2025 Calendar
Thursday Contra dances are every week (except Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve) at the Irish Center (Commodore Barry Club), Up-to-date COVID vaccination is strongly encouraged. Masks are optional, and are welcome. (This policy is subject to change. Read the details.)
3rd Saturday contra dances and Allons Danser Cajun and Zydeco dances may have different COVID precautions. See their pages for details, as well as for their most up-to-date schedule information.
Community members should assess their own risk in attending any dance.
The All Hands In partnership 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. (Page requires Facebook login.)
Stay healthy, safe, and connected!
| Date | Caller | Band | Notes |
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| Jan. 2 | Rick Mohr coordinating other callers | BASS: Bill Quern (mando, banjo, fiddle, accordion), Adlai Waksman (keyboard, accordion), Steve Epstein (clarinet, sax), Sarah Gowan (guitar, concertina) | "New Year, New Me" themed dance: new dances! Bring lights! |
| Jan. 9 | Bob Isaacs coordinating | SPUDS: Philly's phabulous open contradance band! Bill Quern, Sarah Gowan, Rick Mohr and Chloe Mohr leading |
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| Jan. 11 | (Saturday) Allons Danser presenting Corey Arceneaux and The Zydeco Hot Peppers Location: Holy Saviour Club, 436 E Main St., Norristown, PA 19401 |
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| Jan. 12 | (Sunday) Board meeting | ||
| Jan. 16 | Jan Alter coordinating | Hot Wasabi: Ben Kennedy (piano), Roberta Goren (flute), Chris Carpenter (banjo, mandolin, clarinet), Dave Miller (fiddle) | |
| Jan. 18 | Caroline Barnes | 3rd Saturday at Summit Church with Raise the Roof: Mat Clark, Judi Stellar, Kathy Talvitie and Bob Pasquarello |
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| Jan. 23 | Donna Hunt coordinating | Wissahickon Express: Rick Mohr (fiddle), Cecelia Tannous-Taylor (fiddle), Evan Mohr (percussion, guitar), Chloe Mohr (piano) | |
| Jan. 30 | Dave Rupp coordinating | The Hazel Nuts: Chris Germain (fiddle), John Salmon (guitar), Keith Brand (banjo), Heidi Germain (bass) | |
| February | |||
| Feb. 2 | (Sunday) Board meeting (moved to not conflict with the Super Bowl) | ||
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Feb. 6 |
Scott Higgs coordinating | Gambeson: Jared Bishop (fiddle), James McPeak (cello), Adam Bodine (guitar) | |
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Feb. 8 |
(Saturday) Allons Danser presenting Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas Location: Holy Saviour Club, 436 E Main St., Norristown, PA 19401 |
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Feb. 13 |
Ridge Kennedy coordinating | Broadside Kinetic: Rachel Hall (concertina), Amy Ksir (accordion, winds), Tom Rhoads (guitar), Jim Speer (bass), with Ben Kennedy (piano) | |
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Feb. 15 |
Jan Alter | 3rd Saturday at Summit Church with Jump Fingers: Palmer Loux, Greg Loux, Bob McCluskie and Carolee Rand | |
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Feb. 20 |
Michael Karcher coordinating | Raise the Roof: Mat Clark (fiddle), Judi Stellar (hammered dulcimer), Bob Pasquarello (bass), Kathy Talvitie (guitar) | |
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Feb. 27 |
Sue Gola coordinating | SPUDS: Philly's phabulous open contradance band! | |
| March | |||
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Mar. 6 |
Annie Kidwell | Nobody's Business: Hayden Stern (fiddle), Casey Murray (cello), Helen Kuhar (guitar) | |
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Mar. 8 |
(Saturday) Allons Danser presenting Mo' Mojo for a Mardi Gras party (costumes welcome, pot luck event, venue has a full bar). Note location: Commodore Barry Club, 6815 Emlen St., Philadelphia, PA 19119 |
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Mar. 9 |
(Sunday) Board meeting | ||
| Mar. 13 | Bob Isaacs | Jump Fingers: Palmer Loux (fiddle), Bob McCluskie (violin, viola), Greg Loux (guitar), Carolee Rand (banjo, tenor guitar, banjo mando) | |
