We are excited to announce that the long-awaited role terms vote for Thursday night dances will take place during the dances on June 1 and June 15.
In order to vote, you must be a member of PATMAD. (Getting our emails does not mean that your membership is current.)
It costs nothing to become a member, but you must renew every year, and your membership must be current for at least 4 weeks at the start of voting for you to vote.
Membership forms are always available at the front table at dances, and we will have a membership drive at both Thursday dances in April plus the first dance of May (last chance to be eligible for this vote).
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Welcome back to the Thursday Contra! WhooHoo! We're back to in-person contra dancing, every two weeks for now, while COVID numbers stay low. 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.
Doors open: 7:00pm to check vaccination cards (photos ok) and sign waivers.
Beginner lesson: 7:30pm
Dance: 8:00pm to 10:30pm
Admission: sliding scale for local bands $5-15+.
Our Thursday night dances require
- proof of full vaccination,
- masks (surgical or better, properly worn), and a
- signed waiver.
(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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 23 | Donna Hunt coordinating | Broadside Kinetic: Rachel Hall (concertina, piano), Tom Rhoads (guitar), Helene Zisook Speer (fiddle), Jim Speer (bass guitar) | Gents & Ladies |
| Mar. 9 | Jan Alter coordinating | Coracree: Jane Rothfield (fiddle), Allan Carr (bass), Bill Quern (mando, banjo, melodeon), Sarah Gowan (guitar) | Larks & Robins |
| Mar. 23 | Ridge Kennedy coordinating | The Orphans: Peter Buchak (accordion), Ben Kennedy (piano), Miranda Weinberg (fiddle) | Gents & Ladies |
| Apr. 6 | Scott Higgs coordinating | Hot Wasabi: Chris Carpenter (banjo, clarinet, mandolin), Dave Miller (fiddle), Roberta Goren (flute) with guest musician Ben Kennedy (piano) | Larks & Robins |
| Apr. 20 | Sam Rotenberg coordinating | Jump Fingers: Palmer Loux (fiddle), Bob McCluskie (fiddle, viola), Greg Loux (guitar), Carolee Rand (banjo, tenor guitar), Mat Clark (bass) | Gents & Ladies |
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Dances continue every other Thursday. See details in the full calendar! |
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But wait, there's more! PATMAD also sponsors
- The 3rd Saturday Contra Dance in Mt. Airy, continuing on April 15 with Rick Mohr calling to the music of the Brooklyn Swing Ensemble at Summit Church
-
Allons Danser, Philadelphia's home for Cajun/Zydeco music and dance, continuing on Saturday, April 1 with Corey Arceneaux and the Zydeco Hot Peppers at the TK Club, Conshohocken, Pa.
(3rd Saturday and Allons Danser have different COVID precautions from the Thursday night contra dance.)
- SPUDS, Philly's phabulous open contradance band.
Also join us online for Musicians' Tune Swaps, a biweekly online gathering for sharing tunes and socializing, hosted by SPUDS.
All Hands In continues fun online dancing with fantastic live music and calling, now two Tuesdays a month, with a variety of games nights and other community-led events on alternate Tuesdays.
Ridge Kennedy demonstrates three kinds of swings that are symmetrical and "gender-neutral" (2-minute YouTube video). Thanks to Jan Alter for the video.
Responses from the Fall 2022 survey are available. We discussed them, as well as other suggestions for increasing attendance, at the community meeting on Thursday, November 17.