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!
3 AWESOME bands: Ice Cream Truckers, Stove Dragon, Millserati
× 3 AMAZING callers: Gaye Fifer, Alex Deis Lauby, Ben Sachs Hamilton
= 9 hours of contra dances, squares & waltzes! (Read more)

Dec. 5 Ridge Kennedy coordinating The Plough and Stars Band: Nathan Bishop (fiddle), Alec Charon (banjo), Eamon Kelly (bouziki), Ben Kennedy (piano)

 

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)  

Dances continue every Thursday (except Thanksgiving).
See more fantastic callers and bands in the full calendar!


But wait, there's more! PATMAD also sponsors

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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