Florida
Contra Dance Schedule
This page tries to keep track of all contra dances in Florida including dance camps and weekends along with other events in Florida 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.
Barberville: The Spring Frolic is an annual festival held in late April. Web site: http://folkfiddle.com/barber.htm.
Boynton Beach: At St. Joseph S. Episcopal School Gymnasium. Look for Lake Church Sign. 3300 S. Seacrest Boulevard, Boynton Beach. Dance from 8:00pm till 11:00pm. Instruction at 7:30pm. Adults $7, Kids $1, bring a snack to share, Bring A Friend!! Singles and couples, beginners and veterans welcome. All dances taught and called. For more information, call 561-324-2719 or email cliffpbc@gmail.com. Web site: http://www.fiddlers-grove.com/lakewrth.htm.
Casselberry: The Orlando Last Saturday Contra Dance is held (as you might guess) the last Saturday of each month at the Secret Lake Park Dance Hall in beautiful Casselberry, just north of Orlando. In May & October the date & location of the dance may change. Call the DanceLine at 407 263-8394 for the most current info. And in December the dance is held on December 31 at Secret Lake Park in Casselberry. We turn it into a New Year's Eve Dance & bring in the New Year by kicking up our heels. All dances start @ 7:30 pm with a half-hour of free instruction. Get shown the basics by the caller -- great for beginners. Then the dance runs from 8:00 to 11:00, admission $7.00. If the last Saturday is a 5th Saturday, we meet at 6:00 for a pot-luck supper before the dance. If you're coming to the Orlando area, please come & have a dance with us. Our dances are family-friendly events with no smoking or alcoholic beverages. The dances are done with a partner but it's not necessary to bring one with you. Wear comfortable clothing & soft-soled shoes. Web site: http://orlandocontradance.org/.
Cocoa Beach: We meet the 1st Saturday of the month at 8:00 pm at Cocoa Beach Recreation Center 321 Ramp Road, Cocoa Beach, FL. We are just five minutes South of 520 on A1A. Arrive at 7:30 for Contra lessons for beginners. Children $3, the rest of you grown-up Children $7. Rates are $4 and $9 for special dances. The last dance, a waltz, is usually around 11pm followed by a group clean up of the dance site. Web site: http://www.cocoabeachcontra.org
Coconut Grove: Old time dances at Barnacle Historic State Park, 3485 Main Highway, Coconut Grove from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. Kick up your heels to traditional American music with calls to traditional American folk dance steps. Dances such as circles, squares, contras and waltzes were all the rage in the 1800s, so come dance like it's 1891! Fees: $8.00 - 10 years and older. Contact: (305) 442-6866. Web site: http://www.floridastateparks.org/thebarnacle/Events.cfm.
Davie: Barn Dance. We dance on the Second Saturday of every month at the Davie Woman's Club, 6551 Orange Drive, Davie. Join us around 7:00 PM for a pot luck supper in the club house kitchen before the dance. Bring some food, bring some friends!!! Join us for the beginners session at 7:30 and dancing from 8:00 till 11:00 or later. $7 donation, bring a snack to share, Bring some Friends!! Singles and couples, beginners and veterans welcome. All dances taught and there is a special beginners session at 7:30. For more information, call Marty at 954-270-9764. Web site: http://www.fiddlers-grove.com/ftldance.htm.
Gainesville: Contra dancing twice a month in Gainesville on first Sundays 4 p.m. 7 p.m. and third Saturdays 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Thelma Boltin Center, 516 NE 2nd Avenue. Beginners welcome; no partner necessary. Dances are walked through and prompted. Introductory lesson 30 minutes before start. Try it for the first time and your second time is free! Soft-soled shoes please! Admission $7; $5 under 21 Childcare is provided ($5 per child), but parents are responsible for their children at all GODS events. Web site: http://godsdance.org/.
Gainesville: Waltz Gainesville is a casual dance group where we emphasize enjoyment and partnering in waltz and some other partner dances. We meet three times each month. Our Waltz Brunch is every month on the Sunday after Gainesville's Third Saturday Contra Dance. We met at the GDMA, 308 NE University Ave, next to the Seagle Building, Gainesville's tallest building. The cost is $5 per person. Brunch is available at 10:30am. We will have a 15 - 20 minute lesson at 11am for the newer dancers. After that we have open dancing, with individual attention for those who want it, until 12:30 or so. At about 12:30 we may review the Cross-Step Waltz Mixer, as an introduction to the waltz cross-step figure which distinguishes our group; or we may continue with a higher level lesson, or possibly work on a choreographed dance, and continue open dancing. Our Tuesday night dances - with many of the same friends, but no food - are at the Bolton Center from 7 to 9pm. The Bolton Center is located at 516 NE 2nd Avenue, two blocks north of the Melting Pot at NE 5th St. and University Ave. We waltz on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month and swing on the 1st and 3rd. For the summer of this year (May, June and July), the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays will alternate Cajun/Zydeco (2nd Tuesday) and Waltz (4th Tuesday). On Tuesday Waltz evenings, we have a 15 - 20 minute lesson at 7pm for the newer dancers. Open dancing until about 8 is followed by reviewing the Cross-Step Waltz Mixer, or possibly a 15 - 20 minute intermediate lesson, and more open dancing. The cost is $5 per person. Web site: http://members.cox.net/waltzgainesville/.
