2026 Calendar
Thursday Contra dances are every week (except Thanksgiving and Christmas) 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. 1 | Greg Frock | Spintuition: Silas Hamilton (guitar, piano, fiddle, vocals, feet), Willy Clemetson (fiddle, vocals, feet), and Samuel Foucher (accordion, piano, vocals) | |
| Jan. 8 | Donna Hunt & Justin Kauker | Allemande: Chris Germain (fiddle), Kellie Allen (guitar), Pete Petersen (banjo), Paul Sidlick (mandolin), Heidi Germain (bass) | |
| Jan. 11 | (Sunday) Board meeting |
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| Jan. 15 | Alyssa Adkins | Live Wire: Sarah Gowan (guitar), Ben Kennedy (keyboard), Laura Alexander (cello), Jared Bishop (fiddle), Bill Quern (mando/banjo/melodeon) | |
| Jan. 17 | Caroline Barnes | 3rd Saturday at Summit Church with Raise the Roof: Mat Clark (fiddle), Judi Stellar (hammered dulcimer), Kathy Talvitie (guitar), and Bob Pasquarello (bass) |
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| Jan. 17 | (Saturday) Allons Danser presenting Corey Arceneaux and The Zydeco Hot Peppers Location: Holy Saviour Club, 436 E Main St., Norristown, PA 19401 Note new times for Allons Danser: lesson 7:00, live music and dance 7:30. |
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| Jan. 22 | Dave Rupp coordinating other callers | TWeLve: Nathalie Levine (fiddle), Miranda Weinberg (fiddle), Kathy Talvitie (piano) | |
| Jan. 29 | Perry Shafran | Torrent: Nadia Gaya (accordion), Sarah Parker (fiddle), Ross Parker (piano) | Canceled due to performer travel issues and poor road conditions around the CBC, in the aftermath of Winter Storm Fern. |
| February | |||
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Feb. 5 |
Sue Gola coordinating | SPUDS: Philly's phabulous open contradance band! | |
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Feb. 12 |
Jan Alter coordinating | Raise the Roof: Mat Clark (fiddle), Judi Stellar (hammered dulcimer), Bob Pasquarello (bass), Kathy Talvitie (guitar) | |
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Feb. 19 |
Alexandra Deis‑Lauby | Kingfisher: Jeff Kaufman (piano), Cecilia Vacanti (fiddle) | |
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Feb. 21 |
3rd Saturday at Summit Church hosts Medley Marathon: six callers, four bands, three hours of non-stop dancing! You've danced contra medleys before, but not like this. The dance changes. The caller changes. The band changes. You keep dancing! Non-stop calling with Bob Isaacs * Donna Hunt * Karen Justin * Liesl Jandrey * Rick Mohr * Sue Gola Non-stop music with Box and String * High Strung * Three Bits * TWeLve This is a benefit dance to support PATMAD activities including the Thursday Contra and 3rd Saturday dances. Musicians, callers, and sound crew are generously donating their services. More details coming soon. |
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Feb. 21 |
(Saturday) Allons Danser presenting Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble for a Mardi Gras party. Costumes welcome. Venue has a full bar. Stay tuned for details! Note this month's location: Commodore Barry Club (The Irish Center) |
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| Feb. 22 | (Sunday) Board meeting |
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Feb. 26 |
John Krumm | Joy Factor: Gianna Marzilli Ericson (fiddle) Rebecca Rose Weiss (fiddle), Henry Yoshimura (guitar) | |
| March | |||
| Mar. 5 | Michael Karcher coordinating | Wissahickon Express: Rick Mohr (fiddle), Cecelia Tannous-Taylor (fiddle), Evan Mohr (percussion, guitar), Chloe Mohr (piano) | |
| Mar. 8 | (Sunday) Board meeting |
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| Mar. 12 | Bob Isaacs | Stomp Rocket: Glen Loper (mandolin), Dave Langford (fiddle), Bethany Waickman (guitar, piano) | |
| Mar. 19 | Rick Mohr coordinating | Caravan: Kirsten Erwin (flute, whistles), Thane Glenn (mandolin), Ben Kennedy (piano), Adam Oleksa (fiddle) | |
| Mar. 21 | Sue Gola | 3rd Saturday at Summit Church with Larry Unger & Elke Baker |
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| Mar. 21 | (Saturday) Allons Danser presenting Rose & The Bros Location: Holy Saviour Club, 436 E Main St., Norristown, PA 19401 |
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| Mar. 26 |
Scott Higgs coordinating |
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| Mar. 28 |
Liesl Jandrey |
High Strung: Jared Bishop (fiddle), Alec Charon (tenor banjo), Max Thoburn (mandolin), Adam Bodine (guitar) Saturday in Center City: Philadelphia Ethical Society auditorium, 1906 S. Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA. |
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| April | |||
| Apr. 2 | Sue Gola coordinating | High Strung: Jared Bishop (fiddle), Alec Charon (tenor banjo), Max Thoburn (mandolin), Adam Bodine (guitar) | |
| Apr. 9 | Alex Burka coordinating | Yesterday's Pierogies: Kate Saylor (fiddle), Charles Stockdale (mandolin), Laura Alexander (cello), Alec Charon (guitar) | |
