This page tries to keep track of all contra dances in New York including dance camps and weekends along with other events in New York 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.
Albany: Dances on 2nd Fridays and some 5th Fridays to live music. All dances taught. No partner needed. Dances are held at the Ancient Order of Hibernians Hall, 375 Ontario Street (at the corner of Mercer and Ontario Sts. -- next to the "Playdium" bowling alley) from 8:00 p.m. -11:00 p.m. with a beginners workshop 7:45-8:00 p.m. Admission: $10 (general admission), $5 (students with ID). Contact: Peter Stix peter.stix@me.com (518) 729-7791. Web site: http://www.danceflurry.org/new/albanycontra.html.
Albany - Family: Circle dances, squares, line dances and play-party/singing games from around the world. Instruction and calling by Paul Rosenberg; music by Tame Rutabaga. (Sit-in musicians of any age and any degree of experience are welcome to join in.) Dances are held either on the first or second Sunday of the month. Come join us for an inter-generational, fun afternoon! Bring your children, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins! Bring your friends and neighbors -- all join join hands and circle left! Location: First Congregational Church, 405 Quail Street. TIME: 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm. ADMISSION: Suggested donation: Adults/ $5; Children under 12/ $1. INFORMATION: Call the Dance Hotline: 518-292-0133 (or call 518-482-9255). Web site: http://www.danceflurry.org/new/familydance.html.
Altamont - Old Songs Festival of Traditional Music and Dance: Old Songs is a family-friendly festival of folk, traditional, Celtic and world music and dance, known for its relaxed atmosphere, interactive sessions and workshops,hands-on experience and participatory nature. In addition to three concerts there are 120 daytime workshops given by performers. Also featured are a juried craft show, food and instrument vendors, and a well-run children's activity area. Located at the Altamont Fairgrounds. Held in late June. Web site: http://www.oldsongs.org/festival/index.html.
Annandale-on-the-Hudson - Bard College: Dances at the Manor House Cafe from 8:30 pm - 11:00 pm. Contact: 401-323-0057. Web site: http://www.bard.edu/ or http://student.bard.edu/clubs/templates/template1.php?id=899.
Ashokan - New Year's Fiddle & Dance Fest: Long weekend of dance and music (variety of styles) with workshops during the day. Register in advance. Location: Ashokan Center, 477 Beaverkill Road, Olivebridge, NY 12461. Web site: http://www.ashokan.org/ashokan/campnyrs.shtml.
Ashokan - New Year's Eve: Dances from 8pm (New Year's Eve) to 3am (New Year's Day) with a dinner option (reservations needed for dinner). Location: Ashokan Center, 477 Beaverkill Road, Olivebridge, NY 12461. Web site: http://www.ashokan.org/ashokan/campnyrs.shtml.
Ashokan - Northern Week: Music and dance camp week in July with an emphasis on northern styles including Scandinavian. Register in advance. Location: Ashokan Center, 477 Beaverkill Road, Olivebridge, NY 12461. Web site: http://www.ashokan.org/ashokan/campnw.shtml.
Ashokan - Southern Week: Music and dance camp week in August with an emphasis on southern styles including squares, Cajun and Zydeco. Register in advance. Location: Ashokan Center, 477 Beaverkill Road, Olivebridge, NY 12461. Web site: http://www.ashokan.org/ashokan/campsw.shtml.
Ashokan - Southern Week: Music and dance camp week in late June/early July with an emphasis on Lindy and West Coast swing, but with contras and squares. Location: Ashokan Center, 477 Beaverkill Road, Olivebridge, NY 12461. Register in advance. Web site: http://www.ashokan.org/ashokan/campwsw.shtml.
