This page tries to keep track of all contra dances in Arizona including dance camps and weekends along with other events in Arizona 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.

February 2012

Saturday, February 4, 2012  Dance Series: Flagstaff Location: Flagstaff Caller(s): Kari Usher; Band(s)/Musician(s): Just Desserts; Note: WinterFest dance

Saturday, February 4, 2012  Dance Series: Tucson Location: Tucson Caller(s): Becky Nankivell; Band(s)/Musician(s): The PIma County All-Stars; Note:

Saturday, February 4, 2012  Dance Series: Tucson - Squares Location: Tucson Caller(s): Michael Ismerio; Band(s)/Musician(s): ; Note:

Saturday, February 11, 2012  Dance Series: Phoenix - 2nd Saturday Location: Phoenix Caller(s): Kari Usher; Band(s)/Musician(s): Pick and Holler; Note:

Saturday, February 18, 2012  Dance Series: Cottonwood - AZ Location: Cottonwood Caller(s): Deb Comly; Band(s)/Musician(s): The Privy Tippers; Note:

Saturday, February 18, 2012  Dance Series: Tucson Location: Tucson Caller(s): TBA ; Band(s)/Musician(s): Tucson Open Band; Note:

Friday, February 24, 2012  Dance Series: Phoenix - 4th Friday Location: Phoenix Caller(s): TBA ; Band(s)/Musician(s): Pick and Holler; Note:

Saturday, February 25, 2012  Dance Series: Prescott Location: Prescott Caller(s): Archie Maclellan; Band(s)/Musician(s): Wild Thyme; Note:

Saturday, February 25, 2012  Dance Series: Tucson Location: Tucson Caller(s): J. P. Thom-Gronachan; Band(s)/Musician(s): The Jumping Chollas; Note:

March 2012

Saturday, March 3, 2012  Dance Series: Flagstaff Location: Flagstaff Caller(s): Kari Usher; Band(s)/Musician(s): Just Desserts; Note:

Saturday, March 3, 2012  Dance Series: Tucson Location: Tucson Caller(s): Claire Zucker; Band(s)/Musician(s): Restless Spirit; Note:

Saturday, March 10, 2012  Dance Series: Phoenix - 2nd Saturday Location: Phoenix Caller(s): Claire Zucker; Band(s)/Musician(s): Fiddlerats; Note: Benefit dance

Saturday, March 17, 2012  Dance Series: Cottonwood - AZ Location: Cottonwood Caller(s): Peg Hesley; Band(s)/Musician(s): Hands Four; Note: Location: Clarkdale Clubhouse; English in the afternoon; contra in the evening

Saturday, March 17, 2012  Dance Series: Tucson Location: Tucson Caller(s): TBA ; Band(s)/Musician(s): Out of the Wood; Note:

Friday, March 23, 2012  Dance Series: Phoenix - 4th Friday Location: Phoenix Caller(s): Deb Comly; Band(s)/Musician(s): Perpetual e-Motion (John Coté, Ed Howe); Note: Location: Kenilworth School; 8pm

Saturday, March 24, 2012  Dance Series: Phoenix - 4th Friday Location: Phoenix Caller(s): Deb Comly and Peg Hesley; Band(s)/Musician(s): Perpetual e-Motion (John Coté, Ed Howe); Note: Location: Kenilworth School; Afternoon dance at 2pm; evening dance at 7:30pm

Saturday, March 24, 2012  Dance Series: Prescott Location: Prescott Caller(s): TBA ; Band(s)/Musician(s): Hands Four; Note:

Saturday, March 24, 2012  Dance Series: Tucson Location: Tucson Caller(s): TBA ; Band(s)/Musician(s): Tucson Open Band; Note:

Friday, March 30, 2012  Dance Series: Phoenix - 4th Friday Location: Phoenix Caller(s): TBA ; Band(s)/Musician(s): The Privy Tippers; Note: Dance is on a 5th Friday

Saturday, March 31, 2012  Dance Series: Tucson Location: Tucson Caller(s): TBA ; Band(s)/Musician(s): The Out of Kilters; Note:

April 2012

Saturday, April 7, 2012  Dance Series: Flagstaff Location: Flagstaff Caller(s): Deb Comly; Band(s)/Musician(s): Soda Rock Ramblers (Linda Askew, David Cahn, Larry Edelman, Scott Mathis); Note:

