This page tries to keep track of all contra dances in Kansas including dance camps and weekends along with other events in Kansas 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.
Cottonwood Falls: The Chase County Contra Society hosts a contra dance in Cottonwood Falls at 220 1/2 Broadway (the municipal building) on the 4th Saturday of every month starting in 2010. The dance will begin at 7 p.m. - beginners welcome at 6:30. Unfamiliar with contra dancing? We welcome everyone, both beginners and experienced dancers, of all ages, to our family-friendly dances. Come alone or with all your friends --- it's easy to learn. Mark your calendars to join us for a delightful evening of very lively music and dance! More questions? Call me, Lucy Smith (620) 273-6970. Admission $7. Students and listeners $5. Age 12 and under Free. Time: Beginners be sure to come at 6:30 p.m. for basic instruction. Dance is 7 to 9:30. Contact: Jerry Schwilling, leadernews@ccleadernews.com Lucy Smith (620) 273-6970. Web site: http://www.chasecountychamber.org/.
Kansas City: CrossCurrents Barn Dance sponsors a dance on the 2nd Saturday of the month at Grinter Place, 1420 S. 78th St. at the intersection of Kaw Drive and N. 78th St. This hall is in the visitor center on the grounds of the Grinter Place Museum, a Kansas State Historical site. Beginner class: 7:00 PM; Dance: 7:30 - 10:30 PM Dance FREE! Bring 2 beginners by 7:00 (in time for the lesson) and your admission is FREE! Admission - $7 - includes lesson! All dances are taught and called. Non-smoking, alcohol-free event. For information, call Laura at 816-516-1876, Linda at 816-523-4865, or e-mail lbogue@kc.rr.com. Web site: http://www.crosscurrentsculture.org/Barn%20Dance/Barn%20Dance.htm.
Lawrence: Dances are held at the Woodlawn School at 508 Elm Street in North Lawrence or Camelot II Ballroom at 1117 Massachusetts in downtown Lawrence on the 3rd Saturday of the month. Adult $8, Student $3. Time: 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m (in winter and spring). Join us at 6:45 (sharp!) before regular dances for a Contradance Basics Workshop: Learn the basic steps and movement patterns you will be using that evening. Even if you can't attend the workshops, beginners are always welcome. Please come early in the evening as we begin with comfortable dances for newcomers. No Partner Necessary. Please wear soft-soled shoes! All dances are taught and prompted and feature live music. Dress cool and casual - dancing is energetic activity! Web site: http://www.lawrencebarndance.org.
Lawrence - Blue Moon Advanced Dance: Dances are held at (usually) at Camelot II Ballroom, 1117 Massachusetts Street in downtown Lawrence on the 5th Saturday of the month. Adult $8, Student $3. Time: 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m (in winter and spring). Are you ready for an advanced dance? Are you comfortable with contra corners, heys for fours, and can you keep the dance going after the caller has stopped calling? Advanced dances are held on the fifth Saturday when months have them, and feature faster, more complex dances with minimal walkthroughs and no beginner instruction. Beginners, please come to the regular dances first. Web site: http://www.lawrencebarndance.org.
Lawrence - Family Dance: On 1st Saturdays from 5:00 - 6:15 pm, October through March at the Camelot Ballroom, 1117 Massachusetts, in downtown Lawrence. Adults $3, Children $1 All ages and abilities welcome. No partner is necessary. All dances are taught, prompted and are child and adult friendly ... featuring local callers and musicians! Please wear soft-soled shoes. Bring a brown bag supper ... finish eating by 6:45pm. Family dance participants are welcome to participate in the beginner class ... and the first two dances of the regular uptown hoedown! ... for free! Web site: http://www.yippeecoyote.com/familydance/.
Lawrence - Uptown Hoedown: Traditional barn dance featuring contras and squares and hot old time music. Dance 7:30 - 10:30 pm; beginner's class at 7:10pm; stay for after party 'til 11:00pm; come early for the family dance from 5pm - 6:15pm Dances are at the Lawrence Senior Center Dance Hall, 8th and Vermont in Lawrence. $8 regular admission. $3 students. $6 seniors 60 and up. Information: 785-843-2711. Web site: http://www.uptownhoedown.org/.
Lawrence - Midwinter Meltdown: Join us for this special weekend of dance (and music) co-presented by the Uptown Hoedown, the English Country Dancers, the Lawrence Barn Dance and the Kaw Valley Shape Note Singing Association. In will start with an Uptown Hoedown dance and party on Friday, Feb 19, continue with Lawrence Barn Dance events on Saturday, Feb 20, and conclude with a potluck brunch, shape note sing, and English country dancing on Sunday, Feb 22. Web site: http://www.uptownhoedown.org/.
Lawrence - Pilgrim's Progression Dance Weekend: Dance weekend held in mid-November. Web site: http://www.lawrencebarndance.org.
Lawrence - Ad Astra Ball: The Lawrence Barn Dance Association is co-sponsoring the Ad Astra Ball - a Civil War era ball to celebrate Kansas' 150th birthday. It will be held in the Kansas Union ballroom at 1301 Jayhawk Boulevard, and will include period dancing, evening contra dancing, refreshments, viewing balcony and silent auction supporting Watkins Historic Museum, Americana Music Academy and Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area. There will also be a period dance class a tea earlier in the day. The event goes form 6:30pm to 11:30pm, with period costume required from 6:30pm to 8:00pm and all dancers welcome after 8:00pm. $10 per person after 8pm or $20 for the day. Web site: http://www.lawrencebarndance.org or http://www.adastraball.org.
Newton: Dances are at the First Missionary Church, 1300 Berry on Second Saturdays at 7:00 pm with Basic Instruction at 6:30. Admission: Adults $7, Students with ID $4, Children $2. All dances taught - Please wear soft soled shoes. No partners or experience necessary. Questions? Call Jennie at (316) 283-2774 or email dance2004jennie@yahoo.com. Web site: http://www.kansasfolk.org/contra/newton.html.
Salina - Prairie Festival: The Festival, sponsored by The Land Institute, celebrates the prairie and includes numerous programs on its various aspects. There is one dance as part of the programming. Usually held in late September. Web site: http://www.landinstitute.org.
Wichita: Not-so-old-fashioned barn dance, generally on 1st Saturdays, with live music and caller and the Midtown Community Resource Center, 1150 N Broadway St. Beginner's Class at 6:30. Dance at 7:00-9:30 pm. No experience needed, no partner needed. Please wear comfortable, casual clothing and soft soled shoes. Admission: Adults - $7, Students with ID - $5. If you wish to listen and not dance - $2; Under 16 - Free. Web site: http://www.kansasfolk.org/contra/wichita.html.
Winfield - Walnut Valley Festival: Multi-day, mostly music festival with a little dancing at the Cowley County Fairgrounds in mid-September. Web site: http://www.wvfest.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.