/$5 students

Wasatch Contras Third Saturday Monthly Contra Dance
2026-08-15 19:00 - 22:30 (America/Denver) | E. W. Garbett Center for Choral Studies, Salt Lake City, UT, 84103, United States
We Dance every Third Saturday of the Month!
Beginner’s session starts at 7:00 pm
Dance starts at 7:30 pm
General admission $10
Sliding Scale (financial hardship) $8
Youth $5

Santa Fe Contra Dance
2026-08-15 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Denver) | Odd Fellows Hall, Santa Fe, 1125 Cerrillios Rd, Santa Fe, NM, 87505, United States
Instruction at 6:30 and dancing starts at 7:00PM. Everyone is welcome at contra dancing, no partner required. For more details about contra or the FolkMADS organization, see our website.

Lancaster, PA Monthly Contra Dance
2026-08-15 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.

3rd Saturday Contra Dance in Austin
2026-08-15 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | Go Dance Studio, Go Dance Studio 2525 W Anderson Ln. #530, Austin, TX, 78757, United States
This monthly contra dance meets most 3rd Saturdays at Go Dance Studio, in Northcross Mall Plaza near First Watch (NE corner).
No partners necessary. Beginners welcome. All dances taught and called. Dance either role—or both. Newer dancers should arrive early for instructions on the basics.
Suggested admission $10 sliding scale. Tips for the band are appreciated. You can see the band and caller on the schedule on our website.
This is a fragrance-free event. Sober event. Family-friendly. LGBTQ+. Everyone is welcome!

3rd Saturdays Contra Dance, Grass Valley CA
2026-08-15 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Grass Valley Elks Lodge, 109 S School St #3, Grass Valley, CA, 95945, United States
Live music, historic ballroom, sprung dance floor, beginner/refresher session at 6:40pm. Dance 7-10pm. Doors open 6:30. $15. Potluck snacks/treats at halftime!
Elks Lodge in downtown Grass Valley: 109 S. School St., 95945 (fairly easy parking on street and town lots); across from the Center for the Arts. Check our website for band & caller info.

Syracuse Country Dancers Contra Dance
2026-08-15 19:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | United Church of Fayetteville, 310 East Genesee St, Fayetteville, NY, 13066, United States
Contra dancing every 1st and 3rd Saturday.

South Florida Contra Dances
2026-08-15 19:00 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Boca Raton, 2601 St Andrews Blvd, Boca Raton, FL, 33434, United States
Enjoying contra dance
You’ll be smiling and laughing.
No partner is necessary. Lesson at the beginning. Wear casual clothes and soft soled shoes.
Age range 10-100
Dances are called.
Put the phone down and destress your life.

Monterey Contra Dance
2026-08-15 18:40 - 22:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Monterey YMCA, 600 Camino el Estero, Monterey, CA, 93940, United States
Monterey Country Dance Community holds contra dances most first Sundays and third Saturdays, unless otherwise noted in our schedules and calendars. Come alone or bring a friend—beginners are always welcome!

First Sundays: Lessons at 3:40 PM; dance from 4–7 PM
Third Saturdays: Lessons at 6:40; dance from 7–10 PM.

​Prices:

$15-$30, sliding scale, general admission
$10-$25, members of MCDC, BACDS, CDSS or other sister organizations;
$5, active military & full-time students, with ID;
FREE! for children 12 & under

Tucson Contra Dance
2026-08-15 18:30 - 22:00 (America/Phoenix) | Southern Arizona Dance Center, 4801 E 29th Street, Tucson, AZ, 85711, United States
Join us for our first and third Saturday 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 more details.

Annapolis English Country Dance: delightful live music, excellent callers and friendly community
2026-08-15 18:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Annapolis Friends Meetinghouse, 351 Dubois Road, Annapolis, MD, 21401, United States
Join us for a lovely evening of ECD on the third Saturday of each month. Intro lesson at 6:30; dance at 7:00-9:30. No experience or partner required. Pre-registration is not required, but please email aefallon@verizon.net to let us know if you can help with pre-dance setup and/or post-dance hall restoration. Such help is much appreciated!
Face masks are optional. Venue is air conditioned, with filter fans for air circulation and ventilation. Plenty of parking. Please bring own water. Snacks to share are welcome if you bring napkins+appropriate paper goods+utensils and plan to clean up after snack time.
$15; students—$5; children through 5 years old—free.

Scissortail English Country Dance in Norman, OK
2026-08-15 13:30 - 15:30 (America/Chicago) | Norman Adult Wellness and Education Center, 602 N. Findlay Ave, Norman, OK, 73071, United States
Scissortail English Country Dance in Norman, third Saturday of the month. Check our Facebook or our website for more details!

Lenox Contra Dance
2026-08-15 07:15 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | Lenox Community Center, 65 Walker St, Lenox, MA, 01240, United States
Come join us contra dancing to live music. We have a different band and caller each month. Dances are held on Third Saturday nights in Lenox, Massachusetts in the Lenox Community Center, at 65 Walker Street. Experience the pleasure of dancing on a beautiful wood floor, in a high-ceiling second floor (handicapped accessible) ballroom with a raised stage.
Admission is $12-15 for adults and $8-10 for students. New Dancers – 2nd dance free!
Dances begin with a 15-minute beginner introduction at 7:15 followed by dancing from 7:30 to 10:30. Refreshments are offered during the social break from dancing. All the dances are taught. No partner necessary. Come alone or bring friends. Details at LenoxContraDance.org.

Friday Night Contra at Glen Echo, Maryland
2026-08-14 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.

International Folkdance at Tapestry Folkdance Center
2026-08-14 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.

Cleveland Second Friday English Country Dance
2026-08-14 19:30 - 22:30 (America/New_York) | St. Patrick Catholic Church, 3602 Bridge Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44113, United States
Come join us at our monthly Second Friday English Country Dance.
Live music by Toad in the Hole. Callers: Carol Kopp, Steve Otlowski, & Elizabeth Estep
Wood Floor.
Suggested Donation $10 (Pay what you can)

Portland Country Dance Community Friday Night English Dance
2026-08-14 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.

Tally Contra Dance
2026-08-14 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.

Lewiston Contra Dance
2026-08-14 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!

Contra Caller Workshop
2026-08-14 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.