| Mar. 15 | Rick Mohr | 3rd Saturday at Summit Church with TWeLve: Miranda Weinberg, Nathalie Levine and Kathy Talvitie | |
| Mar. 20 | Janine Smith | Dead Sea Squirrels: Cathy Mason (fiddle), Henry Yoshimura (guitar), Craig Edwards (fiddle, banjo, mando) | |
| Mar. 22 | Alex Burka |
Darby: Adam Bodine (guitar, feet), Kate Saylor (fiddle), Laura Alexander (cello) Saturday in Center City: Philadelphia Ethical Society auditorium, 1906 S. Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA. |
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| Mar. 27 | Liesl Jandrey | Free Raisins: Audrey Jaber (fiddle), Jeff Kaufman (mandolin, feet), Amy Englesberg (piano, accordion) | |
| Mar. 29 |
Medley Marathon - Dance 'til you Drop! A special fifth Saturday at Summit Church, 7:30-10:30pm You've danced contra medleys before, but not like this! Non-stop calling with Liesl Jandrey * Jan Alter * Bob Isaacs * Donna Hunt * Michael Karcher * Sue Gola Non-stop music with Alias * Rendezvous * Box & String Trio * TWeLve This is a benefit dance to support PATMAD activities. The musicians and callers have generously donated their services; now it's your turn! (More) |
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| April | |||
| Apr. 3 | Sam Rotenberg coordinating | Filament: Laura Alexander (cello), Adam Bodine (guitar, feet), Maddy Smith (fiddle), Jeremy Steinberg (clarinet) | |
| Apr. 10 | Julian Blechner | Good Company: Helen Kuhar (guitar), Cecily Mills (cello), Rohan Weedon (fiddle) | |
| Apr. 13 | (Sunday) Board meeting | ||
| Apr. 17 | Donna Hunt coordinating | SPUDS: Philly's phabulous open contradance band! | |
| Apr. 19 | Donna Hunt | 3rd Saturday at Summit Church with Brooklyn Swing Ensemble: Danny Elias, Marco Brehm, Sam Zygmuntowicz, and Bob Pasquarello | |
| Apr. 24 | Dave Rupp | (Different location this week: at Summit Church) Vandalia: Ellen Gira (cello), Dakota Karper (fiddle), Gabriel Furtado (guitar) |
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| Apr. 26 | Jeremy Steinberg |
Maddy Smith (fiddle), Adam Bodine (guitar, feet), Katie Stahl (piano) Saturday in Center City at a different location: First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, 2125 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19103. |
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| Apr. 26 | (Saturday) Allons Danser presenting Ruben Moreno and Zydeco Re-Evolution Location: Holy Saviour Club, 436 E Main St., Norristown, PA 19401 |
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| May | |||
| May 1 | Gaye Fifer | Countercurrent: Brian Lindsay (fiddle, feet, vocals) and Alex Sturbaum (guitar, vocals) | |
| May 8 | Qwill Duvall | Rhythmajigs: Patti Reum (flute, whistle), Jack Maus (piano), Michael Giardano (fiddle, mandolin) | |
| May 11 | (Sunday) Board meeting | ||
| May 15 | Ridge Kennedy coordinating | Midnight on the Water: Tom Krumm (fiddle, mandolin, guitar), Nathan Bishop (fiddle, viola, hardanger fiddle), Dani Hawkins (cello) | |
| May 17 | Steve Zakon-Anderson | 3rd Saturday at Summit Church with Northwoods: Casey Murray, Molly Tucker, Sam Zakon-Anderson | |
| May 17 | (Saturday) Allons Danser presenting Le Winston Band Location: Holy Saviour Club, 436 E Main St., Norristown, PA 19401 |
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| May 22 | Jeremy Steinberg & Cristian Clothier | Forge Mountain Ramblers: Jansen Wendell (fiddle), Mark Schwartz (piano), Calvin Cizek (banjo), Rich Gilligan (bass) | |
| May 24 | Bob Isaacs |
Jeremy Steinberg (clarinet), Kate Saylor (fiddle), Ben Kennedy (piano), and Jeff Gauthier (whistles, percussion) Saturday in Center City: Philadelphia Ethical Society auditorium, 1906 S. Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA. |
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| May 29 | Jan Alter coordinating | Jovial Beggars: Ben Kennedy (keyboard), Helene Speer (fiddle), Peggy Leiby (recorder, feet), Rachel Hall (concertina) | |
| June | |||
| June 5 | Donna Hunt coordinating | SPUDS: Philly's phabulous open contradance band! | |
| June 8 | (Sunday) Board meeting | ||
| June 12 | Christine Merryman | TWeLve: Nathalie Levine (fiddle), Miranda Weinberg (fiddle), Kathy Talvitie (piano) | |
