Contra Dance / Contradance in New England

Sites and Pages

Schedules

This page is devoted to listing contra dances in the New England region of the United States along with bands, musicians, callers, and organizations that are based in the region. URLs and e-mail addresses are listed when available. New entries, additional information, and changes in information are always welcome. Links to other pages in the www.contradancelinks.com web site are listed at the bottom of the page.

New links are simply new to me, not necessarily new to the World Wide Web. Change in URL means that a link has changed its WWW address or URL.

Regional

No current entries.

Connecticut

Mickey Koth maintains the CONNtra CONNection which covers everything related to contra dancing in Connecticut.
Motherhouse sponsors contra dances, generally on the 1st Saturday of a particular month at the Town Hall in Cornwall. Facebook page. Added Facebook page (June 21, 2018)
The dances in the "Quiet Corner" of Connecticut have, as of January 2016 moved to Coventry and occur on the 1st Fridayof each month from September to June. Facebook page. Change of URL (October 13, 2018)
The Powder Mill Barn contra dance is on the 4th (or 3rd) Sunday of each month, October through May, in Enfield, with Ralph Sweet and and others handling the calling duties. Facebook page. Added Facebook page (June 21, 2018)
The dances in Mystic occur on the 4th Saturday of each month throughout the year. Part of the fun of the dance is the monthly sale of pie. Check ahead for the pie of the month. [This dance is moving to Groton in January 2019. Facebook page. Change in location (December 15, 2018)
Other than in August, the New Haven Country Dancers meet in New Haven on the 1st and some 5th Saturdays of the month. Facebook group. Added Facebook group (June 21, 2018)
There are country dances in Stafford on third Saturdays, September-May, excluding April. Change in URL (April 15, 2018)
The Round Hill Country Dances are located in Stamford and are held on the 4th Saturday of various months. Facebook group. Added Facebook group (June 21, 2018)
Rob Lindauer runs the Hartford Community Dance page where the contra dances happen on the 2nd Saturday of each month in Old Wethersfield. The group also hosts Cajun/zydeco, swing, and waltz events along with jams. Facebook group and Facebook page. Added Facebook links (June 21, 2018)

Maine

The Downeast Friends of the Folk Arts home page includes a list of regularly scheduled dances in Maine. Facebook page.
The Kennebec Contra Dance serves the Augusta area with dances on first Saturdays, usually in Hallowell Town Hall. Facebook page and E-mail information link. New entry (August 31, 2019)
Contras in Bangor occur on the 3rd Friday of the month. Facebook page.
The College of the Atlantic hosts contra dances in Bar Harbor on the 1st Saturday of the month. Check the press releases and calendar for future dances (although sometimes the press releases are not released; the dance continues and at least you can get directions to the 8pm dance at Gates Auditorium).
Bath Dance Works holds dances on an irregular basis in Bath, generally including a family dance and a regular dance on the same evening. Facebook page. Added Facebook page (May 27, 2018)
The Belfast Flying Shoes Dance Series is on the 1st Friday of each month in Belfast with a community dance with the all-comers band at 6:30pm, a 7:30pm tasty treat pot luck and an 8:00pm dance. Facebook page.
A variety of bands, musicians, and callers perform at the third Saturday dances in Bowdoinham. Facebook group. Change of URL and description; added Facebook group (May 27, 2018)
In months with 5th Saturdays, you can sometimes can find a contra dance at the Vassalboro Grange in East Vassalboro.
The dances in Farmington happen on the 2nd Saturday of each month. Facebook page which contains more current information. Added Facebook page (May 27, 2018)
Sometimes including contras among its international dance weeks, the Mainewoods Dance Camp goes on from early August to early September in at Indian Acres in Fryeburg. Facebook page. Added Facebook page (May 27, 2018)
The Freewill Folk Society at Bates College in Lewiston sponsors dances on 2nd Fridays when school is in session. Facebook page with more current information. Added Facebook page (May 27, 2018)
Dances happen on the 4th Friday of the month in North Whitefield at the St. Denis Parish Hall on Route 126.
The Orono Contraband hosts dances in Orono generally but not always on 1st Saturdays. Change in date (July 21, 2019)
The Portland Intown Contra Dance series hosts dances on Thursday nights with a smattering of indoor and outdoor dances on other nights. Facebook group. Added Facebook page (June 9, 2018)
The Downeast Country Dance Festival occurs in March in Topsham and the organization sponsors occasional other events around the state throughout the year. Change in URL (June 9, 2018)
The 2nd Saturday dance that was in North Yarmouth, but no longer, continues in places such as Topsham. Most dances taught. Bring clean shoes for dancing! Family Dance (Sept-June) 6pm, Potluck 7:30, beginner session 8pm dance 8:30pm-midnight. Admission: $10/$7. Alternate site.
There are dances at the Trenton Grange on the 3rd Saturday of the month.

Massachusetts

The New England Folk Festival is held each year in April in Acton and includes a large amount of contradancing but is not limited to that. https://www.facebook.com/groups/NEFFA/. Change in location (November 20, 2019)
the Fiddlers Green Contra Dance occurs in Amherst on the 4th Saturday of each month (September through May except December). Facebook page.
There are contra dances in Amherst on Wednesdays, other than the 2nd Wednesday at the Masonic Lodge. Facebook page.
There is a regular series of 1st Saturday dances in Berlin with music by the Berlin Country Orchestra and dances called by a variety of folks. Alternate site. Added alternate site (June 20, 2018)
Boston Gay and Lesbian Country Dancers (New England Contra & Squares) holds dances throughout the year in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of Boston. Facebook group. Added Facebook page (June 20, 2018)
The Folk Arts Center includes pages include a good calendar of Boston metro events including contradancing. Facebook page. Change of URLs and added Facebook page (June 20, 2018)
Bridgewater Community Dance features international folk dance and traditional New England square and contra dance. New entry (June 21, 2018)
BIDA holds dances in Cambridge and others communities in the Boston area and is dedicated to promoting involvement in traditional dance and connecting generations. Facebook page.
The MIT Folk Dance Club sponsors a series of contra dances on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month in Cambridge. Facebook group. Added Facebook page (June 20, 2018)
New England Contra and Square dancing occurs on the 2nd Friday of each month from October through June in Carlisle. Change in URL (April 11, 2018)
A variety of dances on Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays happen at the Scout House in Concord. While most of the dances have their own web site, the Scout House does have some basic information and links to the individual dances. Facebook group. Added Facebook group (June 20, 2018)
There is music and dancing at the Scout House in Concord on Monday nights with a variety of callers and musicians, including many fine younger players in the Boston area.
The First Friday Committee continues a series of Challenging Contra Dances in Concord at the Scout House. Change of URL (March 15, 2020)
The CDS-Boston Centre conducts a number of uncommon events irregularly on various days and times at the Concord Scout House. The dances can range from an evening of New England and Southern Squares to an evening of English and Contra Dances or from an evening of classic and back to Roots Contra Dances to an evening of Contras and Other Odd Formations.
NEFFA runs the Thursday night contra in Concord. Facebook group. Added Facebook group (June 20, 2018)
The 2nd Saturday dances in Cotuit on Cape Cod are in the town of Barnstable and happen at Freedom Hall. Facebook group. Changed Facebook group (September 19, 2018)
The 3rd Saturday dances in East Falmouth on Cape Cod happen at the Alchemy Farm. Facebook group. Added Facebook group (September 19, 2018)
The Cape Ann Contra Dances occur in Gloucester on 3rd Friday evenings.
In Groton, the Contra Banditos host a series of Family Barn Dances on various Saturdays of some months. Alternate site.
The Guiding Star Grange in Greenfield is probably one of the best known contra dance venues in the nation and generally has contra dances once or twice a week along with a variety of other events.
Out in the Berkshires, the dances in Lenox occur on the 3rd Saturday of each month. Facebook page. Added Facebook page (June 21, 2018)
Roaring Jelly plays in Lexington on 3rd Fridays. Michael Pavan provides the information.
There are contra dances and family dances at the Common Hall in Montague on various Saturdays and Sundays each month and a dance series on one Wednesday a month. Also try the Common Hall web site.
There are gender-free dances in Montague on occasional Saturdays.
The Northboro dance is held on the 3rd Saturday of each month, October through May, at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church. Facebook page.
The Pinewoods Dance Camp in Plymouth includes contra dancing in their programs that involve American dance. Facebook group. Added Facebook group (June 21, 2018)
Of course, instead of using the link at the bottom of the page, you can visit the Rehoboth Contra Dance page (generally 2nd, 4th and 5th Fridays). Facebook group. Added Facebook group (June 21, 2018)
The Rehoboth, Massachusetts Jammers hold, along with their weekly Sunday sessions, a Community Dance, generally but not always on the 2nd Sunday of each month.
The dance series in Sheffield has been re-started with a new web site. Facebook page. Added Facebook page (June 21, 2018)
The Sudbury Minutemen hold a series of contra dances throughout the year in Sudbury including a Twelfth Night Ball in January and a Regimental Ball in March or April.
Dances in Wareham happen on 4th Saturdays at the Boys and Girls Club. Facebook group. New entry (June 20, 2018)
The Outermost Contras happen in Wellfleet on the 3rd Friday of the month. Facebook page. Added Facebook page (June 21, 2018)
The dance series in Westford, sponsored by the Parish Center for the Arts, usually occurs on the 4th Saturday of the months October through March (sometimes on the fifth Saturday). Change of URL (October 27, 2018)
In addition to the 4th Saturday dances mentioned above, there are now Family Dances on various dates (mostly on Sundays) in Westford sponsored by the Parish Center for the Arts. Change of URL (June 21, 2018)
There is a very irregular series of dances in Whately including contra nights, waltz nights and English Country.
The 1st Saturday dances in Woods Hole, Massachusetts (part of Falmouth) on Cape Cod happen at the Community Hall. Facebook group. Added Facebook group (June 21, 2018)
The folks in Worcester continue to hold dances on the 2nd Saturday of the month. Facebook group. Facebook page. Added Facebook page (June 21, 2018)

