This page is devoted to listing contra dances in the Rocky Mountains region of the United States along with bands, musicians, callers, and organizations that are based in the region. URLs and e-mail addresses are listed when available. New entries, additional information, and changes in information are always welcome. Links to other pages in the www.contradancelinks.com web site are listed at the bottom of the page.

New links are simply new to me, not necessarily new to the World Wide Web. Change in URL means that a link has changed its WWW address or URL.

Regional

• No regional links submitted or found.

Arizona

• There is a dance in Cottonwood on the 3rd Saturday of the month except from May through September.
• The Flagstaff Friends of Traditional Music hold contras on the 1st Saturday of each month and also have information about the dances in Cottonwood.
• Phoenix Traditional Music and Dance sponsors dances on the 2nd Saturday and 4th Friday of each month along with other activities.
• Folk Happens! in Prescott holds dances on the 4th Saturday of each month.
• The May Madness ContraFest weekend is held in Prescott in mid-May.
• The Tucson contra dancers hold dances on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Saturdays of each month with special dances on other dates. Change of URL and details (April 25, 2020)
• The Tucson Friends of Traditional Music hold an annual Dance in the Desert in early November in Tucson which includes a significant amount of contradancing.

Colorado

• The Colorado Contra Dancing produced by Jared Gottlieb covers the contra scene (plus some international folk dance links) across the state (including Boulder, Colorado Springs, Denver, and Greeley).
• CFOOTMAD -- Colorado Friends of Old Time Music and Dance holds a variety of dances in several locations in Colorado.
• The CFOOTMAD dances in Boulder occur on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month. Change of URL (February 7, 2015)
• Stellar Days & Nights: A Rocky Mountain Dance Adventure Buena Vista, is held in mid-February.
• Arkansas Valley Music And Dance sponsors dances in Buena Vista once a month, generally on 2nd Fridays.
• Pikes Peak Traditional Dance holds contra dances in Colorado Springs on the 3rd Saturdays of most months (3rd Fridays in the summer). Change of URL (February 7, 2015)
• The CFOOTMAD dances in Denver occur on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month with Zesty Contras happening on 2nd Saturdays in Denver.
• The "Hands Across Contra" series happens in Denver on 4th Saturdays with "larks and ravens" calling. New entry (July 6, 2019)
• Retrodances occur on various dates, the middle of each month, in Denver at the Berkeley Community Church.
• The Friends of Traditional Dance in Fort Collins sponsor a variety of dances including contra dances on the first and third Saturday of every month and there are waltz nights on various evenings.
• CFOOTMAD has information about the Glenwood Springs dance which occurs on the 1st Saturday of each month except for the summer. Dancing on the Web also has information about the dance. Change of URL (February 7, 2015)
• There's information about the Mountain Moon Festivals which are generally held twice a year, usually the third week of May and the fourth weekend of September near Gold Hill, about 50 minutes west of Boulder. Change of URL and name (April 2, 2016)
• The dances in Grand Junction occur on a different Saturday most months. Facebook page. CFOOTMAD and Dancing on the Webalso have information about the dance. Change of URL (February 7, 2015)
• In Lafayette, Calico & Boots Traditional American Dancing has dances a few nights each year. We dance some traditional square dance figures, in keeping with our 60-year tradition, as well as more modern mainstream figures. We also dance classic round dances, contra dances, and folk dances. No dance costume, partner, or experience is required.
• There is a community dance series in Lyons , on "Halloween Saturday" and on various Saturdays on other months. CFOOTMAD also has information about the dance as does the Lyons Chamber of Commerce. Change from e-mail to URL (Facebook) for principal link
• The Arkansas Valley Music And Dance sponsors dances in Salida every other month, generally on a Friday or Saturday.

