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 Nevada including dance camps and weekends along with other events in Nevada 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.
Black Rock Desert - Burning Man Contra: A series of contra dances held as part of the Burning Man event. Web site: http://www.contraburners.org/.
Gardnerville - DAWG Benefit Dance: Benefit for the Douglas Animal Welfare Group. Location: Carson Valley United Methodist Church, 1375 Centerville Lane, Gardnerville, NV. Dinner at 6:30pm, dance is from 7:30pm to 10:30pm. Admission: $15 including drinks, pizza and dessert (donated by Papa Murphy's for DAWG's benefit). All dances taught. Casual attire, family-friendly and alcohol free. Web site: http://www.dawgrescue.com/.
Gardnerville: The Carson Valley Contra Dance will be at Carson Valley United Methodist Church, 1375 Centerville Ln, Gardnerville. Beginner’s workshop will be at 6:30 p.m. and the main dance will be at 6:45 p.m. Cost is $10 over 16 years, $3 for 16 and under and free for non-dancers. Come dance with us – no experience or partner needed – if you can walk, you can contra dance. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes and bring a water bottle. This is an alcohol free event. Information, Ed at tahoeddy@hotmail.com or 775-461-5284. Web site: None.
Las Vegas: The Southern Nevada Old-Time Contra Dancers sponsor contra dances on various Saturdays at the Fraternal Order of the Eagles (FOE), located at 1601 E. Washington Ave. in Las Vegas. Registration opens at 6 pm, with a beginner class from 6:30-7 pm and general dance from 7-9:30 pm. We dance to a live band and provide AC for those hot summer nights. We offer a beginner dance class, covering basic figures and courtesies from 6:30-7:00 pm which is included in the cost of admission to our Contra dance evening. If you plan to attend the teaching, please register before 6:30 pm. Cost: $10 for SNOCD members, active military and students at/under 26, with $15 for non-members. As this is a family-friendly evening, children aged 7 on up are welcome to attend with a parent. The cost $5 for children 12 and under, with/without SNOCD membership. For more current details on our fun monthly themed dances, dates, and special events, please visit the Web site: http://lasvegascountrydance.org/.
Reno: The Sierra Contra Dance Society hosts dances on the 3rd Saturday of the month (except July and August) at The Auditorium of the McKinley Arts & Culture Center 925 Riverside Drive in Reno, Nevada. The dance fee is $10.00, but SCDS members get a $2.00 discount. New to contra dancing? Please come at 7:15 PM for beginners' session. Web site: http://sierracontra.org/.
Reno - Urban Farm Fest: Event from 3-8pm, River School Farm, 777 White Fir St., Reno, NV. Farm menagerie, food, drink, speakers and a dance. Web site: http://www.riverschoolfarm.org/portfolio/urban-farm-fest/.
Reno - Waltz - Workshop: Five consecutive Fridays. No experience needed, no partner needed. Beginning at the beginning, and progressing to intermediate and advanced. 6:30pm Open Dancing; 7pm to 9pm Waltz Workshop. Location: The Hall at Comstock Chapel, 14770 Chamy Drive, Reno NV 89521 (corner Geiger Grade, 1/4 mile past 7/11). $40 per person for the entire set. Web site: http://www.waltzworkshop.com.
Reno - USAWest Square Dance Convention: Modern Western Square Dance event that sometimes has a contra/barn dance. Web site: http://www.nevada.usawest.net/.
Stateline - Boot Scooting Bash at the Beach: We're fixin' to have a good time celebrating trails on the shores of beautiful Lake Tahoe! Join us for a BBQ, contra dance (don't worry, no experience necessary), laughs, and live music ’til the cows come home – (in Tahoe the cows come home at 9:00 pm). Cut a rug at Tahoe's historic 4H camp located just off Highway 50 east of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Stateline, NV. The hoopla starts at 5:30 pm. Music and contra dance provided by the Sierra Sweethearts. Tickets: $25 ($30 at the door); Kids 6-12 $18; Kids 0-5 FREE. Web site: https://tahoerimtrail.org/bash/.
Virginia City - Americana Festival: Mostly music festival at a number of venues in Virginia City in mid-July. Usually one dance. Web site: http://www.visitvirginiacitynv.com/events/americana-music-festival.html.
Washoe Valley - Bowers Mansion Bluegrass Festival: Mostly music festival held in mid-August. A bit of dancing included. Web site: http://www.bowersbluegrassfestival.org/.
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.