This page tries to keep track of all contra dances in Oregon including dance camps and weekends along with other events in Oregon 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.
Ashland: Dances on 3rd Saturdays sponsored by the Ashland Folk Music Club at The Grove, 1195 East Main Street. Our principle endeavor is to provide monthly contra dances on third Saturdays, September through May. Beginners' instruction 7:00 PM, Main dance 7:30-10:30. Admission is $7 for members, $9 for nonmembers, $6 for students above middle school, free to others. email: info@socontra.org - For more information call Gordon at 541 488-0679, or Lisa Cretney 541 482-7751. Walk-Ins Welcome. Good For Groups. Good For Kids. Web site: http://socontra.org/.
Astoria: Dances at the Netel Grange, 90525 Logan Road south of Astoria. Dances are held from 8 until 11p.m. with a workshop at 7:30 to teach basics & improve style. No experience necessary - all dances are taught. Dances are easy to learn, vigorous and enjoyable. If you've never danced before, a Country Dance is a great way to start. All ages, singles, couples, families welcome. Admission: $8 (or pay what you can). Escorted children younger than 12 admitted free. Alcohol, smoke-free event. Refreshments are available. For more information call Craig Holt, 503-325-8207 Web site: http://www.bubbaguitar.com/netel/.
Bend: Dances on the 2nd Saturday of the month at the Highland Elementary School, 701 NW Newport with a Beginner's Workshop at 7:00pm and a dance at 7:30pm. $7 per person at the door. Web site: http://www.bendcontradance.org.
Coos Bay: The South Coast Folk Society holds a monthly dance from September through May. The Greenacres Grange is located off Hwy 42 between Coos Bay and Coquille near milepost 3. The dance is fun for the whole family -- come alone or with friends, wear comfortable clothing. No partners or experience needed! Web site: http://mysite.ncnetwork.net/reswsqow/southcoastfolksociety/id4.html or http://southcoastfolksociety.wordpress.com/.
Corvallis: The Corvallis Folklore Society hosts a series of contra dances. All dances are open to the public and feature live music. Corvallis contra dances usually occur on the 1st and 3rd Saturday evenings of each month, September through June. (We take July and August off.) All CFS contra dance evenings feature live music (perhaps fiddle, guitar, bass, flute, drums, dulcimer, saxophone, accordion, concertina, bagpipes,...), begin with a "newcomer's session" at 7:30, run from 8 pm to 11 pm with an intermission, encourage newcomers to join the fun, draw dancers from teens to retirees, have a caller to "walk through" and call the dance sequences, charge $6 admission (Corvallis Folklore Society members, $1 more for non-members, "special" prices for some "special" dances). We suggest that dancers wear "cool, comfortable, casual clothes" and flat, soft-soled shoes. (Tennis or gym shoes are fine.) Please refrain from wearing fragrances, perfumes, and colognes. Some of our dancers have chemical sensitivities. Primary location is FCC Gatton Hall (First Congregational Church), 4515 West Hills Road, but other sites are used. Check site to confirm location. Web site: http://cfs.peak.org/dance/.
Corvallis - Beavergrass Bluegrass Festival: Annual bluegrass festival held in mid-August in Central Park. A bit of dancing. Web site: http://www.beavergrass.net/.
Corvallis - Contra Dance Weekend: including dances, workshops (dancing and music), etc. in mid-February in Corvallis. Advance registration recommended. Web site: http://cfs.peak.org/.
East of Eugene - Midsummer Madness: The Eugene Folklore Society sponsors the camp in odd-numbered years (2011, 2013, 2015, etc.) at various locations east of Eugene in late July for a weekend of play, music, dancing, song, sports, and play. Plus the camp has a big ole swimming pool. Register in advance. Web site: http://eugenefolklore.org.
Eugene: The Eugene Folklore Society hosts contradances at César Chavez School, 1510 W 14th [location will change in 2012 to the Gym of the Dunn School (where Ridgeline Montessori School meets), 3411 Willamette Street, Eugene, OR 97405] usually on 2nd and 4th Saturdays through the school year. (Sept thru June). All dances are open to the public. No Partner or experience needed! Families are Welcome! Please bring soft soled shoes that won't mark the floor. Cost: $6 for members, $7 general. Arrive by 7:30 PM and get $1 off admission. Students with ID get another $1 off. First time dancers can get a coupon for free admission to their next dance. When they turn in that coupon, they can receive a 50% off coupon for their next dance. Potluck dinners usually held at 6PM prior to most dances. Web site: http://eugenefolklore.org/index.php.