Idaho

• The Boise (Idaho) Contra Dance Society holds dances on the 2nd Saturday of each month. Facebook page.
• The Spokane Folklore Society promotes three dance camps a year at Camp N-Sid-Sen located on Coeur d'Alene Lake in Idaho:
  • Music and Dance Week, in late June;
  • Family Week, in late-mid August; and
  • Fall Lady of the Lake in early October.
• The Last Chance Squares sponsor contra dances in Helena on generally, but not always, the 2nd Saturday of the month from September to April.
• The dances in Moscow are generally on third Saturdays and are sponsored by the Palouse Folklore Society.
• There are dances in Pocatello on the 2nd Saturday of the month, but check the Utah Contradance Information Page for contact info, etc.

Montana

• The Yellowstone Square Dance Council is sponsoring contra dances in Billings. New entry (September 15, 2016)
• Along with international and Scottish dance nights, the Bozeman Folk Society hosts contra dancing, generally on the the 1st Friday and 3rd Saturday of each month (except January when they break for Wintergreen.
• The Last Chance Squares hold contra dances in Helena on the 2nd Saturday of the month from September to April. New entry (February 16, 2015)
• The Missoula Folklore Society holds the Bear Hug Mountain Festival in September, the weekend after Labor Day, near Rollins. In addition, they hold contra dances on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month in Missoula along with 3rd Saturday dances in the summer in Arlee. They also include information about the 2nd Saturday dance in Kalispell, and community dances (a variety of types and styles) in Missoula on Friday nights. They also a "Complicated Contras" series in some months on 4th Fridays.

Nevada

• The folks at the Southern Nevada Contra Dance Society dance generally on the last Saturday of the month in Las Vegas. Change in URL (January 22, 2020)
• Sierra Contra Dance Society holds dances in Reno on the 2nd Saturday of the month with an occasional 5th Saturday dance. David VonSeggern puts the information on the page.

New Mexico

• The New Mexico Folk Music and Dance Society offers good coverage of dance activities in the state and sponsors dances in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Taos and information about other dances in the region.
• The Southern New Mexico Music & Dance Society hosts contra dances from August to May generally on the 3rd Friday of the month in Las Cruces/Mesilla along with jam sessions and other events.
• The annual FolkMADness Music & Dance Camp is held in late May in Socorro and includes contradancing among its many offerings.

Utah

• Michael D. Drews covers the Utah Contradance Information Page.
• The Bridger Folk Music Society holds contra dances on the 1st Saturday of most months in East Logan along with a variety of other events such as Lava Meltdown in March which is held in Lova Hot Spring, Idaho. Change in URL (March 25, 2018)
• There are monthly dances in Moab sponsored by the Moab Arts and Recreation Center.
• There's the annual Watasch Wiggle Weekend in Salt Lake City area in October. Change in location and date (July 19, 2017)
• The Watasch Contras are held in Salt Lake City on the 3rd Saturday of each month.
• The Friends of the Rockport Old Church sponsor dances in Wanship several times a year.

Wyoming

No links found or submitted for this state.