Ashokan - Summer Dances - Contra Dance: Contras, squares and waltzes as a prelude to Northern Week. Dance starts at 8pm and admission is $10. Free beginners workshop 7:30pm. Dinner and overnight packages available. Web site:
Ashokan - Summer Dances - Cajun and Square Dance: Squares and Cajun as a prelude to Southern Week. Dance starts at 8pm and admission is $10. Free beginners workshop 7:00pm. Dinner and overnight packages available. Web site:
Ballston Spa - GottaGetGon: Informal mostly music (some dancing) weekend held on Memorial Day (U.S.) weekend in late May held at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds. A community that comes together for music and fun on one magical weekend each year or a folk festival with an old fashioned small town atmosphere. Web site:http://www.pickingandsinging.org/GGG_festival2x.htm. Binghamton: This is an informal activity, so come as you are. Admission is $7.00 for adults, $3.00 for those under 18 and students with ID. Family maximum is $17. Children below school-age are free (parents remain responsible). Important shoe policy - please bring clean soft-soled shoes to change into before dancing (see details at the link above). Any metal or other abrasive on the bottom of shoes will scratch the floor. Many tennis shoes hold stones and grit in their treads and will damage the floor too. Contradances are normally on the 2nd Saturday of each month. Check the latest schedule and location information before you come. Location: Trinity Memorial Church, 44 Main Street. Web site: http://www.binghamtondance.org/. Binghamton - Kindred Spirits Dance Festival: One-day dance festival in November with contras, English and Irish dancing at the Trinity Memorial Church, 44 Main Street. Web site: http://contra.binghamtondance.org/kindred.htm. Bridgehampton: Circle dances, contra dances and international folk dances. No experience needed, all dances taught, singles welcome. Wednesdays from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Free. Location: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Fork, 977 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike at Scuttle Hole Road. Web site: http://www.uucsf.org/. Buffalo: The Queen City Contra Dancers dance on 1st and 3rd Saturdays from October to June and 3rd Saturdays only in July and August and sometimes dance on 5th Saturdays, too! Most dances run from 8-11 pm. No partner required. Come alone, or with friends and family, or with a significant other, just come! No experience required. Beginners welcome! All dances are taught and walked through. No special outfits required. We recommend loose, breathable clothing and clean, flat, soft-soled shoes. Sneakers and Hush Puppies are good. Cowboy boots and high heels are NOT good because heels can damage wooden dance floors. General admission: $8.00; Members: $7.00; Students with ID: $6.00; Children under 12: Free. Spectators: A donation to help compensate the band. Dances are usually held at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 695 Elmwood Avenue. All Queen City dances are smoke-free and alcohol-free. You are dancing at your own risk at all times. Web site: http://www.qccd.org/. Buffalo - Big Dance: One-day dance festival, Noon - 10:30 pm, in October at the Nardin Academy, 135 Cleveland Avenue. With dance and music workshops. Web site: http://www.qccd.org/. Cambridge - Hubbard Hall: Join us for old-fashioned and new-fangled contra dances, squares, circle dances, and more. No experience needed - beginners encouraged to attend. All welcome. All dances taught and called. No partner needed. Bring soft-soled shoes for dancing. Street shoes and boots will harm our beautiful dance floor! Please carry in a pair of clean, soft-soled shoes to wear while dancing. Tickets at the door. When: 4th Sundays, 4-6 p.m.; Potluck dinner follows dance at 6 p.m. Bring a dish to share. Where: Beacon Feed Studios, behind Hubbard Hall, Cambridge. Admission: $8 adults, $3 ages 16 and under, $15 families. Contact: Fern Bradley, dancingfern@verizon.net