Eugene - Spencer Creek Grange: Join us for some frolicking foot-stomping fun this Fall when we kick off our second season of Barn Dances at the Grange. The enthusiastic response from folks attending last season's dances prompted us to extend this year's season from four dances to six. The dances are held every 3rd Saturday, beginning on October 16th at 7pm. Admission is $4 for adults, free for kids under 10, Live music is provided by the Old Time Fiddlers and our caller, Alan Ede, joins us from Corvallis for traditional square dancing, waltzes, and line dancing. The Grange is located at 86013 Lorane Highway at the corner of McBeth Road. Web site: http://spencercreekgrange.org/activities/barn-dances/.
Hood River: The Mid-Columbia Folklore Society sponsors dances during the school year months at the Rockford Grange, 4262 Barrett Drive. Hood River is about an hour east of Portland in the scenic Columbia Gorge. Our dances are family-oriented, no smoking. Beginners are encouraged and dances are taught. Children are always welcome at MCFS dances and reciprocity is extended to members of other folklore societies. Season Starts in October - 7 PM. Web site: http://community.gorge.net/mcfs/.
Klamath Falls: Dances at at the upstairs ballroom at 1010 Pine Street from 2:30pm to 6:00pm. Admission is $10 or $8 for students and seniors. For first-timers, a 45-minute instruction session will precede the open dance at 2:30. Volunteers are needed to help with setting up the facility and the instruction session and are asked to arrive by 2. For information or to volunteer, contact Robert or Gosha Sears at goshasears@yahoo.com. Web site: None.
La Grande - Saturday: The Northeast Oregon Folklore Society sponsors monthly community dances on the second Saturday of each month, September through June. Web site: http://www.neofs.us/.
La Grande - Friday: The Northeast Oregon Folklore Society sponsors monthly community dances on the third Friday of each month, September through June from 6:30pm to 9:00pm at the Union County Art and Culture Center, 1006 Penn Avenue. Web site: http://www.neofs.us/.
La Grande - Tuesday: The Northeast Oregon Folklore Society sponsors weekly folk dancing (Irish Set, International, Contra and English Country) every Tuesday evening at various locations, usually Union County Art and Culture Center, 1006 Penn Avenue, from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm. No charge, but donations to cover the cost of providing the hall are gratefully accepted. Web site: http://www.neofs.us/.
La Grande - Spring Thaw: A Celebration of Traditional Dance and Music at various venues in La Grande in April. We hope you will come and share with us and each other your love and interest in traditional dance and dance music. Unlike many other dance festivals, this event is based largely on the shared talents of the participants attending. Workshop leaders, dance callers and musicians are primarily event attendees who wish to share their special knowledge and enthusiasm on specific dance or music topics. Web site: http://springthaw.neofs.us/.
Medford: The Ashland Folk Music Club sponsors dances on first Saturdays at the Rogue Valley Square Dance Center, 3377 Table Rock Road. Beginners' instruction 7:00 PM. Main dance 7:30-10:30 PM. Admission: $6 AFMC members, $8 general public, $5 students high school and older. Younger children free. Annual membership $10 for singles, $15 for families. Dances are suitable for older children through seniors. All dances are taught. Come alone or with a partner. Wear soft soled, non-marking shoes and comfortable clothing. Perfume scents are discouraged. No smoking on school property. Non-dancing children must be supervised by a responsible teen or adult. For more information call Gordon at 541 488-0679, or email ashlandfolk@attglobal.net. Web site: http://www.kluberg.com/ashland.html.
Milwaukie - Roadhouse: Special day long dance from 11:00am to 9:00pm at the Milwaukie Community Club, 10666 SE 42nd Ave. $15 ($12 before 11:30 am). Tickets at the door only. No Advance Sales. Eight bands, eight calers. There is no formal potluck, but people are encouraged to bring finger-food to share with other dancers. Daylight Savings Time begins at 2 am on Sunday morning, which means the 11 o'clock start is an hour earlier than you might think. The hall has a large basement -- a great place to make music and jam, so bring your instruments. Web site: http://www.cascadepromenade.org.
