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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 this week: at Summit Church) Vandalia: Ellen Gira (cello), Dakota Karper (fiddle), Gabriel Furtado (guitar) |
|
| May 1 | Gaye Fifer | Countercurrent: Brian Lindsay (fiddle, feet, vocals) and Alex Sturbaum (guitar, vocals) | |
| May 8 | Qwill Duvall | Rhythmajigs: Patti Reum (flute, whistle), Jack Maus (piano), Michael Giardano (fiddle, mandolin) | |
| May 15 | Ridge Kennedy coordinating | Midnight on the Water: Tom Krumm (fiddle, mandolin, guitar), Nathan Bishop (fiddle, viola, hardanger fiddle), Dani Hawkins (cello) | |
| May 22 | Jeremy Steinberg & Cristian Clothier | Forge Mountain Ramblers: Jansen Wendell (fiddle), Mark Schwartz (piano), Calvin Cizek (banjo), Rich Gilligan (bass) | |
| May 29 | Jan Alter coordinating | Jovial Beggars: Ben Kennedy (keyboard), Helene Speer (fiddle), Peggy Leiby (recorder, feet), Rachel Hall (concertina) | |
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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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