518) 692-9079. No dances in the summer months. Web site: http://www.danceflurry.org/hubbardhall. Cambridge - Hubbard Hall - Pre-Flurry: As part of the dance program at Hubbard Hall in Cambridge, we're offering a series of sessions for beginning contra dancers, aimed to help new dancers gain confidence in advance of the Flurry Festival. The sessions continue on Tuesday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. through February 9, 2010. The idea is to sign up for the entire series (cost is $30/person for the series), but we could also work out a per-session rate, and it's fine for new people to join in even though they missed the first session. We hope to slowly build up the level of the dancing so that "graduates" will feel fairly comfortable right from the start at the Flurry. Web site: http://www.hubbardhall.org/. Chatham: Come join us, on the first Saturday of each month at the Morris Memorial hall, Park Row (just off Main St). Dances begin with instruction at 7:30 PM, followed by more experienced-level dances from 8:00 to 11:00 PM. Bring a friend or come alone, no partners necessary! Admission is $8 - $10 (sliding scale). The Hall has asked us to dance in SOFT SOLED DANCE SHOES or Sneakers ONLY! We love dancing on the real wooden floor and non-dance shoes have been damageing it. So please use your dance shoes or sneakers. Those who do not have them will be asked to dance in stocking feet (which is not so bad). Web site: http://cococontra.org/. Clinton - Hamilton College: Dance at Alumni Gym from 8:00pm to 11:00pm. Web site: http://hamilton.edu/. Colonie - Buhrmaster Barn Dance: Enjoy a tradition of community dancing passed down from generation to generation at barn dances throughout the country. Dance contras and squares to live music on Sundays from mid- May through mid-September in the Buhrmaster Barn at the historic Pruyn House in Colonie, New York, 207 Old Niskayuna Road, Colonie (Albany), NY. Potluck Dinner: 5:00 p.m. Dance: 6-9 p.m. Admission: $9 DFO Members, $10 Non-members, $5 "Limited Income". Contact: kwedderburn@nycap.rr.com, 413-441-5236. Web site: http://www.danceflurry.org/new/buhrmaster.html. Cooperstown: The Otsego Dance Society holds contradances at 8:00 PM on the first Friday of each month, with some exceptions, located at the Presbyterian Church, on Pioneer St. in Cooperstown. The admission charges are: Adults, $8, teens $4, 12 and under, free. For Otsego Dance Society info callÊ(607) 965-8232 or (315) 272-6110. E-mail: Hands4@mail.com. The following page has not been updated for since spring 2009, but there is evidence that the dance series continues. Web site: http://mysite.verizon.net/elbugel. Croton-on-Hudson - Clearwater Festival/Great Hudson River Revival: A June weekend festival fundraiser for Hudson Sloop Clearwater and also the country's oldest music and environmental festival. It includes storytellers and family-oriented entertainers, as well juried crafts, a Green Living Expo, a working riverfront, environmental education sites and the Circle of Song, where audience participation is the focus. Dancing is a small part of the festival. Web site: http://www.clearwater.org/festival/index.html. Delmar - Family: Circle dances, squares, line dances and play-party/singing games from around the world. Instruction and calling by Paul Rosenberg; music by Tame Rutabaga.
(Sit-in musicians of any age and any degree of experience are welcome to join in.) Dances are held either on the first or second Sunday of the month. Come join us for an inter-generational, fun afternoon! Bring your children, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins! Bring your friends and neighbors -- all join join hands and circle left! Location: Delmar Reformed Church, 386 Delaware Avenue. TIME: 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm. ADMISSION: Suggested donation: Adults/ $5; Children under 12/ $1. INFORMATION: Call the Dance Hotline: 518-292-0133 (or call 518-482-9255). Web site: http://www.danceflurry.org/new/familydance.html. Dryden - Dairy Day: Dryden Dairy Day is the community service project of the Dryden Grange. Its purpose is to reinstate an "old home day" atmosphere by in an event with a "dairy" them that is entertaining, fun, educational, and affordable to families--both young and old! The event brings together local farmers, businesses, and organizations through their sponsorship, involvement, and cooperation. Dryden Dairy Day celebrates the many contributions the dairy farmer makes to our lives. It includes a contra dance. Held in mid-June. Web site: http://www.drydendairyday.org/. Fayetteville - Phylla Mae Fall Fest: The Fall Fest, held in October, is a mostly dancing weekend with some music workshops held at the United Church of Fayetteville. Register in advance for a discount. Web site: http://www.syracusecountrydancers.org/PhyllaMaeFallFest.html. Fredonia: Dances on the 1st Friday of the month, beginning at 8:00pm at the Fredonia Grange #1, 58 W. Main Street. For more information, call 716-672-2716 or e-mail kathy@fredoniacontra.com. Everyone welcome, no experience necessary, come alone or with friends. Enjoy a Tradition of Community Dancing