New Hampshire

Note: The State of New Hampshire has produced a Live Free and Dance web site and pamphlet.
There's a Facebook group called New Hampshire Contradances. New entry (June 21, 2018)
The Boscawen Contra Dance is on the 3rd Saturday of each month, except in July and August. Change of Location (March 11, 2019)
The folks in and around Canterbury go dancing on 2nd Saturdays at the Parish Hall, 5 Center Rd Canterbury Center (behind the General Store). New entry (February 8, 2020)
There is a contra dance, during non-summer months, on the 3rd Friday of each month in East Derry. Facebook group. Change of URL (December 29, 2019)
There's a 1st Thursday dance at the Dover City Hall with the Lamprey River Band playing the music and Peter Yarensky and Sarah Mason calling.
The New England Folk Festival Association sponsors the Ralph Page Dance Legacy Weekend in Durham every year in January. Change of URL (June 21, 2018)
The 2nd Saturday dance in Exeter is held at the First Unitarian Society of Exeter (UU Church). There is a beginners' workshop at 7:30pm and the dance begins at 8:00pm. The cost is $6.00 with students admitted for $3.00 and kids under 10 free. Change of URL (June 21, 2018)
The public library in Keene hosts a family dance, generally once a month and usually on the 1st Friday from November to May.
The dances in Londonderry occur on 2nd Fridays year around from 8:00 to 11:00 pm, with a greeting/refresher/learner session at 7:30 pm at the Londonderry Senior Center, 535 Mammoth Road. Admission: $8, $3 age 12 and under. Change in URL (July 17, 2018)
The Milford Parks and Recreation Commission sponsors contra dances on the 4th Friday of each month. Facebook page. Change of URL (June 21, 2018)
The dances in Nelson have been happening for centuries. Stop by on a Monday night and see why.
The Seacoast Contras dance series happens on the last Friday of each month in Newfields. Facebook page. Change of URL and added Facebook page (June 21, 2018)
The Monadnock Folklore Society sponsors a dance in Peterborough on the 1st Saturday of the month. Monadnock Folklore Society Facebook page. Peterborough dance Facebook page. Added Facebook pages (June 21, 2018)
The Tamworth Outing Club sponsors weekly Saturday dances during the summer months along with a few special dances during the rest of the year. Facebook page Change of URL and added Faccebook page (June 21, 2018)

Rhode Island

Contra dances have returned to Providence at the Mathewson Street Church on 3rd Fridays.
There are dances in Tiverton at the Sandywoods Center for the Arts on the 3rd Wednesday (usually) of the month. Facebook group. Added Facebook group (June 21, 2018)
The East Bay Contra Dance is in Warren held on 1st Fridays featuring contras of all kinds and quite possibly a square or two. Facebook page. Added Facebook page (June 21, 2018)

Vermont

The Brattleboro Dawn Dances are continuing on Memorial Day (U.S.) and Labor Day (U.S.) weekends.
There's a contra dance series in Brattleboro on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at the Stone Church. Facebook page. Change of URL, change of date, and added Facebook page (June 22, 2018)
The Queen City Contras sponsor contradances in Burlington, generally on the second Friday of each month. Facebook page. Added Facebook page (June 22, 2018)
The Mad Robin Callers Collective holds dances on the 4th Friday of the month at various locations in and around Burlington. Facebook page. Added Facebook page (June 22, 2018)
The Cabot Public Library sponsors dances in Cabot on the 2nd Saturday of the month from September to May.
There are dances in Cornwall on 2nd Saturdays from October to April at the Town Hall.
The village dances in Dummerston happen several times a year, generally on the 3rd Saturday of the month. Change from e-mail to URL (June 22, 2018)
Many times, I-Brattleboro and I-Putney have information about the 4th Friday contra dance series in East Putney.
The Capital City Grange supplies information about the dances in Montpelier which happen on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Saturday of each month. Facebook page. Change in URL and added Facebook page (June 22, 2018)
There are dances on most 2nd and 4th Saturdays at Tracy Hall in Norwich.
There are dances in Tinmouth on the 3rd Friday of each month from September to May. Facebook page. Added Facebook page (June 22, 2018)

