This page tries to keep track of all contra dances, traditional square dances (but not Modern Western Square Dances), traditional waltz sessions and Scandinavian dances in Arkansas including dance camps and weekends along with other events in Arkansas which include contra dancing and these other forms. Because most of the information is gathered from web sites and the listings are not updated as frequently as the web sites, dancers should visit the web sites for up-to-date information. If you are aware of any dances, dance series or other events that should be included on this list, please e-mail me.
Schedule note:
As of January 1, 2021, the dance listings should be fairly up to date including whether dances are canceled although I am behind in keeping up to date with festivals, weekends, etc.. At this point, my assumption is that all dances and events are canceled unless they are virtual/on-line. Since we've entered the 2020-2021 "season" for many series and they never posted dates, information about evening/afternoon dances is getting "thin". Also note that some dance weekends, etc. are already postponing events from winter/spring of 2021 to similar dates in 2022.
Conversations and cancelations are happening every day in connection with dances as part of regular series and also weekends, festivals, etc. I'll try to keep current as much as possible, but please check the individual web sites, Facebook groups/pages, e-mail lists, etc. for the most up-to-date information about a dance or other event that you may want to attend.
Bismarck - Lake DeGray Dance Weekend: Join us at Lake DeGray Resort State Park, Bismarck, AR for great dancing, music, fellowship, hiking, boating, horseback riding, golf and so much more. We will have Contras, Squares, English Country Dance, Waltzes, Folk Dancing, Hiking, Singing, and other suggestions are welcome. Web site: http://www.arkansascountrydance.org/.
Conway: Dance at the Faulkner County Library in Conway (1900 Tyler Street, Conway, AR 72034). Time: 6:45pm. Web site: None.
Conway - Backyard Gourmet: Dance at the Faulkner County Library in Conway (1900 Tyler Street, Conway, AR 72034) as part of the annual Backyard Gourmet. All library events are free and open to the public. For more information, call the library at 501-327-7482 or email nancy@fcl.org, Facebook and Twitter. Web site: https://www.facebook.com/FCLHQ.
Fayetteville: The Fayetteville Traditional Dance Society has one dance per month on third Saturdays. The doors open at 6:30PM, beginner instruction is at 7:00, and the dance goes to 9:00pm. Some night have various activities (waltz, potluck, etc.) before the dance. We dance at 1 East Mountain St., on the southeast corner of the Fayetteville Square. Cost is $5 per person. Web site: http://www.nwacontra.org/.
Fayetteville - Farmers Ball: Join us for some great food and drink beginning at 5:00 PM followed by contra- and square-dancing to live music. No partner necessary (but bring your friends) and all dances are taught. Food available from 5 pm to 7 pm. Organic wine and beer available all evening. Beginner instruction at 7:00PM. Dance with music at 7:30PM. $5.00 cover at the door to dance, listen and/or watch. Web site: http://www.wholeearthorganiclounge.com/events.html.
Fayetteville - Squares: Fayetteville Old Time Music and Dance presents square dances, generally on the last Friday of the month at American Legion Post 27, 1195 S Curtis Ave, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701 from 8pm to 11pm. Admission: $5. Web site: https://www.facebook.com/FayettevilleOldtime.
Fayetteville - Squares - Last Night: A square dance is one of the events at this New Year's Eve celebration. Web site: https://lastnightfayetteville.com.
Fayetteville - November Dance and Music Weekend: Join us at Mount Sequoyah Retreat Center, Fayetteville, AR for great dancing, music, fellowship, hiking, boating, horseback riding, golf and so much more. We will have Contras, Squares, English Country Dance, Waltzes, Folk Dancing, Hiking, Singing, and other suggestions are welcome. Web site: http://www.arkansascountrydance.org/.
Fayetteville - Squares - Foodraiser: Square Dance Foodraiser at Feed Communities, 221 S. Locust Ave, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701 from 8 PM - 11 PM. Dancing to raise money and stock supplies for hungry folks this winter. Come dance traditional southern squares, taught and called to live oldtime string band music. No experience required! $5-10 suggested donation, and bring a food item from our list at: http://www.feedcommunities.org/healthy-donations/ - Web site: https://www.facebook.com/FayettevilleOldtime.
Fayetteville - Fine Times at Our House: Annual dance and music festival at Mount Sequoyah Retreat Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The weekend will include workshops in dance, singing, and musical instruments, as well as evening dances. Web site: http://www.nwacontra.org/october-festival.html.
Fayetteville - Mt. Sequoyah Dance Weekend: Join us at Mt. Sequoyah for great dancing, music, fellowship, hiking, boating, horseback riding, golf and so much more. We will have Contras, Squares, English Country Dance, Waltzes, Folk Dancing, Hiking, Singing, and other suggestions are welcome. Web site: http://www.arkansascountrydance.org/.
