Welcome to the Thursday Contra! See the schedule of upcoming bands and callers below.
Location: The Irish Center (a.k.a. Commodore John Barry Arts and Cultural Center),
6815 Emlen St., Philadelphia, PA 19119.
Look for the signs, and use the ballroom entrance, furthest from Carpenter Ave.
Beginner lesson: 7:30pm
Dance: 8:00pm to 10:30pm
Admission: sliding scale, pay what you wish. Suggested $10/$15/$20+.
Our community standards seek to ensure a positive and safe experience for everyone.
Questions or concerns? You can meet with a member of our Safety Committee at any event, or report something online (can be anonymous).
Snacks are welcome. Please bring finger foods to share! (No peanuts or peanut butter please, due to allergies in our community.)
Our Thursday night dances strongly encourage up-to-date COVID vaccination. Masks are optional and welcome. If you test positive for COVID a few days after a dance, please send email to so we can alert others to a potential exposure. Please read more info about health precautions. We're looking forward to dancing with you!
| Date | Caller | Band | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug. 6 | Michael Karcher coordinating | Allemande: Chris Germain (fiddle), Pete Petersen (banjo), Kellie Allen (guitar), Paul Sidlick (mandolin), Heidi Germain (bass) | |
| Aug. 13 | Alex Burka coordinating | Jovial Beggars: Ben Kennedy (keyboard), Helene Speer (fiddle), Peggy Leiby (recorders, feet), Rachel Hall (concerrtina) | |
| Aug. 20 | Sue Gola coordinating | SPUDS: Philly's phabulous open contradance band! | |
| Aug. 22 | Donna Hunt |
The Kelpies: Melissa Lisbao (fiddle), Alec Charon (guitar) Saturday in Center City: Philadelphia Ethical Society auditorium, 1906 S. Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA. |
|
| Aug. 27 | Darlene Underwood | Hot Coffee Breakdown: Tom Cunningham (fiddle), Kate Sanders (keyboard), Luis de Leon (percussion, harmonica) | |
| Sep. 3 | Donna Hunt coordinating | Hot Wasabi: Roberta Goren (flute), Dave Miller (fiddle), Chris Carpenter (strings & winds), Mark Schwartz (piano) | |
| Sep. 10 | Alex Burka coordinating | Neon Creek: Jared Bishop (Fiddle), Chloe Rosenthal (Piano/Electronics) | |
| Sep. 17 | Sam Rotenberg coordinating | Max & River Brown and their Band of Renown: Max Brown (fiddle), River Brown (fiddle), Jay Kreider (banjo), Kim Kreider (bass), Ed Bonghi (guitar), Rich Myers (mandolin) | |
| Sep. 19 | Liesl Jandrey |
3rd Saturday with The Orphans: Ben Kennedy, Miranda Weinberg, and Peter Buchak Note venue: St. Thomas Day Retreat and Event Center, 7020 Camp Hill Rd, Fort Washington, PA 19034 |
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| Sep. 24 | Sarah Kaiser | Broadside Kinetic: Rachel Hall (piano), Amy Ksir (accordion, whistle), Tom Rhoads (guitar, concertina), Helene Speer (fiddle), Jim Speer (bass guitar) | |
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Dances continue every Thursday (except Thanksgiving and Christmas). |
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But wait, there's more! PATMAD also sponsors
- The 3rd Saturday Contra Dance in Mt. Airy, on summer break in July and August, returning on September 19 with Liesl Jandrey and The Orphans (different location for September only: St. Thomas Day Retreat and Event Center, 7020 Camp Hill Rd, Fort Washington, PA 19034).
- Allons Danser, Philadelphia's home for Cajun/Zydeco music and dance, continuing on Friday, August 21 with Corey Arceneaux and the Zydeco Hot Peppers at the Holy Saviour Club, Norristown, Pa.
(3rd Saturday and Allons Danser may have different COVID precautions from the Thursday night contra dance. Check their pages for the most up-to-date schedules and information.) - SPUDS, Philly's phabulous open contradance band, playing on August 20 at the Thursday Contra.
- A Center City Contra series in Rittenhouse Square in the heart of Philadelphia, generally on fourth Saturdays most months.
Donations to Philadelphia Area Traditional Music and Dance, the nonprofit which sponsors the Thursday Contra dance, are always appreciated! (Link)
Contributions to the 100% free platform we use for donations are optional, and may be set to "Other" including zero.
Our community standards seek to ensure a positive and safe experience for everyone.
All Hands In has been presenting games nights and other community-led events, along with some fun online dances with fantastic live calling. Tune in most Tuesday nights.
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