Welcome to St. Louis Contra Dancing

Upcoming Dances

Dancing at the Monday Club

Click here for the full Dance Schedule
Click here for the Google Calendar version of the schedule. You can subscribe to it!

Sunday February 26 Contra Dance with Lindell Blackford & Friends, calling by Ted Steele

Friday March 2 English Styling Workshop, recorded music, various callers

Saturday March 3 Callers Choice Dance, with Reel Women, various callers

Sunday March 4 Contra Dance with Ellen Gomez and Friends, calling by Wade Pearson

Sunday March 11 Contra Dance with the Mound City Slickers, calling by John and Kathy Coffman

Last Updated on Wednesday, 22 February 2012 05:29

Announcements

Have you Seen the Dance Video Archive?

It started as a showcase for local dance choreographers, a collection of videos of the dances in MO DANCES, but then it just...grew. Now there are over 280 dance videos on the site (complete with dance instructions), and overall, the videos have collected over 21,000 views. Check it out!

Dance Video of the Week: Groundhog Daze by Jim Hemphill, as called in Baltimore MD! (Note that the band is playing Snake River Reel, a tune by Peter Lippincott, Childgrove's first caller).

Julie Carman

Julie Carman and Joe Felsen One of our beloved dancers from Carbondale, Julie Carman, suffered serious injuries from a terrible automobile accident in November. Like many of us, Julie had no health insurance, and the other driver's insurance didn't cover many of the expenses, so you can imagine how great the need is.

Please consider making a generous donation. Read more here.

Last Updated on Thursday, 02 February 2012 17:53

When We Dance

Sunday Dances

1st, 2nd, *4th & 5th Sundays. Contra Dance. Free workshop at 6:30pm, live music from 7-10pm. $7.

*3rd Sunday. Waltz Party - waltzes and other social dances. Free workshop 6-7pm, live music from 7-9pm. $10.

Saturday Dances

1st Saturday. Callers Choice Dance - contra and related dances. Free workshop at 7:30pm, live music from 8:00-11pm. $7.

3rd Saturday. Contra dance. Free workshop at 7:30pm, live music from 8:00-11pm. $7.

Friday Dances

1st Friday. English Country Dance. Free workshop at 7:30pm, dance to recorded music from 8-10:30pm $5.

3rd Friday. English Country Dance. Free workshop at 7:30pm, live music from 8:00-10:30pm. Regular dances $7, balls $10.

We dance at the Monday Club, 37 S. Maple, Webster Groves, MO.

Here's a schedule, and a map to the Monday Club.

*Here’s the formula for when we dance: There is always a contra dance on the 3rd Saturday. The next night (Sunday) is a Waltz Party (the 3rd Sunday, unless the first day of the month is a Sunday, then it's the 4th Sunday). Unless there's a Waltz Party, there's a Contra Dance on Sunday nights . On the 1st Saturday there's a Caller's Choice Dance. On 1st and 3rd Fridays there's an English Country Dance. The best way to know when we dance is to check the schedule.

Last Updated on Saturday, 18 February 2012 19:11

Other STL Traditional Dance and Music Opportunities

The Folk School

Play the music we dance to. See the Folk School web site at www.folk-school.org for jam sessions, special events, and workshops. Lessons, too.

The Folk School has started a wonderful series of Square Dances - usually third Thursdays and often at the Grand Oak Hill Community Center at 4168 Juniata St in St Louis.

Wednesday Calling Parties

Calling Parties
We get together most Wednesdays at Bob and Martha's house in an informal, supportive environment for learning to call dances. Non-calling dancers also very welcome. Dance, call, talk. Click here for more information on the Calling Parties.

Last Updated on Thursday, 09 February 2012 22:18

This Sounds Like Fun! What Do I Need to Know?

What is Contra Dance?

It's a communal style folk dance that is fun and easy to learn. No partner or experience is necessary. A caller leads the dancers though a series of moves. The patterns are easy to learn. If you can walk, you can contra dance. Read more about Contra dance...

Do I need to bring a partner?

No. Most people come without partners. Since it's a communal dance, most people change partners after each dance.

What if I've never done this before and have no idea what I'm doing?

You're in for a treat. You'll find a style of dance where it's more important to have fun than do it “right”, where people are friendly and welcoming, and where others will be glad to help you learn the basic steps.

A 30-minute workshop is held before the dance for newcomers who would like a quick introduction to the dance figures. The simplest dances are at the beginning of the evening so that people learn the figures easily. Coming early in the evening is the easiest way to learn.

What if I have 2 left feet?

No problem. Contra Dancing uses a walking step so it doesn't matter which left foot you start on.

Last Updated on Thursday, 02 June 2011 20:03 Read more...

English Country Dance news

English Country Dance News

English Country Workshops

First Fridays
March 2, April 7, May 5, Jun 2, Jul 7, Aug 4, (no Sep), Oct 6, Nov 3, Dec 1, 2012

Our workshops have become more and more like dances over time, so we invite you to come and dance with us! The atmosphere is casual and welcoming, the callers like to have fun. The result is an evening full of laughter and good dancing.

English Country Dances

Third Fridays in 2012
Feb 17, Mar 16, Apr 20, 2012, May 18, June15, Jul 20, Aug 17, Sep 21, Oct 19, Nov 16, and Dec 21

Friday, February 17, we'll have our fourth annual Presidents Ball, with dances from the American Civil War Period. In March, Keith Tuxhorn from Austin, TX, will be calling; April brings us Mark Rice and Missy Reisenleiter. Live music is generally provided by the Tu'Penny Players and special guest artists.

What's English Country Dance?

English Country Dance is similar to Contra, and many English dances are the historical antecedents of American Contra Dances. There are differences, however, and each dance form has its particular pleasures. We encourage you to come and try English. If you are new to dancing, English is no more difficult (or easy) than contra. If you've been dancing contra for a while, English may feel a bit awkward at first, but contra dancers who stick with it for a while often become enthusiasts!

Childgrove Site