Nehalem: Dances, usually on 4th Saturdays at the North County Recreation District Gym, 36155 9th St. (9th & B St.) . Lesson from 7:30pm to 8:00pm. Dance from 8:00pm to 10:30pm. All dance events are not-for-profit. Moneys go to making dances happen. All dances $5.00 unless otherwise noted. Moneys go to cover expenses and would not happen without the efforts contributed by many. Casual dress, light loose clothes are good; low or no heels, leather soled shoes (or basketball or jazz shoes). No partners needed. Bring a hankie, you'll need it. Scents, perfumes and deodorants are discouraged, out of respect to those with allergies and/or who are chemical-sensitive. Smoke- and alcohol-free. The contra dances are always to live music and with a caller. If you have not done these dances before, please make sure to come for the lessons! Web site: http://twowaltzers.com/Dance_Schedule.html.
Nehalem - Waltzes: Dances, usually on 2nd Saturdays at the North County Recreation District Gym, 36155 9th St. (9th & B St.) Lesson from 7:30pm to 8:00pm. Dance from 8:00pm to 10:30pm. The Wild Waltz dances are usually to recorded music and features waltzes, latin dances, rock'n'roll, zydeco and more. All dance events are not-for-profit. Moneys go to making dances happen. All dances $5.00 unless otherwise noted. Moneys go to cover expenses and would not happen without the efforts contributed by many. Casual dress, light loose clothes are good; low or no heels, leather soled shoes (or basketball or jazz shoes). No partners needed. Bring a hankie, you'll need it. Scents, perfumes and deodorants are discouraged, out of respect to those with allergies and/or who are chemical-sensitive. Smoke- and alcohol-free. The contra dances are always to live music and with a caller. If you have not done these dances before, please make sure to come for the lessons! Web site: http://twowaltzers.com/Dance_Schedule.html.
Newport: The Corvallis Folklore Society hosts a series of contra dances in Newport at the Newport High School, West Gym, 322 NE Eads Street or the Senior Center, 20 SE Second Street (opposite the Rec. Center) on the 5th Saturday of the month (so, roughly four times a year). All CFS contra dance evenings feature live music (perhaps fiddle, guitar, bass, flute, drums, dulcimer, saxophone, accordion, concertina, bagpipes,...), begin with a "newcomer's session" at 7:30, run from 8 pm to 11 pm with an intermission, encourage newcomers to join the fun, draw dancers from teens to retirees, have a caller to "walk through" and call the dance sequences, charge $7 admission at the door ("special" prices for some "special" dances). We suggest that dancers wear "cool, comfortable, casual clothes" and flat, soft-soled shoes. (Tennis or gym shoes are fine.) Please refrain from wearing fragrances, perfumes, and colognes. Some of our dancers have chemical sensitivities. Check site to confirm location. Web site: http://cfs.peak.org/dance/.
Portland - 2nd, 4th, 5th Saturday: The Portland Country Dance Community sponsors dances on the 2nd, 4th and 5th Saturday of the month at the Fulton Community Center, 68 SW Miles Street. Beginner's session 7:30-8:00pm; Dance 8:00-11:00pm. Must wear shoes in this venue. Admission: All regular PCDC-sponsored dances cost: $9 - Non-memnbers, $7 - Members, $6 - Students and Seniors, $1 discount on contra dances if you arrive before 7:30. Web site: http://www.portlandcountrydance.org.
Portland - Family Dance: The Portland Country Dance Community sponsors family dances on various dates at the Fulton Community Center, 68 SW Miles Street. Dance usually goes from 5:00pm to 7:00pm with a potluck after the dance. There may be a regular dance after the potluck. Must wear shoes in this venue. $6 per adult, $5 per child, $20 maximum per family. Web site: http://www.portlandcountrydance.org.
Portland - 1st Saturday: Dances (not sponsored by the Portland County Dance Community) at the Fulton Community Center, 68 SW Miles Street. Beginner's session 7:30-8:00pm; Dance 8:00-11:00pm. Must wear shoes in this venue. Admission: Admission: $8, $6 - Students and Seniors. $1 off before 7:30. Web site: http://www.portlandcountrydance.org.
Portland - 3rd Saturday: Dances sponsored by band, Jigsaw at the Fulton Community Center, 68 SW Miles Street. Beginner's session 7:30-8:00pm; Dance 8:00-11:00pm. Must wear shoes in this venue. Admission: $8, $6 - Students and Seniors. Web site: http://www.portlandcountrydance.org.
