Note: Winter and storms may cause cancelations or other changes for dances in the northeast United States. Check the web sites for specific dances for updates (don't rely on this list to have the most up-to-date information).
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 Delaware including dance camps and weekends along with other events in Delaware 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.
Arden, Delaware: The Arden Folk Gild sponsors a Contra Dance on the first Sunday of every month, with some special dances on third Sundays. Dances are from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm, with a lesson for new dancers starting at 2:00 pm. Dances feature live bands and callers from Maine to North Carolina, a nice floor, and much more! Regular Admission is $10.00, $9.00 Arden Club members, $5 students. Dances are held at the Arden Gild Hall, 2126 The Highway. Web site: http://ardenclub.org/gilds/contradance/.
Arden, Delaware - New Year's Day: The Arden Folk Gild sponsors a double-header dance with International Folk Dancing (2:00pm to 5:00pm) in the afternoon, a potluck supper (5:00pm to 7:00pm), and then a Contra Dance (7:00pm to 10:00pm) on New Year's Day. One dance $12; student $7; All Day $23; student $13. Dances are held at the Arden Gild Hall, 2126 The Highway. Web site: http://ardenclub.org/gilds/contradance/.
Arden, Delaware - Wednesday: The Arden Folk Gild sponsors folk dancing on Wednesdays, sometimes with square dancing as part of the bill. Dances are from 7:30pm to 9:30pm and admission is $5 ($4 for members). Dances are held at the Arden Gild Hall, 2126 The Highway. Web site: http://ardenclub.org/gilds/contradance/.
Rehoboth Beach: The Lower Delaware Dance Society, a traditional dance group based in Ocean View, hosts Contra Dances from 7:30 to 10 p.m., at the Metropolitan Community Church, 19369 Plantation Road, Rehoboth Beach. A beginner’s workshop starts at 7 p.m. Admission is $10 per person, $8 for students. All are welcome; partners are not required, and no dance experience is needed. Web site: https://www.facebook.com/LoDelDances/.
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.