ContraCopia Contra Dance Weekend November 27-29, 2026
ContraCopia is PATMAD's annual Thanksgiving weekend contra dance weekend! Featuring 3 bands and 3 callers from across the east coast, plus a techno contra, ContraCopia aims to provide both the local community and traveling dancers with a dance weekend experience focused on inviting touring bands to grace our halls and highlighting the local community through our by-ear open band.
All are welcome at ContraCopia. While registration is open online, you're more than welcome to pay at the door as well. The prices help the dance break even but allow flexibility for all dancers, regardless of their finances. If you can't stay for the whole day, that's okay! You can pay "a la carte" style for the last dance of each day.
Bands
Toss the Possum (Rob Zisette, Laura Zisette)
Cojiro (Jess Newman, Mark Price, Ben Graubart)
High Strung (Jared Bishop, Alec Charon, Adam Bodine, Max Thoburn)
PLUS DJ Chloe Rosenthal for a TECHNO CONTRA late Saturday night!
Callers
Will Mentor | Isaac Banner | Liesl Jandrey
Role terms will be Larks and Robins.
Waltz Breaks
...will include a Saturday evening waltz break with our own BEOB: By-Ear Open Band led by Rick Mohr. Bring your instrument and join us for some notable waltz tunes!
| Friday | 6 hour double dance, featuring Isaac Banner calling to Toss the Possum, and Will Mentor calling to Cojiro College Hill Moravian Church, 72 W. Laurel St., Bethlehem, PA. Time: 3PM - 10:30PM | Potluck dinner (and pizza with donation) | More info below |
| Saturday | 9 hours of contra dances, squares & waltzes, PLUS a techno contra! 3 AWESOME bands and 3 AMAZING callers Commodore Barry Center, 6815 Emlen St, Mt Airy (Philadelphia) PA 19119 Time: 1PM - 11:00PM | Food available for purchase 4pm-10pm and free snacks | More info below |
| Sunday |
Zwiefachers (with a quick lesson), then a 4 hour double dance (with a waltz break) featuring Isaac Banner calling to Toss the Possum, and Liesl Jandrey calling to Cojiro |
See the full schedule for the weekend!
November 27 2026 - 3:00 pm until 10:00 pm
ValleyCopia Friday
A 6 hour double dance, with a potluck and pizza at the break
2 awesome bands and 2 amazing callers
Friday Admission
Afternoon and evening dances (subject to change):
- $20 per dance Sustainer/pay-it-forward
- $18 per dance Breakeven
- $13 per dance Student/low income
Save with combo tickets:
- $70 Combo ticket with ContraCopia Saturday (online and at the door)
- $100 Full weekend pass
Pre-register and get a nametag made by artists of our local dance community!
(Registration tip: choose "Other" under "Help keep Zeffy free" to change your payment to our ticketing platform.)
ValleyCopia is a separate dance from ContraCopia with their own pay structure.
November 28, 2026 - 1:00 pm until 11:00 pm
ContraCopia Saturday
9 hours of contra dances, squares & waltzes, PLUS a techno contra!
3 AWESOME bands and 3 AMAZING callers
Saturday Admission
- $60 Sustainer/pay-it-forward
- $45 Breakeven (advance price; $50 at the door)
- $30 Student/low income
- $70 Combo ticket with ValleyCopia Friday
- $100 Full weekend pass
- $15-$25 sliding scale after 7pm (door only)
- $70 Combo ticket Saturday+Sunday
Pre-register and save $5, and get a nametag made by artists of our local dance community!
(Registration tip: choose "Other" under "Help keep Zeffy free" to change your payment to our ticketing platform.)
Any money that the weekend makes above breaking even will be split between PATMAD and our musicians and callers.
November 29, 2026 - 10:00 am until 4:00 pm
ContraCopia Sunday
Zwiefachers, then a 4 hour double dance, with a waltz break
2 awesome bands and 2 amazing callers
Sunday Admission
- $30-40 whole day (sliding scale)
- $15-$20 sliding scale after 2pm (door only)
Pre-register and get a nametag made by artists of our local dance community!
(Registration tip: choose "Other" under "Help keep Zeffy free" to change your payment to our ticketing platform.)
Any money that the weekend makes above breaking even will be split between PATMAD and our musicians and callers.
General Information (Saturday and Sunday)
Location: 6815 Emlen St. (The Commodore John Barry Arts and Cultural Center) Philadelphia, PA
Parking: Street parking is widely available for free. The nearby train station also allows parking.
(Parking underneath the venue is reserved for persons with disabilities, musicians, and those delivering equipment.)
Public transit: SEPTA will be available, but for the most reliable transportation, please connect with our team if you need a ride to/from the dance.
Food: Healthy food for sale on site. Past food included pizza, sandwiches, chili, and soup. Snacks will be potluck style, with anyone welcome to donate to the snack table.
Please bring soft soled shoes to protect the floor. Please bring your own water bottle. Some cups will be provided.
COVID: As with other PATMAD dances, up-to-date vaccination is strongly encouraged, and masks are welcome but not required.
Safety: Dancing is a joyful and inclusive activity. Please read our Community Standards prior to attending this dance.
Look for updates on our Facebook group
Sponsored by Philadelphia Area Traditional Music and Dance