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The PATMAD Board is now encouraging people to bring snacks on mask optional nights. Please bring finger food to share! (Yes, we celebrated Pi Day with pie!) |  |
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: $5-15+ sliding scale for local bands, $8-20+ sliding scale for *touring bands.
Our Thursday night dances require masks (surgical or better, properly worn, except at designated mask-optional dances), and a signed waiver. Up-to-date vaccination is strongly encouraged.
Snacks are welcome at mask-optional dances (second and fourth Thursdays, and some special events). Please bring finger foods to share! (No peanuts or peanut butter please, due to allergies in our community.)
(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. Thanks.)
Please read the full details if you plan to attend. We're looking forward to dancing with you!
| Date | Caller | Band | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr. 4 | Michael Karcher and Donna Hunt coordinating | Alias: Kirsten Erwin (flute, whistles), Adam Oleksa (fiddle), Adlai Waksman (piano) | Masks required |
| Apr. 11 | Sue Gola coordinating | Hot Wasabi: Dave Miller (fiddle), Roberta Goren (flute), Chris Carpenter (clarinet, banjo, mandolin), Ben Kennedy (piano) | Masks optional; snacks welcome |
| Apr. 18 | Rick Mohr coordinating |
The Hazel Nuts: Chris Germain (fiddle), Heidi Germain (bass), John Salmon (guitar), Keith Brand (banjo) At Summit Church (not CBC) this week |
Masks required |
| Apr. 25 | Ridge Kennedy coordinating | SPUDS: Philly's phabulous open contradance band! | Masks optional; snacks welcome |
| May 2 | Jan Alter coordinating | Col. Mike's Dance Band: John Krumm (fiddle, guitar), Bob Stein (accordion), Bob Pasquarello (piano) | Masks required |
| May 9 | John Krumm | The Contragenarians: Paul Sidlick (banjo & mandolin), Peter Szego (guitar & fiddle), Ed Jankiewicz (upright bass), Garry Moore (fiddle) | Masks optional; snacks welcome |
| May 16 | Sam Rotenberg coordinating | Sleigh for Four: Steve Epstein (clarinet, sax), Thane Glenn (mando), Laura Alexander (cello), Adlai Waksman (keyboard) | Masks required |
| May 23 | Julian Blechner | Cojiro: Mark Price, Jess Newman, Ben Graubart | Masks optional; snacks welcome |
| May 30 | Sue Gola & Cristian Clothier | Jovial Beggars: Ben Kennedy (keyboard), Helene Speer (fiddle), Peggy Leiby (recorders, feet), Rachel Hall (concertina) | Masks required |
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Dances continue every Thursday. See more callers and bands in the full calendar! |
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But wait, there's more! PATMAD also sponsors
- The 3rd Saturday Contra Dance in Mt. Airy, continuing on May 18 with Bob Isaacs and Nobody’s Bizness at Summit Church.
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Allons Danser, Philadelphia's home for Cajun/Zydeco music and dance, continuing on Saturday, May 4 with Mo' Mojo at the TK Club in Conshohocken.
(3rd Saturday and Allons Danser have different COVID precautions from the Thursday night contra dance.)
- SPUDS, Philly's phabulous open contradance band.
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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