UPCOMING PATMAD BOARD ELECTIONS - 2nd Thursday in October

The Nominating Committee is looking for potential Board Members to help carry on the exciting the work of our growing dance community. As we move out of the Pandemic we are hoping to fill 3 board vacancies. (More)

Weekly Dancing Returns; Masks Optional on 2nd and 4th Thursdays

As we return to weekly dancing in September, the second and fourth Thursdays will be mask-optional. Masks are required at other dances. The PATMAD Board voted to make this change based on our survey of dancers. (More)

Welcome back 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 require masks (surgical or better, properly worn, except at designated mask-optional dances), and a signed waiver. Up-to-date vaccination is strongly encouraged.

(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
Sep. 7 Sam Rotenberg coordinating Allemande: Chris Germain (fiddle), Pete Peterson (banjo), Paul Sidlick (mandolin), Kellie Allen (guitar), Heidi Germain (bass)
Sep. 14 Ridge Kennedy Hot Coffee Breakdown: Tom Cunningham (fiddle), Kate Sanders (keyboard), Luis de Leon (percussion, harmonica) Masks optional
Sep. 21 Rick Mohr Larry Unger and Caroline McCaskey: Larry Unger (guitar), Caroline McCaskey (fiddle)
Sep. 28 Dave Rupp coordinating Raise the Roof: Mat Clark (fiddle), Bob Pasquarello (bass), Judi Stellar (hammered dulcimer), Kathy Talvitie (guitar) Masks optional
Oct. 5 Sue Gola coordinating SPUDS: Philly's phabulous open contradance band!
Oct. 12 Donna Hunt Broadside Kinetic: Rachel Hall (piano), Amy Ksir (accordion, winds), Tom Rhoads (guitar, other plucked instruments), Helene Speer (fiddle), Jim Speer (bass guitar) Masks optional
Oct. 19 Claire Takemori Wissahickon Goats: Rick Mohr (fiddle), Cecelia Tannous-Taylor (fiddle), Evan Mohr (percussion, guitar), Chloe Mohr (piano)
Oct. 26 Bob Isaacs coordinating Mind the Gap: Kirsten Erwin (flute, whistles), Adam Oleksa (fiddle), Jane Roberts (cello), Adlai Waksman (piano) Masks optional

Dances continue every Thursday (except Thanksgiving). See details in the full calendar!


But wait, there's more! PATMAD also sponsors

All Hands In (Facebook page) is continuing 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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