This page tries to keep track of all contra dances in Illinois including dance camps and weekends along with other events in Illinois 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.
Belvidere - Boone County Harvest Fest - Squares: An evening square dance is part of this day-long, multi-activity festival held in Belvidere Park & Baltic Mill (day) Conservation District, Spencer Park & Pavilion (evening) in late October. Web site: http://www.boonecountyharvestfest.com.
Bishop Hill - Midsommar Music Festival: is a one-day series of events in mid-June which includes a dance. Web site: http://www.bishophill.com/cal.php.
Carbondale: April through October Barn Dances from 4:00pm to 6:00pm on 4th Saturdays (5th Saturday in May) with live music in the Back Room at the Longbranch Coffeehouse just across the tracks on the Square in Downtown Carbondale. We do contra and square dances to live, old-time music. All moves taught. Everyone welcome -- no partner, costume, or experience necessary. Kids welcome but please keep an eye on them. There's no charge but a hat will be passed to give the musicians and caller something for their time and effort. Longbranch Coffeehouse is in downtown Carbondale at 100 E. Jackson, one block north of Main St (IL 13 West) and a half block east of Illinois Ave (US 51 North). (It's just east of the RR tracks.) For more information: Barb Sibert (618) 549-1595 or FTMD2000@hotmail.com or Joe Surdyk at (618) 457-2166 or jsurdyk@siu.edu. Web site: http://childgrove.org/dance-schedules/regional-dances/carbondale.html or http://lbchouse.com.
Chicago - Epiphany - UCC: Dances on some Mondays at 8pm (generally a beginners' workshop at 7:30pm) or Sundays at 4:30pm at the Epiphany Episcopal Church, 2008 W. Bradley Place, off Damen, one block south of Grace in Chicago). Usually $7 at the door. Call 312-405-9173. The Chicago Barn Dance Company sponsors and supports contra dance, traditional square dance and old-time music in the Chicago area. Our old-fashioned barn dances are open to the public, with no costume, partner or experience necessary. Beginners are welcome and should arrive early in the evening, when the dances are usually easier and taught more completely. To contact us, send email to info@ChicagoBarnDance.com or call 224-534-9355. Web site: http://www.chicagobarndance.com/.
Chicago - Dance Weekend: The University of Chicago Folk Arts Community sponsors an annual dance weekend in mid-April. Web site: http://fac.uchicago.edu/danceweekend.html.
Chicago - Folk and Roots Festival: held each year in July at Welles Park - between Montrose and Sunnyside along Lincoln Avenue, directly across from the Sulzer Library. Sponsored by the Old Town School of Folk Music. Web site: http://www.chicagofolkandroots.org.
Chicago - Folk Festival: The University of Chicago Folk Festival is held annually in early February and includes a bit of dancing.
Chicago - Hyde Park: The the University of Chicago Folk Arts Community sponsors monthly dances, generally, but not always, on the 1st Saturday, with a lesson at 7:30pm and a dance from 8:00pm to 11:30pm at Ida Noyes Hall, 3rd floor theater, 1212 East 59th Street or Shoreland Hall, 5454 S. South Shore Drive. Web site: http://fac.uchicago.edu/.
Chicago - FIZZ: The Fizz Bar & Grill is located at 3220 N. Lincoln in Chicago, just north of Belmont on Lincoln. Street parking. Dances on some Mondays at 8pm (generally a beginners' workshop at 7:30pm). Usually $7 at the door. Call 312-405-9173. The Chicago Barn Dance Company sponsors and supports contra dance, traditional square dance and old-time music in the Chicago area. Our old-fashioned barn dances are open to the public, with no costume, partner or experience necessary. Beginners are welcome and should arrive early in the evening, when the dances are usually easier and taught more completely. To contact us, send email to info@ChicagoBarnDance.com or call 224-534-9355. Web site: http://www.chicagobarndance.com/.
Chicago - Old Town School of Folk Music - Square and Ceilidh Dance: Dance is at 6:30pm at the Atlantic Bar and Grill with $5 admission for dancers. All dances will be taught. All are easy to learn and fun to do. Web site: http://oldtownschool.org.
Downers Grove: The Plank Road Folk Music Society holds periodic dance parties on Saturdays 7:00 at the Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss Street, Downers Grove, 630-969-9720. Reels, squares, line dancing, waltzes and more, plus music of our great band. Fun for the whole family! All dances taught and called. No experience, costume or partner needed.
Elsah: Dances from 7:00-10:00 PM. Starting in January 2011, dances will be held on the 2nd Saturday of each month. No dance, however, in June, July. Live music. All dances will be taught - no experience or partner necessary. Farley's Music Hall, 37 Mill Street. Cost: $5 per person, $15 max per family, students with ID 1/2 price. Light refreshments provided. All ages welcome! For more info, contact Eric Schreiber: eric.j.schreiber@gmail.com or 618-374-2024. Sponsored by the Historic Elsah Foundation. Web site: http://www.childgrove.org/elsah.htm.
