This page tries to keep track of all contra dances in Minnesota including dance camps and weekends along with other events in Minnesota 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.
Bemidji: As part of the activities of the Sculpture Walk, there will be a meet and greet with the artists and a community potluck from 5:30-6:45 p.m. at the Wild Rose Theater, 501 Bemidji Ave. N. The event is free and open to the public. Participants are encouraged to bring a dish to share. Participants will have the opportunity to meet the Sculpture Walk artists, some of whom embellished fiberglass beavers or created original sculptures. The Beaver Sculpture Project is made possible by the GW Neilson Foundation and the Sculpture Walk is underwritten by local businesses in Bemidji and individuals. In addition, there will be a contra dance starting at 7pm. Admission to this event is on a sliding fee basis from $5-$10 to underwrite the cost of the band. For more information, contact Cate at kayakc2@me.com. Web site: None.
Britt: Home On The Range has sponsored Community Dances and House Dances in the northern Minnesota communities of Ely, Tower, Cook, Virginia, International Falls, Grand Rapids, Hibbing, and Aurora since 1998. Dancers of all ages are welcome at Home On The Range dances. No experience is necessary. All dances are taught. Admission at the door is $8 per adult for regularly scheduled dances and $10 per adult for Special Events. Children accompanied by an adult are admitted free of charge to all Home On The Range dances. Web site: http://www.danceontherange.org/.
Detroit Lakes - MooseJaw: Music and dance weekend with a wide range of workshops and activities, including old-time, international, clogging, squares, contras, calling and more. Enjoy miles of beautiful cross country skiing, the sauna and hot tub, and of course, the bottomless cookie jar. This annual event occurs at the Maplelag Resort in mid-March. http://www.wildgoosechasecloggers.org/moosejaw.html.
Duluth: The Tamarack Dance Association sponsors dances on various Saturday nights at various locations including Peace Church, 1111 N 11th St East, and the Duluth Art Institute, 2229 W 2nd St. Dances generally begin at 8:00pm, but if it is a night with a family dance, the family dance begins at 7:00pm. Beginners, singles and couples welcome. Smoke and alcohol free. All dances taught by the caller! Contras, reels, circles, jigs and squares. For more information about Tamarack Dances, contact Terrence Smith at 218-728-1438. $8 Adults, $6 Members, $2 Children. Annual Membership $15 individual, $25 family. Reduced rates available for groups over 7.Web site: http://www.tamarackdance.org/.
East Grand Forks: Dances (and sometimes concerts and dances) at the East Grand Forks Eagles Club, 227 10th Street NW, East Grand Forks. Advance tickets-$8.00, day of show- $10.00, teens-$4.00, under 12- free. Info Phone: 800-635-3037. All dances will be taught, including squares, contras, reels, circle and round dances. No previous experience is needed for the dance,and all are welcome! Web site: None.
Ely: Home On The Range has sponsored Community Dances and House Dances in the northern Minnesota communities of Ely, Tower, Cook, Virginia, International Falls, Grand Rapids, Hibbing, and Aurora since 1998. Dancers of all ages are welcome at Home On The Range dances. No experience is necessary. All dances are taught. Admission at the door is $8 per adult for regularly scheduled dances and $10 per adult for Special Events. Children accompanied by an adult are admitted free of charge to all Home On The Range dances. Web site: http://www.danceontherange.org/.
Grand Marais - Wooden Boat Show: North House Folk School invites you to its campus for the biggest celebration of the year (held in mid-June). Try your hand at a workshop or course. Be inspired by the stories of boat builders, sailors and travelers, and plan you next adventure. Meet the artisans and craftspeople who teach and see their work in action. A fun, family-oriented educational event. Curiosity welcome. Member-supported and volunteer-hosted. Generally, a contra dance is included as part of the programming. Web site: http://www.northhouse.org/programs/events/woodenboatshow.htm.