as Passed Down from Generation to Generation! Live Music(Celtic and Southern String Bands); Smoke and Alcohol Free. Friendly-Welcoming Atmosphere. All ages-Singles and Couples. All dances called and quickly learned. $6 per person for the dance. Web site: http://www.fredoniacontra.com/Home.html. Fredonia - Victorian Dazzle Festival: It's Fredonia a la 1890 -- experience the art, history and romance of a simpler time at Fredonia's Victorian Dazzle Festival. Victorian period costumes, ghost tours, lectures & demonstrations, antique vendors, architectural tours and a variety of Victorian era arts and entertainment combine to make this a special weekend for anyone interested in the magic of a bygone time. Held in July. Web site: http://www.festivalsfredonia.com/content/victorian-dazzle-festival. Glen Cove: Long Island All Together and OutNAbout Glen Cove sponsor occasional gender free dances at the First Presbyterian Church of Glen Cove, 7 North Lane. Dances usually begin at 1:30pm (workshop at 1:00pm). For only $7 you will find there is always a live band, a caller giving instruction to all, refreshments and an opportunity to dance, listen to great music and meet and greet new friends and old. This is a great time to relax and kick up your heels. E-mail: OutNAboutGC@aol.com. Web site: http://www.openchurchgc.org. Glen Falls: Fun, Traditional Dancing to Live Music! Support Live Music & Dance in Glens Falls! No experience needed - beginners encouraged to attend. All welcome. All dances taught and called. No partner needed. Bring soft-soled shoes for dancing. When: 4th Saturdays, from November to March, 8-11 p.m; Free lesson: 7:30 p.m. Where: at Temple Beth El, 3 Marion Ave., Glens Falls. Admission: $10 adults, $9 DFO members, $8 college & high school students w/ ID, $7 young dancers under 15. Contact: Bill bschwarz@nycap.rr.com 518-307-6091. Web site: http://www.danceflurry.org/new/glensfalls.html. Hampton - Agricultural Stewardship Association and the Pember Library and Museum Barn Dance and Pig Roast: Combination fundraiser event including a barn dance held in mid-late May. Web site: http://agstewardship.org/. Hillsdale - Falcon Ridge Folk Festival: A four-day community of folk music and dance at the foot of the Berkshires in east-central New York State. Mostly music with a track of dance programming including contras into the wee hours. Held in late July. Web site: http://www.falconridgefolk.com/. Hopewell Junction - Synergy: Dance (contras, English, etc.) and music weekend in early October sponsored by Country Dance New York (CDNY) and held at Circle Lodge on Sylvan Lake. Register in advance. Web site: http://cdny.org/Synergy.html. Ithaca - Belle Sherman: Family square dance at Belle Sherman Elementary School to raise money for the Belle Sherman 5th grade class trip. Dance is from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. in the Belle Sherman Elementary School Gymnasium. Light refreshments will be served. All dances will taught; no partner necessary; fun for all ages! Web site: None. Ithaca - Cornell: The Cornell Contra Dance Club sponsors dances at Willard Strait Hall, Memorial Room on various Mondays from 7 PM to 10 PM (note the earlier start) or at the Appel Commons 3rd Floor, 8 PM to 11 pm. Everybody is invited! The cost is $4 for students, and $7 for others. If you'd like to help us get started, we'll need a few folks to help with setup, cleanup, and greeting people at the door. Work 45 minutes and get in free! Contact dk429 at cornell dot edu to sign up. You can also bring treats, to get free admission. And, we could use small, clean yogurt cups (not worth free admission, but we will name a water cup after you!). Web site: None. Ithaca - Tompkins County Country Dances: New England Contra and Square Dances on Fridays at 8:00pm at the Bethel Grove Community Center, 1825 Slaterville Road. Free refreshments (or, bring refreshments and get in free). For more information: Ted, 607-273-8678. All dances are taught with live music and beginners are welcome. It is not necessary to bring a partner.
Loose, comfortable clothing is suggested; soft-soled shoes help to protect the dance floor (and your feet). Web site: http://www.tedcrane.com/TCCD/Main.htp. Ithaca - Tompkins County Country Dances - Mondays in the Summer: New England Contra and Square Dances on Mondays in the summer (roughly June 1 to September 15) at 7:30pm at the Main Pavilion on the Downtown Ithaca Commons. There is an Open Band, so new musicians are welcome. Play by ear or with sheet music (provided).
For more information: Ted, 607-273-8678. All dances are taught with live music and beginners are welcome. It is not necessary to bring a partner.