Bands and Musicians

Shana Aisenberg plays in the band String Equinox and instruments including fiddle, mandolin, bouzouki, lap steel guitar, 5 string banjo, ukulele, fretted dulcimer, frame drums.
Allemande North playa a variety of traditional and contemporary music from the New England, Southern, Old Time, Cape Breton, French Canadian, and Celtic traditions and perform throughout New England at contra and square dances, festivals, concerts, and other public and private events. The band includes Dave Coleman, Jon Weinberg and Lyn Weinberg and is based in Massachusetts.
The Amidons play music, tell stories and call dances and are from Brattleboro, VT.
Sam Amidon, fiddler with Assembly and other groups of musicians now has his own web site. He is based in Vermont and New York.
Anadama is a Boston, Massachusetts-based trio of musicians, Amelia Mason, Emily Troll and Bethany Waickman, who play mostly for contra dances. Bandcamp page; Facebook page. Change of URL (June 22, 2018)
Greg Anderson is a contradance musician living and working in the great state of Maine since 1983, has played the hammered dulcimer since 1977, and plays the band with Scrod Pudding, BAJA and The Foot in the Door String Band.
From Vermont, Atlantic Crossing plays music carried to northern New England and eastern Canada during the European immigration of the last three centuries. Facebook page.
La Banane Enchantée is based in Massachusetts and plays Quebec-influenced musical mayhem including high energy fun music for contra dances and french-canadian dances.
The Boston-based Bare Necessities play music for English Country and contra dances and feature Earl Gaddis and Mary Lea (violin and viola), Peter Barnes (flute and whistles), and Jacqueline Schwab (piano).
Peter Barnes is a musician, especially known for his work on piano and flute and author of books on English Country Dance Tunes and piano accompaniment and is based in New England.
The Berlin Country Orchestra plays on a regular basis in Berlin, Massachusetts and other locations. Facebook group. Added Facebook group (June 22, 2018)
Big Bandemonium featuring Lise Brown, Van Kaynor, Keith Murphy, Dave Langford, Corey DiMario, Brian Bender, Adam Scott, Peter Barnes, and Becky Tracy is based in Massachusetts.
Big Moose, composed of David Quimby, Jim Vekasi, Emma Watson, David Towle, Charlie Richardson, Ruth Grierson, Chuck Donnelly and Keith Davis play at the Bar Harbor dance in Maine.
New Hampshire-based Birl, started by and made up of multi-instrumentalists and Nelson regulars Garrett Cameron, Tad Dreis, and Samuel Foucher, brings a braw, Scottish bent to the world of contra. Their high-energy, rhythmically-driving sets are sure to get those skirts twirling!
On stage, Mari Black creates shows that draw on elements from many different styles including jazz, tango, folk, Western classical, as well as Celtic, American, and Canadian fiddling and has played at contra dances on an occasional basis. She lives in Massachusetts. https://www.facebook.com/MariBlackMusic. Added Facebook page (June 22, 2018)
Montpelier, Vermont's Sarah Blair is plays fiddle as a member of The Sevens and plays with other musicians and at dances from time to time.
Brendan Carey Block plays traditional and non-traditional fiddle incorporating jazz, rock and Cape Breton music in his work. He is based in New Hampshire. Facebook page. Added Facebook page (June 22, 2018)
The Boston based Blue Moose and the Unbuttoned Zippers brews up a tasty mix of traditional music infused with startling rhythms and innovative arrangements taking from the rooted traditions of many cultures. Change of URL (June 22, 2018)
Rebecca Bosworth-Clemens plays clarinet with the band Firefly and also plays with other musicians at venues throughout New England. She lives near Boston, Massachusetts.
The Bowdoinham String Band plays at venues from dances to farmers' markets and tunes from Irish and Scottish to American roots from the South and West. The band is based in Maine. Change of URL (June 22, 2018)
Adam Boyce is a caller and musician from West Windsor, Vermont who primarily does singing squares, along with the Virginia Reel, Portland Fancy, and other formations. He can do old fashioned contra dances with experienced groups. Call him at (802) 484-7719.
Mary Cay Brass has been playing for traditional New England contra dances all over the country since the early 1980's on both piano and accordion. She is based in southern Vermont.
Lise Brown is a saxophonist, flutist, arranger, composer and is well-known for work in the bands Big Bandemonium and Dark Carnival. She is based in Western Massachusetts. (e-mail only)
Noah VanNorstrand and Julie Vallimont, as Buddy System, play acoustic and electronic music for contra dances, techno contras, concerts, and festivals. The band is based in Somerville, Massachusetts. Facebook page. Added Facebook page (June 22, 2018)
While classically trained, fiddle player Audrey Budington true loves are Classically trained, her true loves are Traditional, New England Dance, Celtic and Fusion, and she is also known for her creative compositions. She is based in Boston and grew up in New Hampshire. Facebook page. New entry (June 22, 2018)
New England duo, Audrey Budington and Clayton Clemetson play a lively variety of their original tunes, influenced by Irish, Cape Breton and Scottish styles. New entry (May 29, 2016)
Eric Buddington is a caller and fiddle player living in western Massachusetts.
While Buzzard's Bayou plays mostly zydeco and cajun music, the Cape Cod based band also plays at an occasional contra dance.
When it existed, Calenda Maia played traditional folk music with a modern and sometimes untraditional sensibility. The band was based in Guilford, CT and its repertoire included tunes and songs ranging from Irish to bluegrass to medieval dance music.
Jon Cannon has information about the bands he is in including Cardinal Direction. He is based in Boston.
The Caravan Band plays at various dances in New Hampshire.
While it is rare now for Hanneke Cassel to play at a contra dance, this Boston based fiddler has played them in the past.
Although based in Boston, Childsplay has members from at least seven states and two countries who play instruments made by Bob Childs.
Chimney Swift is a dance band based in Boston, MA featuring Cecile Leroy on cello, Daniel Raine on cittern, Yaron Shragai on whistles and percussion, and Zo&emul; Madonna on accordion. Their tunes and arrangements draw inspiration from Anglo-American dance tunes, various international styles, and whatever off the wall idea someone mentioned as a joke in practice last week. Facebook page. Added Facebook page (June 22, 2018)
The Cicadas are a contra dance band based in Woodstock, Connecticut. Change in URL (June 22, 2018)
The Clayfoot Strutters play contra dance music from the New England, Appalachian, Irish, Quebecois and other traditions, laid over a hot bed of Texas swing, Cajun, Zydeco, and Afropop. They are primarily based in Vermont but play coast to coast.
While a New age pianist/orchestral and film score composer, Clayton Clemetson also plays piano at contra dances. He is based in Maine. New entry (June 22, 2018)
Flynn Cohen has played with musicians and groups including Adrienne Young & Little Sadie, Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble, Joe Derrane & Frank Ferrell, and Lissa Schneckenburger. He is based in Massachusetts.
CoinciDance is a contra dance band from Western Massachusetts. We came together as a band at the Pinewoods Labor Day Weekend in 2007. The band includes Tony Pisano, Josh Pisano, Susan Janssen, Eric Buddington and Eric Martin.
