This page tries to keep track of all contra dances, traditional square dances (but not Modern Western Square Dances), traditional waltz sessions and Scandinavian dances in Wisconsin including dance camps and weekends along with other events in Wisconsin which include contra dancing and these other forms. 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.
Amherst: Tomorrow River Chautauqua presents a country dance at the Jensen Center, 487 N Main St. The dance will start at 7:30 and go until 10:00. The cost will be $7 per person. Kids to the age of 12 are free and young adults, 12-17 are $2. Individuals do not have to dance but it sure is fun. Web site: http://tomorrow-river-chautauqua.com/.
Antigo - North Country Contra: (4th Friday); 6:30 - 9:00 p.m.; Casual dress; Antigo United Methodist Church, 2034 W. 5th Ave., Antigo, WI; Information: Pat Kelm 715-623-4523 or promn8@newnorth.net. Web site: http://www.newnorth.net/~promn8/contradances.htm.
Ashland - Folk Festival: Folk festival in early mid-May. Web site: http://ncsanorthland.org/special-events/folkfest/the-43d-annual-folk-festival.
Baileys Harbor: The Door County Folk Alliance sponsors a dance at the Baileys Harbor Town Hall from 7:00pm to 9:30pm. Donations accepted to pay for the caller and hall. Web site: http://www.dcfolk.com/index.htm.
Beloit: Dance at Beloit College Hendricks Center for the Arts: Corner of East Grand Avenue and Pleasant Street, Beloit, WI from 7:30pm to 10:00pm (lesson at 7pm). $5 suggested donation. This event is free and open to the campus and community. No experience necessary. Street shoes are not allowed in the studio - make sure you bring a spare! Web site: http://beloitcontra.wordpress.com/event-schedule/.
Brooklyn: Barn Dance at the O'Brien Barn, 552 Glenway Rd, Brooklyn, WI. Dance begins at 7pm. Web site: http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/dances.htm.
Brule - Brule River Barn Dance Weekend: Dancing, camping, swimming, paddling, jamming, kids activities. Register in advance. Location: 4996 S County Rod H, Brule, Wisconsin. Web site: http://tamarackdance.org.
Delafield: Prairie Hill Contra Dances - All dances are held at the Prairie Hill Waldorf School, N14 W29143 Silvernail Rd, Pewaukee, WI on the first Saturday of the month. Time: 8:00 - 11:00 pm (teaching 7 - 8 pm). Cost: Adults $8.00; Students $5.00; Children under 12 $5.00. Please help us protect this great floor by bringing clean shoes to change into for the dance. Street shoes should not be used for dancing. Web site: http://www.delafieldcontra.com/.
Dodgeville - Squirrel Moon Dance Weekend: Annual dance weekend held in mid-September at Folklore Village (3210 County BB). Register in advance. Web site: http://www.squirrelmoon.org.
Dodgeville - Barn Dance: We welcome all ages and experience levels to our Barn Dances and Saturday Night Socials in a friendly, encouraging atmosphere where you can learn the steps, dance to your hearts content or simply sit and enjoy the music and camaraderie! $6 Adults (18+), $5 Members, $4 Seniors (65+) and Teens (13-17), $3 Children (5-12) We ask that you only wear shoes with non-marking soles on our beautiful wooden dance floor. Thank you! Folklore Village Barn Dances are fun-filled evenings of traditional American dances, including old-time squares, New England contras and Appalachian big circles. No experience or special costume required. Families and beginners are always welcome! 6:30 pm potluck. Dancing follows. Web site: http://www.folklorevillage.org.
Dodgeville - Old Time Social: We welcome all ages and experience levels to our Barn Dances and Saturday Night Socials in a friendly, encouraging atmosphere where you can learn the steps, dance to your hearts content or simply sit and enjoy the music and camaraderie! $6 Adults (18+), $5 Members, $4 Seniors (65+) and Teens (13-17), $3 Children (5-12) We ask that you only wear shoes with non-marking soles on our beautiful wooden dance floor. Thank you! We invite you to take part in a 40 year tradition of Saturday Night Socials. A blend of the traditional rural Wisconsin "house party" and the small town community gatherings of churches and other social groups, these special evenings include dancing and games. All dances are taught and no partners are necessary. Bring the whole family and your favorite potluck dish. 6:30 pm potluck, dancing and games follow. Web site: http://www.folklorevillage.org.