Kingston - Celebration of Curly Miller's Life: Friends of Curly Miller are invited to a gathering to celebrate his life, spirit, and music. Location: Sweden Creek Farm, 11540 Madison 3605, Kingston, AR 72742 There will be daily opportunities to record stories, tall tales, and tunes. Each day at 1:00PM there will be a potluck under big tents. Each evening there will be more stories, music, dance, and a bonfire. Rough camping space is available for those who would like to spend the night(s). Please be as self sufficient as possible. Bring your own tent, bedding, chairs, food, water, utensils, etc. Facilities, grill, refrigerator, and outdoor kitchen available. The nearest hotels are in Eureka Springs and Fayetteville. For RSVP and questions: Melanie Palmer - melaniepalmer25@gmail.com or 479-799-3657. Web site: http://www.nwacontra.org/.
Little Rock - National Square Dance Convention: Annual Convention with a little contra dancing. Register in advance for a discount. Contra "track" includes three dances with live music from local bands/musicians. [I've not seen anything about a special registration just for these dances; you may wish to call ahead and ask.] Web site: http://www.63nsdc.com/.
Little Rock - Historic Arkansas Museum: Dance at the Museum, 200 E. Third Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 from 11:30am to 3:00pm as part of the Annual Territorial Fair (10am to 4pm). Not sure if this integrates historic dancing into contra dancing. Web site: http://www.historicarkansas.org.
Little Rock - Historic Arkansas Museuem - Christmas Frolic: The Frolic celebrates Christmas as it was in the 1800s with living history, caols, reenactments, live music, dancing and more. Visitors come from across Arkansas each year to sample Historic Arkansas Museum's famous hot cider and ginger cake, and to shop for unique Arkansas-made holiday gifts in the Museum Store. Frolickers will enjoy a variety of activities for children and adults, including: living history performances and pioneer games. This event is free and open to the public. Location: Historic Arkansas Museum - 200 E. Third Street, Little Rock AR from 1pm to 4pm. Web site: http://www.historicarkansas.org.
Mountain View - Dance Festival: The Mountain View Dance Festival is held the second weekend in September at the Ozark Folk Center in Mt. View Please contact David Peterson for additional information. Lodging is available at the Ozark Folk Center and there are many nice accommodations in the Mt. View area. Web site: http://www.arkansascountrydance.org/.
Mountain View - Ozark Folk Center Dance Days: The Ozark Folk Center Dance Days/Mountain View Dance Festival is held the second weekend in September at the Ozark Folk Center in Mt. View Please contact David Peterson for additional information. Lodging is available at the Ozark Folk Center and there are many nice accommodations in the Mt. View area. Web site: http://www.arkansascountrydance.org/.
Mountain View - Stone County: We are dancing at the Stone County Historical Society auditorium at 7:00 P.M. (They have a wood floor!) The Historical Society is located just off Main Street on School Avenue. Usually there is parking available across the street at the School Avenue Church of Christ parking lot. Please call Kathy Jensen 870-213-7866 or Rosemary Stroh 870-615-0934 if you need more information. Web site: None.
Mountain View - Arkansas Folk Festival: Parade, music, artisan market, food vendors, plus a contra dance mainly around Courthouse Square. Web site: https://www.yourplaceinthemountains.com.
North Little Rock: Regular (contra) dances are held on Friday nights at Park Hill Presbyterian Church, 3520 John F. Kennedy Blvd, North Little Rock. The dances begin at 7:30pm. Admission is $4.00 for members and $5.00 for non-members. Annual membership dues are $7.50. Please bring clean, soft-soled, low-heeled, non-marking shoes for dancing. (No high-heels, no cowboy boots, no hiking boots, etc.) Web site: http://www.arkansascountrydance.org/.
North Little Rock - Spring Swing Weekend: Special dance week. The regular dance on Friday is included. Saturday includes a waltz workshop, afternoon contra dance, potluck and evening contra dance. Location: Park Hill Presbyterian Church, 3520 John F. Kennedy Boulevard. Web site: http://www.arkansascountrydance.org/.
Petit Jean - November Dance Weekend: The November Dance Weekend is held at Petit Jean Mountain in mid-November at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute on the top of Petit Jean Mountain outside Morrillton Arkansas. There will be opportunities to practice lots of styles of folk dancing and American squares and contras. Web site: http://www.arkansascountrydance.org/.
Rogers - Squares: Dances at the Ozark Beer Company, 1700 South 1st Street, Rogers, AR at 7pm. All ages, no cover. No experience required. Web site: http://ozarkbeercompany.com.
Russellville: At the Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center, Room 300B from 7pm to 9pm as part of the Library's Echoes of the River Valley event series. Free and open to the public. Web site: http://libguides.atu.edu/echoes.
West Fork: West Fork Community Square Dance from 7:00-9:30PM. First time beginners are welcome! All dances will be taught. Bring a friend or come alone. Casual dress with comfortable shoes recommended. Location: Library Hall, 210 Garfield, West Fork, AR. Cost - $5.00/person; Children under 12 free. (Young children should have adult supervision.). For more information: Steve Green - (479) 839-3454, Jane - (479) 445-9886 Web site: None.
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.