Saturday, April 14, 2012  Dance Series: Phoenix - 2nd Saturday Location: Phoenix Caller(s): Deb Comly; Band(s)/Musician(s): Hands Four; Note: 10th anniversary dance

Saturday, April 21, 2012  Dance Series: Cottonwood - AZ Location: Cottonwood Caller(s): Peg Hesley; Band(s)/Musician(s): Updraft; Note:

Saturday, April 28, 2012  Dance Series: Prescott Location: Prescott Caller(s): Peg Hesley; Band(s)/Musician(s): The Privy Tippers; Note:

May 2012

Friday, May 4, 2012  Dance Series: Clarkdale - May Madness Location: Clarkdale Caller(s): Nils Fredland, Will Mentor and Sarah VanNorstrand; Band(s)/Musician(s): The Great Bear Trio and The Groovemongers; Note: Dance and music weekend; register in advance; event ends on May 6, 2012

Saturday, May 5, 2012  Dance Series: Clarkdale - May Madness Location: Clarkdale Caller(s): Nils Fredland, Will Mentor and Sarah VanNorstrand; Band(s)/Musician(s): The Great Bear Trio and The Groovemongers; Note: Dance and music weekend; register in advance; event ends on May 6, 2012

Sunday, May 6, 2012  Dance Series: Clarkdale - May Madness Location: Clarkdale Caller(s): Nils Fredland, Will Mentor and Sarah VanNorstrand; Band(s)/Musician(s): The Great Bear Trio and The Groovemongers; Note: Dance and music weekend; register in advance; event ends on May 6, 2012

Saturday, May 12, 2012  Dance Series: Flagstaff Location: Flagstaff Caller(s): TBA ; Band(s)/Musician(s): TBA; Note: Location: Ashurst Hall; dance is on 2nd Saturday

Saturday, May 19, 2012  Dance Series: Cottonwood - AZ Location: Cottonwood Caller(s): TBA ; Band(s)/Musician(s): TBA; Note:

Saturday, May 26, 2012  Dance Series: Prescott Location: Prescott Caller(s): TBA ; Band(s)/Musician(s): TBA; Note:

Saturday, May 26, 2012  Dance Series: Prescott Location: Prescott Caller(s): Archie Maclellan; Band(s)/Musician(s): Pick-up band; Note:

June 2012

Saturday, June 2, 2012  Dance Series: Flagstaff Location: Flagstaff Caller(s): Seth Levine; Band(s)/Musician(s): Just Desserts; Note:

Saturday, June 2, 2012  Dance Series: Prescott - Sharlot Hall Folk Arts Fair Location: Prescott Caller(s): TBA ; Band(s)/Musician(s): TBA; Note: Weekend of folk activities including a little dancing; event ends on June 3, 2012

Sunday, June 3, 2012  Dance Series: Prescott - Sharlot Hall Folk Arts Fair Location: Prescott Caller(s): TBA ; Band(s)/Musician(s): TBA; Note: Weekend of folk activities including a little dancing; event ends on June 3, 2012

Friday, June 15, 2012  Dance Series: Payson - Dancing on the Edge Location: Payson Caller(s): Kathy Anderson; Band(s)/Musician(s): Hands Four (Judy Francis, Elena Martin, Deborah Thorn, Jeff Thorn) and George Penk and Sue Songer; Note: Weekend dance camp; register in advance; event ends on June 17, 2012

Saturday, June 16, 2012  Dance Series: Payson - Dancing on the Edge Location: Payson Caller(s): Kathy Anderson; Band(s)/Musician(s): Hands Four (Judy Francis, Elena Martin, Deborah Thorn, Jeff Thorn) and George Penk and Sue Songer; Note: Weekend dance camp; register in advance; event ends on June 17, 2012

Sunday, June 17, 2012  Dance Series: Payson - Dancing on the Edge Location: Payson Caller(s): Kathy Anderson; Band(s)/Musician(s): Hands Four (Judy Francis, Elena Martin, Deborah Thorn, Jeff Thorn) and George Penk and Sue Songer; Note: Weekend dance camp; register in advance; event ends on June 17, 2012

Saturday, June 23, 2012  Dance Series: Prescott Location: Prescott Caller(s): TBA ; Band(s)/Musician(s): TBA; Note:

Saturday, June 23, 2012  Dance Series: Prescott Location: Prescott Caller(s): TBA ; Band(s)/Musician(s): TBA; Note:

