This page tries to keep track of all contra dances in Indiana including dance camps and weekends along with other events in Indiana 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.
Battle Ground - Indiana Fiddlers' Gathering is a three-day acoustic music festival in late June featuring old-time, bluegrass, swing jazz fiddle, string band, Celtic and ethnic music. Tickets available in advance or at the gate. Web site: http://dcwi.com/fiddlers/Welcome.html.
Bloomington - Wednesday: The Bloomington Old-Time Music and Dance Group sponsors weekly Wednesday dances Beginner lessons will start at 8:00 pm. Dancing will begin at 8:15 pm. The last waltz will be at 10:30 pm. New-comer Instruction 8:10pm Wednesdays. Dances are at Harmony School, 909 E. 2d Street unless otherwise noted (In July and August dances will be at the Boys and Girls Club, 311 S. Lincoln (just south of Third St.)) During the non-summer months, the location is Harmony School at 909 E. 2d St. Admission is $3 for members and $4 for non-members, unless otherwise noted. Memberships are $12/year, pro-rated by the month. Discount for seniors and students. Please continue to help us protect the floor at our dances by bringing separate very clean shoes to dance in and being sure that no dirt is tracked in when you arrive. Web site: http://bloomingtoncontra.org/.
Bloomington - 5th Saturday: The Bloomington Old-Time Music and Dance Group sponsors dances on the 5th Saturday of the month Saturday dances start promptly at 8:00pm and last until 11:00 or so. New-comer Instruction 7:45pm Saturdays. Dances are at Harmony School, 909 E. 2d Street unless otherwise noted. Admission is $3 for members and $4 for non-members, unless otherwise noted. Memberships are $12/year, pro-rated by the month. Discount for seniors and students. Please continue to help us protect the floor at our dances by bringing separate very clean shoes to dance in and being sure that no dirt is tracked in when you arrive. Web site: http://bloomingtoncontra.org/.
Bloomington - Squares: The Second Saturday Seasonal Square Dance Series, co-sponsored by BOTMDG and Fiddle 'n' Feet occurs on the 2nd Saturday of every other month from October to April. This new series seeks to introduce a broad constituency to the joys of square dancing. The dance starts at 8:00pm and goes until 11:00pm. There is no early teaching, as every dance is taught. The dance is for all ages. Dances are at Harmony School, 909 E. 2d Street unless otherwise noted. The dance is $5 for everyone. Web site: http://bloomingtoncontra.org/monthly.html.
Bloomington - Sugar Hill: The Bloomington Old-Time Music and Dance Group sponsors the annual Sugar Hill dance weekend at Ransburg Boy Scout Camp on beautiful Lake Monroe in mid-late August. Register in advance for a discount. Programs run by volunteers. Web site: http://bloomingtoncontra.org/sugarhill/Sh-web.htm.
Bloomington - Swing Into Spring: Members of the Bloomington Old-Time Music and Dance Group (but not the group itself) sponsor the annual Swing Into Spring dance weekend at Ransburg Boy Scout Camp on beautiful Lake Monroe in late April. Register in advance for choice of accommodations. Programs run by volunteers. Web site: http://bloomingtoncontra.org/SIS.html.
Bloomington - Pre-Gypsy Moon: Special Pre-Gypsy Moon (late October) dance sponsored by the Bloomington Old-Time Music and Dance Group on the Friday just before the Gypsy Moon weekend. Web site: http://bloomingtoncontra.org/.
Bloomington - Family: The Bloomington Old-Time Music and Dance Group sponsors several family dances each year from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at the Harmony School, 909 E. 2d Street unless otherwise noted. $4/person, $15/family max. Please continue to help us protect the floor at our dances by bringing separate very clean shoes to dance in and being sure that no dirt is tracked in when you arrive. Web site: http://bloomingtoncontra.org/.
Bloomington - Monroe County History Center: The Bloomington Old time Music and Dance Group will present an Exhibit on the history of our group at the Monroe County History Center, 202 E. 6th St. The Opening Reception will be from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm and will feature Refreshments and Contradancing. Contact Bill Baus (BausXXX@Alumni.indiana.edu (removed the XXX)) if you have photos, posters, musical instruments, etc. which might be used for the exhibit, or if can help organize &: set up the exhibit & reception. Web site: http://bloomingtoncontra.org/.
