What’s Contra Dance?
Contra is a form of American folk dance made up of long lines of couples. Throughout each dance, couples progress up and down these lines, dancing with every other couple in the line. After each dance, everyone finds a new partner, then new lines of couples form for the next dance.
The dance is led by a caller, who teaches the series of steps called “figures” in the dance before the music starts – each dance includes 6–12 figures which are repeated as couples progress up and down the lines. Almost all contra dances are danced to live music. Contra music includes influences from Irish, Scottish, old-time, bluegrass and French-Canadian folk tunes.
Upcoming Contra Dances
October — Fourth Saturday Contra Dance
Oct 24 @ 7:00 pm | First United Methodist Church of Palo AltoGet Tickets
Caller: Lindsay Verbil
Band: Jeff Spero and M’Gilvry Allen
A free beginner lesson is given at 6:30, dance starts at 7:00.
Location:
First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto
625 Hamilton Ave
Palo Alto, CA
Get Directions
October — Fifth Saturday Contra Dance
Oct 31 @ 7:00 pm | First United Methodist Church of Palo AltoGet Tickets
Get ready for a frightfully fun evening at our
Halloween Costume Contra Dance!
Come dressed in your creepiest, silliest, or most creative costume — and dance the night away with fellow ghouls and goblins! {Costumes admired, but not required…}
Caller: Susan Petrick
The Rodney Miller Band: Rodney Miller on fiddle, Daniel Steinberg on piano
A free beginner lesson is given at 6:30, dance starts at 7:00.
Location:
First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto
625 Hamilton Ave
Palo Alto, CA
Get Directions
November - Second Saturday Contra Dance
Nov 14 @ 7:00 pm | First United Methodist Church of Palo AltoGet Tickets
Caller: Sarah Trop
Band: Lisa Miklos-Illés: Flute and Sax, Peter Mellinger: Fiddle, Will Wheeler: Guitar and feet
A free beginner lesson is given at 6:30, dance starts at 7:00.
Location:
First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto
625 Hamilton Ave
Palo Alto, CA
Get Directions
Palo Alto Contra Dances