July 2012

Saturday, July 14, 2012  Dance Series: Phoenix - 2nd Saturday Location: Phoenix Caller(s): No dance today; Band(s)/Musician(s): No dance today; Note:

Friday, July 27, 2012  Dance Series: Phoenix - 4th Friday Location: Phoenix Caller(s): No dance today; Band(s)/Musician(s): No dance today; Note:

Saturday, July 28, 2012  Dance Series: Prescott Location: Prescott Caller(s): TBA ; Band(s)/Musician(s): TBA; Note:

Saturday, July 28, 2012  Dance Series: Prescott Location: Prescott Caller(s): TBA ; Band(s)/Musician(s): TBA; Note:

August 2012

Saturday, August 25, 2012  Dance Series: Prescott Location: Prescott Caller(s): TBA ; Band(s)/Musician(s): TBA; Note:

Saturday, August 25, 2012  Dance Series: Prescott Location: Prescott Caller(s): Archie Maclellan; Band(s)/Musician(s): TBA; Note:

September 2012

Friday, September 14, 2012  Dance Series: Flagstaff - Picking in the Pines Location: Flagstaff Caller(s): TBA ; Band(s)/Musician(s): TBA; Note: Weekend music festival; status of dance unknown; event ends on September 16, 2012

Saturday, September 15, 2012  Dance Series: Flagstaff - Picking in the Pines Location: Flagstaff Caller(s): TBA ; Band(s)/Musician(s): TBA; Note: Weekend music festival; status of dance unknown; event ends on September 16, 2012

Sunday, September 16, 2012  Dance Series: Flagstaff - Picking in the Pines Location: Flagstaff Caller(s): TBA ; Band(s)/Musician(s): TBA; Note: Weekend music festival; status of dance unknown; event ends on September 16, 2012

Saturday, September 22, 2012  Dance Series: Prescott Location: Prescott Caller(s): TBA ; Band(s)/Musician(s): TBA; Note:

Saturday, September 22, 2012  Dance Series: Prescott Location: Prescott Caller(s): TBA ; Band(s)/Musician(s): TBA; Note:

October 2012

Saturday, October 6, 2012  Dance Series: Prescott Location: Prescott Caller(s): TBA ; Band(s)/Musician(s): TBA; Note: Dance at the Old Armory coinciding with Sharlot Hall Folk Music Festival

Saturday, October 6, 2012  Dance Series: Prescott - Sharlot Hall Folk Music Festival Location: Prescott Caller(s): TBA ; Band(s)/Musician(s): TBA; Note: Weekend folk music festival with a little dancing; event ends on October 7, 2012

Saturday, October 6, 2012  Dance Series: Prescott Location: Prescott Caller(s): TBA ; Band(s)/Musician(s): TBA; Note: Dance is on a 1st Saturday coinciding with Sharlot Folk Music Festival; Location: Old Armory

Sunday, October 7, 2012  Dance Series: Prescott - Sharlot Hall Folk Music Festival Location: Prescott Caller(s): TBA ; Band(s)/Musician(s): TBA; Note: Weekend folk music festival with a little dancing; event ends on October 7, 2012

Saturday, October 27, 2012  Dance Series: Prescott Location: Prescott Caller(s): TBA ; Band(s)/Musician(s): TBA; Note:

Saturday, October 27, 2012  Dance Series: Prescott Location: Prescott Caller(s): TBA ; Band(s)/Musician(s): TBA; Note:

November 2012

Saturday, November 24, 2012  Dance Series: Prescott Location: Prescott Caller(s): TBA ; Band(s)/Musician(s): TBA; Note:

Saturday, November 24, 2012  Dance Series: Prescott Location: Prescott Caller(s): Archie Maclellan; Band(s)/Musician(s): TBA; Note:

Cottonwood: The Cottonwood Contra Dance takes place on the third Saturday of every month, except in May, at the Cottonwood community Center, 805 N. Main Street in Old Town Cottonwood. Regular Dance Schedule: Pot luck dinner: 5:30 - 6:30; Dance instruction: 6:30 - 7:00; Evening dance: 7:00 - 10:00; $6 per dancer for all regular dances; **$8 per dancer for all SPECIAL dances. [Price increase planned for 2012] For information call 928-774-5936 or contact by email: azwedance@gmail.com. Web site: http://sites.google.com/site/azwedance/cottonwoodcommunitycontradance.