| Apr. 11 | (Saturday) Allons Danser presenting Mo’ Mojo Location: Holy Saviour Club, 436 E Main St., Norristown, PA 19401 |
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| Apr. 16 | Ridge Kennedy coordinating | At Summit Church this week: BASS: Steve Epstein (clarinet), Bill Quern (mando, banjo, fiddle, melodeon), Sarah Gowan (guitar, concertina), Adlai Waksman (keyboard) |
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| Apr. 18 | Michael Karcher | 3rd Saturday at Summit Church with Brooklyn Swing Ensemble: Danny Elias, Marco Brehm, Sam Zygmuntowicz, and Bob Pasquarello |
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| Apr. 23 | Liesl Jandrey coordinating | Forge Mountain Ramblers: Mark Schwartz (piano), Jansen Wendell (fiddle/mandolin), Cal Cizek (banjo), Rich Gilligan (bass) | |
| Apr. 30 | Sam Rotenberg coordinating |
Broadside Kinetic: Rachel Hall (piano), Amy Ksir (accordion, whistle), Tom Rhoads (guitar, concertina), Helene Speer (fiddle), Jim Speer (bass guitar) Sponsored dance -- free admission -- celebrating the life of Carl Peridier. To Celebrate the Life of Carl Peridier who spent so many happy hours in this dance community. Carl wanted to give back to you all by sponsoring a dance. Carl was a devoted supporter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and as well as a board member. There will be a donation jar available for anyone who chooses to make a donation to the ACLU in honor of Carl. |
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| May | |||
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May 7 |
Jan Alter coordinating | SPUDS: Philly's phabulous open contradance band! | |
| May 14 | Greg Frock | Playing with Fyre: George Paul (piano), Rob Zisette (fiddle) | |
| May 15 | (Friday) Allons Danser presenting Ruben Moreno & the Zydeco Re-Evolution Location: Holy Saviour Club, 436 E Main St., Norristown, PA 19401 |
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| May 16 | Donna Hunt |
3rd Saturday at Summit Church - Double Dance with Sister Haggis: Jane Knoeck and Eileen Kalfuss |
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| May 21 | Ridge Kennedy coordinating | The Orphans: Peter Buchak (accordion), Ben Kennedy (piano), Miranda Weinberg (fiddle) | |
| May 28 | Donna Hunt coordinating | Sleigh for Four: Steve Epstein (clarinet), Laura Alexander (cello), Thane Glenn (mando), Adlai Waksman (keyboard) | |
| June | |||
| June 4 | Rick Mohr | At Summit Church this week: Topspin: Owen Morrison (guitar), Anna Patton (clarinet), Emily Troll (fiddle), Stefan Amidon (percussion) |
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| June 11 | Harris Lapiroff | Rev it Up: Larry Unger (guitar), Betsy Branch (fiddle) | |
| June 18 | Scott Higgs coordinating | Evan, Hazel, Matteo & Zee: Evan Mohr (percussion, guitar), Matteo Bofinger (flute, bagpipes), Zee O'Connor (guitar, bass guitar, percussion), Hazel Rhoades (fiddle) | |
| June 20 | Greg Frock | 3rd Saturday at Summit Church with Live Wire |
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| June 25 | Gaye Fifer | Paper Plane: Rohan Weeden (guitar, accordion, fiddle), Daniel Raine (cittern, mandolin, guitar), Emma Azelborn (whistle, vocals) | |
| June 27 | (Saturday) Allons Danser presenting the Canebrake Cajun Band Location: Holy Saviour Club, 436 E Main St., Norristown, PA 19401 |
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| July | |||
| July 2 | Liesl Jandrey coordinating | SPUDS: Philly's phabulous open contradance band! | |
| July 9 | Bob Isaacs coordinating | Jump Fingers: Palmer Loux (fiddle), Greg Loux (Guitar), Bob McCluskie (fiddle, viola), Carolee Rand (banjo, tenor banjo/guiter, banjo uke) | |
| July 16 | Sam Rotenberg coordinating | CLaM: Laura Alexander (cello), Max Thoburn (guitar, piano), Cecelia Tannous-Taylor (fiddle) | |
| July 17 | (Friday) Allons Danser presenting the Pine Leaf Boys Location: Holy Saviour Club, 436 E Main St., Norristown, PA 19401 |
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| July 23 | Dave Rupp coordinating | Mat, Jared & Dave: Mat Clark (fiddle, mandolin, bass), Jared Bishop (fiddle), Dave Wiesler (piano and guitar) | |
| July 30 | Liz Nelson | Boxwood: Bill Quern (mandolin, banjo, melodeon), Rick Mohr (fiddle), Sarah Gowan (guitar, concertina), Chloe Mohr (piano) | |
| August | |||
| Aug. 6 | Michael Karcher coordinating | Allemande: Chris Germain (fiddle), Pete Petersen (banjo), Kellie Allen (guitar), Paul Sidlick (mandolin), Heidi Germain (bass) | |
| Aug. 13 | Alex Burka coordinating | Jovial Beggars: Ben Kennedy (keyboard), Helene Speer (fiddle), Peggy Leiby (recorders, feet), Rachel Hall (concerrtina) | |
| Aug. 20 | Sue Gola coordinating | SPUDS: Philly's phabulous open contradance band! | |
| Aug. 27 | Darlene Underwood | Hot Coffee Breakdown: Tom Cunningham (fiddle), Kate Sanders (keyboard), Luis de Leon (percussion, harmonica) | |
| Dancing continues every Thursday night (except Thanksgiving and Christmas). Watch this space for more fantastic callers and bands! |
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