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 |
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Dances continue every Thursday (except Thanksgiving). 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 October 21 with the Mad Katters at Summit Church
-
Allons Danser, Philadelphia's home for Cajun/Zydeco music and dance, continuing on Saturday, October 21 with Lil' Pookie and the Zydeco Sensations at the TK Club in Conshohocken.
(3rd Saturday and Allons Danser have different COVID precautions from the Thursday night contra dance.)
- SPUDS, Philly's phabulous open contradance band.
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.