Friday Night Contra Dance
All are welcome to come and dance! You don’t need to bring a partner. Contra dancing is easy to learn. We have beginners lessons for anyone who hasn’t done it before, or wants a reminder.
2nd Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 3511 Belmont Blvd Nashville, TN 37215
7.30pm Beginner/Refresher lesson
8 - 10.30pm Dance
Pay at the door: Sliding-scale admission: pay whatever you can afford, $7 to $25 per person. We take cash, checks, and Venmo.
(This money pays the band, caller, sound technician and hall rental. Any extra goes towards NCD’s on-going expenses.)
Contra dance is a social dance – You’ll see a lot of faces, smile a ton, and dance up and down the lines with multiple dance “partners,” “neighbors,” and maybe even “shadows.”
Onstage with the musicians is a dance caller who teaches and walks you through each dance before the music begins. He or she also calls the dance figures during the music to keep you on top of things.
What kind of music can you expect? Most bands have a fiddle, guitar or piano. Bass, mandolin, sometimes winds, even percussion.
Contra dance originated in New England, with roots in French, Scottish, and English traditional dances. You will now find lively dance communities all over the United States, across the world, and right here in Nashville, TN.
The BEST way to learn about contra dance is to jump in and go to one.
Schedule Spring 2025
June 20: Rachel Bergin calling with Southwind
June 27: Michael Hamilton (Akron, Ohio) calling with Countercurrent (Seattle, WA)
July 4: Wendy Graham (Brasstown, NC) calling with John Fabke & Friends
July 11th: FREE: 7.30-9.30pm - Callers’ Workshop Dance with Cathy Hollister and Crystal Melton. St John’s Lutheran Church, 3259 McGavock Pike, Nashville 37214. Try calling, or brush up your calling! Get helpful feedback! Or just come to dance and support your callers. Recorded music. For more information, email ncdwebteam@gmail.com
July 18: Cathy Hollister calling with Ed Baggott & Elsie Peterson (Huntsville, AL)
August 1: Susan Kevra calling with Matt Combs & Family
August 15: Sarah Kaiser (St. Louis, MO) calling with Cambia (St. Louis, MO)
Sept 5: Cathy Hollister calling with The Mountain Laurels
Sept 19: Crystal Melton calling with John Fabke & Friends
Oct 3: Anna Claire Camp calling with Rafe Stefanini & Friends
Oct 17: Emma Rushton calling with Larry Unger and Jenny Monfore
Nov 7: Kendal Broadie calling with Southwind
Nov 21: Rachel Bergin calling with Alex Wilder & Evan Snoey
Nov 28: Susan Kevra calling with Turnip the Beet (Thanksgiving Friday)
Dec 5: Emma Rushton calling with Ed Baggott & Elsie Peterson (Huntsville)
Dec 19: Cathy Hollister calling with The East Nashville Serenaders