The Contra Banditos play traditional New England Contra Dance music with just a twist of Lemon! i.e. We might throw in the Texas Tango (David Lindley) or Bob Dylans I'll Be Your Baby Tonight (in waltz time of course) just for the fun of it here or there (there being Groton, Massachusetts).
Back in the first few years of the century, fiddler Laura Cortese played at contra dances, but these days she is better known for touring nationally with indie rock/folk drummer Neil Cleary. She is based in Massachusetts.
While John Coté started playing the guitar following the chops of Eddie Van Halen, he has added traditional dance music, mandolin and fiddle while living in Maine.
Crowfoot, featuring Adam Broome, Jaige Trudel and Nicholas Williams plays contemporary dance music from the Celtic traditions and is based in Maine.
Zoe Darrow and the Fiddleheads play traditional Scottish, Irish, and Cape Breton Fiddle Tunes, sometimes for contra dances. The band is based in western Massachusetts.
Andy Davis has been dancing since 1976 and playing accordion and calls dances as well as playing banjo and piano since that time. He is based in southern Vermont. Change of URL (June 22, 2018)
Based in New Hampshire, the Davis Hill Duo has enjoyed playing for art festivals, wedding receptions, company parties, open mics, and contradances across the White Mountain region of New Hampshire.
Bassist Corey DiMario is based in Brattleboro, Vermont and plays with a variety of musicians.
The Dixie Butterhounds are based in Massachusetts and play southern Appalachian fiddle tunes and songs, though they also branch out into rags and bluesy numbers as well.
From Connecticut, Dogtown, comprised of Becky Miller (fiddle, piano); Tom Randall (piano, banjo, guitar, mandolin); and Norb Spencer (accordion) play old time country songs, honkey-tonk swing, and hot northern and southern fiddle tunes. Change of URL (June 22, 2018)
Eric Eid-Reiner is based in Arlington, Massachusetts and plays at contra dances from time to time but his influences range from traditional fiddle tunes to jazz, from Jewish music to modern folk, from ragtime to the blues.
einstein's little homunculus plays at an increasing number of contra dances in New England.
Elixir is a contra dance band that believes in ensuring that the big brass sound plays a role in the music. The band is based in Vermont. Facebook group. Added Facebook group (June 22, 2018)
Kerry Elkin has been of one of New England's finest dance fiddlers for the past 30 years and has performed with Childsplay, Wild Asparagus, Fresh Fish, and The Geese in the Bog, as well as being featured in small ensembles with musicians such as Mark Roberts, Laurel Martin, Dave Surette, and Mark Simos. Kerry's music has been enjoyed throughout the United States, Ireland and Sweden in dance halls, pubs and music festivals. He passed away on August 22, 2009. Martha's Vineyard Times obituary. Change of URL (June 22, 2018)
The Falmouth Fiddlers used to sponsor a contra dance on Cape Cod, Massachusetts and still play together in concert and in sessions.
The Connecticut band, The Fascinating Swivets is comprised of Stacy Phillips, Ellen Cohn and either Jocelyn Pleasant on percussion or Gary Wikfors on mandolin. Change in band name and URL (June 24, 2018)
Fiddle player Frank Ferrel plays at a contra dance on occasion along with his many concerts and maintains the traditions of Dudley Square in Boston.
Adam Sweet (fiddle) and Brian Bender (piano) comprise Fiddle Hill, a contra dance band based in Western Massachusetts.
New Haven's venerable contradance band, The Fiddleheads, include Jim Sirch (banjo, whistles, and bodrhan), Willow Sirch (fiddle), Gary Wikfors (mandolin and mando-ephemera) and Norman Plankey (guitar) with appearances by Colin Healy (fiddle/mandolin) and other local musicians. Norman Plankey designed and maintains the page. Facebook page.
Fiddlehedz plays at dances and concerts in Maine along with organizing jam sessions.
The repertoire of the Fifer's Delight Band includes contradance music is born in New England, détours via Quebec and ricochets off fife-and-drum just for special effect. They are based in Connecticut. New entry (June 23, 2018)
The Figments are a mix of northern and southern styles and repertoires and include Ethan Hazzard-Watkins, Anna Patton and Owen Morrison and is based in Vermont.
Firecloud is a techno-contra band featuring Andy Reiner, Julie Vallimont and DJ Nanocannon (Andrew Hlynsky) and is based in Massachusetts. Facebook page.
The Flying Garbanzos are a contra/Celtic band from Berkshire County, Massachusetts and play at lots of dance in western Massachusetts and eastern New York State. Change of URL (June 22, 2018)
George Fowler has been playing the fiddle in Maine for more than thirty years and at countless contra dances.
The French Connection plays traditional contra dance tunes with a French accent with Deck Nieforth on Harmonica and Spoons; Dan Lanier on Fiddle and Guitar; Mike Fischman on Guitar and Mandolin. Change of URL (June 22, 2018)
The Franklin County Fiddlers is comprised of talented high school students from Mt. Blue High School in Farmington, Maine and plays at dances and other events. Change of URL (June 22, 2018)
The Free Raisins are a Boston area contra dance band playing energetic New England dance music and include Audrey Knuth, Amy Englesberg and Jeff Kaufman. Facebook page.
Ari and Mia Friedman play as a duo and with other musicians for concerts, dances and other gigs. Their music explores the traditions of Southern Appalachia, Northeastern fiddle music, and the realm where their own compositions cross paths with older traditions. They are based in Massachusetts. Facebook page. Added Facebook page (June 22, 2018)
Frigate is a band from Maine playing traditional and Americana music with Irish, Scots, and French roots for all occasions on land and sea. Glen Loper has some information about the band. (e-mail only)
Vermont's Frost and Fire are Aaron Marcus, Hollis Easter, Peter Macfarlane, and Viveka Fox. Facebook page. Added Facebook page (June 22, 2018)
The Further Adventures includes Ethan Hazzard-Watkins on fiddle, Lydia Ievins on fiddle, Bob Mills on guitar & vocals, and Erica Morse on bass, cello & vocals. It is based in Vermont.
The Gaslight Tinkers's African, Caribbean, Funk, Reggae, and Latin grooves meet traditional fiddle music. It's the genre-bending future of the music of the past. The band is based in Burlington, Vermont. Band Camp page. Added Band Camp page (June 22, 2018)
Edith Gawler and Bennett Konesni are based in Maine and play as a duo and with a number of other musicians and bands. Change of URL (June 22, 2018)
Based in Belfast, Maine, the Gawler Family Band is a fun-loving, folk-singing, fiddle-playing family of five (well, now six!). Facebook page. Change of URL (June 22, 2018)
The Newton, MA family band Gift of the Marcii is a high-energy contra dance band, using an unusual combination of instruments and a many original tunes to create its unique sound.
While best known for his extensive knowledge and work in cowboy music, Skip Gorman also plays old-time and Celtic music on a variety of instruments and at an occasional contra dance. He is based in New Hampshire.
Given its new recording, The Greenfield Dance Band is hardly dormant. It is generally based in Massachusetts, has a page of information about the band and its members. David Kaynor provides the data.
Billy Hardy, while specializing in the fiddle, is a multi-instrumental player who sometimes plays at contra dances. He is based on Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Ethan Hazzard-Watkins plays fiddle in contra dance bands such as Beeswax Sheepskin and Elixir, composes his own tunes (see his A is for Avocado tunebook) and is based in Brattleboro, Vermont.