Evanston: Dances, generally one Monday each month at 8pm (generally a beginners' workshop at 7:30pm) at S.P.A.C.E in Evanston - 1245 Chicago Avenue in Evanston, just south of Dempster. Monday dances are $7; the waltz workshop is $5. The Chicago Barn Dance Company sponsors and supports contra dance, traditional square dance and old-time music in the Chicago area. Our old-fashioned barn dances are open to the public, with no costume, partner or experience necessary. Beginners are welcome and should arrive early in the evening, when the dances are usually easier and taught more completely. To contact us, send email to info@ChicagoBarnDance.com or call 224-534-9355. Web site: http://www.chicagobarndance.com/.
Geneva - Fox Valley Folk Music and Storytelling Festival: is held at the end of August/beginning of September at Island Park in Geneva with a variety of music, storytelling and dance stages. http://www.foxvalleyfolk.com/.
Hudson - Old Time Barn Dance: occurs on a Saturday from 7:00pm to 10:00pm about once every three months (along with a special dance on New Year's Eve) at the Hudson Town Hall, 107 Walnut St. Hudson. Squares and Contras. Beginners Welcome. All ages welcome! For info contact Gary Kaufman (309) 963-5691 or David Kuntz (309) 452-9250. Web site: http://www.myspace.com/hudsonsquaredance.
Lincoln: Contras, squares and waltzes, usually but not always on the 2nd Saturday of the month from 7pm to 10pm with a beginners' workshop at 6:30pm. Location: Lincoln Park District, 1400 Primm Rorad. It's fun for everyone, singles, couples, kids, teens, seniors and families participate together in Barn dancing. Dress casually for a fun night in jeans and/or dresses. No prior experience needed. Free admission! If you want it to be! Donations for dance hall cost accepted. Finger foods to share appreciated. Information; Keith Schmidt: keith@ezfundance.com or Joanne Schmidt: joanne@ezfundance.com - Web site: http://www.ezfundance.com/.
Monticello: Special Barn Dance with a potluck at 6:00pm, and a dance at 7:00pm with an open stage band at the Kalyx Center, 442 E 1300 North Road. Web site: http://www.Urbana-Contra.org.
Monticello/Urbana - Illinois All-Weekend Barn Dance: features two evenings and an afternoon of dancing and other activities during the weekend at two locations. Web site: http://www.urbana-contra.org/barn_dance_weekend.html.
Morris: Morris Old Time Dances held on the 4th Tuesday of each month, except November and December, when it's the 2nd Tuesday, at Peace Lutheran Church, 101 Candlelight Lane, Morris, 7:00 to 9:30 pm. The suggested donation is $6 per adult. Children are free. Web site: None.
Morris - Gebhard Woods Dulcimer Festival: is a weekend music festival in mid-June at Gebhard Woods State Park with at least one dance during the weekend. Web site: http://www.gwdf.org/.
Rock Island: Illowa Community Folk Dance sponsors Contras, Squares and Circles on 1st Fridays from 7:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. at the Singing Bird Nature Center, Black Hawk State Historic Site, 15th St. Off of Black Hawk Rd. All dances taught: no partners necessary (the dances are usually danced in couples, but we change partners frequently); children welcome with adult participation; come once, come often. Cost: Donation to cover costs for Bands, hall and publicity. For information: Drew and Maura McGrath Nagle, dance leaders at 788-8986 or 788-5143. Web site: http://illowafolkdance.tripod.com/index.html.
Rockford - Spring Awakening Gathering: is a one-day series of events sponsored by the Severson Dells Nature Center in March which includes a dance. Web site: http://seversondells.com/index.php.
Round Lake Beach: Dance at the Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center, 2007 Civic Center Way from 7:30pm to 10:30pm. Admission: $7 adult, $5 youth (7 to 17 years old). Bring family and friends, no partner needed, all dances taught by the caller who will explain the moves. Please wear comfortable shoes and bring your own water bottle. Contra dance is open to everyone regardless of experience. Web site: http://www.rlbciviccenter.org/cultural-and-civic-center-events-illinois.php.
Urbana - Anderson: The Urbana Country Dancers host contra dances to live fiddle and string band music with featured callers in an atmosphere friendly to singles, couples, groups, and families. All dances are taught (walked-through) prior to dancing. We ask dancers to wear clean, soft soled shoes to protect the lovely sprung-wood dance floor. Comfortable clothes are also recommended. Dances are generally from 8 to 11 P.M., though we occasionally offer pre-dance workshops. A $5.00 donation is requested for most dances to fund the fees for the bands, callers and dance hall. A higher contribution may be requested for special events. This dance is held at Tom and Kathy Anderson's home, 2206 N. Brownfield Road. Web site: http://www.Urbana-Contra.org.