Flagstaff: The Flagstaff Friends of Traditional Music hosts a great contra dance on the first Saturday evening (usually) of the month from 7:30 until 11:00. Join us on the hardwood floors of the lovely Ashurst/Old Main Hall on the campus of Northern Arizona University. Contra dancing is a fine way to spend a Saturday evening The dances are fun and the break time offers the beautiful trees and green grass of the Old Main campus. There is instruction given before each dance, and basic contra dance moves are taught at 7:30. Come alone or bring a friend. Suggested donation is $6.00 for Students and FFOTM members, and $9.00 for non-members. No partner needed, live music is provided. Bring a smile and wear comfortable clothes. Web site: http://www.ffotm.net/contra/.

Flagstaff - Picking in the Pines: Held in mid-September with music and dance events throughout the weekend. Web site: http://www.pickinginthepines.com/.

Flagstaff - Folk Festival: The Flagstaff Folk Festival takes place at the Coconino Center for the Arts and Arizona Historical Society Pioneer Museum, and proudly showcases the best in folk and acoustic music in Arizona and beyond. We feature over 100 acts on four stages, workshops, a Saturday night dance, and more. The festival is produced by The Flagstaff Friends of Traditional Music in partnership with Flagstaff Cultural Partners and the AHS Pioneer Museum. Web site: http://flagfolkfest.org/.

Jerome - Ghost Town Chill Down Dance Weekend: Sponsored by AZ We Dance and held in late July/early August. Web site: http://www.azwedance.org.

Oracle - Dance in the Desert: Annual dance weekend in early November sponsored by the Tucson Friends of Traditional Music. Register in advance. Web site: http://tftm.org.

Payson - Dancing on the Edge: Dance weekend combining the joys of camping and dancing (contra and English). Held in mid-June at Camp Colley near Payson. Register in advance. Web site: http://www.dancingcampers.org.

Phoenix - 2nd Saturday: The Phoenix Friends of Old Time Music sponsor dances on the 2nd Saturday of each month at the Kenilworth School, 1210 N. 5th Avenue. Dances go from 7:30pm to 10:30pm with a free contra lesson at 7:00pm. Admission: $8 for public and members, and $5 for under 25. Web site: http://www.phxtmd.org.

Phoenix - 4th Friday: The Phoenix Friends of Old Time Music sponsor dances on the 4th Friday of each month at the Irish Cultural Center, 1106 N. Central Avenue. Dances go from 7:30pm to 10:00pm. Non-dancing children must be attended by their parents at all times. Snacks are potluck provided by the participants; water fountain available. Admission: $8 for public & members, and $5 for under 25. Web site: http://www.phxtmd.org.

Phoenix - New Year's Eve: The Phoenix Friends of Old Time Music sponsor a New Year's Eve Dance at the Irish Cultural Center, 1106 N. Central Avenue from 8:00pm to midnight. PFOTM Members $12 and Non-members $15. A non-alcoholic toast will be served at mid-night. All figures will be taught during the evening; no formal workshop. Non-dancing children must be attended by their parents at all times. Snacks are potluck provided by the participants; water fountain available. Web site: http://www.phxtmd.org.

Phoenix - Burn the Calories: The Phoenix Friends of Old Time Music sponsor a day after Thanksgiving Day dance at the Irish Cultural Center, 1106 N. Central Avenue from 8:00pm to midnight. Dances go from 7:30pm to 10:00pm. Non-dancing children must be attended by their parents at all times. Snacks are potluck provided by the participants; water fountain available. Admission: $7.00. All figures will be taught during the evening; no formal workshop. Web site: http://www.phxtmd.org.

Phoenix - Spring Fling: The Phoenix Friends of Old Time Music sponsor a special night of contra dancing on Friday night at the Irish Cultural Center, 1106 N. Central Avenue . Dance goes from 7:30pm to 10:30pm with a free contra lesson at 7:00pm. Non-dancing children must be attended by their parents at all times. Snacks are potluck provided by the participants; water fountain available. Admission: $7.00. All figures will be taught during the evening. Web site: http://www.phxtmd.org.

Phoenix - Special: The Phoenix Friends of Old Time Music sponsor a special dance at the Irish Cultural Center, 1106 N. Central Avenue. Dances go from 7:30pm to 10:00pm. Non-dancing children must be attended by their parents at all times. Snacks are potluck provided by the participants; water fountain available. Admission: $7.00. Web site: http://www.phxtmd.org.

