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
August - Fourth Saturday Contra Dance
Aug 22 @ 7:00 pm | First United Methodist Church of Palo AltoGet Tickets
Caller: Ken Cheng
Band: ContraNaughts (Lee Anne Welch on fiddle, Cheryl McKinney on keyboard, Del Eckels on percussion)
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
August - Fifth Saturday Contra Dance
Aug 29 @ 7:00 pm | First United Methodist Church of Palo AltoGet Tickets
Caller: Dane Wallinga
Band: Against the Grain
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
September - Second Saturday Contra Dance
Sep 12 @ 7:00 pm | First United Methodist Church of Palo AltoGet Tickets
Caller: Kelsey Hartman
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