Lanesboro: Dances are held at the Sons of Norway Hall, Parkway Avenue in Lanesboro (except the May dance) through the summer months, always with live music and calling (including teaching). It's air-conditioned, too! Dancers need not have prior experience, nor do they need to come with a partner. Admission is generally $7 or $8. Web site: http://www.boveeheil.com/Lanesboro%20Barn%20Dance.htm.
Lanesboro - Bluff Country Gathering: The Bluff Country Gathering, held in late-mid May is a four-day event presenting traditional American music, dance and singing styles. Workshops, conducted by a staff of nationally acclaimed musicians, singers, dancers and folklorists, are designed to pass along the traditions of old-time music to participants at all levels of experience. Web site: http://www.boveeheil.com/Bluff%20Country%20Gathering.htm.
Minneapolis - Tapestry Center: New England-style Contra Dances on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Saturdays of the month from 7:30pm to 11:30pm. Cost: $9 / $7. Basics are taught at 7:30pm, and all dances are called to live music starting at 8pm. These dances are lively social, easy to learn, and because each dance may last 5min, they can be aerobic. Although you will dance with a partner, it isn't necessary to come with one. All dances are taught and are usually done in "long-way sets" (partners facing in long lines down the hall). New dancers should arrive promptly at 7:30pm to learn the basics! Dance is in the large dance hall, 3748 Minnehaha Avenue South. Web site: http://www.tapestryfolkdance.org/.
Minneapolis - Tapestry Center - Challenge Dances: New England-style Contra Dances on 3rd Sundays from 2pm to 5pm. Dances are intricate and a strong familiarity with Contra Dancing is recommended. These dances are lively, social, and because each dance may last 5min, they can be aerobic. Although you will dance with a partner, it isn't necessary to come with one. All dances are taught and are usually done in "long-way sets" (partners facing in long lines down the hall). Cost: $9 / $7. Dance is in the large dance hall, 3748 Minnehaha Avenue South. Web site: http://www.tapestryfolkdance.org/.
Minneapolis - Tapestry Center - New Year's Eve: New England-style Contra Dances on New Year's Eve. 6:30pm Potluck: Bring a dish to share, Tapestry will provide the beverages. 8:15pm Dancing Begins: Large Space: contras. Small Space: International Request Dancing with a top 10 International request countdown right before midnight. Admission: $12 / $10 members & students. These dances are lively social, easy to learn, and because each dance may last 5min, they can be aerobic. Although you will dance with a partner, it isn't necessary to come with one. All dances are taught and are usually done in "long-way sets" (partners facing in long lines down the hall). Location: 3748 Minnehaha Avenue South. Web site: http://www.tapestryfolkdance.org/.
Minneapolis - Tapestry Center - Benefit Dance: An evening of Swing, Cajun, International, Contra, Scandinavian, Latin, Waltz (lessons, too) and more including a silent auction to benefit the Tapestry Center. Time: 6:30pm to 12 midnight. Location: 3748 Minnehaha Avenue South. Web site: http://www.tapestryfolkdance.org/.
Minneapolis - Tapestry Center - Waltz: An afternoon of waltzing from 2:00pm to 4:30pm. Admission is $9, $7 for members and students. Time: 6:30pm to 12 midnight. Location: 3748 Minnehaha Avenue South. Web site: http://www.tapestryfolkdance.org/.
Minneapolis - Squares: On 1st and 3rd Mondays at the Eagles Club at 2507 E. 25th St. in south Minneapolis (25th Ave. S. and 25th St., half way between Franklin Ave. and Lake St.) from 7:30 - 10:30 p.m. Excellent dance floor and smoke-free. No partner or experience needed. Questions? Call Lee at 715-386-7790, send email to guthriel {at} spacestar.com or just show up. Web site: None.
