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 Arizona including dance camps and weekends along with other events in Arizona 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.
Bisbee: There is a barn/square/contra dance in Bisbee from 6:30-9 at the Covenenat Presbyterian Church Annex, 19 Howell Avenue. Bisbee, Arizona 85603. Web site: None.
Chandler - Winter Frolic: The Phoenix Traditional Music and Dance sponsor a special Contradance Mini-weekend (Friday night 8:00-10:00PM; Saturday afternoon 1:00-5:00PM, and evening 7:30-10:30 PM) of contra dancing at St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church Community Center, 2716 N Dobson Rd, Chandler, AZ, 85224. This annual dance event held on the second weekend of January features nationally renowned callers and musicians, and requires advance registration. Web site: https://www.phxtmd.org/frolic.
Clarkdale - May Madness: Dance in AZ presents May Madness each May with contra dances, dance and music workshops, and singing. Register in advance. Web site: http://www.danceinaz.org/.
Clarkdale - Clark Memorial Clubhouse: Dances at the Clubhouse, 19 N 9th St, Clarkdale, AZ 86324, from 6:30pm–10:00pm. Admission: FFOTM Member donation $9, Non-members $10. Web site: http://ffotm.org/contra-dances/.
Cottonwood: The Cottonwood Contra Dance takes place on the third Saturday of most months, at the Cottonwood Elementary School, Cottonwood, AZ. Regular Dance Schedule: Dance instruction: 6:30 - 7:00; Evening dance: 7:00 - 10:00; FFOTM Member donation - $9, Non-members $10. For information call 928-774-5936 or contact by email: azwedance@gmail.com. Web site: https://www.facebook.com/groups/181038241987147/.
Cottonwood - Clemenceau Museum: Dances with a teaching session at 6:30pm; Dance: 7:00-10:00pm at the Clemenceau Museum, #1 N Willard, Cottonwood, AZ. FFOTM Member Donation: $9, Non Member Donation: $10, Student Donation: $7. Please pay what you can. No partner needed! No experience needed! Everyone welcome! Live music ALWAYS! All dances are taught and called. Web site: http://ffotm.org/contra-dances/.
Cottonwood - Crystal Vortex Contra Vamp: Weekend series of dances at the Clemenceau Ballroom, 1 N Willard St, Cottonwood, AZ 86326. Web site: http://ffotm.org.
Flagstaff: The Flagstaff Friends of Traditional Music hosts a great contra dance on the first Saturday evening (usually) of the month. 7:00-7:30pm Lesson, 7:30-10:30pm Dance. Join us on the Mountain Charter School located by Ponderosa Trails Park off Lake Mary Road at 311 W. Cattle Drive Trail. Contra dancing is a fine way to spend a Saturday evening. Come alone or bring a friend. FFOTM Member donation - $9, Non-members $10. No partner needed, live music is provided. Bring a smile and wear comfortable clothes. Web site: http://www.ffotm.net/contra/.
Flagstaff - Picking in the Pines: Held in mid-September with music and dance events throughout the weekend. Web site: http://www.pickinginthepines.com/.
Flagstaff - Folk Festival: The Flagstaff Folk Festival takes place at the Coconino Center for the Arts and Arizona Historical Society Pioneer Museum, and proudly showcases the best in folk and acoustic music in Arizona and beyond. We feature over 100 acts on four stages, workshops, a Saturday night dance, and more. The festival is produced by The Flagstaff Friends of Traditional Music in partnership with Flagstaff Cultural Partners and the AHS Pioneer Museum. Web site: http://flagfolkfest.org/.
Green Valley: Join us for an evening of dancing, fun, and socializing. Cost is $5.00 per person. Bring a picnic dinner for you and your lucky charm. Bring your own beverage. Please rsvp to: Friendsofgvr.com - 5:30pm 9:00pm at Green Valley Recreation Canoa Hills Center, 3660 S Camino Del Sol, Green Valley, AZ 85622. Web site: None.
Jerome - Ghost Town Chill Down Dance Weekend: Sponsored by AZ We Dance and held in late July/early August. Web site: http://www.azwedance.org.
Jerome - Celebrate the Life of Charlie Fellows: Dance at Lawrence Hall, 260 Hull Ave, Jerome from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. Service at 5:30pm, Potluck at 6:30pm. Web site: https://www.facebook.com/events/657181391086989/.
Mesa: Dance at the East Valley Adult Resources Center, 247 N MacDonald, Mesa, AZ 85201. 7:30 pm - 10:30 pm. Web site: http://www.phxtmd.org.