Bands and Musicians

• Jared Gottlieb provides information about the callers and bands performing at the various sites in Colorado.
• The Albuquerque dance series has information and photographs of many of the dances that play at that locale.
• The Acrasians play Scottish and American folk music and regularly play for the Boise (Idaho) Contra Dance Society dances. We are available for dances, weddings, and parties. New entry (May 16, 2016)
• The Adobe Brothers play at contra dances in the Albuquerque, New Mexico area. Change e-mail to URL (February 16, 2015)
• The Albuquerque Megaband is an open band that plays at the 3rd Saturday dance in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Change in URL (February 16, 2015)
• Balance and Swing is based in Colorado and includes Susan Reading playing fiddle, Tina Gugeler on hammered dulcimer, and John Reading on piano/keyboard. They perform a variety of music blending jigs, reels, hambos, waltzes, and other traditional styles from New England, Europe, and Scandinavia. Change of URL (January 2, 2016).
• Based in New Mexico and playing at a variety of dances including contra dances, the Bayou Seco sound energetically captures the spirit of the Southwest USA today.
• While specializing in cowboy/western music, bluegrass, and the folk songs of the west, Blue Sage Trio plays, on occasion, at contra dances, especially in Idaho and Utah. Change of URL (February 16, 2015)
• The Broken String Band plays on a frequent basis in Bozeman, Montana. (e-mail only)
• The Bru play Scottish and American folk music and regularly play for the Boise (Idaho) Contra Dance Society dances. We are available for dances, weddings, and parties. New entry (May 15, 2016)
• Bonnie Carol plays the hammered and fretted dulcimers as well as bodhran, folk drums and hand percussion as a soloist and as part of some contra dance bands in Colorado.
• Deb Carstensen has, since 1991 performed with various bands including Highstrung, Celtic Fair, All in Good Time, Conundrum, Unstrung Heroes and Deb and the Pariahs with what some call a "Denver" style of Celtic music because there are influences creeping in from old timey music and other traditional Colorado music styles.
• Colorado's Ceol Ceili includes Steve Hart, Kari Wilson, Heidi McClure, and Ron Sommers and play Celtic music and then some. Change in URL (February 16, 2015)
• The Cheap Shots is a energetic six-person acoustic band plating contra dances, performances, weddings, private parties and more and is based in New Mexico. New entry (May 13, 2016)
• Clusterfolk is based in Arizona and primarily plays for contradances with a variety of New England, Celtic, Southern, Old-timey and original tunes. (e-mail only)
• The Crested Hens were the Celtic Band of Montana's Bitterroot Valley and played at dances in the area.
• Deb and the Pariahs play an accordion, bagpipe and banjo (along with a fiddle) all at one time on one stage and are based in Colorado. Change in URL (February 16, 2015)
• In New Mexico, the Estrotones feature Barbara Herrington, Marjorie Mullany, and Nancy FryeWeaver.
• The Fast Pesos plays a blend of Appalachian fiddle tunes and songs from the Civil War into the 1920's, as well as music learned from the revivalist string bands 1960's to the present. Change in URL (February 16, 2015)
• FiddleSticks is a Utah family band that performs folk songs and traditional tunes from the Celtic lands, from England, and from America and plays at an occasional contra dance.
• Fifth Reel has been playing in Colorado for contra dances, events like Robert Burns Suppers, weddings, parties, and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations since 1996. New entry (July 2, 2016)
• The Five Dog String Band is based in New Mexico and features Steve Huestis, David Margolin and Rick Olcott.
• Flagpole Salad is a recipe, a family legend and a stringband based in New Mexico. New entry (January 2, 2016)
• Tina Gugeler plays hammered dulcimer solo and with a number of bands in the Denver, Colorado area.
• The Hippie-billies, featuring Dan Levenson and Miss Jennifer, have a driving old time sound for a dance or stage show! They are based in Georgia and Arizona.
• Seth Houston plays with a variety of musicians including the band, Lift Ticket, along with significant time with vocal groups and in teaching vocal students and groups. He is presently based in Colorado.
• The Jumping Chollas are a contra dance band performing Celtic, New England and Old-time selections in Arizona and include Jennifer Sordyl, Tom Ryan and Steve Richard. Change of URL (February 16, 2015)
• The Just Desserts Contra Dance Band is the house band for the Flagstaff contra dances every other month. Change of URL (February 16, 2015)
• Kindred Spirits plays music primarily of Renaissance and Celtic origin. using recorders, penny whistle, viola/violin, mandolin, guitar, Celtic harp and cello. The band is based in the Denver, Colorado area.
• Leaping Lulu plays on a regular basis at the dance in Logan, Utah.
• Loose Shoes plays at the Salt Lake City, Utah dances on a regular basis. Actually, they play all over Utah on a regular basis.
• The Moab Community Dance Band plays for the Moab contra dances and holds open rehearsals on Tuesday nights at the Moab Arts and Recreation Center. They play mostly Irish and other European and New England contra music. New entry (November 11, 2016)
