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.
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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: $5-15+ sliding scale for local bands, $8-20+ sliding scale for *touring bands.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 4 | Bob Isaacs and Liesl Jandrey | Box and String Quartet: Bill Quern (fiddle, mando, banjo, melodeon), Sarah Gowan (guitar), Laura Alexander (cello), Robert Matson (mandolin) | Larks & Robins |
| May 18 | Jan Alter coordinating | Raise the Roof: Mat Clark (fiddle), Bob Pasquarello (bass), Judi Stellar (hammered dulcimer), Kathy Talvitie (guitar) | Gents & Ladies |
| June 1 | Rick Mohr and Alex Burka | Forthcoming: Cecelia Tannous-Taylor (fiddle), Miranda Weinberg (fiddle), Jeff Gauthier (percussion, whistle), Rachel Chang (guitar) | Larks & Robins |
| June 15 | Scott Higgs coordinating | Jovial Beggars: Ben Kennedy (piano), Helene Zisook-Speer (fiddle), Peggy Leiby (recorders, feet), Rachel Hall (concertina) | Gents & Ladies |
| June 29 | Will Mentor | Stomp Rocket: Glen Loper (mandolin), Dave Langford (fiddle), Bethany Waickman (guitar) | Larks & Robins |
|
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 September 16 with Hot Coffee Breakdown at Summit Church
-
Allons Danser, Philadelphia's home for Cajun/Zydeco music and dance, continuing on Saturday, June 24 with Cedryl Ballou & the Zydeco Trendsetters 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 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.