Membership drive!

Dancers like you keep our community vibrant! Join as an official member of PATMAD on August 28 or September 11! What does this cost you? Well, nothing! PATMAD membership is free.

Become an active member to weigh in on elections (if you've been active at least four weeks), run for the board (if you've been active at least six months), and you'll get to attend our August 28th dance for free (if you're not a member yet, you can sign up that same evening for this perk)!

You can sign up at any dance, but renewing your membership is extra convenient on membership drive nights. If you have any questions regarding membership, please visit the manager’s table or check-in with jess purvis.

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)

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: location TBA.

Sep. 4 Christie Riehl Audrey Jaber & Alex Cumming  
Sep. 11 Liesl Jandrey coordinating SPUDS: Philly's phabulous open contradance band! Member­ship drive
Sep. 18 Sam Rotenberg coordinating Cecelia, Laura, and MaxLaura Alexander (cello), Cecelia Tannous-Taylor (fiddle), Max Thoburn (guitar, mandolin)  
Sep. 25 Jan Alter coordinating Max Brown and his Band of RenownMax Brown (fiddle), River Brown (fiddle), Ed Bonghi (guitar), Jay Kreider (banjo), Kim Kreider (bass), Rich Myers (mandolin) Jim Kitch Memorial Dance

Dances continue every Thursday (except Thanksgiving and Christmas).
See more fantastic callers and bands in the full calendar!


But wait, there's more! PATMAD also sponsors

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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