District of Columbia
Contra Dance, Square Dance, and Waltz
Schedule

This page tries to keep track of all contra dances in the District of Columbia including dance camps and weekends along with other events in District of Columbia which include contra dancing. 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.

June 2020
Saturday, June 27, 2020  Dance Series: Washington - DC - Squares - Peirce Mill Location: Washington Caller(s): DC Square Dance Collective; Band(s)/Musician(s): Local musicians; Note: Dance canceled due to health concerns; Free but donations welcome; 7pm to 10pm

Venue and dance information

Washington DC - Squares: Dances at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 1525 Newton St. NW. Doors at 8:00 pm. Dancing from 8:30 to 11:30. Admission: $5. No experience or partner necessary. Web site: https://www.facebook.com/dcsquaredance.

Washington DC - Squares - Family: Family square dance from 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM at St. Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal Church 1525 Newton St. NW, Washington, DC 20010.If you have been meaning to come to a DC Square Dance but couldn't find a baby sitter, this dance is for you! We will lead dances appropriate for parents and their children aged 4-12. Proceeds will benefit Loaves and Fishes, a charity based at Saint Stephen's that fights hunger in the DC. area. Saint Stephen's and the Incarnation Church, 1525 Newton St, NW near the Columbia Heights Metro. Admission is $5 per adult, children are free. Web site: http://fsgw.org.

Washington DC - Squares - Calling Workshop: Want to learn to call square dances at parties, street festivals and other dance-worthy occasions? Well, we're hosting a workshop led by Elkins, WV-based T-Claw, one of today's most talented and creative young callers! T-Claw, an experienced instructor and a square dance force of nature, has studied with many of West Virginia's master callers. Through hands-on activities, participants will practice the basics of square dance calling, choreography, effective teaching, working with kids, rhythm and rhyming patter. Participants will leave with the tools needed to organize and call dances in their own communities. Free book of figures included. No prior calling experience is necessary. Space is limited and advance registration is required; see below for details. Time: 3:00 - 5:00 pm. Place: The workshop will take place in DC's Metro-accessible Petworth neighborhood; street address will be emailed to registrants. Registration (required): Email gpopkin@gmail.com - RSVP (optional): on Facebook. Admission: Suggested $20, but no worries if you can't pay. Web site: https://www.facebook.com/dcsquaredance.

Washington DC - Contra: The Capitol Hill Dance occurs on the last Saturday of each month [Dance suspended indefinitely]. Come dance with us at North Hall in Eastern Market, 7th and North Carolina SE, two blocks north of the Eastern Market Metro stop on the blue and orange lines. Time: 2:30pm-5:00pm. Web site: None.

Washington DC - Squares - Fundraiser for Beet Street and Healthy Affordable Food for All: Potluck and discussion of food, race, and privilege from 7-9pm. Contra, square, and two-step from 9 'till late. We'll also have a keg of beer, fire pit, and historic cocktails. $10-20 donation, no one turned away for lack of funds. Donations benefit Beet Street Gardens and The Black/Land Project, a narrative-based organizing project coming to DC through Healthy Affordable Food for All. The discussion is free but RSVP in the comments and try to come on time. Alcohol won't be served during the discussion. All are welcome. No previous experience or partner needed. Web site:https://www.facebook.com/events/357487084334412/.

Washington DC - St. Patrick's Day Dance: 3rd Annual St. Paddy's Day Party: dance from 7-10pm, potluck starting at 6:30. Location: St. Stephen & the Incarnation Episcopal Church, 1525 Newton St., NW, Washington, DC. $5-20 suggested donation. We'll be having a potluck, contras, squares, and ceilis, and beer. The suggested donation of $5-20 will go towards renting the space, and compensating the musicians, the caller, and the sound tech. Donate what you are able; we will not turn anyone away! If you are interested in volunteering your time to help us set up, tear down, collect the donations, please email sligocreekstompers (at) gmail (dot) com - Web site: None.

Washington DC - Neighborhood Farm Initiative - Harvest Ball: There will be local food from Sweetgreen, Whole Foods P Street, Commissary, and 2 Armadillos. This is a fundraiser for the Neighborhood Farm Initiative, an organization that teaches and empowers people to grow their own food in the DC area. TICKETS: On sale until November 11: $35. Day of and at the door: $40. Location: St. Stephens Auditorium, 1525 Newton St NW, Washington, DC 20010. Event is from 6pm to 10pm. Web site: https://www.facebook.com/neighborhoodfarminitiative.