Loose, comfortable clothing is suggested; soft-soled shoes help to protect the dance floor (and your feet). Web site: http://www.tedcrane.com/TCCD/Main.htp. Ithaca - Hands Four Dancers of Ithaca: Dances on various dates at various times (generally 7:30pm to 10:30pm or 8:00pm to 11:0pm) at various venues including the Women's Community Building at 100 West Seneca Street and Beverly J. Martin School at 02 West Buffalo Street. Check site for details about each event. Web site: http://www.hands4dancers.org. Ithaca - Fiddlehead Frolic: A small annual dance festival held during the first weekend in April in Ithaca. Register in advance for a discount. Web site: http://www.hands4dancers.org/frolic/. Ithaca - Waltz Jam: Dance to the musicians of the Waltz Jam. This is CNY's only "waltz jam". It is an open band (so musicians, bring your instruments) playing the "New England standard waltzes" from The Waltz books (I,II & III). This takes place once per month at 7:00 pm, first Friday of the Month for one hour preceding the regular Ithaca Friday Contra dance at Bethel Grove Community Center which starts at 8 pm ... a great warm up for the evening's contra dance. Web site: http://tedcrane.com/DanceDB/DisplayDance.com?key=US_NY_ITH_TCCD. Ithaca - Music Workshop: Instrumental workshop at Mike and Raylene's workshop on Canaan Rd., from noon-2 pm. Cost $15. RSVP and Directions michael@canaaninstitute.org Web site: http://canaaninstitute.org/. Jacksonville - Squares:
Dances begin at 7:30pm at Close Hall, 8 miles north of Ithaca on Route 96 in Jacksonville. $7 suggested donation, beginners welcome, no partner needed. For more information, contact: Nancy Spero, 273-6603
or Steve Selin 272-9862. Web site: http://canaaninstitute.org/mikesmusic/viewtopic.php?t=383&postdays=0&postorder=desc&start=0. Kerhonkson - New York Folk Music Society Fall Weekend/Eisteddfod: Folk arts, including music (instrumental and vocal) and some dancing weekend in late October/early November. at the Friar Tuck Inn. Web site: http://www.minstrelrecords.com/fmsny/eisteddfod/. Lake George - Adirondack Dance Weekend: Sponsored by the DanceFlurry, the weekend provides opportunities for dancing (contras, English, squares, waltz) along with recreational activities. Register in advance. Web site: http://www.danceflurry.org/new/silverbay.html. New Paltz - Mohonk's Family Festival: Taking place over two weekends and one week, this festival has a number of activities for families with contra dancing and square dancing a part of the program. Held at the Mohonk Mountain House. Register in advance. Web site: http://www.mohonk.com/. New Paltz: Dances on 4th Saturdays at the New Paltz Community Center, 1 Veterans Drive. No Smoking
Monthly every 4th Saturday to March. Admission $10, $8 New Paltz residents, $5 Undergrads/Teens, $1 Children. Refreshments by Ann Foley. Set up volunteer needed. Info: (845) 883-4467. Web site: http://www.hudsonvalleydance.org. New York City - Country Dance * New York: American contra dances are held from September to early June. Except where otherwise indicated, all dances are on Saturday evening from 8:00-10:45 pm, at the Chinatown YMCA, 273 Bowery (corner of Houston). Members and full-time students with ID: $10; Non-members $14. CDSS members who live 50 miles outside of NYC pay as CD*NY members. Please bring a pair of CLEAN, SOFT-SOLED SHOES to change into for the dance. If the shoes have been worn outside, take extra care to scrub off any grit from the soles. Web site: http://www.cdny.org/. New York City - Country Dance * New York - Twelfth Night: Special afternoon and evening of dancing at PS 199, 270 West 70 Street. Admission Full-Day: $15 members: $20 non-members; Afternoon: $8 members: $10 non-members; Evening: $10 members: $14 non-members. Please bring a pair of CLEAN, SOFT-SOLED SHOES to change into for the dance. If the shoes have been worn outside, take extra care to scrub off any grit from the soles. Web site: http://www.cdny.org/. New York City - Country Dance * New York - Winter Meltdown: Special afternoon and evening of dancing at location TBA. Admission TBA. Please bring a pair of CLEAN, SOFT-SOLED SHOES to change into for the dance. If the shoes have been worn outside, take extra care to scrub off any grit from the soles. Web site: http://www.cdny.org/. New York City - Country Dance * New York - May Mania: Special afternoon and evening of dancing at Chinatown Y's Houston Street Center, 273 Bowery, Manhattan. Admission TBA. Please bring a pair of CLEAN, SOFT-SOLED SHOES to change into for the dance. If the shoes have been worn outside, take extra care to scrub off any grit from the soles. Web site: http://www.cdny.org/. New York City - Couple Dances: Sporadic dates, times and places.