Northfield - Winter Stomp: Held at the Northfield Armory, 519 Division Street in February. How much: $9 adults, $6 students; Family Cap $25. (Free Admission for Carleton students has been underwritten by a generous grant from the Carleton Student Association). No contra dance experience needed: dance lesson provided from 7:00 - 7:30, and dance instructions are called throughout each dance. Dances are easy to learn and a great deal of fun ... if you can walk fast to music, you can contra dance. No dance partner required. Contra dances sweep everyone into the one great dance of community. All are welcome, but participation in the dance is recommended for Ages 10 and older. For more information about this dance contact northfieldcontradance@gmail.com. Web site: http://northfield.org/ (search listings).
Northfield - Harvest Stomp: Held at the Northfield Armory, 519 Division Street in October. How much: $9 adults, $6 students; Family Cap $25. (Free Admission for Carleton students has been underwritten by a generous grant from the Carleton Student Association). No contra dance experience needed: dance lesson provided from 7:00 - 7:30, and dance instructions are called throughout each dance. Dances are easy to learn and a great deal of fun ... if you can walk fast to music, you can contra dance. No dance partner required. Contra dances sweep everyone into the one great dance of community. All are welcome, but participation in the dance is recommended for Ages 10 and older. For more information about this dance contact northfieldcontradance@gmail.com. Web site: http://northfield.org/ (search listings).
Northfield - Earth Day: Held at the Northfield Armory, 519 Division Street in October. How much: $9 adults, $6 students and youth under 18 years. No contra dance experience needed: dance lesson provided from 7:00 - 7:30, dancing from 7:30pm to 10:30pm and dance instructions are called throughout each dance. Dances are easy to learn and a great deal of fun ... if you can walk fast to music, you can contra dance. No dance partner required. Contra dances sweep everyone into the one great dance of community. All are welcome, but participation in the dance is recommended for Ages 10 and older. For more information about this dance contact northfieldcontradance@gmail.com. Web site: http://northfield.org/ (search listings).
Northfield - Dancing on Bridge Square: Dance as part of the Taste of Northfield Festival from 8:00pm to 10:00pm in mid-June. Admission is free. Web site: http://nddc.org/.
Northfield - Daly Barn: Barn dance beginning at 7:30pm at the Daly Barn, 10163 Cates Avenue, just outside of Northfield. Web site: None.
Plymouth - Winter Bluegrass Festival: A Festival of Bluegrass & Old-Time Music and Dance. held in early March. The Showcase of Bands features over forty groups running continuously on two stages; the Old-Time Music & Dance Hall is host to old-time concerts and dances; a national band is featured in two Saturday night Headline Concerts. Plus workshops, vendors, the Gathering Place, jam sessions, and more. Held at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center in Plymouth. Web site: http://minnesotabluegrass.org/.
Rhinelander - White Pine Jamboree: Annual White Pine Jamboree in early February. Doors open at 3pm for an open jam session - all acoustic musicians are welcome to join in! Then, fiddlers of all ages compete for cash prizes in the fiddle contest, beginning at 5pm. After the contest, join us for a dance with The Mastodon String Band. They will call and teach each dance - no experience is necessary to join in! Tickets are available at the door; for more information, call WXPR at 715-362-6000. Where: Taj Mahall. Starts at 3:00pm. Ticket Info: Adults $15, Kids $5: Available at the door. Contact Person: Jessie Dick. Info by e-mail: jessie@wxpr.org. Web site: http://www.wxpr.org.
Richmond - Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Festival: There will be over thirty-five hours of concerts along with dance and entertainment events, special talent showcases, real hands-on workshops, family friendly shows and activities and plenty of good food and fun in the Marketplace. Held in mid-August at the El Rancho Manana. Web site: http://www.minnesotabluegrass.org/.
St. Paul: First Saturday New England Contra Dance Oddfellows' Hall, corner of Hampden and Raymond Avenues, near Hwy. 280 and I94 in St. Paul. 8:00 p.m. Upstairs in the brick building is the Oddfellows' Hall, and the entrance is on the side of the building on Hampden Avenue. $6 Various bands, with Jim Brooks usually calling. For more information: (651) 222-5475, e-mail: jjjbrooks AT netzero.net. Web site: None.
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