Washington DC - Squares - All Souls: Dance from 7:00pm - 10:00pm at All Souls Church Unitarian, 1500 Harvard St NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20009. Join us for an all-ages evening of dancing with some of the best bluegrass musicians in DC! Beer and wine will also be available for sale with ID. Web site: http://www.all-souls.org.

Washington DC - Contra/Ceilidh - Kennedy Center: Contra/Ceilidh dancing at the Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage, 2700 F Street, NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20566? You bet! From 5-7 PM. Free, public transit accessible. Dance floor will be installed for the occasion. Join us for this incredible music/dance event! Web site: http://www.kennedy-center.org.

Washington DC - Squares - Kennedy Center: Contra/Ceilidh dancing at the Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage, 2700 F Street, NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20566? From 5-7 PM. Free, public transit accessible. Dance floor will be installed for the occasion. Join us for this incredible music/dance event! Web site: http://www.kennedy-center.org.

Washington DC - Classic American - Kennedy Center: Classic American dances at the Kennedy Center, Millennium Stage, 2700 F Street, NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20566? The dance will be a rollicking conclusion to a day-long celebration at the Center highlighting American music and dance traditions. We'll be doing some classic American dances - like the ones George Washington and his friends undoubtedly enjoyed. Dance at 6 PM, lesson at 5:30pm. Free Admission. Web site: http://www.kennedy-center.org.

Washington DC - Squares - All Souls: Dance at the All Souls Church Unitarian, 1500 Harvard St NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20009 beginning at 7pm. Back by popular demand: All Souls presents a square dance. Dust off your cowboy boots and join us in Pierce Hall for this year's hootenanny! It's guaranteed to be a fun-filled night, complete with cash bar, dance lessons and live music. $10 cover. Don't miss it! Web site: http://www.all-souls.org/.

Washington DC - Squares - Peirce Mill: Dance sponsored by the Folklore Society of Greater Washington with the Friends of Peirce Mill and the DC Square Dance Collective at Peirce Mill, 2539 Tilden St. NW Washington, DC from 7pm to 10pm. Admission: It's free! Donations appreciated. Web site: http://fsgw.org.

A Name="DCSquaresKurdistan">Washington DC - Squares - Kurdistan Aid: Join Kurdistan Aid and special guest Rana Jaafar Yaseen for an evening of music, art, and square dancing! Your generous donations will benefit women in Iraq and Syria who suffer from PTSD as a result of ISIS occupation and conflict in those countries. We recommend a contribution of $10, but any amount can and will help. Location: St. Stephen's Church, 1525 Newton St. NW, from 7 PM-10 PM. Web site: http://kurdistanaid.org/upcoming-events/.

Washington DC - Bal DC: A weekend of French dance and music in Washington, DC at Whittemore House, 1526 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036 with dancing, jamming, workshops, and a concert. Register in advance. Web site: https://bal-dc.org/

Washington DC - Waltz - Viennese Waltz Lesson: Join us for a lesson in Viennese Waltz at the Paster Reading Room starting at 6pm. $20. Dancers will learn essential Viennese Waltz steps, posture, and etiquette, as well as gain an introduction to the Viennese ball culture and traditional music of the Strauss dynasty. We will also be serving up a signature cocktail and some sweet treats to keep things moving. Couples and individuals are welcome—no prior experience necessary; only comfortable shoes, and the desire to put your best foot forward! Web site: https://www.folger.edu.


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

Sites and Pages

Contra Dance Links Home Page

Rehoboth, MA | New England | Mid-Atlantic
South Atlantic | South Central | Great Lakes | Great Plains
Rocky Mountains | Pacific | Canada | Rest of the World
Resources | All Bands and Musicians | All Callers | What's New
Festivals, Weekends, Camps, etc.
Waltzes and Scandinavian Dances | Traditional and Old-Time Square Dances
Community Bands and Open Bands | Open Caller Opportunities
Contra Dance Cookies

Schedules

Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California
Colorado* | Connecticut | Delaware | District of Columbia | Florida
Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana
Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine*
Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi** | Missouri
Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey
New Mexico* | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio
Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina
South Dakota** | Tennessee | Texas | Utah* | Vermont
Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming**

*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/schedule_dc.html
Produced by Charlie Seelig
Last updated on January 1, 2021