• The Muletones are an old-time stringband, headquartered along the sparsely populated line between Hudspeth County, Texas, and Otero County, New Mexico. New entry (May 15, 2016)
• Out of the Wood has played for dances in Washington, Oregon, Montana and Idaho during the past five years, draws on traditional music forms from Celtic, New England, Quebecois and Southern Old Time music, and creates their music from a dancer's perspective. They are based in Idaho.
• The Parlor City Trio features Chuck Williamson, Steve Richard, J.P. Thom-Gronachen and Torsten Clay (e-mail only).
• Arizona's Pick and Holler includes Carolyn Camp, Matt Minjares, Lindsay Cates and Ty Peterson. Change of URL (February 16, 2015)
• The Privy Tippers are located in Tucson, Arizona and include Jacqueline Wohl (fiddle), Craig Tinney (guitar and banjo), Dave Firestine (mandolin) and Jerry Ray Weinert (bass). They have been playing for contra and square dances for more than 13 years all over the state of Arizona and throughout the Southwest.
• Round the House plays celtic music for contradances in the Tucson, Arizona area.
• Rusty Tap is a contra dance band based at the University of New Mexico. Formed in the fall of 2015, the ensemble performs regularly at UNM Contra Dances. New entry (June 30, 2016)
• The Santa Fe Megaband is a fine group of courageous volunteers who play for the Santa Fe Contra Dance every other month – six times a year. New entry (May 13, 2016)
• Sassafrass Stomp is a sweet, high-energy, contradance band duo with one foot in western Montana and one foot in mid-coast, Maine. Fiddler Johanna Davis and guitarist Adam Nordell toured coast-to-coast as 2/3rds of the AM String Band before their debut as Sassafras Stomp at Seattle's Northwest Folklife Festival in May of 2008. Johanna and Adam are regular performers at the the state's four long-running monthy and bi-monthly dances as well as many smaller or intermittent dances. Change of URL (February 16, 2015)
• Shanahy is a band that hails from Salt Lake City and performs traditional songs and tunes from the British Isles--primarily Scotland and Ireland. Change of URL (February 16, 2015)
• The Soda Rock Ramblers are three friends and musicians (Linda Askew, Larry Edelman, and Scott Mathis) whose music features old-time American fiddle tunes from the South and Midwest and the haunting melodies from the Southwest, including Mexican tunes, music of the Rio Grande (Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado), and the beautiful and rare Gu-achi tunes from Arizona. They are based in Colorado. Change of URL (February 16, 2015)
• As you might guess, the Southern New Mexico Music & Dance Society Band plays at the SNMM&DS dances in Mesilla on a regular basis.
• Based in Arizona but with members from across the country, the music of STEAM! lights up the dance floor with energy and creative innovations. Change of URL (January 2, 2016)
• Sweet Sunny South plays bluegrass and old-time, any time and is based in Colorado.
• The Toe Dusters is a traditional dance band out of Pueblo, Colorado. They play contra dances around the region and, much to their pleasure, they will be the house band for Pueblo's new contra dance. Change in band name (February 16, 2015)
• Bill Tomczak plays clarinet and saxophone with several groups including The Latter Day Lizards and Northern Comfort. He hails from Boulder, Colorado.
• Josie Toney has been a fixture of the folk music community since a young age, growing up in the contra dance community of Olympia, Washington. You can now find her in Denver, Colorado where she teaches fiddle through her own studio and performs with Bluegrass and Country bands throughout the Front Range. New entry (June 18, 2016)
• Traditional Blend, featuring Bill and Patti Cummings, is a duo that plays contra dance music for contra dances from the Portland Collection, including music from the southwestern prairies of Louisiana, Irish, and Scottish music from Cape Breton (Celtic) and have written some of their own reels, jigs, as well as a waltz for dancers to enjoy. They play from Arizona (where they hail) to the Pacific to the Great Plains and Midwest. They can also be contacted by phone through email. Please use the subject line as "contra dance bookings or inquiries". (e-mail only)
• The Tucson Open Band plays, as might think, for various Tucson area contra dances. Change of URL (February 16, 2015)
• The Arizona band, Updraft, features Mike Reddig, Mary Anne McLeod and Judy Francis.
• Village Idioms play occasionally at the Albuquerque, New Mexico dance. (e-mail only -- note the "NOSPAM")
• The Virginia Creepers including, Greg Donohoe, bass; Laurence 'Laurie' Phillips, mandolin; Rick Olcott, guitar; Peter White, fiddle; Bruce Thomson, fiddle; and Steve Huestis, banjo, play in New Mexico and other parts of the southwestern United States. Change of URL (February 16, 2015)
• The Bozeman, Montanta based band, Weatherwood, with members Tom Robison, Lindsay Turnquist and Steve Marty, draw on Celtic tunes, Appalachian tunes, Latin tunes, orignal pieces, swing tunes and contra dance music for their repertoire.
• The Wild Coyotes play music spanning a wide variety of traditional American roots styles including old time, bluegrass, and classic and contemporary folk set to classic old-time string band instrumentation with wonderful vocals. The band is based in Idaho.
• Sandra Wong plays both the fiddle and the the Swedish nyckelharpa for concerts and dances in Colorado.

