Utah Contradance Information Page

Last updated August 25, 2008

Top | Utah Dances | Special Events | Utah Dance Locations | Folk Dance Links

Congratulations! You are visitor to this page.


What is Contra Dancing?

Is it legal in Provo?

Do you remember having to do square dancing back in grade school?

Have you seen square dancers at the county fair?

Contra dancing is every good thing that you have heard about square dancing, with none of the bad things. We dance in longways sets like a Virginia Reel, but everybody gets to dance instead of just having one active couple. We dance to live music, teach all of the dances, and welcome newcomers. You can walk in off the street knowing nothing about contra dancing and still have a great time.

P.S. It is not legal in Provo. We don't have metal detectors, security guards, and surveillance cameras, we are not sponsored by a church or school, and we are open to the public, so contra dancing would not be legal in Provo. If it's outlawed in Provo, it must be fun!

Local Dances

September, 2008
 6	Contra, Logan
13	Contra, Ogden
20	Wasatch Contra, Salt Lake City
27	Contra, Salt Lake City
October, 2008
 4	Contra, Logan
11	Contra, Ogden
17-19	Wasatch Wiggle, Salt Lake City
25	Contra, Salt Lake City
November, 2008
 1	Contra, Logan
 8	Contra, Ogden
15	Wasatch Contra, Salt Lake City
22	Contra, Salt Lake City
December, 2008
 6	Contra, Logan
13	Contra, Ogden
20	Wasatch Contra, Salt Lake City
27	Contra, Salt Lake City
January, 2009
 3	Contra, Logan
10	Contra, Ogden
17	Wasatch Contra, Salt Lake City
24	Contra, Salt Lake City

Special Events

Wasatch Wiggle Downtown, Salt Lake City, UT

October 17-19, 2008
Distinguished Ladies Literary Club
Salt Lake City, UT

Dance Locations and Times

Contra Dance, Salt Lake City, UT
First Unitarian Church, 569 South 1300 East
Music by Loose Shoes
Chief caller: Rob Snow
Usually fourth Saturday of the month, September through May.
Beginner Classes 7:30 PM, Dancing 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Cost $5.00
Contact 801-328-4742
Wasatch Contras, Salt Lake City, UT
Columbus Senior Center
2531 South 400 East
Salt Lake City, UT
Music by a variety of bands
Calling by various callers
Usually third Saturday of the month
Beginner Workshop 7:00 PM, Dancing 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Cost $5.00 donation suggested.
Contact: Brenda 801-363-7442
Wasatch Contras
Contra Dance, Logan, UT
Whittier Community Center, 290 North 400 East Logan
Music by Leaping Lulu
Chief caller: Kay Forsyth
Usually first Saturday of the month.
Dancing 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Cost $5.00
Contact: Kay Forsyth 435-753-2480
kforsyth@cc.usu.edu
Contra Dance, Ogden, UT
Ogden dances have a venue!
First Presbyterian Church
(Dance is in building to the north west in the church parking lot)
880 28th Street, Ogden
Music by Blue Sage Trio
Chief caller: Mike Cottle
Usually second Saturday of the month.
Beginner Workshop 7:30 PM, Dancing 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Cost $5.00 adult, $3 youth
Contact: Mike Iverson 801-782-0534
bluesage@relia.net
Contra Dance, Moab, UT
Moab Arts and Recreation Center (the MARC), 111 E. 1st North, Moab
Music by the Moab Community Dance Band
Various callers, including our own
Usually fourth Friday of the month.
Dancing 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM, instruction at 7:00 PM
Cost: We are non-profit and the admission charge is a donation to a worthy local charity of the month (such as the Food Bank, the Youth Garden Project,the Humane Society, etc).
Contact: Bob Phillips 435-259-4270
raphillips@frontiernet.net
Contra Dance, Pocatello, Idaho
Pilgrim Hall, United Congregational Church
309 North Garfield Ave Pocatello
Music by a variety of bands
Calling by various callers
Usually second Saturday of the month, September through May.
Instruction for Beginners starts at 7:30pm
Dancing 8 PM - 11 PM
Cost $5.00 per person
Contact: Kristi Austin, (208) 232-8731
austkris@isu.edu
Contra Dance, Idaho Falls, Idaho
First Presbyterian Church
325 Elm St., Idaho Falls
Music by Wild Coyotes
Calling by various regional callers
Usually fourth Saturday of the month
Beginner Workshop 7:30 PM, Dancing 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Cost $5.00 per person
Contact: Robin Piet, (208) 535-7580
robinpiet@msn.com

Dance Related Sites on the Web:

Bridger Folk Music Society Contra Dance Page
Leaping Lulu, Cache Valley based band
Wasatch Tango Club
Zivio Ethnic Arts Ensemble
Israeli Folk Dancing, SLC
Idlewild Recordings
Boise Contra Dance Society
Colorado Contra
Locations and Schedules for Colorado dances
New Mexico Folk Music & Dance Society
Southern Nevada Old-Time Contra Dancers
Country Dance and Song Society
National Grange
Seattle Folkdancing
Instrument Jokes, including banjo

Return to top of page.


Copyright © 2008 Michael D. Drews