Urbana - Illini Student Union: The Urbana Country Dancers host contra dances to live fiddle and string band music with featured callers in an atmosphere friendly to singles, couples, groups, and families. All dances are taught (walked-through) prior to dancing. We ask dancers to wear clean, soft soled shoes to protect the lovely sprung-wood dance floor. Comfortable clothes are also recommended. Dances are generally from 8 to 11 P.M., though we occasionally offer pre-dance workshops. A $5.00 donation is requested for most dances to fund the fees for the bands, callers and dance hall. A higher contribution may be requested for special events. This dance is held at the Illini Student Union, Room 314, 1401 W. Green. Web site: http://www.Urbana-Contra.org.
Urbana - Febfest: The Central Illinois English Country Dancers, Illini Folk Dance Society and the Urbana Country Dancers hold a weekend of English and American dance and music at the Illini Student Union, 1401 W. Green Street, Urbana, on the campus of the University of Illinois in mid-March. Register in advance for a discount. Web site: http://www.centralillinoisecd.org/weekend.html.
Urbana - Marchfest: The Central Illinois English Country Dancers, Illini Folk Dance Society and the Urbana Country Dancers hold a weekend of English and American dance and music at the Illini Student Union, 1401 W. Green Street, Urbana, on the campus of the University of Illinois in mid-March. Register in advance for a discount. Web site: http://www.centralillinoisecd.org/weekend.html.
Urbana - Jan Jam: The Urbana Country Dancers sponsor the annual Chambana Jan Jam, a special weekend of music and dance at the Phillips Recreation Center, 505 W. Stoughton, including plenty of dancing along with open mic calling, open stage bands jamming and a community potluck on Saturday night. Web site: http://www.urbana-contra.org/jan_jam.html.
Urbana - Phillips Recreation Center: The Urbana Country Dancers host contra dances to live fiddle and string band music with featured callers in an atmosphere friendly to singles, couples, groups, and families. All dances are taught (walked-through) prior to dancing. We ask dancers to wear clean, soft soled shoes to protect the lovely sprung-wood dance floor. Comfortable clothes are also recommended. Dances are generally from 8 to 11 P.M., though we occasionally offer pre-dance workshops. There is a new dancer orientation workshop at 7:30 prior to most dances. Admission $5 (students/seniors $4; under 13 free). Special events may have a higher admission price. Dances are at the Phillips Recreation Center, 505 W. Stoughton. Web site: http://www.Urbana-Contra.org.
Urbana - Champaign-Urbana Folk and Roots Festival: combines performances, street-dances, jam sessions, and workshops with national, regional, and local artists in a variety of genres such as Cajun, bluegrass, blues, old-time, Mexican conjunto, salsa, and jazz, among others. The Festival will also include street performances, storytellers, and art-making in special locations. The celebration will take place in and around downtown Urbana annually at the end of September. Web site: http://www.cufolkandroots.org.
Urbana - Channing-Murray Foundation: The Urbana Country Dancers host contra dances to live fiddle and string band music with featured callers in an atmosphere friendly to singles, couples, groups, and families. All dances are taught (walked-through) prior to dancing. We ask dancers to wear clean, soft soled shoes to protect the lovely sprung-wood dance floor. Comfortable clothes are also recommended. Dances are generally from 8 to 11 P.M., though we occasionally offer pre-dance workshops. There is a new dancer orientation workshop at 7:30 prior to most dances. Admission $5 (students/seniors $4; under 13 free). Special events may have a higher admission price. Dances are at the Channing-Murray Foundation, 1209 W. Oregon in Urbana, IL. Web site: http://www.Urbana-Contra.org.
Warrenville - Fermilab - 2nd Sunday: The Fermilab Folk Club sponsors regular monthly barn dances to promote and preserve traditional square and contra dancing with 2nd Sunday Dances from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., September through June. All dances are held in the Kuhn Village Barn. Admission is $6. Children under 12 are free. 12 to 18 year olds and people over 65 are $3. The Village Barn is located near the east entrance to Fermilab. Web site: http://www.fnal.gov/orgs/folkclub/.
Warrenville - Fermilab - 3rd Sunday: The Fermilab Folk Club sponsors regular monthly barn dances to promote and preserve traditional square and contra dancing with 3rd Sunday Dances from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., November through April. All dances are held in the Kuhn Village Barn. Admission is $6. Children under 12 are free. 12 to 18 year olds and people over 65 are $3. The Village Barn is located near the east entrance to Fermilab. Web site: http://www.fnal.gov/orgs/folkclub/.
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.