Utah Contradance Information Page

Last updated February 4, 2010

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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

February, 2010
 6	Contra, Logan
13	Contra, Ogden (with Toss the Possum)
20	Wasatch Contra, Salt Lake City
27	Contra, Salt Lake City

March, 2010
 6	Lava Melt Contra Weekend, Lava Hot Springs, Idaho
13	Contra, Ogden
20	Wasatch Contra, Salt Lake City
27	Contra, Salt Lake City

April, 2010
 3	Contra, Logan
10	Contra, Ogden
17	Wasatch Contra, Salt Lake City
24	Contra, Salt Lake City

May, 2010

June, 2010

July, 2010

August, 2010

September, 2010

October, 2010

November, 2010

December, 2010

Special Events

Lava Meltdown

Don't forget the Lava Meltdown contra dance weekend on Mar. 5-7, 2010 in Lava Hot Springs, ID. We have some great talent lined up. It promises to be a great weekend of dancing & soaking. For more information go to www.lavaMeltdown.info.

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: Ladies' Literary Club; 850 East South Temple; Salt Lake City, UT; Off-street parking is available at the nearby Ear Nose & Throat Center, around the corner at 22 S 900 East; 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 $7 General Admission, $5 Students (16-25), $3 Youth (7-15); 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, October through May.; Instruction for Beginners starts at 7:30pm; Dancing 8 PM - 11 PM; Cost $5.00 per person; Contacts: Sandy Wilbanks and Don Allen; sandy_wilbanks@yahoo.com; alledone@gmail.com
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

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