Mesa - Desert Spring: DanceInAz sponsors a Contradance Weekend to celebrate traditional music and dance in the Monte Vista RV Resort, 8865 E Baseline Rd, Mesa, AZ, 85209. Register in advance. Web site: http://www.danceinaz.org/.
Oracle - Dance in the Desert: Annual dance weekend in early November sponsored by the Tucson Friends of Traditional Music. Register in advance. Web site: https://tucsoncontradancers.org//a>.
Payson - Dancing on the Edge: Dance weekend combining the joys of camping and dancing (contra and English). Held in mid-June at Camp Colley near Payson. Register in advance. Web site: http://www.dancingcampers.org.
Phoenix - 1st or 2nd Saturday: The Phoenix Traditional Music and Dance sponsor dances on the 2nd Saturday of each month at the Mesa Community College, West Gym of T.J. Heap Gymnasium, 46 W Mesa Community Coll, Mesa, AZ, 85202. Dances go from 7:30PM to 10:30PM with a free lesson at 7:00PM. Refreshments are provided by the organizers; water fountain available. Admission: $10 for General, and $5 for 25 Years and Younger. Dates and locations may change. Go to website for current schedule. Web site: https://www.phxtmd.org.
Phoenix - 4th Friday: The Phoenix Traditional Music and Dance sponsor dances on the 4th Friday of each month at the Irish Cultural Center, 1106 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ, 85004. Dances go from 7:30PM to 10:00PM with a free lesson at 7:00PM. Refreshments are provided by the organizers; water fountain available. Admission: $10 for General, and $5 for 25 Years and Younger. Dates and locations may change. Web site: https://www.phxtmd.org.
Phoenix - Burn the Calories: The Phoenix Traditional Music and Dance sponsor a day after Thanksgiving Day dance at the Irish Cultural Center, 1106 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ, 85004. from 8:00pm to midnight. Dances go from 7:30PM to 10:00PM with a free lesson at 7:00PM. Refreshments are provided by the organizers; water fountain available. Admission: $10 for General, and $5 for 25 Years and Younger. Web site: http://www.phxtmd.org.
Phoenix - Squares: Dances at the Rhythm Room, 1019 East Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ, 85014. Doors open at 7pm, dance at 8pm, $5. Web site: http://www.rhythmroom.com.
Phoenix - Squares - Dusty Boot: Dances at Desert Song Healing Arts Center, 3232 North 20th Street, Phoenix, AZ, from 6pm to 8pm. All dances taught. $8 (under 12 years of age, free). Web site: https://www.facebook.com/dustybootssquaredances.
Phoenix - Squares - The Lost Leaf: Square dances at The Lost Leaf, 914 N 5th Street and Roosevelt. Dances are from 8pm-11pm. Web site: http://www.thelostleaf.org.
Phoenix - Squares - The Newton: Dance from 7pm to 9pm at The Newton
Prescott: Folk Happens! presents contra dances on the 4th Saturday (generally) of the month at the at the First Congregation Church on 216 E. Gurley St. (& Alarcon). Introductory Contra Lesson from 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Contra Dance from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM. Dress is casual and smooth soled shoes work best. Cost: $8 general public; $6 members of Folk Happens! or other Arizona Contradance organizations, teachers, and students; $4 teacher and student members - Family Members after the first two are free. For information call 928.925.5210. Web site: http://www.folkhappens.org/dances.html.
Prescott - Sharlot Hall Folk Music Festival: The charm, emotion and energy of Arizona folk music pervade the shade-covered grounds of Sharlot Hall Museum during its annual Folk Music Festival held on the first weekend of October each year. As Arizona's oldest continual folk music festival, Sharlot Hall Museum's Folk Music Festival has stimulated the development of folk music in this state for over three decades. Web site: http://www.sharlot.org/events/folkmusicfestival/.
Prescott - Sharlot Hall Folk Arts Fair: Come to the Folk Arts Fair to see how things were once done. Watch sheep being sheared and horses shod. You'll see chair caning, basket making and antique printing demonstrations. Special activities for kids include butter churning, gold panning and cornhusk doll making. Listen to old-time fiddlers and acoustic bands. Catch some clogging and contra dancing. And yes, we'll dip candles, too. Web site: http://www.sharlot.org/.