Bloomington - New Year's Eve: Dance held when it falls on a 5th Saturday in December. The dance will be at Harmony School and will start with waltzing (and maybe a polka or schottische) to live music from 8:00 pm to 8:30 pm, and contradancing from 8:30 pm until after midnight. $4 Members, $5 non-members. There will be a party after the dance. Local dancers are encouraged to bring a snack to share at the break. Anyone who brings a home-made snack to share can get free admission. Dancers from outside of Bloomington who want to stay overnight can contact Bill Baus (see below) to arrange for accommodations. Web site: http://bloomingtoncontra.org/.
Fort Wayne: The Fort Wayne Traditional Music and Dance Society sponsors dances on the 3rd Saturday of the month, from September to May, in the North Campus Building, University of Saint Francis (2702 Spring Street - (the building to the north of Spring Street, across the street from the main campus)). Dances feature caller Barry Dupen with the Spy Run String Band, plus Special Guest Callers and Bands. Dances run from 8 to 11 pm, with a Beginner's Workshop at 7:30 pm. Admission is free for Saint Francis students and employees; $8 general public; $5 students from other schools; free for children under 12; family maximum $18. Members receive $2 off admission. Please carry in soft-soled, nonmarking shoes to protect the highly polished floor. Street shoes are NOT ALLOWED on the dance floor. Web site: http://web.me.com/contrafortwayne/ContraFortWayne/Welcome.html.
Goshen: GO Dancing/Goshen Community Contra Dancing sponsor evenings of Contras, Squares, Circles, Waltzes, etc. All dances taught. No experience or partner required. Dances led by experienced callers. Live music provided by local and regional bands. Dances are form 8:00 to 11:00 pm, first Saturdays of the month. Beginner's workshops 7:30 to 8:00 pm. Potluck dinners held before each dance beginning at 6:00 p.m. Note: This portion of Indiana participates in the Eastern Time Zone (Standard and Daylight Savings Time). If you're coming from the Central Time Zone, add one hour to your time and that's ours (7:00 p.m CDT = 8:00 p.m. EDT). Dances are held at the First United Methodist Church, 215 South 5th Street, NE corner of S. 5th and E. Jefferson in Beautiful downtown Goshen. General Public: $8. Members $6. Students: $5. Student members $3. Children under 12: free. Family maximum cost: $18. Wear layers of comfortable, lightweight clothing and shoes for active movement. Contact info.godancing@gmail.com or call 574-533-3836 for more information. Web site: http://godancing.org/.
Indianapolis - Tuesdays: Our weekly dance is from 8-10 pm on Tuesday nights with a introductory lesson at 7:45. We usually dance at Earth House aka Lockerbie United Methodist Church, 237 N. East St. Wear comfortable clothes, since this is an aerobic activity and you will get warm! Typical dress ranges from shorts and t-shirts to twirly dresses. To protect the wooden floor, we ask our dancers to bring a pair of clean, soft-soled shoes that will not damage or mark the floor. Cost is $4 for members, $5 for non-members, and $3 for those under 25; dances marked in bold, are (usually) $1 more to help pay for out-of-town talent). New dancers will benefit by attending the introductory workshop held about 7:45 before the dance begins to learn the basic moves. Web site: http://www.indycontra.org/Home.php.
Indianapolis - Saturday: Saturday dances (on various Saturdays) are usually from 8-11pm with a introductory lesson at 7:45. We usually dance at Earth House, aka Lockerbie United Methodist Church, 237 N. East St. Wear comfortable clothes, since this is an aerobic activity and you will get warm! Typical dress ranges from shorts and t-shirts to twirly dresses. To protect the wooden floor, we ask our dancers to bring a pair of clean, soft-soled shoes that will not damage or mark the floor. Admission is usually $4 for members, $5 for non-members, and $3 for those under 25, and free if you help with setup and cleanup) and we always have live music! New dancers will benefit by attending the introductory workshop held about 7:45 before the dance begins to learn the basic moves. Web site: http://www.indycontra.org/Home.php.
Indianapolis - Gypsy Moon Ball: Annual dance weekend in late October/early November at the Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ for the 2011 edition [Previous years it was at Belzer Boy Scout Camp.] Register in advance for discount. Web site: http://www.indycontra.org/Dances/Gypsy_Moon_Ball/Introduction.php.