New York City - Dance Parade: Annual parade in May showing off dozens of dance styles and groups. Event starts off at Broadway and 28th Street and goes to the East Village. Web site: http://www.danceparade.org/EE. New York City - Center Contra: Gender-Role Free Contra Dance in NYC. Dance whichever role you want with whomever you want! Our dances are held monthly and are open to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, dance experience, or number of left feet.
Beginners welcome. No partner necessary. 6:30 - 7:00 Beginner instruction and "Contra Clinic" for returning dancers. Dance is from 7:00pm to 9:45pm. Admission to the dance is $12, but there is a sliding scale and dancers can pay what they can. Location: Room 301, LGBT Community Center, 208 West 13th Street. Web site: http://www.lcfd.org/nyc/.
New York City - Barn Dance: Contras, squares, circles and couples' dances from 8:00pm to 11:00pm at the Phillip Coltoff Center 219 Sullivan between 3rd Street and Bleecker. $15 general admission / $12 seniors-students. All dances taught! No experience or partner necessary! Beer & wine available! Web site: http://www.nycbarndance.com/. New York City - Contra Shock: Weekend dance event in mid-May. Web site: http://www.cdny.org/. Old Bethpage: Dances at the
Old Bethpage Village Restoration, 1303 Round Swamp Road (Exit 48 of the Long Island Expressway). Telephone: 516-572-8400
Old Bethpage - Long Island Fair: Sponsored by The Agricultural Society of Queens, Nassau and Suffolk Counties and held at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration in late September/early October, the Fair includes a number of agricultural, historic and cultural activities along with a wide variety of entertainment including contra dancing. Web site: http://www.lifair.org/. Olean: The Southern Tier Contra Dance Society sponsors dances on most 2nd Saturdays (October-May) at St. Stevens Episcopal Church Hall, 112 S. Clinton St. Entire families are invited. There is no need to come with a partner. Live Music, all dances taught and called-easy and fun. Dancing is from 7:30-10:30 PM with admission $6, 14 and under $2. More info: Barbara Dyskant bdyskant@hearthstead.net or (716) 557-8978. Web site: http://www.stcds.com/.
Oneonta - Hartwick College: Contra dance at Hartwick College from 8:00pm to 11:00pm in the Music Circle in the Anderson Center for the Arts. Web site: http://www.hartwick.edu. Oswego - Great Bear Groove Dance Weekend: Dance weekend in early June sponsored by the band, The Great Bear Trio. Held at the Fallbrook Lodge. Register in advance. Web site: http://web.me.com/vannorstrand/Greatbeargroove/Welcome.html. Oswego: Dance sponsored by the Ontario Center for Performing Arts from 7:30 - 10:30 pm. $7.00 per person, $15.00 per family. A newcomer's workshop begins at 7:00. Location is at The McCrobie Civic Center, 41 Lake St. Web site: http://www.oswegomusichall.org/. Owego: The Tioga County Contra Dance sponsors dances on the 3rd Sunday of the month from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at the Tioga Trails Cafe, Lake and Main Streets. Admission is $7, Students and Seniors(55+) $5, Family Max $15. Beginners Welcome, all dances taught and prompted. Contact: Stu Johnson (607) 687-4034 or April Swaney (607) 687-7195. Web site: http://dance.clarityconnect.com/owegocontra.html. Poughkeepsie - 3rd Saturday: Third Saturday Contra Dance. Come Jam at 7. Dance 8-11, beginners welcome, no partner necessary. Arlington Reformed Church, 22 Raymond Avenue. Large Wood Dance Floor, No Smoking. Admission $5 to $10, Event Hours 7:00PM to 11:00PM. Info: 845/473-7050. Web site: http://www.hudsonvalleydance.org/. Poughkeepsie - 5th Saturday: Fifth Saturday Contra Dances at Arlington Reformed Church, 22 Raymond Avenue. Large Wood Dance Floor, No Smoking. Admission $5 to $10, Event Hours 7:00PM to 11:00PM: 7 PM contradance music jam session, contra dance from 8 to 11! Ever wanted to play this kind of music? Come join in! Any level welcome, no partner necessary! All dances are taught before we do them with music, though if you are a beginner it is wise to get there on time, because the earlier dances are the easier dances. Usually refreshments for sale -- juice, cookies. People wear comfortable clothing and shoes (it gets hot!) Info: 845/473-7050. Web site: http://www.hudsonvalleydance.org/. Rensselaerville - Cranberry Dulcimer and Autoharp Gathering: Held in July.
