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 Oklahoma including dance camps and weekends along with other events in Oklahoma 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.
Bartlesville: Dance on hiatus. Web site: None.
Broken Arrow - Kate and Keely Fundraiser: This is contra dance is acting as a fundraiser for Kate and Keely's trip to Taiwan!! Cost is $10 for anyone over 12, $5 for anyone under 12. 5 years old and younger are free!! Dance is 7:00pm - 10:00pm in CDT. Location: Liberty Church, 7777 S Garnett Rd, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74012. Web site: https://www.facebook.com/events/1474523106095231/.
Calera: Dance at the Choctaw Nation Community Center, near the Choctaw casino in Calera, Oklahoma from 7pm to 11pm. What to bring: A friend, a finger food to share, and comfy dancing shoes. The attire will be semi-formal/casual, which means guys in nice jeans and ladies in flowey dresses/skirts... because they're fun to dance in. ;) Whatever you choose to wear, modesty in dress is appreciated. Plenty of water will be provided, and who knows, we may even be able to bring a big jug of sweet tea or lemonade. Donations will be accepted to help cover expenses and to save up $ to hire a more experienced caller. There will be instruction before each dance, so previous experience isn't required. As long as you know your left from your right, forward from backward and your partner from your neighbor, you'll do just fine. We gladly welcome families. Children must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult and must be well behaved. Web site: None.
Kingston - Fiddler's Dream: The North Texas Traditional Dance Society sponsors the annual New Year's Eve weekend (or thereabouts) at Cross Point Methodist Camp. This ALL-VOLUNTEER event is a 3-day/3-night weekend for callers, dancers, and traditional musicians to enjoy one another's talents and company in a camp setting. The focus is contra dance and related music. Everyone has the opportunity to help provide the entertainment for this event. Space is limited. Register in advance. Web site: http://www.nttds.org/nye.html.
Kingston - Fiddler's Dream: The North Texas Traditional Dance Society is sponsoring Fiddlers Dream Music and Dance Camp at Crosspoint Camp on the shores of Lake Texoma, OK. This all-volunteer event is a 3-day/3-night weekend for callers, dancers and traditional musicians to enjoy one another's talents and company in a camp setting. The focus is contra dance and related music. Web site: http://www.nttds.org/nye.html.
Locust Grove: Dance at Institute for Excellence in Writing, 8799 N 387 Rd, Locust Grove, OK 74352, USA. Dance starts at 5pm (outside). $6 admission; $20 per family. Supper available for $6. BYOB. Web site: http://www.theideaofavillage.com/.
Norman: Dances at the FBC Family Life Center, 300 W. Commanche, Norman, OK. Students $5, members $6, non-members $8 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. For more information contact Miranda Arana, (405) 615-2095. Web site: https://www.facebook.com/groups/scissortail/ or https://www.facebook.com/groups/TulsaContraDance/.
Norman - Rose Rock: The Rose Rock School, located in Norman, will host a Country Ball from 5 p.m. to 8 pm. at Dreamer Concepts Studio, 428 E. Main Street. Organizers said the evening features a series of group folk dances from various European traditions appropriate for children preschool and up, as well as adults, and social dances from the American Contra Dance tradition, for teens and adults. In addition to the dancing, the Country Ball will include raffles, a cakewalk, pepper-eating contest, professional photo portraits, carnival games, food and drinks. Children 12 and under are free. Tickets may be purchased in advance through www.ticketstorm.com for $20 each or $25 at the door. All proceeds benefit the Rose Rock School and the preservation of the property at 1515 W. Main. More information about the school is available from Shanah Ahmadi, the director, at 412-3583 or by e-mail at roserockschool@gmail.com - Web site: http://roserockschool.org/.
Norman - Oklahoma University:Dance at the Jim Thorpe Multicultural Center, 624 Asp Ave. Norman, OK 73069. It's located south of Lindsey, near the dorms, from 7pm to 9pm. Admission is $5, and all proceeds will be donated to the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade. Web site: None.
Oklahoma City - 2nd Saturday: The Scissortail Traditional Dance Society sponsors dance every 2nd Saturday of each month at the First Unitarian Church at 600 NW 13th Street in North Downtown OKC. Dance is from 7pm to 10pm. All dances are taught and called. Most of us change partners for each dance, so you need not bring one. Admission is $8.00 for non-members & $6.00 for members. Annual membership dues are $8.00 single/$12 family. We dance a combination of simple to more advanced dances. Other types of dances are sometimes included: Waltz, Hambo, English Country, Schottish, Circle Mixers, & Squares to name a few. All live music! Web site: http://www.scissortail.org/.
Oklahoma City - 4th Saturday: The Scissortail Traditional Dance Society sponsors dance every 4th Saturday of each month at Central Presbyterian Church, 5101 N. May Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73112. Dance is from 7pm to 10pm. All dances are taught and called. Most of us change partners for each dance, so you need not bring one. Admission is $9, $7 members, $5 students. Annual membership dues are $8.00 single/$12 family. We dance a combination of simple to more advanced dances. Other types of dances are sometimes included: Waltz, Hambo, English Country, Schottish, Circle Mixers, & Squares to name a few. All live music! Web site: http://www.scissortail.org/.
Oklahoma City - Special: The Scissortail Traditional Dance Society sponsors special dances from time to time at various locations. If you are new to contra dance, please come at 7:30pm. At about 7:40pm there is a brief review of basic moves for new dancers. The dances start at 8:00pm and last until 11:00pm. All dances are taught and called. Most of us change partners for each dance, so you need not bring one. Admission is $8.00 for non-members & $6.00 for members. Annual membership dues are $8.00 single/$12 family. We dance a combination of simple to more advanced dances. Other types of dances are sometimes included: Waltz, Hambo, English Country, Schottish, Circle Mixers, & Squares to name a few. All live music! Web site: http://www.scissortail.org/.