Tucson: The Tucson Friends of Traditional Music sponsor dances on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Saturdays of the month at the Old Pueblo Dance Center — 613 E. Delano St, Tucson, AZ Lesson at 6:30pm. Main dance 7:00 – 10:00. Dance tips and instruction starts at 6:30pm for those new to Contra Dancing or those that need to brush up on the steps. Easy walking steps, casual clothing, and soft soled shoes. Our requested donation at the door is $10 general admission; $5 for students with ID; $5 gets you a membership button (show your button and get $1 off general admission ). Web site: https://tucsoncontradancers.org//.
Tucson - Family Dance: Dances on the 1st Saturday of the month at 5:00pm at the Social Hall, First United Methodist Church, 915 East 4th Street (Park & Tyndall), with a potluck dinner to follow (please bring your own non-disposable flatware & utensils). Web site: http://www.tftm.org/.
Tucson - Benefit for Craig Tinney and Jacquie Wohl: A Celebration of Friends from 2pm to 8pm at the Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Avenue. Suggested donation: $20; 16 and under: $10; 6 and under: free. A Celebration T-Shirt will be available. CD's too! Six hours of music, dance and fun with a silent auction of regional art and raffle plus contra and square dancing. For more info please contact: Jerry Weinert jrweinert@cox.net (520) 731-6001 or Beth Judd bjuddmusic@juno.com (520) 609-6167. Web site: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/craigtinney.
Tucson - Benefit Dance for Casa De Los Ninos: Dance at First United Methodist Church, 915 E 4th St, Tucson, AZ 85719 Lesson at 6:30pm, dance starts at 7pm. Suggested donation of $10. All proceeds to be donated to Casa de Los Ninos for the prevention of child abuse. Web site: http://tftm.org.
Tucson - New Year's Eve: Dance at the First United Methodist Church, 915 E 4th St, Tucson, AZ 85719. Doors open at 7:15, instruction at 7:40, dance from 8:00 until Midnight. Put on your finery and fancy dress or come as you are. Food: entrees, snacks, deserts, serving spoons, all welcome. We will provide plates, flatware, beverages. Cost: $10 for the evening's dancing pleasure, musical entertainment and midnight sparkling cider toast. Web site: http://tftm.org.
Tucson - Tucson Meet Yourself - El Presidio Park: Tucson Meet Yourself demonstration between 4:45 and 6:45 at or near El Presidio Park (details forthcoming). Web site: http://tftm.org.
Tucson - Garden Writers Association of America Convention: Demonstration dancers needed to facilitate this event from 5pm to 8pm at the Westin La Paloma. Please call Russ at 495-9758 or Liz at 444-3914 ASAP. Web site: http://tftm.org.
Tucson - Old Pueblo Square Dance Center: Barn/Square/Contra Dance at the Old Pueblo Square Dance Center, 613 E. Delano St., Tucson, AZ from 7pm to 9pm. Suggested admission donation of $5.00 a person, $15.00 for a family. Web site: http://tftm.org.
Tucson - Squares - Armory Park: Dance at the Armory Park Sr. Center, 220 S. 5th Ave. Tucson. $7 per person – includes live music and light refreshments! New dancers welcome! Dress is casual. 7pm to 9pm. Web site: None.
Tucson - First Methodist: In honor of the Tucson Folk Festival we invite you to a free beginning contradance workshop followed by a pizza party and a contradance at the First United Methodist Church, 913 East 4th Street, Tucson, AZ, from 7:00pm to 8:30pm. Web site: http://tftm.org.
Tucson - ContraSkyline: Skunkworks: Tavi Merrill will open the caller box up to test new sequences and workshop advanced contras from contemporary choreographers. Dancers have a chance to provide feedback on new sequences, which offer opportunities to practice symmetrical swing hold and raven-led flourishing. Btw, for all four ContraSkyline events, roles will be prompted "larks and ravens," inviting dancers to reflect on the fluidity of lead in contra. Featured moves: ricochet hey, "Rory O'Moore," star promenade, half figure-eight. Sliding scale $5-10; maximum attendance 40. Be sure to let me know you're coming! Location: Mid-Valley Athletic Club, 140 S Tucson Blvd, Tucson, Arizona 85716 from 7pm to 9:30pm. Web site: https://www.facebook.com/tavimerrill/.
Tucson - Southwest Old Time String Band Gathering: Informal, mostly music event with a couple of dances. Camping out with some hotels. Location: Girl Scout Hacienda Program Center, 3101 Sabino Canyon Road, Tucson, AZ. Advanced registration recommended but day passes available. Web site: http://www.SWOTGathering.com.
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.