This page tries to keep track of all contra dances in Alabama including dance camps and weekends along with other events in Alabama which include contra dancing. Because most of the information is gathered from web sites and the listings are not updated as frequently as the web sites, dancers should visit the web sites for up-to-date information. If you are aware of any dances, dance series or other events that should be included on this list, please e-mail me.
From the North Alabama Country Dance Society
A Sad Farewell to Max Harman
Long-time dancer and group supporter Max Harman passed away in June 2011. Max likely invited many of you to your first contra dance. Here's some more info from the Memorial Service for Max Harman Facebook page his children Hannah and Hill put together. Max Harman passed away on Thursday, June 9 after being very sick for about two weeks. Thank you for all the love and prayers you have sent our way. We really appreciate them and don't know what we would do without them. Love you all. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you would consider contributions to the Alabama's Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. If you know Max at all, you know he would love this. There is also an obituary from the Huntsville Times.
Anniston - Georgy Alabam Square Dance Weekend: The weekend is held in mid-January in the historic 1930s ballroom at the Bald Rock Lodge, in Cheaha State Park (the highest point in Alabama), 25 miles south of Anniston, Alabama. Register in advance. Web site: http://sites.google.com/site/bfootmad/georgy-alabam.
Birmingham - Saturday : The Friends of Old-Time Music and Dance, formerly the Birmingham Country Dance Society hold dances on the second Saturday of each month at the YWCA, 309 23rd St N in downtown Birmingham. Admission: $8 ($6 for members and students), $3 for children ages 3-15. Saturday night dances begin with warm-ups and teaching at 7:30 p.m. and the music starts at 8 p.m. Sunday dances start at 4 p.m. and end at 6:30 p.m. For more info call 205-822-0505. Web site: http://sites.google.com/site/bfootmad/.
Birmingham - Sunday: The Friends of Old-Time Music and Dance, formerly the Birmingham Country Dance Society hold dances at the YWCA, 309 23rd St N in downtown Birmingham on 4th Sunday afternoons (except May-August). Admission: $8 ($6 for members and students), $3 for children ages 3-15. Sunday dances start at 4 p.m. and end at 6:30 p.m. For more info call 205-822-0505. Web site: http://sites.google.com/site/bfootmad/.
Birmingham - New Year's Eve: The Friends of Old-Time Music and Dance holds a New Year's Eve dance from 9:00pm to 1:00am at the YWCA, 309 23rd St N in downtown Birmingham. Foodmad volunteers go all out transforming the YWCA ballroom into a snazzy uptown dance palace for our New Year's Eve Dance. There's food (we love it when you bring your favorites, too). Price is $15 for members, $18 non-members. $5 for Kids 3-18, free for children younger than 3. For more info call 205-822-0505. Web site: http://sites.google.com/site/bfootmad/.
Birmingham - City Stages: A weekend of music performances in a variety of genres, along with a dance track, again in a variety of genres, but generally with a contra dance at some point. Held in mid-June in downtown Birmingham. Web site: http://www.citystages.org.
Huntsville: On the first and third Saturdays of the month you'll find us at Faith Presbyterian Church at 5003 Whitesburg Drive. Beginners' contra workshop at 7:00 p.m. Contra dance at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $7/person for adults, $4/person for full time students, and free for children under 13. Wear shoes that won't damage a wooden gym floor, but will turn freely. Leather flats or hard rubber soles are fine. Avoid high heels or tennis shoes with treads. Bowling shoes and most dance shoes are great. Wear comfortable clothing you can move in, and won't get too hot. Contra dancing is vigorous; you will work up a sweat! Web site: http://secontra.com/NACDS.html.
Huntsville - Blue Moon: Dance weekend held in mid-May. Register in advance (?). Web site: http://secontra.com/NACDS.html.
Independence - Peach Bottom Farm Fiddle & Strings Camp: Mostly music camp (provides a fun-filled yet intensive musical environment for all ages and abilities) for five days in June with a little dancing. Register in advance. Web site: http://www.peachbottomfarm.com/fiddleCamp.html.
Loachapoka - Lee County Gathering: Multi-day old time music festival with music performances and workshops, storytelling plus a contra dance. Held at the Lee County Historical Society and Museum, 6500 Stage Road, Highway 14 in late April. Web site: http://www.leecountygathering.com/.
Mentone - Music and Dance Weekend: The Friends of Old-Time Music and Dance sponsor this annual music and dance weekend in mid-Augustat Camp Riverview in Mentone. Register in advance. Web site: http://sites.google.com/site/bfootmad/.
Tuscaloosa: Our contra dances are generally on the 4th Saturday of every month. Swing dances are usually on the 1st Saturday. Both at various locations. Beginner's lesson: 7:15 - 8:00 p.m. Dance: 8:00 - 10:30 p.m. Web site: http://www.contradancers.org/.
This page is part of the Contrdancelinks.com web site. For more information about contra dancing, visit these other site pages:
*The Colorado link will bring you to Dancing on the Web. The Iowa link will bring you to the Central Iowa Barn Dance Association. 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 Louisiana, Mississippi, South Dakota or Wyoming, but I have created pages if something changes in the future.