Prescott: Folk Happens! presents contra dances on the 4th Saturday (generally) of the month at the at the First Congregation Church on 216 E. Gurley St. (& Alarcon). Introductory Contra lesson from 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM and Contra dancing from 8:00 PM to 10:30 PM. Dress is casual and smooth soled shoes work best. Cost: $7 general public; $5 members of Folk Happens! or other Arizona Contradance organizations, teachers, and students; $3 teacher and student members. For information call 928.925.5210. Web site: http://www.folkhappens.org/dances.html.

Prescott - American Country Dance: ThIs dance activity is primarily concerned with American Country dance as danced in the early part of the 20th Century. The activity will include Kentucky Squares, Cowboy squares, New England squares and contras, circle dances, and traditional English dances. The final mix will reflect the preferences of the dancers. The group meets weekly on Tuesdays at 7p.m., at the Granite Peak Unitarian Church, 882 Sunset Avenue in Prescott. The cost is $5. Archie Maclellan is the dance leader and can be contacted at 928-443-8906 for information. Web site: http://folkhappens.org/.

Prescott - May Madness: Folk Happens! presents May Madness each May with contra dances, dance and music workshops, and singing. Register in advance. Web site: http://www.folkhappens.org/dances.html.

Prescott - Sharlot Hall Folk Music Festival: The charm, emotion and energy of Arizona folk music pervade the shade-covered grounds of Sharlot Hall Museum during its annual Folk Music Festival held on the first weekend of October each year. As Arizona's oldest continual folk music festival, Sharlot Hall Museum's Folk Music Festival has stimulated the development of folk music in this state for over three decades. Web site: http://www.sharlot.org/events/folkmusicfestival/.

Prescott - Sharlot Hall Folk Arts Fair: Come to the Folk Arts Fair to see how things were once done. Watch sheep being sheared and horses shod. You'll see chair caning, basket making and antique printing demonstrations. Special activities for kids include butter churning, gold panning and cornhusk doll making. Listen to old-time fiddlers and acoustic bands. Catch some clogging and contra dancing. And yes, we'll dip candles, too. Web site: http://www.sharlot.org/.

Tucson: The Tucson Friends of Traditional Music sponsor dances on the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th Saturdays of the month at the First United Methodist Church, 915 E. 4th St. from 7:00pm until 10:00 pm. Introductory lesson starts at 6:30pm for those new to Contra Dancing or those that need to brush up on the steps. Easy walking steps, casual clothing, and soft soled shoes. If you haven't done it before, check out the video below. Our requested donation at the door is $9 for General, $8 for TFTM members and $7 for Students [some dances are $8/$7/$6]. Web site: http://www.tftm.org/.

Tucson - Family Dance: Dances on the 1st Saturday of the month at 5:00pm at the Social Hall, First United Methodist Church, 915 East 4th Street (Park & Tyndall), with a potluck dinner to follow (please bring your own non-disposable flatware & utensils). Web site: http://www.tftm.org/.

Tucson - Benefit for Craig Tinney and Jacquie Wohl: A Celebration of Friends from 2pm to 8pm at the Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Avenue. Suggested donation: $20; 16 and under: $10; 6 and under: free. A Celebration T-Shirt will be available. CD's too! Six hours of music, dance and fun with a silent auction of regional art and raffle plus contra and square dancing. For more info please contact: Jerry Weinert jrweinert@cox.net (520) 731-6001 or Beth Judd bjuddmusic@juno.com (520) 609-6167. Web site: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/craigtinney.

Tucson - Benefit Dance for Casa De Los Ninos: Dinner and dance at Old Pueblo Dance Center (OPSDA), 613 East Delano, N. 1st Avenue, 1 block south of Ft. Lowell Road. Dinner by Carrabba's Italian Grill. Dinner from 6:30pm to 7:30pm; free dance lesson from 7:30pm to 8:00pm; dance from 8:00pm to 10:30pm. Suggested donation: $15 per person; dance only $9; dance only for students $6. Reservations for dinner are encouraged. All proceeds to be donated to Casa de Los Ninos for the prevention of child abuse. Web site: http://tftm.org.

Tucson - New Year's Eve: Dance at the Cabaret Theater, Arizona Temple of Music and Art (330 S. Scott Avenue, Tucson, Arizona). Intro at 7:30pm, dance from 8pm-midnight. Web site: http://tftm.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.

http://www.contradancelinks.com/schedule_az.html
Produced by Charlie Seelig
Last updated on January 31, 2012