Web site: http://www.cranberrygathering.com/. Rochester: The Country Dancers of Rochester sponsor contra dances on Thursdays from 8:00pm to 11:00pm at the Covenant United Methodist Church. Admission: $7 ($6 members, $1 off for seniors & students). Our dances are participatory and open to all, with live music, and smoke and alcohol free. Newcomers are always welcome. Dances are taught and prompted, with more teaching at the beginning of the evening. No partner or special dress needed Ñ dress comfortably and wear soft-soled, low-heeled shoes. Web site: http://www.rochestercontra.com. Rochester - Thanksgiving Festival: Presented by the Country Dancers of Rochester, the Festival features dancing, music and workshops on the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving (U.S.) and is held at the Salem United Church of Christ, 60 Bittner Street. Register in advance for a discount. Web site: http://www.rochestercontra.com/. Rush - Turtle Hill Folk Festival: Weekend music festival with some dancing held in mid-September. Web site: http://www.goldenlink.org/festival.html. Saratoga Springs - 3rd Saturday: Contradancing: 8:00-11:00 PM; free instruction session for beginners at 7:35. Please wear sneakers or other shoes with clean, soft soles. Dates: 3rd Saturdays; no dances in May, June, July and August. Location: Italian-American War Veterans' Post 35, 247 Grand Avenue. Admission: Adults $10, DanceFlurry members $9, High School and College Students with ID $7, $6 for young dancers under 15. (Children are welcome, but children who aren't dancing must be under the supervision of an adult at all times.) Questions? Call (518) 885-4430, or e-mail saratogacontra@danceflurry.org. Web site: http://www.danceflurry.org/new/saratogacontra.html. Saratoga Springs - Dance Flurry: Mammoth dance (numerous styles) festival held on Presidents' Day (U.S.) in mid-February with the Saratoga Hilton & Saratoga City Center being the center of the festival. Music, singing and other workshops, too. Register in advance for a discount and if you are staying in the area, early hotel reservations are strongly recommended. Web site: http://www.danceflurry.org/festival/index.html. Sherman - Great Blue Heron Music Festival: Held in early July, this is a mostly music festival but with some dance tracks (sometimes including contras and squares) and recreational activities. Register in advance for a discount. Web site: http://www.greatblueheron.com. Smithtown - LITMA: Dances every 2nd & 4th Friday from September - July from 8pm to 11pm (instruction begins at 7:45). All dances are taught right there as we do them. Singles are welcome, and so are couples, families, and groups of friends. Soft soled shoes are highly recommended because they will be easy on your feet and easy on our floors. Arrive early and be ready to dance at 7:45 for a lesson. Refreshments available because we bring them to share with each other. Please consider bringing an item to share at our refreshment table. There is also water to keep you hydrated and dancing. Location: Smithown Historical Society Frank Brush Barn, 211 East Main Street (Route 25). Admission: $10 LITMA members / $14 non-members / $7 students / under 16 free with parent. Web site: http://www.litma.org. Fayetteville (Syracuse): Syracuse Country Dancers sponsor dances generally on 1st Saturdays (but sometimes 1st Fridays, 2nd and 4th Fridays and 5th Saturdays (but not always, so check the schedule). Every dance has live music and a caller who teaches each dance sequence. It's fine to come with or without a partner. If you're an old hand, you know how much fun contradancing can be. New dancers are also always welcome at our dances. We encourage new dancers to come at the beginning of the dance (to get the most out of the teaching), and to be prepared to smile a lot. Unless otherwise noted on the schedule, our dances run from 8 to 11 p.m., and are held at the United Church of Fayetteville, 310 E. Genesee St. in Fayetteville. (There are about half a dozen dances per year that we move to alternate locations.) Admission to our regular dances is $7 ($5 for people with limited income, $20 maximum per family). Contact David Smukler if you are interested in bringing a group at a reduced rate. We offer a discount for groups of 10 dancers or more. Admission is higher for occasional special dance events, such as our Cream of the Crop series and our annual weekend of dance. What should you wear to a contra dance? Go for comfortable, informal