Portland - 1st Wednesday: The band, Joyride, sponsors dances on the 1st Wednesday of the month at the Polish Hall, 3832 N. Interstate Ave. (use side door), from 7:30pm to 10:00pm from October to June. Admission: $7 / $6 students. This is a fragrance-free event. Please avoid using perfumes, colognes, etc. Web site: http://www.kluberg.com/Joyride.html.
Portland - Pickathon: Indie-Roots Music festival. More than 35 bands on 5 stages and thousands of neighborly festival goers. Camping, hiking and a sustainability ethic situated among Oregon's doug firs on an 80 acre wonderland just 20 minutes from Portland, OR. Happens in early August. Dancing is mostly, if not all, squares. Web site: http://www.pickathon.com.
Portland - Raindance Weekend: An urban contra dance weekend in late April/early May. Register in advance for a discount. Web site: http://www.portlandraindance.org/Portland_Raindance/Home.html.
Portland - Megaband Dance: Annual dance held in mid-March. The all-volunteer musicians of the Megaband come from all levels of skill - from near beginner to professional. The Megaband welcomes applications from anyone playing an acoustic instrument who is willing to attend all the rehearsals and play with enthusiasm. Proceeds of the Megaband Benefit Dance support scholarships for PCDC dancers and musicians. Web site: http://www.portlandmegaband.com/.
Portland - Old-Time Music Gathering: The Portland Oregon Old-Time Music Gathering is a grassroots volunteer-run festival that aims to celebrate and enrich the community of traditional old-time Appalachian style stringband musicians. We wish to create an environment where the music is as meaningful as it is when we gather to swap tunes and play in a friend's living room or meet to play at a campsite during a summer festival. As such, we feel that it is important to keep the event non-profit and volunteer run; whether we are taking tickets, sweeping the floor, organizing an event, or playing music for a concert; we are all volunteers contributing to make this thing happen. Occurs in mid-January at a number of venues including concerts and some dancing (mostly squares). Web site: http://www.bubbaguitar.com/festival/.
Portland - Post-Raindance: Location: 111 NE 11th Street, Portland OR Web site: http://www.portlandcountrydance.org.
Portland - Dusk til Done: Dance going past midnight (not dawn) at the Kinton Grange held in mid-June. Admission: $12 Gen, $10 PCDC/Affiliated, $8 Senior/Student. For more information, contact 503-327-6582 (phone). Web site: http://www.bairey.net/folkdance/.
Portland - New Year's Eve: Special dance sponsored by the Portland Country Dance Community. Information for December 31, 2010: Norse Hall, 111 NE 11th Street. $12 General, $10 PCDC Members, $8 Students and Seniors. Web site: http://www.portlandcountrydance.org.
Portland - Portland State University: Smith Ballroom, PSU. Lesson at 6:30, dance 7-9). Cost: Free to all. (NOTE: The parking structure across the street is $3.00 per hour until 7pm; free after 7pm.) Web site: http://www.portlandcountrydance.org.
Portland - Sellwood Masonic Lodge: Special dances at the Sellwood Masonic Lodge, 7126 SE Milwaukie Ave. Times and admission rates vary. For more information, contact 503-327-6582 (phone) or e-mail. Web site: http://www.bairey.net/folkdance/.
Portland - Techno Contra: Dance held at Lenora's Room (third floor of the Melody Ballroom) rom 7:00-10:00 PM. Web site: http://technocontra.wordpress.com/.
Portland - Lewis and Clark College: Dance at the College at 615 Southwest Palatine Hill Road. Time: 8:00pm-11:30pm. Web site: http://www.portlandcountrydance.org.
Portland - Callers' Workshop: New callers workshop. Come learn to call or to dance. Event goes from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. (Discussion 2-3, dance 3-5). For more information, contact Rich Goss at 503-327-6582 or via e-mail. Free. Web site: http://www.bairey.net/folkdance/.
Portland - Squares - People's Co-op: Dances in the Community Room of the People's Co-op, 3029 SE 21st Avenue from 7:00pm to 9:00pm on 2nd Wednesdays. Web site: http://www.peoples.coop.
Portland - Squares - In Other Words - Queer: Monthly Queer Square Dances in Portland, Oregon - Every first Wednesday at In Other Words (Killingsworth @ Williams) from 7-9 pm. Dancers can get wild and silly in a warm setting that ain't heteronormative. No experience necessary. All dances and moves are taught gradually through the night. It is a good idea for your first dance or two come within the first hour, as the night progresses the review of previously taught moves becomes brief. No need to get dressed up...but please feel free to get gussied up in your favorite western wear, vintage items, boots or dancing shoes. Web site: http://facebook.com/q.sq.dance.