Gulfport: Florida Snow Ball is held once a year in Gulfport in late January. It is held at the Gulfport Casino, a beautiful beach-front ballroom with a large white maple floor. Pre-registration required. Presented by Tampa Friends of Old-Time Dance. Web site: http://www.floridasnowball.com/.
High Springs: The Florida Fiddlers Convention is held annually in O'Leno State Park in mid-October and features some of Florida's finest callers, bands and fiddlers, concerts, dances, jams, workshops, and a String-Band Contest (home-baked pie required for entry). 410 S.E. Oleno Park Road. Phone: 386-454-1853. Web site: http://www.nettally.com/fiddler/annualconvention.htm.
High Springs: The Flying Turtle String Band hosts a series of contra dances at O'Leno State Park. Come out and join the fun!Learn the steps to Circles, Squares and Contra dances that were all a rage in the mid 1800's when the town of Leno thrived! Dance to live music by the Flying Turtles String Band in the 1930's recreation hall on the banks of the Santa Fe River in O'Leno State Park. Located 6 miles north of High Springs on Hwy. 441. Dance is from 2pm to 5pm (with some exceptions). Fees: Regular park admission plus Tickets: $5.00/adults, $3.00/child. Contact: For more information call 386-454-1853. Web site: http://www.floridastateparks.org/oleno/Events.cfm.
High Springs: Vernal's is the annual All Night Equinox Dance & Music Weekend, at O'Leno State Park in late March. Pre-register. Web site: http://p2c2e.net/vernals/.
Jacksonville: The Jacksonville Country Dance and Song Society sponsors one contra dance a month, usually on the the third Friday. See the Dance Calendar for the next dance. Beginners welcome. Always live music. Come with or without a partner. Dances are held at Riverside Presbyterian Church, 849 Park St. 8 PM to 11 PM; dance basics are taught at 7:45 PM. Cost is a donation of $7; $2.00 for youngsters; bring a food or beverage item to share and take a dollar off. Contact Carole Wetzel at 904-396-1997 or email Carole Wetzel. Web site:http://www.danceflorida.com/jaxcdss.html.
Lake Park: Contra Dancing is mixture of dances with its basis in square dancing. This group meets every 3rd Sunday of the month at the Mirror Ballroom at the Town Hall, 535 Park Avenue.Info: Liz 561-745-2250. A beginners workshop will take place between 3:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., the dance itself will be between 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. No partner is necessary and casual attire is acceptable. The charge for adults at the door is $8, while children between the ages of 5 and 15 is $5.00. Children under 5 are free. For more information about Contra Dancing, please call Liz at 561-745-2250. Web site: http://www.lakeparkflorida.gov/departments.asp?DepartmentId=18&PageName=parks.
St. Petersburg: The Creative Clay Folkfest is an annual arts festival weekend in late September. Web site: http://creativeclay.org/.
Tallahassee: Contra Dances are held on the 2nd and sometimes the 4th or 5th Saturday of each month at several different veues. including the Tallahassee Senior Center (1400 North Monroe Street). Admission cost for regular dances: $7 for Adults, $5 for Students, $3 for Kids (higher prices may be charged for special dances). Web site: http://www.tallydancer.com/.
Tampa: Contra Dances are held at Pinellas Park Auditorium: 7690 59 St. N., Pinellas Park, or at Rhapsody Ballroom: 12101 N 56 St, Tampa. If you have comments or questions about the dances, please contact Stan or Linda Prince at 727-823-2725 (tfootd@tampabaycontra.com). Our dances are 7:30-11:00pm, with a beginner's lesson at 7:30pm. No partner or experience is necessary. All ages are welcome! Regular admission is $7; ages 21 and under, $5; ages 12 and under free. Some special events may cost more. Web site: http://www.tampabaycontra.com/.
Trenton: As part of the monthly Farmers' Market Block Party, there is dancing, sometimes contra, sometimes something else. The Party (and the dance) are generally held on the 4th Saturday of the month, but it can vary. The Market goes from noon to 5pm with the dance generally starting at 2pm. Historic Trenton Train Depot, Nature Coast Train & Main Street. Web site: http://www.localharvest.org/farmers-markets/M17375.
White Springs: The Florida Folk Festival is an annual three-day celebration of the music, dance, stories, crafts and food that make Florida unique. From Irish fiddle tunes and kumquat pie, to the wide varieties of music brought by immigrants, the stateÕs cultural heritage reflects the lives of generations of Florida families and communities. The event is held in the first half of November at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park.Web site: http://www.floridastateparks.org/folkfest/default.cfm.
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Produced by Charlie Seelig
Last updated on May 7, 2008