| June 19 | Bob Isaacs coordinating | Broadside Kinetic: Rachel Hall (piano), Amy Ksir (accordion, winds), Tom Rhoads (guitar), Helene Speer (fiddle), Jim Speer (bass) | |
| June 21 | (Saturday) Allons Danser presenting CJ Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band Location: Holy Saviour Club, 436 E Main St., Norristown, PA 19401 |
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| June 26 | Liesl Jandrey coordinating | "The Orphans-ish": Ben Kennedy (piano), Miranda Weinberg (fiddle), Laura Alexander (cello), Jeff Gauthier (whistles, percussion) | Community Meeting at the break |
| June 28 | Michael Karcher |
Cecelia Tannous-Taylor (fiddle), Max Thoburn (guitar), Ben Roberts (fiddle, bouzouki) Saturday in Center City: Philadelphia Ethical Society auditorium, 1906 S. Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA. |
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| July | |||
| July 3 | Penelope Weinberger | Birch Trio: Daphne Pickens (fiddle), Molly Tucker (fiddle), Casey Murray (guitar, cello) | |
| July 10 | Janine Smith |
Brooklyn Swing Ensemble: Danny Elias, Marco Brehm, Sam Zygmuntowicz, and Bob Pasquarello FREE ADMISSION thanks to Rich Myers, who is sponsoring this dance in celebration of his birthday. Tips for the performers are optional. |
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| July 13 |
(Sunday) Board meeting |
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| July 17 | Sam Rotenberg coordinating | Hot Feat: Mat Clark (fiddle, mandolin), Dave Wiesler (piano, guitar), Paul Morrissette (bass) | |
| July 24 | Dave Rupp coordinating | SPUDS: Philly's phabulous open contradance band! | |
| July 26 | (Saturday) Allons Danser presenting Jeffery Broussard and the Creole Cowboys Location: Holy Saviour Club, 436 E Main St., Norristown, PA 19401 |
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| July 27 | Bob Isaacs |
Oliver Scanlon (of Stove Dragon; fiddle, mandolin, feet), Alex Fortier (piano) Sunday afternoon in Center City: Trinity Memorial Church, 2212 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA. |
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| July 31 | Rick Mohr coordinating | High Strung: Jared Bishop (fiddle), Alec Charon (tenor banjo), Max Thoburn (mandolin), Adam Bodine (guitar) | |
| August | |||
| Aug. 7 | Jan Alter coordinating | Sleigh for Four: Steve Epstein (clarinet, sax), Laura Alexander (cello), Thane Glenn (mando), Adlai Waksman (keyboard, accordion) | |
| Aug. 10 |
(Sunday) Board meeting |
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| Aug. 14 | Scott Higgs coordinating | Wissahickon Express: Rick Mohr (fiddle), Cecelia Tannous-Taylor (fiddle), Evan Mohr (percussion, guitar), Chloe Mohr (piano) | |
| Aug. 21 | Sue Gola & Alex Burka co‑coordinating | Filament: Laura Alexander (cello), Maddy Smith (fiddle), Jeremy Steinberg (clarinet), Adam Bodine (guitar and foot percussion) | |
| Aug. 28 | Michael Karcher coordinating |
Mind the Gap: Kirsten Erwin (flute, whistles), Adam Oleksa (fiddle), Jane Roberts (cello), Adlai Waksman (keyboard) Free for PATMAD members -- you can sign up the same night! |
Membership drive |
| Aug. 30 | Donna Hunt |
Wissahickon Express: Rick Mohr (fiddle), Cecelia Tannous-Taylor (fiddle), Evan Mohr (percussion, guitar), Chloe Mohr (piano) Saturday in Center City - note location: The Philadelphia School, 2501 Lombard St. |
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| September | |||
| Sep. 4 | Christie Riehl | Audrey Jaber (fiddle) & Alex Cumming (piano, accordion) | |
| Sep. 11 | Liesl Jandrey coordinating | SPUDS: Philly's phabulous open contradance band! | Membership drive |
| Sep. 14 | (Sunday) Board meeting | ||
| Sep. 18 | Sam Rotenberg coordinating | Cecelia, Laura, and Max: Laura Alexander (cello), Cecelia Tannous-Taylor (fiddle), Max Thoburn (guitar, mandolin) | |
| Sep. 20 | Liesl Jandrey | 3rd Saturday at Summit Church with Petrichord: Colleen Holroyd, Sophie Chang, Bobby LaRose | |
| Sep. 20 | (Saturday) Allons Danser presenting Zydeco Jay & Creole Pressure Location: Holy Saviour Club, 436 E Main St., Norristown, PA 19401 |
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| Sep. 25 | Jan Alter coordinating |