Heart's Ease is a 10-member contra dance band from Connecticut playing French-Canadian circle dances, English country dances square dances, Virginia Reels and contra dances. Change in URL (June 22, 2018)
Matt and Shannon Heaton sometimes play at a contra dance along with gigs featuring their amalgam of Irish traditional, neo-traditional, and original song writing. They are based in the Boston area. Facebook page. Added Facebook page (June 22, 2018)
A fiddler with various groups of musicians, Donna Hébert, teaches and plays in a variety of venues. Facebook page. Added Facebook page (June 22, 2018)
With double the families and twice the fun, Heyday includes Amy Larkin and Shirley White on fiddles, George White on guitar, and Jonathan Larkin on button accordion, percussion, or octave mandolin. The band is based in Massachusetts. Change from e-mail to URL (June 22, 2018)
The Hi-Tone Ramblers music, both traditional and original, is inspired by American roots music, both instrumental and vocal; a melting pot of Anglo and African-rooted songs, rhythms, blues and old-time fiddle and banjo tunes - driving and stately, bouncy, quirky and eerily beautiful. You can hear it in Massachusetts. Change of URL (June 22, 2018)
Hope Hoffman composes original fiddle tunes and plays with various groups such as Bowdoinham String Band and Kittlish in Maine.
In Eastern Massachusetts, Cal Howard plays a number of instruments for a number of bands. (e-mail only)
lydia ievins plays fiddle with a wide variety of musicians in numerous venues in New England for contra and English dances.
The Jackson Pike Skifflers play old-time music for dances and other events and are based in SW Connecticut.
The New Hampshire band, Jumpstart plays on a regular basis for the dance in Manchester along with other gigs in New England. Change of URL (June 22, 2018)
Jeff Kaufman is a member (Mandolin, Trumpet, Feet) of the Free Raisins and also a contra dance caller. He blogs about music, dancing, and other topics and lives in Massachusetts.
Living in Massachusetts, you can now find David Kaynor at his new web site. He is a contra dance caller and fiddler and the author of Calling for Beginners by Beginners.
Upright bass player, Stuart Kenney, plays with a variety of bands and musicians and has his home base in Greenfield, Massachusetts.
Kingfisher is a Boston-based contra dance band, consisting of Cecilia Vacanti (fiddle) and Jeff Kaufman (piano, mandolin, drums, synths). New entry (September 28, 2019)
The Klezmer Contraband plays assorted dances in the Boston area following the long-standing tradition among klezmer musicians of infiltrating all sorts of other dance styles and subverting the music with the high-energy Eastern European sound.
Debby Knight is a contradance fiddler and pianist from eastern Massachusetts. (e-mail only)
Audrey Knuth with her bands, The Free Raisins, The Gaslight Tinkers and Audacious (with Larry Unger), has travelled across the United States playing fiddle for dances and concerts. She is based in Massachusetts.
Marnen Laibow-Koser plays piano, fiddle, viola, flute, and recorder for contra dances and is based in Medford, Massachusetts. Change in location and URL (August 11, 2018)
The Lamprey River Band plays regularly in New Hampshire and especially the sea-coast region and southern Maine (Kittery).
The Latter Day Lizards feature Dave Langford on fiddle/guitar, Bill Tomczak on clarinet/saxophone/banjo uke/dumbek and Kate Barnes on piano/guitar/flute/harmonica. They are, for the most part, based in Massachusetts. Facebook page. Added Facebook page (June 23, 2018)
Jacqueline & Dudley Laufman call and play fiddles (as Two Fiddles) from New Hampshire. Change of URL (March 11, 2019)
Mary Lea plays with the contra dance band, Dark Carnival, and the English Country dance band, Bare Necessities, along with other groups such as Yankee Ingenuity and is known for her recordings of music for couple dances. She is based in Vermont.
Peter Leibert is from Connecticut and has been a caller and musician for more than 45 years.
Amy Larkin, Shirley White and Linda Henry are the members of the Massachusetts-based band, LocoMojo.
Glen Loper plays mandolin and banjo with the band Rumblestrip, Frigate and Calliope. He is based in Maine.
Along with classical, bluegrass, western swing and music of the first half of the second millennium, Eden MacAdam-Somer plays at contra dances occasionally. She is based in Massachusetts.
Tom MacKenzie plays music ranging from French Canadian to American Old Time to Scandinavian to Ragtime to Classical. Clarinet Polka on the Dulcimer, why not. Hall of the Mountain King on Banjo, Sure! And he plays at contra dances, too! He is based in Vermont.
The members of the Greenfield, Massachusetts band, Magic Foot, are Colin Lindsay, Christian Stevens, Brendan Taaffe and Stefan Amidon (with Rachel Lindsay adding some step-dancing). Facebook page. Main site has problems (June 23, 2018)
The Marsh Island Band is a traditional string band specializing in Old Time Southern and plays on a regular basis at the Orono, Maine contra dance with more than 26 years of experience. Change from e-mail to URL (June 23, 2018)
Vermont's Owen Marshall plays guitar and other instruments and when not playing for contra dances, you may find him out on the dance floor. Facebook page. Added Facebook page (June 23, 2018)
Colin James McCaffrey plays guitar at an occasional contra dance among his other gigs. He is based in Vermont.
Mandolinist Eric McDonald is based in Medford, Massachusetts and plays in bands such as Scoot! and Nor'easter. Facebook page. Change of URL (June 23, 2018)
Composer, accordionist, and pianist Jeremiah McLane is known for his work with a variety of musicians and with bands such as The Clayfoot Strutters and Nightingale. He is based in Sharon, Vermont. Facebook page. Added Facebook page (June 23, 2018)
Katie McNally of Concord, Massachusetts is an active member of the Boston Celtic music scene and can be seen playing with Scottish fiddle band 5 A.M., local contra-dance band, Oh CONTRAire!, and the bluegrass group Boston Road. Facebook page. Added Facebook page (June 23, 2018)
New Hampshire's Randy Miller is well known for his fiddle tunes, recordings and tune books. Change of URL (June 23, 2018)
Rodney Miller is a fiddler and violin maker who was designated a "Master Fiddler" in 1983 by the National Endowment for the Arts. He plays with a variety of musicians and is based in New Hampshire.
Bob Mills plays mandolin, banjo and acoustic and electric guitar for contra dance, old-time and Irish music and recently moved to Vermont.
The Montville Project is the name of the quartet of veteran Maine and New Hampshire dance musicians who perform the traditional New England dance tunes.
The Moving Violations play on a regular basis in Greenfield, Massachusetts and at other venues on occasion. Based on personal experience, they have an awesome string section. Facebook page. Added Facebook page (June 23, 2018)
Keith Murphy and Becky Tracy now have their own site featuring bios, information about the bands they play in, CDs, and a music book. They are based in Vermont.
Deck Nieforth makes violins and plays in two Rhode Island contra dance bands Get Reel and the French Connection.
Nightingale is based in Vermont and consists of Becky Tracy (fiddle), Keith Murphy (piano, guitar, foot percussion, vocals), and Jeremiah McLane (piano, accordion). Their music travels through Quebec, Newfoundland, Ireland, France, Scandinavia and beyond. The band retired in 2011.