Portland - Sauvie Island Center Benefit: Benefit is 5:30pm - 8:00pm at the Sauvie Island Center, 13605 NW Howell Park Road (Sauvie Island) Portland, OR. Our annual summer bash is going to be bigger and better than ever! Guests will enjoy a summer barbecue with all the fixins' courtesy of our sponsor Bon Appetit. Back by popular demand, a bluegrass band and square dance caller will be on hand for a lively evening of do-si-do fun. Our silent auction will feature gift certificates from Portland's favorite businesses and restaurants. So grab your checkbook and a picnic blanket and get ready for a beautiful summer evening at the Sauvie Island Center. Tickets are $15 for individuals and $40 for families, but increase to $20 for individuals and $50 for families the week of the event. For more information, or to purchase tickets visit. Web site: http://www.sauvieislandcenter.org.
Portland - Special: Dances on various nights, venues, etc. Web site: None.
Portland - Squares - Books 2 Prisoners Benefit: Live Music! And food! All for a great cause - PDX Books to Prisoners. PDX Books To Prisoners is an all-volunteer collective working to distribute books free of charge to prisoners. We are dedicated to offering people behind bars the opportunities for self-empowerment, ...education, and entertainment that reading provides. Right now we have dozens of packages of books wrapped and addressed, but no money for postage :( - So come on down and get wild and silly in a warm setting that ain't heternormative. Everyone invited - queers, non-queers and the like. No experience necessary. All dances and moves are taught gradually through the night. $5-$10 suggested donation! no one turned away for lack of funds. Web site: https://www.facebook.com/events/258466774213415/.
Rhododendron - Northwest Passage: Come join the Portland Country Dance Community in the Oregon woods for an extra-long weekend full of high-energy Contradancing and English Country Dancing. Northwest Passage, PCDC's Labor Day dance and music weekend, at Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp. Located near Rhododendron, an easy 53-mile drive from Portland, Kiwanis features a great dance hall and a variety of accommodations in a beautiful forest setting. Held in early September. Advance registration recommended. Web site: http://www.kluberg.com/NorthwestPassage.html.
Roseburg: Irish Creme Contra Dance from 7pm to 10pm at the Melrose Grange Hall, 3811 Melrose Road. Open invitational to Oregon Musicians. Open to the public, all ages welcome. Suggested donation at the door $4. Potluck held for musicians before the doors open. Refreshments available during the dance. For more information: contact Aleta McGee 541.672.4621. Web site: http://www.irishcremeband.blogspot.com/.
Salem: 5th Saturday Productions is sponsoring a series of dances on 5th Saturdays at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 5090 Center St. NE. Contact Quentin Smith at (734) 497-7287 or q.m.smith at sign att.net for more information. Web site: http://www.uusalem.org/.
Salem - Silver Falls Musical Gathering: The Corvallis Folklore Society sponsors this music and dance weekend at Silver Falls State Park - 20 miles east of Salem in early October. Register in advance. Web site: http://cfs.peak.org/silverfalls/index.php.
Sky Camp - Cascade Contras: Dance weekend sponsored by the Eugene Folklore Society in early April. Advance registration strongly recommended. Web site: http://eugenefolklore.org/cascade.php.
Talent: The Ashland Folk Music Club sponsors dances on third Saturdays at the Talent Middle School, 102 Christian Avenue. Beginners' instruction 7:00 PM. Main dance 7:30-10:30 PM. Admission: $6 AFMC members, $8 general public, $5 students high school and older. Younger children free. Annual membership $10 for singles, $15 for families. Dances are suitable for older children through seniors. All dances are taught. Come alone or with a partner. Wear soft soled, non-marking shoes and comfortable clothing. Perfume scents are discouraged. No smoking on school property. Non-dancing children must be supervised by a responsible teen or adult. For more information call Gordon at 541 488-0679, or email ashlandfolk@attglobal.net. Web site: http://www.kluberg.com/ashland.html.
Union - Friday: The Northeast Oregon Folklore Society sponsors monthly community dances on the third Friday of each month, September through June. Dance is from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm at High Valley VFW Hall, 505 North Main Street. Cost: Freewill donation. More info: Melody, 541-562-1131. Web site: http://www.neofs.us/.
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.