clothes. It's best to avoid colognes and perfumes. And, to help us protect the wood floors, please bring soft-soled grit-free shoes. (Flip flops and high heels should be avoided.) Don't feel you need to purchase special dance shoes; sneakers work fine and there is a brush at the dance to clean your street shoes if necessary. Web site: http://syracusecountrydancers.org/. Trumansburg - Finger Lakes Grass Roots Festival of Music and Dance: The Festival, held in mid-to-late July has a focus on traditional and contemporary roots music, with four stages which run ridiculously long hours to accommodate the 60 some bands that play the festival. The band selection reflects the eclectic tastes of our 'amorphous committee', a difficult to nail down group of musicians and artists who lean toward roots related & world music. There is dancing (sometimes contras and squares), but it is not the emphasis of the Festival. Register in advance for a discount. Web site: http://www.grassrootsfest.org/festival/. Voorheesville: Dances sponsored by Old Songs, generally on the 1st Saturday of the month at
37 South Main Street. Contra Dancing is a participatory and social evening. It is a great way to exercise and meet new friends. You don't have to know how to dance, just arrive at 7:30pm for the beginner session where you will learn to swing, balance, ladies chain, and right hand star along with many other figures. In an evening of dancing there will be many contra dances (parallel lines facing each other), circle dances, and New England squares. You don't need a partner...there are always plenty of helpful partners available. Please wear clean soft-soled shoes to protect the wood floor. The dances will be preceded by a POTLUCK SUPPER at 6:30pm for anyone who would like to partake. Admission to Dance: $10. Beginner learn-how session at 7:30, dancing begins at 8:00pm. Web site: http://www.oldsongs.org/dances.html. Voorheesville - Fiddling Demystified for Strings: A camp week of classes, workshops and performances with at least one dance. The focus throughout the week will be on turning simple tune phrases into experimental rhythms, mining tunes in each style for a variable pulse, stitching their phrases together. Held in mid-August. Register in advance. Web site: http://fiddlingdemystified.com. Voorheesville - French Canadian Music Camp: Learn the syncopated swing and twisted tunes of QuŽbŽcois and Franco fiddle music and learn to sing, dance and play with that Northern ÒJe ne sais quoiÓ. This week offers evening jam sessions and dancing Monday - Thursday at the hall with staff members. Held in mid-August. Register in advance. Web site: http://fiddlingdemystified.com. Water Mill - LITMA: Dances 1st Saturdays from October through May from 8pm to 11pm (instruction begins at 7:45). All dances are taught right there as we do them. Singles are welcome, and so are couples, families, and groups of friends. Soft soled shoes are highly recommended because they will be easy on your feet and easy on our floors. Arrive early and be ready to dance at 7:45 for a lesson. Refreshments available because we bring them to share with each other. Please consider bringing an item to share at our refreshment table. There is also water to keep you hydrated and dancing. Admission: $10 LITMA members / $14 non-members / $7 students / under 16 free with parent. Location: Watermill Community Center, Route 27A. Web site: http://www.litma.org. Westbury - Family Dance - LITMA: This dance is for the whole family. Simple circles, square, and contradances that everyone can enjoy. This is a great dance for passing on the tradition of traditional dance and music to the next generation. Admission is $7 for adults and children are free with a paid adult. These dances are held in cooperation with and are held at Westbury Friends from 7pm to 9pm. For more information call Lauren at (516) 746-4270. Location: Westbury Monthly Meeting (Westbury Friends), 550 Post Avenue. Web site: http://www.litma.org. Woodstock: Dances at the Woodstock Community Center, Rock City Rd. sponsored by the Friends of Fiddle & Dance. Medium Wood Dance Floor, No Smoking Admission $10 Members $9, 8:00PM to 11:00PM Info: 246-2121. Web site: http://www.ashokan.org/ashokan/fdndances.shtml. This page is part of the Contrdancelinks.com web site. For more information about contra dancing, visit these other site pages:
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Produced by Charlie Seelig
Last updated on July 30, 2010