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+.


Our Thursday night dances strongly encourage up-to-date COVID vaccination. Masks are optional (and are welcome).

Snacks are welcome. Please bring finger foods to share! (No peanuts or peanut butter please, due to allergies in our community.)

(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. Thanks.)

Please read the full details if you plan to attend. We're looking forward to dancing with you!

Date Caller Band Notes
Oct. 3 Angela DeCarlis Sycamore: Cedar Stanistreet (fiddle), Michael Sokolovsky (guitar), Samuel Foucher (accordion)  
Oct. 10 Qwill Duvall TWeLve: Nathalie Levine (fiddle), Miranda Weinberg (fiddle), Kathy Talvitie (piano)  
Oct. 17 Dave Rupp coordinating Cider: Bob McCluskie (fiddle), Carolee Rand (banjo, guitar, mandolin), Margaret Sidlick (guitar, mandolin), Paul Sidlick (banjo, mandolin, guitar), Mike Foster (bass)  
Oct. 24 Darlene Underwood Wissahickon Express: Rick Mohr (fiddle), Cecelia Tannous-Taylor (fiddle), Evan Mohr (percussion, guitar), Chloe Mohr (piano)  
Oct. 31 Dave Winston Lagomorph Quartet: Alan Best (mandolin, percussion), Kiah Wells (guitar), Eli Howells (fiddle)
Happy Halloween! Spooky attire and seasonal treats welcome!
 
Nov. 7 Rick Mohr coordinating Filament: Laura Alexander (cello), Adam Bodine (guitar), Maddy Smith (fiddle), Jeremy Steinberg (clarinet)  
Nov. 14 Donna Hunt coordinating SPUDS: Philly's phabulous open contradance band!  
Nov. 21 Michael Karcher coordinating Raise the Roof: Mat Clark (fiddle), Judi Stellar (hammered dulcimer), Bob Pasquarello (bass), Kathy Talvitie (guitar)  
Nov. 28 No dance (Thanksgiving) - but join us for ContraCopia on Saturday!
Nov. 30

(Saturday) 2:00pm until 11:00 pm: ContraCopia!
3 AWESOME bands: Ice Cream Truckers, Stove Dragon, Millserati
× 3 AMAZING callers: Gaye Fifer, Alex Deis Lauby, Ben Sachs Hamilton
= 9 hours of contra dances, squares & waltzes! (Read more)

* marks touring bands.
Dances continue every Thursday
(except Thanksgiving).
See more callers and bands in the full calendar!


But wait, there's more! PATMAD also sponsors

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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