Please note: THE ELEVATOR IS OUT OF SERVICE. We hope to see you at the dance, but know that there has been no elevator service at the hall. (A lightning strike damaged the elevator, and the replacement part was out of stock.)
Yes, there is a full flight of stairs to climb. (Or you can go up the ramp and fewer steps, and through the Fireside Lounge and dining room to the ballroom.) We hope you can make it.
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.
Doors open: 7:00pm to check vaccination cards (photos ok) and sign waivers.
Beginner lesson: 7:30pm
Dance: 8:00pm to 11:00pm
Admission: sliding scale for local bands $5-15+.
Our 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.)
The evening may include extra breaks that can be taken outside to get fresh air.
Please read the full details if you plan to attend. We're looking forward to dancing with you!
More dances are listed in the full calendar.
| Date | Caller | Band | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 10 | Rick Mohr coordinating | Mind the Gap: Kirsten Erwin (flute, whistle), Adam Oleksa (fiddle), Jane Roberts (cello), Adlai Waksman (piano) | Gents & Ladies |
| Nov. 17 | Bob Isaacs coordinating | SPUDS: Philly's phabulous open contradance band! (With a brief community meeting at the break, around 9:00.) |
Larks & Robins |
| Nov. 24 | No dance - Thanksgiving | ||
| Dec. 1 | Ridge Kennedy coordinating | Caravan: Ben Kennedy (piano), Kirsten Erwin (flute & whistle), Adam Oleksa (violin), Thane Glenn (mandolin) | Gents & Ladies |
| Dec. 15 | Dave Rupp coordinating | TWeLve: Nathalie Levine (fiddle), Miranda Weinberg (fiddle), Kathy Talvitie (piano) At Summit Church |
Larks & Robins |
| Dec. 29 | Donna Hunt coordinating | Allemande: Christopher Germain (fiddle), Heidi Germain (bass), Paul Sidlick (banjo), Greg Loux (guitar), Palmer Loux (fiddle) | Gents & Ladies |
|
Dances continue every other Thursday in the new year. Watch for 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 December 17 with Rick Mohr calling to the music of Tom Krumm and Jared Kirkpatrick
- Allons Danser, Philadelphia's home for Cajun/Zydeco music and dance, presenting Corey Arceneaux and the Zydeco Hot Peppers on Friday, December 2
- 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.)
PATMAD membership is free, but must be renewed annually. Membership forms are available online as well as at every dance; your membership will be until Dec. 2023. You will need to be a member to vote in the upcoming role terms vote. (You can be on our email announcement list with or without being a PATMAD member.)
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.