The Boston area based Nor'easter with Cedar Stanistreet, Max Newman and Julie Vallimont with Eric McDonald and Loren Bienvenu was formed in spring 2008 and plays a high energy blend of music from many styles, including Irish, Scottish, New England, French-Canadian, and old-time.
Based in New Hampshire, Northern Spy included Thal Aylward, Rick Barrows, Rachel Clark, Carol Compton, Alan Graham, Bill Shepard, Mary Jo Slattery, Andy Stewart and played at the 2nd Saturday dance in Norwich, Vermont until the dance and band retired in 2015. Facebook page. Updated entry and added Facebook page (June 24, 2018)
Eden MacAdam-Somer and Larry Unger are the members of Notorious which brings together traditional and contemporary acoustic music from around the world, creating a dynamic, swinging sound that is sure to get you on your feet. The band is based in Massachusetts.
Hailing from New England, Nova is a young contra dance band that weaves the sounds of fiddle, accordion, and guitar into a rich tapestry of sound. Nova draws from both traditional repertoire and original compositions to create versatile, high energy and driving dance music. Facebook page. Added Facebook page (June 24, 2018)
OH, CONTRAire! is a collection of musicians playing tradtional dance music for the dance series in Westford, MA at the Parish Center for the Arts (PCA), as well as the occasional private event or non-Westford dance. Contact: Mike Harde at (978) 692-2039. Added URL (June 24, 2018)
Old Grey Goose plays on a regular basis in its home in Maine, but also plays in exotic places such as Tajikistan.
Rachel Panitch is a Boston-based violinist, improviser, composer, and teaching artist. She has been an artist-in-residence in neighborhoods, in schools, and in Zion National Park. Rachel uses her violin and voice to tell and translate stories. Her playing has been called "fearless" and brings together aural and written musical traditions. She plays with French Roast and other groups and is based in Massachusetts. Change of URL and updated entry (June 24, 2018)
Headquartered in Rhode Island, the Parallel String Band combines smooth vocal harmonies and accomplished instrumentals for their folk, bluegrass, swing, and Old Time string band influenced music. Their material is drawn from American traditional and contemporary folk music, ranging from cowboy ballads to uplifting Appalachian instrumentals. Frederick Theilig designed the page.
Clarinetist Anna Patton is based in Brattleboro, Vermont and plays everything from contra dance tunes to swing to musettes.
Will Patton has been playing all kinds of music for over 30 years now, including celtic, jazz, rock and roll, bluegrass and Brazilian choro and is best known for his work on bass and mandolin. He is based in Vermont.
Ed Pearlman plays fiddle music, particularly that of Scotland and Cape Breton for over 30 years and occasionally plays at a contra dance. He is based in Maine. Facebook Page. Added Facebook Page (June 24, 2018)
Neil Pearlman, from Maine, plays with the contra dance band, Groove Train, and also plays traditional Scottish music with Latin, Funk and Jazz influences. Facebook Page. Added Facebook Page (June 24, 2018)
Gordon Peery has been playing piano (and occasionally guitar) for New England contra dance music since the mid-seventies and lives in the Monadnock Region of southern New Hampshire. Change of URL (June 24, 2018)
Pete's Posse is composed of acclaimed musician Pete Sutherland (fiddle, piano, banjo and vocals), his protégé Oliver Scanlon (fiddle, mandolin, dobro, foot percussion and vocals) and the dynamic Tristan Henderson (guitars, mandolin, jaw harp, bodhran, foot percussion and vocals). They are based in Vermont. Facebook Page. Added Facebook Page (June 24, 2018)
Phantom Power is composed of fiddler Lissa Schneckenburger and pianist Bruce Rosen and plays traditional New England fiddle repertoire for today's contemporary dance crowds. It is based in Eastern Massachusetts.
Stacy Phillips is a member of The Swivets and plays dobro and violin while living in Connecticut. He passed away in 2018.
The Connecticut Commission on the Arts provides some basic contact information for The Please & Thank You String Band, which includes Bill Wallach (e-mail only), Will Welling, and Dave Howard.
The Press Gang fuses the talents of squeezebox player Christian "Junior" Stevens, fiddler Alden Robinson, and guitarist Owen Marshall into a high-octane musical partnership. The trio blends their skill and fluency in traditional Irish music with their curiosity and aptitude for other styles. The band is based in Maine.
Puckerbush is a lively band of musicians who live in the puckerbrush of northern New Hampshire. They play acoustic music from the Old-time, Celtic and French Canadian traditions, with a little bit of Klezmer and Nordic music showing up at times. Change in URL (June 24, 2018)
You can turn to the Racket Factory for its combined experience producing the finest reels, jigs, waltzes, hambos and polkas for the people of New Sharon, Vienna, and Central Maine. Facebook Page. Added Facebook Page (June 24, 2018)
Red Dog Riley is a string band based in Cornwall, Vermont, playing music for contra and square dances, weddings, and parties. We draw our inspiration from the fiddle-based traditions of the Southern Appalachians, Québec, Ireland, Great Britain, Cape Breton, and any place in between. Facebook Page. Added Facebook Page (June 24, 2018)
In western Connecticut, The Reel Thing provides sparkling live music for contra, 18th century/colonial, English country and barn dances. Facebook Page. Change of URL and added Facebook page (June 24, 2018)
Riptide features wicked good dance music from Maine and Alden Robinson, Glen Loper, and Owen Morrison. Facebook Page. Added Facebook Page (June 24, 2018)
Also from Eastern Massachusetts, Roaring Jelly plays a monthly dance in Lexington, Massachusetts along with other gigs. Added Facebook Page (June 24, 2018)
Don Roy is a Franco-American fiddler in Maine who occasionally plays at contra dances and custom crafts violins and violas.
Sassafrass Stomp is a sweet, high-energy, contradance band duo with one foot in western Montana and one foot in mid-coast, Maine. Fiddler Johanna Davis and guitarist Adam Nordell toured coast-to-coast as 2/3rds of the AM String Band before their debut as Sassafras Stomp at Seattle's Northwest Folklife Festival in May of 2008. Johanna and Adam are regular performers at the the state's four long-running monthy and bi-monthly dances as well as many smaller or intermittent dances. Also available by e-mail at wapiti dot music at gmail dot com. Facebook page. Added Facebook Page (June 24, 2018)
Lissa Schneckenburger is a fiddler from New England playing all over the place. Facebook Page. Added Facebook Page (June 24, 2018)
Jacqueline Schwab plays piano for English country dancing, New England contra, Scottish country, couple dancing, vintage and tango. Facebook Page. Added Facebook Page (June 24, 2018)
Scrod Pudding plays at the third Saturday dances in Bowdoinham. Greg Anderson maintains the page.
The Winter Harbor dance in Maine features the Sheep Island Rovers with Jon Archer, Ruth Grierson, Geoffrey Warner, David Quinby and Carl Karush. (e-mail only)
Along with his work with the Berverwyck String Band and other groups playing at contra dances, Vermont's Peter Siegel plays and sings in a variety of musical styles. Facebook page.
Mark Simos plays fiddle, guitar, and piano and across New England and other locations and weaves a lifetime's love of many traditions--Irish, Southern old-time, New England, Québéois, bluegrass, and Klezmer among others--into innovative musical forms. Facebook Page. Change of URL and added Facebook Page (June 24, 2018)
