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and skills of contemporary and traditional cultures and generally having a pretty good time.

 
Welcome to the Missoula Folklore Society's Contra Dance Page!
Last Updated: 3/2/2012

Contra Dancing evolved from English Country Dancing. Couples form long parallel lines and dance a series of figures. All dances are taught from scratch. It is fun, great exercise, and easy to learn. Questions about contra dancing? Check out this site. Need more info? Check out contra dancing.

Contradancing: Missoula, Helena, Kalispell, Hamilton, or Shy Bear Farm (summer)

Photos: (Missoula contra dances): Jan-21-2006, Nov-05-2005, Dec-04-2004, Jan-17-2004, Nov-15-2003, Nov-1-2003, May-15-2004

All MFS events are smoke-free. Be sure to show your membership card at all MFS events to get your MFS discount. If you would like to join MFS click here.

Missoula Contra dances feature live music and are held regularly on the first and third Saturday of each month, October through May, on the second floor of  The Union Hall in Missoula, unless otherwise noted in the calendar below.  There is a beginner's (or newcomer's) workshop at 7:30 p.m. and dancing from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m.  Cost is $6 for MFS members (bring your membership card!) and $9 for all others.  All dances are taught from scratch. Everyone is welcome including singles, couples, groups, and families. Summer dances in June, July, August will be held on the third Saturday only at Shy Bear Farm's Dance Pavilion.

MFS dances are put on by volunteers who get into dances free. If you can help, contact Rita Cheek (rcheek[at sign]q.com).

2012 - 2013 (28th Anniversary Year)
Missoula Contra Dances · 1st and 3rd Saturdays
 Schedule may change; check back for updates.


Date
Band
Caller
 Theme
Location
Oct 6

Strawberry Ridge (Msla)
Derek Gallagher
  
Oct 20
Usual Suspects (Kalispell)
Janet Grove
  
Nov 3
Out of the Wood (Sandpoint, Idaho)
Roy Curet
Nov 17
Skippin' a Groove (Msla)
Bev Young
Dec 1
Sleeping Child String Band (Hamilton)
Mark Matthews
  
Dec 15
Skippin' a Groove (Msla)
Morna Leonard
  
Dec 31
Celtic Knots (Hamilton)
Elves
 First Night!

UC Ballroom

3:30 to 5:30 PM
Jan 5
Sassafras Stomp (Maine)
Rab Cummings
Jan 19
Skippin a Groove (Msla)
Mitchell Frey
 Black & White
Feb 2
Sassafras Stomp (Maine)
Roy Curet
  
Feb 16
Skippin' a Groove (Msla)
Mark Matthews
Mar 2
Balled in Burlap
Bev Young
  
Mar 16
Skippin' a Groove
Morna Leonard
Apr 6
Sleeping Child String Band
Derek Gallagher
  
Apr 20

Skippin' a Groove
Janet Grove
May 4
Out of the Wood
Morna Leonard
  
May 18
Skippin' a Groove
Round Robin Calling


Helena Contra Dances

GENERAL INFO:

Dates: 2nd Saturdays of most months, beginning October 2012.

Cost: $8 at the door. $1 off with membership card. Family rates available.

Location: Placer Hotel Lobby, 21 N Last Chance Gulch on the Walking Mall.

7:0 - 7:30 pm: Introductory Workshop (for newcomers)
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm: Contra Dance

 
Date
Caller
Band
Jan. 19
Rab Cummings
Sassafras Stomp
Feb. 23
Rosanna Finley
Sassafras Stomp
Mar. 16
Cedron Jones
Helena Handbasket
Apr. 13
Bev Young
Balled and Burlap

No partner or experience necessary. Singles and couples welcome. More info, call Amie at 495-0935.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Come join us for lively music and fun dancing. No partner or experience necessary. Beginners, singles, couples and families are welcome.

 

 

Kalispell Contra Dances

Date Caller Band Location
Dec. 1 Morna Leonard New Money

Kalispell Senior Center (403 2nd Ave. West)
Jan. 5 Kathy Neff Left Side Brains Kalispell Senior Center
Feb. 2 TBA New Money Kalispell Senior Center
Feb. 23 Mark Matthews Grin and Bear It Kalispell Senior Center
Mar. 2 Kathy Neff Left Side Brains Kalispell Senior Center
Mar. 23 TBA TBA Kalispell Senior Center
Apr. 6 Bev Young Tra La Gael Kalispell Senior Center
May 4 TBA TBA TBA

Times: 7:30 - 10:30 PM

7:30 - 8:15 PM: Beginners' lessons. All children are welcome to dance at this time.

8:15 -10:30 PM: More complex dances will be intermingled with easier ones. These dances are best suited for adults and children ages 10 & older.

Snacks: Feel free to bring snacks to share for any dance: sliced fruit, nuts, (banana, pumpkin, zucchini, whatever) bread, crackers, chips, whatever YOU like to eat!

Except for the April dance, swing dance music will be played for dancing purposes during the break.

Prices: $8 individuals; $5 high school and college students; $18 family

Questions: Call Joe at 406-752-7469, or e-mail him at fisherdogshot[at sign]live.com.

 



Hamilton Contra Dances have been cancelled until further notice:(

 

Shy Bear Farm Summer Contra Dances

3rd Saturday of June, July, and August

Dates: June 15, July 20, August 17 (2013)
Potluck: 5:30 pm
Dance: 7:00 pm
Sunday Breakfast: 9 am

Dance Cost: No charge - altho' donations are welcomed!
Breakfast: $4.00 person/$10.00 Family

Bring lawn chairs, water bottles, dance shoes, warm clothes, hiking shoes, dinner potluck food, swimsuit/towel (Big Knife Creek is nearby for those hot days) and camping gear if staying overnight. A flashlight comes in handy when trying to find your car or camp after the dance.

These dances are open band and open caller.  If you have a hankerin' to try your hand at calling or love to play music with other musicians, this is the time and place to indulge yourself!

Please carpool. Parking is limited!
Dogs must be leashed.

Click here for directions to Shy Bear Farm.

 

This page is maintained by Gary Decker. If you have MFS-related dances (including non-Missoula dances) that you would like to have listed here or if you have corrections/comments concerning this dance page, please e-mail -- gdecker[at sign]shybearfarm.net -- and now, did you hear about the three musicians and the accordion player who walked into a bar? And what's the difference between an accordion and a trampoline? You take your shoes off to jump on a trampoline....






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