Callers

• Jared Gottlieb provides information about the callers and bands performing at the various sites in Colorado.
• Michael Barraclough was the caller with folk rock band Pyewackett and now calls Zesty Contras and English Country Dance in the USA and is based in Phoenix, AZ.
• Benjamin Bean began calling with the Albuquerque Callers Collective in 2013 and has called at dances in several venues in New Mexico. New entry (January 6, 2017)
• Jim X Borzym calls and leads dances ranging from contras to tango in Colorado. (e-mail only)
• Katherine Bueler, as a caller, loves being a catalyst for dancers’ good times, and tries to be responsive to the energy and desires of the dancers and the musicians to whom these events truly belong. Katherine has been calling contra and community dances for about 10 years, and looks forward to many more. She is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. New entry (January 6, 2017)
• Deb Comly was bitten by the contra bug in 1994. She calls in Flagstaff, Arizona and across the Southwest.
• David Michael Cottle can be found calling many of the dances in West Jordan, Utah or Pocatello, Idaho. (e-mail only)
• Larry Edelman from Colorado calls and plays at dances in Colorado and other environs. (e-mail only)
• Joseph Erhard-Hudson calls in Moscow/Pullman, Idaho and in Spokane, Washington. (e-mail only) Change in e-mail (January 22, 2020)
• Eric Erhardt calls contra and English, instructs couples dance, and organizes dance in New Mexico, traveling widely for dancing and community building. He is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. New entry (January 6, 2017)
• Eleanor Fahrney calls for any group, but especially loves calling for families and kids (even middle schoolers!). She call contras, squares, circles, longways sets and is based in Colorado. (e-mail only)
• Tina Fields calls contras and barn dances, and also leads singing groups in Boulder and along the Front Range of Colorado.
• Kay Forsyth is the chief caller for the dances in Logan, Utah. (e-mail only)
• Mitchell Frey calls contra and English Country dances along with teaching calling workshops in Idaho and other environs. (e-mail only)
• Brenda Goodwin calls in Salt Lake City, Utah. (e-mail only)
• Wendy Graham of Durango, Colorado has been dancing, writing and calling folk dances for 15 years throughout Kentucky, Washington D.C., New York, New England, and the 4 corners of the Southwest. Change of URL (February 19, 2015)
• Ed Hall is based in Colorado, but has called from Washington State to Vermont. (e-mail only)
• Peggy Hesley calls in Arizona and beyond.
• Donna Howell who formerly called in Arizona, California and Texas is now back home in New Mexico and calls dances in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. (e-mail only)
• Loren Kalmen calls periodically in Nevada and other locations. (e-mail only)
• Caller Chris Kermiet, living in the Denver, Colorado area, now has his own web site.
• Art Lane often calls at the Reno, Nevada dance. (e-mail only)
• Seth Levine calls squares and contras and is based in Phoenix, Arizona.
• Lonnie Ludeman is one of the main callers at the Mesilla, New Mexico dance. (e-mail only)
• Archie Maclellan calls contra, English and ceilidh dances and is based in Prescott, Arizona. (e-mail only (replace the "[at]" with @)).
• Vickie Marron is a caller from Idaho. (e-mail only)
• Mark Matthews, of Missoula, Montana is a country dance caller and instructor for experienced New England contra dances and family dances. In addition, you can call him at 406-203-3933. (link is to e-mail)
• Will McDonald contra danced several times a week living in Boston in the 1980s. When he moved to Santa Fe in 1989 he helped start the dance there. As a caller he tries to encourage fun and community with gratitude to all who have danced and played in this joyful tradition. New entry (January 6, 2017)
• Tavi Merrill is a caller, Boston-bred, Maine-trained, now a Tucson transplant. New entry (January 6, 2017)
• Richard Myers calls old-time circle, square, contra and folk dances in Colorado. (e-mail only)
• Lori Pimentel lives in Salt Lake City, Utah and calls dances in the Utah/Idaho area. (e-mail only)
• Merri Rudd calls contras and English country dances around the Southwest and makes "I don't book ahead" buttons. She is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
• Neil Schlein has been calling in Colorado and then Arizona since 1998. He is available to call contras, old time and modern squares, and other assorted things anywhere in Arizona or nearby vicinities. (e-mail only)
• Lauren Soherr-Hadwiger has been calling dances in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico since she was 10. Her interest in contra dance calling has been nurtured by experienced callers in New Mexico, and she has found a home in a new generation of callers from the Albuquerque area. New entry (January 6, 2017)
• Caller Linda Starr is based in the Albuquerque, New Mexico area. (e-mail only, replace the AT and DOT).
• J.P. Thom-Gronachon calls and plays music for dances in Arizona.
• Mark Turbin started calling in the midwest and now lives in Colorado. (e-mail only REMOVE TEXT)
• Lindsay Turnquist calls often at the Bozeman, Montana dances as well as other locales. The Bozeman Folklore Society has an interview with him on their website. (e-mail only for contact)
• Sherilyn Urben has called English Country, contra and family dances in Oklahoma, Texas, Kentucky, New Mexico, and Colorado and is based in New Mexico. New entry (January 6, 2017)
• Caller Kari Usher calls and organizes dances in Flagstaff, Arizona. (e-mail only (replace the "[at]" with @)).
• Ben Werner started calling in 2013 after moving down to Albuquerque, New Mexico. He grew up contra dancing in upstate New York, and wanted to learn how to call for a number of years. New entry (January 6, 2017)
• Claire Zucker calls and clogs, many times with Round the House, in Arizona. Change of URL (February 19, 2015)

