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+.
Prepay registration for ContraCopia Dance Weekend is now open!
3 great bands and 3 awesome callers in Bethlehem (double dance), Philadelphia (9 hours!), and Swarthmore
November 28-30, 2025 (read more)
Snacks are welcome. Please bring finger foods to share! (No peanuts or peanut butter please, due to allergies in our community.)
Our Thursday night dances strongly encourage up-to-date COVID vaccination. Masks are optional and welcome. 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. Please read more info about health precautions. We're looking forward to dancing with you!
| Date | Caller | Band | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 7 | Jan Alter coordinating | Sleigh for Four: Steve Epstein (clarinet, sax), Laura Alexander (cello, tenor violin), Thane Glenn (mando), Adlai Waksman (keyboard, accordion) | |
| 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) | |
| Aug. 30 | Donna Hunt | Wissahickon Express: Rick Mohr (fiddle), Cecelia Tannous-Taylor (fiddle), Evan Mohr (percussion, guitar), Chloe Mohr (piano)
Saturday in Center City: Philadelphia Ethical Society auditorium, 1906 S. Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA. |
|
| Sep. 4 | Christie Riehl | Audrey Jaber & Alex Cumming | |
| Sep. 11 | Liesl Jandrey coordinating | SPUDS: Philly's phabulous open contradance band! | |
| Sep. 18 | Sam Rotenberg coordinating | Cecelia, Laura, and Max: Laura Alexander (cello), Cecelia Tannous-Taylor (fiddle), Max Thoburn (guitar, mandolin) | |
| 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) | |
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Dances continue every Thursday (except Thanksgiving and Christmas). |
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But wait, there's more! PATMAD also sponsors
- The 3rd Saturday Contra Dance in Mt. Airy, on break for the summer and returning in September.
- Allons Danser, Philadelphia's home for Cajun/Zydeco music and dance, continuing on Saturday, August 23 with two workshops, dinner and a dance party with Louisiana zydeco champions ShaRhonda and Chris, at the Holy Saviour Club, Norristown, Pa.
(3rd Saturday and Allons Danser may have different COVID precautions from the Thursday night contra dance. Check their pages for the most up-to-date schedules and information.) - SPUDS, Philly's phabulous open contradance band.
- A Center City Contra series in Rittenhouse Square in the heart of Philadelphia, generally on fourth Saturdays most months. See the calendar for upcoming dances.
Donations to Philadelphia Area Traditional Music and Dance, the nonprofit which sponsors the Thursday Contra dance, are always appreciated! (Link)
Contributions to the 100% free platform we use for donations are optional, and may be set to "Other" including zero.
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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