Smoke and Mirrors is comprised of Deborah Gerstein (piano) Damaris Rohsenow (Hammer Dulcimer), and ores Thomson (Fiddle, Flute, Banjo). They play for dances throughout New England.
Julie Sorcek plays flute, piccolo, saxophone and bodhran as part of the contra dance band The Reel Thing, and also plays periodically with the group Out on a Whim and other musicians. She is based in Connecticut.
On piano and flute, Bill Matthiesen and Liz Stell, comprising Spare Parts, play a variety of historic dance music, including contra, English Country, ragtime, 19th century Victorian and Civil War re-enactments, and early Argentine tangos. They are based in western Massachusetts.
Still, The Home Grown Band is Debra Tyler (piano) Jane Prentice (fiddle) Kathy Lyon (guitar) Rachael Gall (fiddle) Mike Prentice (bass) Shaila Chowdhury (drum) Jim Prentice (concertina) and based in Connecticut. New entry (July 1, 2016)
String Equinox with Shana Aisenberg and Beverly Woods play an eclectic variety of international folk music styles including Celtic, Appalachian, Klezmer, eastern European and more on a fantastic array of acoustic instruments combining over 100 resonating strings and are based in New Hampshire.
The Stringrays, featuring Stuart Kenney, Rodney Miller and Max Newman, have a sound that is playful and sublime, raucous and tender, modern and old-school. The band is multi-state but based in Massachusetts. Facebook Page. Added Facebook Page (June 24, 2018)
Stunt Double plays at contra dances, mostly in Massachusetts, where they are based. Change of URL (December 19, 2015)
David Surette along with his solo work and performances with Susie Burke, plays guitars, mandolin and bouzouki at contra dances with a variety of musicians and groups. He is based in New Hampshire. Facebook Page. Added Facebook Page (June 24, 2018)
From Western Massachusetts, Swallowtail includes George Marshall, Ron Grosslein, Tim Van Egmond, Timm Triplett, and David Cantieni and has been playing for more than twenty years.
While it was in existence, Swinging on a Gate played high-energy music for New England contras and squares from 1986 to the early 2000s.
T-Acadie means "a little Acadia". They sing and play traditional music from French and Maritime Canada, French Louisiana, the southern Appalachians, and New England for contradances, family dances, school functions, concerts and any festive occasion. The band includes Pam Weeks, Bill Olson, and Jim Joseph. Facebook Page. Added Facebook Page (June 24, 2018)
Captain Fiddle aka Ryan J. Thomson plays the Cajun, Zydeco, and Celtic music on his fiddle. He is based in New Hampshire.
The Thread City String Band is based in Willimantic, Connecticut and includes Chuck Morgan, June Bisantz-Evan, Noreen Morgan, Larry Boisvert and John Soltys. Change in URL (June 24, 2018)
Three Cats and a Dog includes Richard Gregory-Allen, Jim Shaw, and John Alden, who play tunes and songs and is based in Eastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod. Change of URL (June 24, 2018)
Tidal Wave (Raz-de-Maré) is grounded in traditional Quebec rhythms and melodies but not limited by it. The band includes Sabin Jacques, Rachel Aucoin and Stuart Kenney with guest musicians André Brunet, Eric Favereu et Claudine Arcand with occasional guests Benoit Bourque et Kimberly Holmes. The band is based in New England and Quebec. Change of URL (June 24, 2018)
Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki has been touring with multiple rock bands while continuing to develop his unique approach to traditional Celtic music while living in New Hampshire. New entry (July 2, 2016)
Trip to Nelson takes its name from a lovely jig written by Pete Sutherland and includes Perin Ellsworth-Heller, Matt Garland, Lizza Backes, Richard Backes, and Gordon Peery. It is based in New Hampshire. Change of URL (June 24, 2018)
Tripping Up Stairs features Jan Drechsler on piano, Bob Mills on banjo, mandolins and fiddle, and John Pranio on fiddle and 5-string banjo. While named for an Irish jig, they became popular playing old-time music for contra dancing. They are based in Vermont.
Jaige Trudel and Adam Broome, a fiddle and guitar duo, play energetic and uplifting music for contra dances, weddings and special occasions and are based in Maine. (e-mail only)
Twisted Strings, featuring Wil West and Michelle Roy, play old and new tunes with traditional Celtic roots in Maine. New entry (July 9, 2016)
Two for the Show, featuring Jake Kensinger and Ellen Schmidt, play at contradances in between their numerous other gigs. They are based in Massachusetts.
Ubertuber is Alex Jarrett on flute, whistle and piano, Dhyana Miller on fiddle, Christopher Walsh on percussion, Jonathan Vacanti on mandolin, banjo and guitar, and Tim Dolan on guitar and banjo and is based in Western Massachusetts.
Musician Larry Unger, banjo & guitar player extraordinaire, has been a professional musician since 1984.
Tim Van Egmond is a musician, folksinger, caller, and storyteller and a member of Swallowtail. He lives in Massachusetts. Facebook Page. Added Facebook Page (June 24, 2018)
Maine's Pam Weeks is a mountain dulcimer player, fiddler in Cajun, Quebecois, New England, and old-timey styles, multi-instrumentalist, singer, and educator.
In Maine, Kate Wegner and Chuck Donnelly fuse Irish, Scottish, and Cape Breton Celtic musical forms with Old-Time influences into a musical fabric that is being called Celtic Old-Time Fusion.
Jonathan Weinberg is a hammer dulcimer musician from Massachusetts who played with the Polymorphous String Band and now plays with Allemande North.
Erica Weiss plays in bands like the Rhythm Method String Band, Grand Bois Cajun Band, Corndogs and The Killer Bees and is a caller of contras and squares. She is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Change of URL (June 24, 2018)
The White Cockade, based in Concord, New Hampshire, plays at Scottish Country, English Country and New England Contra Dances. You can also e-mail them.
Wild Asparagus, based in Western Massachusetts, is one of the best known contra dance bands. It features Ann Percival on piano, guitar, and vocals, David Cantieni, on flutes, tin-whistle, oboe, saxophone and bombard. George Marshall on English concertina player, bodhran and bones, Stuart Kenney on bass, and Becky Tracy's on fiddle.
Wild Card plays traditional acoustic and contra dance music. We've been playing together in various permutations for nearly 25 years. The band is based in Eastern and Central Massachusetts. New entry (June 24, 2018)
The Wild Notes, formerly The Wingnuts, are based in Connecticut and include Mickey Koth on fiddle, flute, whistle, and recorder, John Kalinowski on concertina, accordion, fife, and bones, and Kasha Breau on keyboard, harp, and vocals ... Facebook Page. Updated description (November 29, 2019)
The Wintergreen Trio a folk trio, performs a mixture of traditional and contemporary music from the British Isles and America, along with their own compositions and is based in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. Facebook Page. Added Facebook Page (June 24, 2018)
Formed in 2014, The Worcester Folk Orchestra brings together instrumentalists who love to play reels, jigs, and waltzes. We perform at events in the Worcester area, primarily contra dances, or other family-friendly gatherings. Facebook Page. Added Facebook Page (June 24, 2018)
Wry Bred is a contra/barn/family dance band in Connecticut. Good music no matter how you slice it. Facebook Page. Added Facebook Page (June 24, 2018)
Yankee Ingenuity featuring Peter Barnes, Cal Howard, Mary Lea and Jack O'Connor, hosted the Monday Night dance in Concord, Massachusetts for a number of years.