Indianapolis - Friday: Occasional Friday dances at the Harrison Art Gallery, 1505 N. Delaware Street, as part of the First Friday Art Tour from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Web site: http://www.indycontra.org/Home.php.
Indianapolis - Special: Special dance from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at Earth House, aka Lockerbie United Methodist Church, 237 N. East St. Admission free for regular Indy Contra dancers. Wear comfortable clothes, since this is an aerobic activity and you will get warm! Typical dress ranges from shorts and t-shirts to twirly dresses. To protect the wooden floor, we ask our dancers to bring a pair of clean, soft-soled shoes that will not damage or mark the floor. Web site: http://www.indycontra.org/Home.php.
Indianapolis - IUPUI: Dance at the IUPUI Campus Center, (420 University Blvd.) Room 450C from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. Free admission. Parking at IUPUI is not free, but still less than dance admission! maps & etc. @ https://www.parking.iupui.edu/visitors.html - Web site: http://www.indycontra.org.
Indianapolis - Woodruff: Anniversary Celebration Dance, 8pm to 11pm, Woodruff Place Town Hall, 735 Woodruff Place East Drive. All welcome, no charge. Web site: http://www.indycontra.org.
Indianapolis - Circles and Swirls: A mix of Israeli dancing, folk dancing and contras and squares from 7:30pm to 9:30pm at the Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ Gymnasium, 416 E North St., Indianapolis, IN 46202 as part of the Spirit and Place Festival. Non-marking, soft-soled shoes required. Presented by the Israeli Folk Dancers, Indy Contra, Indy Folk Dancers. Cost: Free. OPTIONAL: Bring new children's athletic shoes (sizes 10-4) and help Spirit & Place support Samaritan's Feet. Participate in a variety of cross-cultural community dances led by three local folk dance groups. Build community and promote wellness while having fun! No experience or partner necessary. Indy Folk Dancers, Indy Contra, and the Israeli Folk Dancers invite participants to learn, try, and discuss different dances from America, Eastern Europe, Israel, and more. An experienced dance leader from each dance community will teach and lead beginner-level dances, followed by a moderator-led discussion. How does folk dancing create community? How does connection through dance differ from other forms of human connection? What do we learn about histories and cultures through dance? How does community dance differ from competition or performance dancing? Time will be allotted for Q & A. Wear comfortable clothing and non-marking, soft-soled shoes! Presented by Indianapolis Traditional Music & Dance Group (dba Indy Contra); Indy Folk Dancers; Israeli Folk Dancing; and Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ. Questions? Call 317-488-7751 or email kenthecaller@indy.rr.com. - Web site: http://www.spiritandplace.org.
Morgantown - Mad Robin Romp: Members of the Bloomington Old-Time Music and Dance Group (but not the group itself) sponsor the annual Mad Robin Romp dance weekend at Camp Gallahue in Morgantown in April. Register in advance for choice of accommodations. Programs run by volunteers. Web site: http://bloomingtoncontra.org/SIS.html.
Richmond: Dances are held at the Common Grounds Coffeehouse, which is located at West Richmond Friends Meeting, 609 West Main Street. Admission: $5. Web site: http://www.westrichmondfriends.org/ or http://twic.esr.earlham.edu/.
Valparaiso: The dances sponsored by the Valparaiso Oldtime Dance Society start at 7 PM with easy family dances for all ages. From 8 PM until 10:00 PM the dance switches to contras, squares and other dances with added instruction for the big kids. This dance is open to the public, and children are welcome. No costume, partner or experience is necessary. Comfortable clothing and shoes are recommended (see shoe policy below). The cost is $5 per person or $15 per family. The dances are held at the new Valpo YMCA. It is located at 1201 Cumberland Crossing Drive at the far north end of the Kmart shopping center on the corner of Calumet and Vale Park Rd. Please help us protect the floor by carrying in clean-soled, non-scuffing shoes to dance with. For more information: vods@ juno.com. Web site: http://www.chicagobarndance.com/valpo/.
Vincennes: Dances are held at the Old Town Players Theatre and Arts Center, 432 Broadway. Practice at 7:00pm with dancing from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. Admission is free. Come as singles or with a partner. Call Ron at (812) 735-1003 or mailto:rmackman@hotmail.com. Web site: http://www.vincennesdancers.com/.
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.