Friday Night Contra Dances
All are welcome to come and dance and you don’t need to come with a partner. Contra dancing is easy to learn. If you’re new or want a refresher, we have beginner lessons at the start of each event.
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 can find lively dance communities all over the United States, across the world, and right here in Nashville, TN.
FIRST AND THIRD FRIDAY CONTRA DANCE TO LIVE MUSIC.
FIFTH FRIDAY WILD CARD DANCE (EITHER OPEN BAND, DJ CONTRA OR REGULAR CONTRA!)
2nd Presbyterian Church Activity Center, 3511 Belmont Blvd Nashville, TN 37215
7:30 PM - Beginner/Refresher lesson. 8 - 10:30 PM - 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.)
FREE! SECOND FRIDAY 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.
FREE!
Doors open 6: 45 PM. Beginner lesson (for new dancers or those wanting a refresher) 7 PM. Dancing 7:30 - 9:30 PM
SCHEDULE WINTER/SPRING 2025/6
August 14: FREE: 7.30-9.30pm - Callers’ Workshop Dance with Cathy Hollister and Crystal Melton. St John’s Lutheran Church.
August 21: Crystal Melton calling with The East Nashville Serenaders; 2nd Presbyterian Church Activity Center.
September 4: Rachel Bergin calling with Turnip the Beet; 2nd Presbyterian Church Activity Center.
September 11: FREE: 7.30-9.30pm - Callers’ Workshop Dance with Cathy Hollister and Crystal Melton. St John’s Lutheran Church.
September 18: Ed Wilkinson calling with John Fabke & Friends; 2nd Presbyterian Church Activity Center.
October 2: Harrison Keely (Brasstown, NC) calling with The Mountain Laurels; 2nd Presbyterian Church Activity Center.
October 9: FREE: 7.30-9.30pm - Callers’ Workshop Dance with Cathy Hollister and Crystal Melton. St John’s Lutheran Church.
October 16: Sarah Kaiser (St. Louis, MO) calling with Cambia (St. Louis, MO); 2nd Presbyterian Church Activity Center.
November 6: Susan Kevra calling with Brian Christianson (Austin, MN) & Friends; 2nd Presbyterian Church Activity Center.
Noember 13: FREE: 7.30-9.30pm - Callers’ Workshop Dance with Cathy Hollister and Crystal Melton. St John’s Lutheran Church.
November 20: Crystal Melton calling with Rafe Stefanini & Friends; 2nd Presbyterian Church Activity Center.
November 27: Elijah Jaime calling with Tyler Andal & Friends; 2nd Presbyterian Church Activity Center.
December 4: Anna Claire Camp calling with Southwind; 2nd Presbyterian Church Activity Center.
December 11: FREE: 7.30-9.30pm - Callers’ Workshop Dance with Cathy Hollister and Crystal Melton. St John’s Lutheran Church.
December 18: Cathy Hollister calling with The East Nashville Serenaders; 2nd Presbyterian Church Activity Center.