Welcome to the Thursday Contra! See the schedule of upcoming bands and callers below.
Location: The Irish Center (a.k.a. Commodore John Barry Arts and Cultural Center),
6815 Emlen St., Philadelphia, PA 19119.
Look for the signs, and use the ballroom entrance, furthest from Carpenter Ave.
Beginner lesson: 7:30pm
Dance: 8:00pm to 10:30pm
Admission: sliding scale, pay what you wish. Suggested $10/$15/$20+.
Donations to Philadelphia Area Traditional Music and Dance, the nonprofit which sponsors the Thursday Contra dance, are always appreciated! (Link)
Contributions to the 100% free platform we use for donations are optional, and may be set to "Other" including zero.
Snacks are welcome. Please bring finger foods to share! (No peanuts or peanut butter please, due to allergies in our community.)
Our Thursday night dances strongly encourage up-to-date COVID vaccination. Masks are optional and welcome. If you test positive for COVID a few days after a dance, please send email to so we can alert others to a potential exposure. Please read more info about health precautions. We're looking forward to dancing with you!
| Date | Caller | Band | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Mar. 6 |
Annie Kidwell | Nobody's Business: Hayden Stern (fiddle), Casey Murray (cello), Helen Kuhar (guitar) | |
| Mar. 13 | Bob Isaacs | Jump Fingers: Palmer Loux (fiddle), Bob McCluskie (violin, viola), Greg Loux (guitar), Carolee Rand (banjo, tenor guitar, banjo mando) | |
| Mar. 20 | Janine Smith | Dead Sea Squirrels: Cathy Mason (fiddle), Henry Yoshimura (guitar), Craig Edwards (fiddle, banjo, mando) | |
| Mar. 22 | Alex Burka |
Darby: Adam Bodine (guitar, feet), Kate Saylor (fiddle), Laura Alexander (cello) Saturday in Center City: Philadelphia Ethical Society auditorium, 1906 S. Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA. |
|
| Mar. 27 | Liesl Jandrey | Free Raisins: Audrey Jaber (fiddle), Jeff Kaufman (mandolin, feet), Amy Englesberg (piano, accordion) | |
| Mar. 29 |
Medley Marathon - Dance 'til you Drop! A special fifth Saturday at Summit Church, 7:30-10:30pm Non-stop calling with Liesl Jandrey * Jan Alter * Bob Isaacs * Donna Hunt * Michael Karcher * Sue Gola Non-stop music with Alias * Rendezvous * Box & String Trio * TWeLve This is a benefit dance to support PATMAD activities. The musicians, callers, and sound crew have generously donated their services; now it's your turn! You've danced contra medleys before, but not like this. The dance changes. The caller changes. The band changes. You keep dancing! Tired? Step out at the end of the set. Ready for more? Grab a partner and join on in! (More) |
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| Apr. 3 | Sam Rotenberg coordinating | Filament: Laura Alexander (cello), Adam Bodine (guitar, feet), Maddy Smith (fiddle), Jeremy Steinberg (clarinet) | |
| Apr. 10 | Julian Blechner | Good Company: Helen Kuhar (guitar), Cecily Mills (cello), Rohan Weedon (fiddle) | |
| Apr. 17 | Donna Hunt coordinating | SPUDS: Philly's phabulous open contradance band! | |
| Apr. 24 | Dave Rupp | (Different location: at Summit Church this week) Vandalia: Ellen Gira (cello), Dakota Karper (fiddle), Gabriel Furtado (guitar) |
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Dances continue every Thursday (except Thanksgiving). |
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But wait, there's more! PATMAD also sponsors
- The 3rd Saturday Contra Dance in Mt. Airy, continuing on April 19 with Donna Hunt and Brooklyn Swing Ensemble at Summit Church.
- Allons Danser, Philadelphia's home for Cajun/Zydeco music and dance, continuing on Saturday, April 26 with Ruben Moreno and Zydeco Re-Evolution at the Holy Saviour Club, Norristown, Pa.
(3rd Saturday and Allons Danser may have different COVID precautions from the Thursday night contra dance. Check their pages for the most up-to-date schedules and information.) - SPUDS, Philly's phabulous open contradance band.
All Hands In has been presenting games nights and other community-led events, along with some fun online dances with fantastic live calling. Tune in most Tuesday nights.
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