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: $5-15+ sliding scale for local bands, $8-20+ sliding scale for *touring bands.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 4 | Jan Alter & Jeremy Steinberg |
BASS: Bill Quern (mando, banjo, fiddle, melodeon), Adlai Waksman (keyboard, accordion), Sarah Gowan (guitar), Steve Epstein (clarinet, sax) Celebrate your independence by coming to dance! |
|
| July 11 | Liesl Jandrey coordinating | Jump Fingers: Palmer Loux (fiddle), Bob McCluskie (fiddle), Greg Loux (guitar), Carolee Rand (banjo, tenor guitar, mandolin), Mat Clark (bass) | |
| July 18 | Scott Higgs coordinating | Hot Feat: Mat Clark (fiddle, mandolin), Dave Wiesler (piano, guitar), Paul Morrissette (bass) | |
| SATURDAY July 20 | Callers TBA |
Chloe Rosenthal DJing a techno contra! Center City: Philadelphia Ethical Society auditorium, 1906 S. Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA |
|
| July 25 | Penelope Weinberger | Broadside Kinetic: Rachel Hall (piano), Amy Ksir (accordion, winds), Tom Rhoads (guitar), Helene Speer (fiddle), Jim Speer (bass) | |
| Aug. 1 | Sam Rotenberg coordinating | SPUDS: Philly's phabulous open contradance band! | |
| Aug. 8 | Sue Gola coordinating | The Orphans: Ben Kennedy (piano), Miranda Weinberg (fiddle), Peter Buchak (accordion, feet) | |
| SATURDAY Aug. 10 | Callers TBA |
Adam Bodine (guitar), Maddy Smith (fiddle), Laura Alexander (cello), Jeremy Steinberg (clarinet) Center City: Philadelphia Ethical Society auditorium, 1906 S. Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA |
|
| Aug. 15 | Liesl Jandrey coordinating | Raise the Roof: Mat Clark (fiddle), Judi Stellar (hammered dulcimer), Bob Pasquarello (bass), Kathy Talvitie (guitar) | |
| Aug. 22 | Michael Karcher coordinating | Mind the Gap: Kirsten Erwin (flute, whistles), Adam Oleksa (fiddle), Jane Roberts (cello), Adlai Waksman (piano) | |
| Aug. 29 | Rick Mohr coordinating | Allemande: Christopher Germain (fiddle), Kellie Allen (guitar), Pete Peterson (banjo), Heidi Germain (bass), Paul Sidlick (mandolin) | |
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Dances continue every Thursday. See more callers and bands in the full calendar! |
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But wait, there's more! PATMAD also sponsors
- The 3rd Saturday Contra Dance in Mt. Airy, on break for the summer, back in September!
-
Allons Danser, Philadelphia's home for Cajun/Zydeco music and dance, continuing on Friday, July 26 with Jeffery Broussard and the Creole Cowboys at the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill (Widener Hall)
(3rd Saturday and Allons Danser may have different COVID precautions from the Thursday night contra dance.)
- 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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