Oklahoma City - New Year's Eve: The Scissortail Traditional Dance Society sponsors a New Year's Eve Dance. Time: 8 p.m. to midnight; Cost: $8 for members; $10 for non-members; $5 for students. Where: Daniel Hall, First Unitarian Church, 600 NW 13th Street, Oklahoma City, OK. From NW 13th Street turn South on Dewey and enter just past the church. Parking in rear and across the street (Dewey and 13th). Enter either through the front or the rear of the church. Click First Unitarian for a Google map to this location. (Set your GPS for 1362 North Dewey Avenue, this will put you right at the entrance driveway.) Web site: http://www.scissortail.org/.
Oklahoma City - Flamingo Fling: Dance weekend in mid-June at Epworth United Methodist Church, 1901 N. Douglas. Registration in advance recommended. Sponsored by the Scissortail Traditional Dance Society. Web site: http://www.scissortail.org/.
Oklahoma City - Wayward Hall: Partners Barn Dance at 6608 NE 63rd Street (Wayward Hall), Oklahoma City, OK. Suggested donation $2 per person. We will dance to recorded music, and some live music if musicians show up. Contra, ECD, ballroom, waltz, hambo, shottische, swing, Latin, Scottish, or any partner dance. Bring some to teach if you've got'em. Bring a partner, family, or friends, and something for the dinner potluck at 5pm. Partners are *always* available. Children must be accompanied at all times, in the pool or elsewhere. Mark Cashion, 370-4403. Web site: http://www.scissortail.org.
Oklahoma City - Food Cooperative: Dance at the Farmers' Market, 311 S Klein Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK from 4pm to 6pm. Web site: http://www.oklahomafood.coop.
Oklahoma City - Wayward Paw Farm: Mark Cashion is hosting a work party, potluck and barn dance at his farm (see map below). Come for any or all: 4 p.m. or earlier for the work party, 6 p.m. for the potluck, and 7 p.m. for the barn dance. If you cannot work this time, come party anyway. Open mic for any callers including new callers, open band for musicians, and if we're short on musicians, we will dance to recordings (your favorites or Pandora) Contra, English Country, swing, ballroom, couples dances. Work party items are listed at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Au-0t_CU9ciodEJySkp3YXVFbUpiejR4bFp1M0p3cWc#gid=0 Hope you can join us at one or both! Map: http://www.scissortail.org/images/wayward.pdf. Site: Wayward Paw Farm: 6608 NE 63rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK. Web site: http://www.scissortail.org.
Oklahoma City - Callers' Workshop: Have you ever wondered what it would be like to call a dance? Are you curious about how dances are structured? Do you want to teach others how to contra or English country dance? Are you a musician who would like to know more about what callers are thinking, or help us understand your needs? Join us on Sundays from 3-6pm at the Oklahoma City Swing Club: Interested? PLEASE RSVP to me, Louise, louise@eden2.com - Tell me what you'd like to learn, and I can get you materials you might need. Just want to dance? We need you too! Feel free to join us. Web site: http://scissortail.org/.
Oklahoma City - Cowboy Museum - Chuck Wagon Festival: Weekend cultural/historical festival with a variety of activities including some dancing. Web site: http://nationalcowboymuseum.org/.
Ponca City: There will be a barn dance in Ponca City from 7pm to 9pm at 1202 West Ponca (United Steel Workers Union Hall). There will be contras, square dancing, line dancing, and who knows what else. So come on down! No admission charge, but donations welcome. Web site: None.
Stillwater: Dance at various locations. Dances start at 8pm. Live music. No partner needed, no experience needed, all dances will be taught. Bring clean shoes for dancing, water. $5 admission, $4 students; $3 for children under 12. Contact: lesiddons@gmail.com - Web site: https://www.facebook.com/groups/acontraaffair/.
Stillwater - Summer Dance Camp: Dances from 7pm – 9pm at the Stillwater Community Center 315 W 8th Ave, Stillwater, OK 74074, United States. Variety of contra, English, and couples dances (waltz and swing) -- it's a community dance potpourri! Recorded music, 8-week series, $25 for the whole series or $4/session. Web site: http://www.scissortail.org/.
Tulsa: Contra dances on the first Saturday of each month at the Allstar Ballroom Dance Co., 6038 South Sheridan Road, Tulsa, OK. $7 per person; $5 for students (through college level). Dance starts at 7pm and ends at 10pm All dances are taught and called to LIVE MUSIC! Bring a partner or come alone! Dress cool and casual - dancing is energetic activity! Please come early in the evening as we begin with comfortable, easier dances for newcomers. The dance floor is our friend! Please help us protect the dance floor by wearing non-marking, soft-soled shoes! Email:tulsacontradance@gmail.com. Web site: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TulsaContraDance.
Yukon - Annual Polka Party: Annual Polka Birthday Bash from 8-11 PM at the Czech Hall (205 N Czech Hall Rd, Yukon OK 73099). There will be live music, dances include Polka, Waltz, Schottische, Chicken Dance, Mexican Hat Dance, Two Step, Swing, and many others. There is a snack bar with light snacks, beer and soda available. There will be a $5 cover charge at the door. We will be celebrating Cameron Potter and Jim Barrett's Birthdays. No presents please. Web site: http://www.scissortail.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.