Organizations

• The Lloyd Shaw Dance Archives, located in the Library of the University of Denver in Denver, Colorado, consist of books, periodicals, sound and picture recordings, callers' notes, dance camp syllabi, cue sheets, and special collections relating to square, round, contra, and other specialized forms of dance. Change of URL (February 19, 2015)
• Along with contra dances, The Bozeman Folk Society hosts international and Scottish Dance nights, Celtic jams, and a variety of other events. Oshi Simsarian maintains the site.
• The Southern New Mexico Music and Dance Society sponsors dances, concerts, and jam sessions. Change of URL (February 19, 2015)
• The New Mexico Folk Music & Dance Society aka FOLKMADS sponsors dances, concerts, music and dance camps, and other special events.
• The Missoula Folklore Society is dedicated to promoting, preserving, enjoying and sharing the music, dance, arts, crafts, and skills of traditional cultures and generally having a pretty good time. Change of URL (February 19, 2015)

This page is part of the Contrdancelinks.com web site. For more information about contra dancing, visit these other site pages:

*The Colorado link will bring you to Dancing on the Web. The Maine link will bring you to the Downeast Friends of the Folk Arts. The New Mexico link will bring you to the New Mexico Folk Music and Dance Society. The Utah link will bring you to Utah Contradance Information. These fine organizations and individuals already have complete listings for these states and there is no reason for me to duplicate their efforts.

**As far as I know, there are no regular dances or events in Mississippi, South Dakota or Wyoming, but I have created pages if something changes in the future.

http://www.contradancelinks.com/rocky.html
Produced by Charlie Seelig
Last updated on April 25, 2020