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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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! |
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| Dec. 5 | Ridge Kennedy coordinating | The Plough and Stars Band: Nathan Bishop (fiddle), Alec Charon (banjo), Eamon Kelly (bouziki), Ben Kennedy (piano) |
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| Dec. 12 | Sam Rotenberg coordinating | Box & String Quartet: Maddy Smith (fiddle), Laura Alexander (cello), Sarah Gowan (guitar), Bill Quern (mandolin, banjo, melodeon) | Community Meeting Night |
| Dec. 19 | Sue Gola coordinating | Midnight on the Water: Tom Krumm (fiddle, mandolin, guitar), Nathan Bishop (fiddle, viola), Dani Hawkins (cello) | |
| Dec. 26 | Jan Alter coordinating | Alias: Adam Oleksa (fiddle), Kirsten Erwin (flute, whistles), Adlai Waksman (piano) | |
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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 December 21 with a festive dance with Rick Mohr and Millserati.
- Allons Danser, Philadelphia's home for Cajun/Zydeco music and dance, continuing on Saturday, January 11 with Corey Arceneaux and the Zydeco Hot Peppers 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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