Max Brown and his Band of Renown: Max Brown (fiddle), River Brown (fiddle), Ed Bonghi (guitar), Jay Kreider (banjo), Kim Kreider (bass), Rich Myers (mandolin) This is a free, sponsored event; special thanks to Jean Anderson. |
Jim Kitch Memorial Dance |
| Sep. 27 | Dave Rupp |
Bill Quern, Sarah Gowan, and Jared Bishop Saturday in Center City: Philadelphia Ethical Society auditorium, 1906 S. Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA. |
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| October | |||
| Oct. 2 | Julian Blechner | Cojiro | |
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Oct. 9 |
Michael Karcher coordinating | Hot Wasabi: Dave Miller (fiddle), Chris Carpenter (banjo, mandolin, guitar, and clarinet), Roberta Goren (flute), Ben Kennedy (piano) | |
| Oct. 12 | (Sunday) Board meeting | ||
| Oct. 16 | Donna Hunt | Coracree: Jane Rothfield (fiddle), Bill Quern (mando, banjo, melodeon), Allan Carr (bass), Sarah Gowan (guitar) | |
| Oct. 18 | Scott Higgs | 3rd Saturday at Summit Church with Hijinks: Carey Rose, Miranda Weinberg, Kathy Talvitie | |
| Oct. 23 | Alex Burka | The Turning Stile: Joanne Garton (fiddle), Aaron Marcus (piano, concertina) | |
| Oct. 25 | Liesl Jandrey |
Torrent: Nadia Gaya (accordion), Sarah Parker (fiddle) and Ross Parker (piano) Saturday in Center City: Philadelphia Ethical Society auditorium, 1906 S. Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA. |
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| Oct. 25 | (Saturday) Allons Danser presenting Corey Arceneaux and the Zydeco Hot Peppers Location: Holy Saviour Club, 436 E Main St., Norristown, PA 19401 |
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| Oct. 30 | Rick Mohr coordinating | SPUDS: Philly's phabulous open contradance band! | |
| November | |||
| Nov. 2 | Callers including Joanna Reiner Wilkinson, Alex Burka, and Chrissy Gore |
Sunday, 1:30-4:30, at the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill, Widener Hall A special 3-way English/Scottish/Contra Party! Music by Hijinks: Miranda Weinberg, Kathy Talvitie, Carrie Rose Explore the delights of three related styles! Dancers experienced in at least one of these traditions will be able to enjoy the full program. More info about the full ESC weekend, October 30 - Nov. 2: escdance.org |
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| Nov. 6 | Scott Higgs coordinating | Alias: Adam Oleksa (fiddle), Kirsten Erwin (flute, whistles), Adlai Waksman (keyboard) | |
| Nov. 13 | Harris Lapiroff | Here on the Hill | |
| Nov. 15 | Jan Alter | 3rd Saturday at Summit Church with Caravan: Adam Oleksa (fiddle), Ben Kennedy (piano), Kirsten Erwin (flute/whistles), and Thane Glenn (mandolin) | |
| Nov. 15 | (Saturday) Allons Danser presenting Dennis Stroughmatt Location: Holy Saviour Club, 436 E Main St., Norristown, PA 19401 |
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| Nov. 20 | Bob Isaacs coordinating | Neon Creek: Chloe Rosenthal (piano, electronics), Jared Bishop (fiddle, electronics) | |
| Nov. 27 | No dance (Thanksgiving) - but join us for ContraCopia dance weekend Nov. 28-30 in Bethlehem, Philadelphia, and Swarthmore! | ||
| Nov. 29 |
(Saturday) 2:00pm until 11:00 pm: ContraCopia Saturday! |
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| December | |||
| Dec. 4 | Deanna Palumbo | Raven & Goose: Corwin Zekley (fiddle), Grace Fellows (piano) | |
| Dec. 11 | Dave Rupp | Kaleidoscope: Minda Cowen (fiddle), Larry Unger (guitar, banjo, jaw harp), Dominique Gagne (flute), Marco Brehm (bass) | |
| Dec. 13 | (Saturday) Allons Danser presenting a holiday potluck with Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble Location: Holy Saviour Club, 436 E Main St., Norristown, PA 19401 |
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| Dec. 18 | Dave Winston | SPUDS: Philly's phabulous open contradance band! | |
| Dec. 20 | Rick Mohr | 3rd Saturday at Summit Church with Oliver Scanlon and Alex Fortier | |
| Dec. 25 | No dance (Christmas) | ||
| Dancing continues every Thursday night (except Thanksgiving and Christmas). Watch this space for more fantastic callers and bands! |
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