We're Back... Contra Dancing "Most" 3rd Saturdays of the Month!
Join us each month for a dance with European roots and American flair, amped up with a saucy mix of music from New England, Appalachia and beyond! It’s fun, flirty and easy to learn. Walking/stepping/twirling in time with the music is 87.5% of it.
All ages welcome; gender neutral. Attend once and you'll have it figured out conceptually. Join us three times and you're practically an expert!
So, dust off your soft-soled shoes and get your contra on!
Potluck snacks served at halftime. BYO water, hands and feet.
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NEXT DANCE: Saturday, July 19, 2025
7-10 pm (doors open 6:30; intro/lesson 6:40) at the
Elks Lodge historic ballroom in Grass Valley, CA
Callers: Mark Goodwin & Mielle Chenier-Cowan Rose
Music: Foothill Community Band
Entry: $15 cash (exact $ appreciated)
What is Contra Dancing?
Imagine a lively blend of English country dancing, square dancing and swing dancing … to infectious live music. All the moves are "called" in advance, first with a walk-through and then during most of the dance. Come with or without a partner; we usually change partners for each dance.
More info about contra on our About page
August Dance: 8/16/25 (same time and location as above)
Caller: TBA
Music: TBA
Dance Contra, Dance Local
Where are people contra dancing in the US? Check out this “heat map” (thanks to Jeff K at Boston/BIDA) to see where the most bodies are dancing. The highest concentrations are in New England, Appalachian areas and the Northwest. But no need to travel far and create tons of CO2. Join us for a dance in Nevada County each month!
If you’re visiting the Sacramento region, check out Sacramento Country Dance Society’s lineup of English country dances (1st and 3rd Sundays) and contra dances (2nd and 4th Saturdays)!