Callers

The Amidons play music, tells stories and call dances and are from Brattleboro, VT.
Ron T. Blechner lives in Western Massachusetts and has been calling dances since 2011. New entry (February 19, 2018)
Jacob Bloom leads Klezmer dancing, New England dancing, Contra dancing and Square dancing. He lives in metropolitan Boston.
Adam Boyce is a caller and musician from West Windsor, Vermont who primarily does singing squares, along with the Virginia Reel, Portland Fancy, and other formations. He can do old fashioned contra dances with experienced groups.
Allan Brozek started dancing in the 1950's and has called since the 1960's. He is based in Connecticut. Change of URL (July 20, 2018)
Eric Buddington calls and plays music at dances in Western Massachusetts.
Patricia Campbell is a dance leader with experience calling for school, family, and community dances and her repertoire includes New England contradance, Colonial/18th century dance, square and folk dances.
Delia Clark is based in Taftsville, Vermont calling family, community and contra dances. (e-mail only)
Mary DesRosiers calls dances often in New Hampshire and she travels to other parts of the country for dances. (e-mail only)
Luke Donforth is a contra caller and choreographer based in Burlington, VT; and is willing to travel to share his love of dancing. Facebook page
Susan Elberger calls contras, squares and circles from Eastern Massachusetts. (e-mail only)
Bill Fischer calls from Connecticut.
Based in Maine, Chrissy Fowler calls at for contras, family dances, weddings and other joy-filled occasions.
John Freeman lives in Massachusetts on Martha's Vineyard and calls contra and square dances, family dances, school dances, and Civil War balls. He also leads caller workshops and music and dance workshops for teachers and students. (e-mail only) Change in location (July 29, 2017)
Adina Gordon calls at dances throughout New England and beyond, delighting dancers with her energy and enthusiasm. Change in location (December 1, 2019)
Richard and Pam Green are dance callers for contradances, community and family dances, weddings, birthday parties, or any special occasion. They are based in Maine. (e-mail only)
Lisa Greenleaf is a caller from central Massachusetts, but calls across the nation and beyond. (e-mail only) New entry (March 9, 2018)
Jim Gregory calls on a regular basis at the dance series in Granby, Connecticut. He lives in Hartford, Connecticut.
Besides providing support for a variety of dances and organizations in New Hampshire by maintaining web pages for them, Richard Hart also calls at dances. (e-mail only)
Don Heinold is available for dances, weddings, celebrations and parties! MC and caller for your time for fun and frolic! He is based in Rhode Island. e-mail. New entry (January 4, 2015)
Steve Holland is a caller living in Connecticut and is known for calling medleys that change each time through the dance. Change of URL (July 20, 2018)
Jeff Kaufman occasionally calls contras along with a variety of other pursuits. He is based in eastern Massachusetts. Change of URL (September 25, 2016)
Cindy Larock is a dance instructor/caller, specializing in contras-for-beginners (both New England and French Canadian), along with a variety of other dance types. She is based in Maine. (e-mail only)
Kathyrn Larson is a caller and teacher of community dances, family dances, dance parties regularly calling at the second Saturday Wescustogo Hall dance in North Yarmouth, Maine. (e-mail only)
Jacqueline & Dudley Laufman call and play fiddles (as Two Fiddles) from New Hampshire. Change of URL (March 11, 2019)
Living in Massachusetts, you can now find David Kaynor at his new web site. He is a contra dance caller and fiddler and the author of Calling for Beginners by Beginners.
George Marshall is best known as a musician and caller for Swallowtail and Wild Asparagus but also calls with a number of other bands from time to time. He is based in Western Massachusetts. (e-mail only)
John McIntire calls traditional and contemporary New England style contras, squares and circles and usually calls for the regular 1st Saturday dance in Norridgewock, Maine. (e-mail only)
Will Mentor, from Cambridge, Massachusetts calls in the area and all around the United States. (e-mail only)
David Millstone, from New Hampshire, started contra dancing in the early 1970s and has been calling dances for more than thirty years. He also enjoys calling for family dances, weddings and other special events, and English country dances.
Sylvia Miskoe is a caller and musician from New Hampshire. (e-mail only)
Alice Morris calls traditional and modern contras, mostly in New Hampshire, but travels, too. (e-mail only)
One of the founders of the Portland Intown Contra Dance series, Dela Taylor Murphy calls there and other locations. New entry (September 18, 2017)
New England Dancing Masters is made up of Andy Davis, Mary Cay Brass, and Peter and Mary Alice Amidon.
Bill Olson's Contra Corner includes some musings on contradancing and dance compositions.
Beth Parkes is a caller who regularly calls at the 3rd Saturday dance in Concord, Massachusetts. Change of URL (July 20, 2018)
Tony Parkes is a caller from Massachusetts and is the author of Contra Dance Calling: A Basic Text. Change of URL (July 20, 2018) http://hands4.com
Dan Pearl, from Massachusetts, is a caller for contra dances, square dances, and other types of folk dance. (e-mail only)
Jeffrey Petrovich lives in New Hampshire and calls throughout the state and in other parts of New England.
Cynthia Phinney calls at dances in Maine at places like Skowhegan and West Farmington and other dances from time to time. (e-mail only)
Chris Ricciotti calls contras and squares, and international & English Country Dancing. He specializes in Gender-Free Calling and Teaching, as well as community dances. He is based in eastern Massachusetts. (e-mail only)
Bryon Ricker calls and runs a number of dances in the northern part of New Hampshire. He is also an active member of the White Mountain Folklore Association. (e-mail only)
Kim Roberts can be found both near and far from her home in Industry, Maine calling contra dances, family dances, and other gather 'round and dance events. (e-mail only)
Tom Roby has been calling and teaching dances (Balkan line dances, improvisational Hungarian dances, and English & American set dances) since at least the mid-1980s. He is based in Connecticut.
Sue Rosen has been calling over the past twenty years and had great fun leading country dancing (American, English, family dances and parties) throughout New England, across the country and in Europe.
Rich Sbardella resumed calling contras in 2014 after 23 years of calling square dances. He has called throughout New England, and as far away as Florida, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Nevada. He is currently accepting bookings for contras and squares in New England and beyond. Change from e-mail to URL (July 20, 2018)
Lisa Sieverts calls contra dances and family dances along with holding style workshops and contra calling classes. She is based in New Hampshire.
Ralph Sweet has been calling contra and square dances since 1948 and continues to do so in Enfield, Connecticut and elsewhere.
Ryan J. Thomson calls along with being Captain Fiddle playing the Cajun, Zydeco, and Celtic music on his fiddle. He is based in New Hampshire.
Marcie Van Cleave calls in the New England area. (e-mail only)
Tim Van Egmond is a musician, folksinger, caller, and storyteller and a member of Swallowtail. He lives in Massachusetts. New entry (July 9, 2016)
Lucia Watson is one of the regular callers in Rehoboth and frequently calls at other venues in southeastern New England. (e-mail only)
Kathryn Wedderburn is based in Pittsfield, Massachusetts and calls throughout New England. (e-mail only)
Chris Weiler is a contra and traditional square dance caller from Goffstown, New Hampshire.
Mary Wesley is a dance leader, caller, and organizer for contras, squares, morris, and family and community dances. A native of Vermont, she travels throughout New England and beyond to follow and share her love of dance. Facebook page.
Paul Wilde from Providence, Rhode Island, calls contras and squares in New England and...? (e-mail only)
Beverly Woods plays in String Equinox and other ensembles. She is based in New Hampshire.
Peter Yarensky calls dances in New Hampshire and publishes the monthly Seacoast Country Dance Newsletter.
Steve Zakon-Anderson is one of the best known callers in New Hampshire, usually calls the first Saturday Peterborough dance, and he travels for dances in other states, as well. He also runs the Fiddleheads Cafe, in Hancock, New Hampshire. (e-mail only)

Organizations

Peter Barnes's Canis Publishing specializes in books of dance tunes.
The Country Dance and Song Society in Haydenville (near Northampton center), Massachusetts, is an association of people and groups with a common interest in English and Anglo-American folk dance, music and song.
The Dance Gypsy was a monthly calendar/newsletter covering northern New England, western Massachusetts, and part of New York State and, now, Connecticut and Maine and now covers all the United States.
Downeast Friends of the Folk Arts covers the Maine scene.
The Folk Arts Center based in Cambridge, includes international folk dancing and music along with contra dancing in the events that it sponsors.
It may not be dancing, but it is right next door, The Folk Song Society of Greater Boston.
Lavender Country and Folk Dancers provides a schedule of dances in New England and links to other dances in the United States.
The University of New Hampshire hosts the Library of Traditional Music & Dance as part of their special collections including papers of a number of individuals involved in contradance.
Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont includes the Helen Hartness Flanders Ballad Collection which contains a wealth of New England folk song and folklife materials.
The New England Folk Festival is held each year in April in Mansfield, Massachusetts and includes a large amount of contradancing but is not limited to that. There is a significant amount of international dancing, morris dancing, and traditional folk music, workshops abound, and there is a crafts show.
Along the River is an exciting new collection of reels, jigs, waltzes, and other dance tunes written in the last twenty-five years by musicians of the Connecticut River Valley of western Massachusetts and southern Vermont and is edited by Susan F. Conger. A companion CD was released at the end of 2000.
The Monadnock Folklore Society was founded in 1980 was to increase the visibility of folk dance and music events in southern New Hampshire, provide new venues for performers, and provide educational services in the folk arts to the community. It supports several regular dances in New Hampshire. Richard Hart supplies the information.
Great Meadow Music has a catalog of contra dance music, specializing in New England Contra Music, on CDs.

This page is part of the Contrdancelinks.com web site. For more information about contra dancing, visit these other site pages:

Sites and Pages

Schedules

*The Colorado link will bring you to Dancing on the Web. The Maine link will bring you to the Downeast Friends of the Folk Arts. The New Mexico link will bring you to the New Mexico Folk Music and Dance Society. The Utah link will bring you to Utah Contradance Information. These fine organizations and individuals already have complete listings for these states and there is no reason for me to duplicate their efforts.

**As far as I know, there are no regular dances or events in Mississippi, South Dakota or Wyoming, but I have created pages if something changes in the future.