Dodgeville - Swedish Music and Dance Weekend: Web site: http://www.folklorevillage.org.
Dodgeville - Norwegian Music and Dance Weekend: Web site: http://www.folklorevillage.org.
Dodgeville - Fundraising Evening: Doors open at 6:30. Program 7:30-10:30. Sponsored by the Folklore Village Board of Directors. $25 minimum donation for this extraordinary evening. Join us for a very special evening that promises and delivers a variety of experiences that make Folklore Village the center for showcasing the best of American folk music and cultural traditions. Web site: http://www.folklorevillage.org.
Ephraim: The Door County Folk Alliance sponsors a dance at the Ephraim Village Hall from 7:00pm to 9:30pm. Donations accepted to pay for the caller and hall. Web site: http://www.dcfolk.com/index.htm.
Fairwater - International Folk Dance Weekend: The weekend is held at the Fairwater Civic Center near Hwy 44 and County E, in mid-October and includes a contra dance as part of the variety of participatory dances. Web site: http://sites.google.com/site/folkdanceworkshop/.
Gays Mills - Folk Festival of Music and Dance: Weekend festival in mid-May with family fun, dancing, picking, open stage, maypole dance, workshops, kids games, silent auction and a Friday Night Square Dance, Saturday Night Concert and Sunday Morning Gospel Sing. Web site: http://www.gaysmillsfolkfest.org.
Horeb: Potluck and Barn Dance at 2669 County Highway P, Mt Horeb, WI. Please RSVP. 5:00 eats, 6:00 family/friends jam band, 7:30ish dance - We can't do a cover charge at the sale barn, but we will have a free-will "sugar bowl" to help pay for our featured band. Web site: http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/dances.htm.
Hudson - Midwest Morris Ale: The 2013 edition of this event will take place at Camp St. Croix in Hudson in late May. Many times the event includes a contra dance but it does have an emphasis on Morris dancing. Web site: http://www.midwestmorrisale.org.
Madison - Tuesday: A dance every Tuesday, all year round (~7:45-9:45 pm) at Gates of Heaven Synagogue (302 E. Gorham in James Madison Park). Madison Contra Dance Cooperative, open band and callers. Tuesday dances are free with 4-month membership of $50, $5 for non-members, and $3 for students. Call Steve (608-238-3394). Web site: http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/dances.htm.
Madison - La Fête de Marquette: Annual weekend of music from the French diaspora with some dancing. Held in the first half of July. Location: South Dickinson and E. Washington. Web site: http://www.wil-mar.org/la-fete-de-marquette/.
Madison - Folk Ball: Annual folk dance, including a contra dance, weekend in late January/early February presented by the Madison Folk Dance Club. Web site: http://www.madfolkdance.org/folk-ball-2012.
Madison - Friday: Location: Memorial Union: 800 Langdon Street, Madison, WI (At the north end of Park Street at Langdon St. overlooking Lake Mendota on the University of Wisconsin Campus). Evening dances are generally 8-11 pm except as noted and have an admission charge of typically $7. Dances are taught, partners are not required, and no experience is necessary. If you are new to contra dancing, show up early (preferably for the beginning) when dances are easier and figures are introduced. An introductory lesson is often offered at 7:30 before the dance. You will be able to step right in and dance. Each dance, of the dozen or so each evening, is taught and called. Please bring shoes with clean soles to preserve our fine wooden dance floors. In the event of bad weather, check the Mad Dancers listserver for possible cancellation. Web site: http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/dances.htm.
Madison - Saturday: Location: Grace Episcopal Church: 116 W. Washington, Madison, WI (Church faces Capitol Square - enter the hall through the courtyard on the Washington St. side). Evening dances are generally 8-11 pm except as noted and have an admission charge of typically $7. Dances are taught, partners are not required, and no experience is necessary. If you are new to contra dancing, show up early (preferably for the beginning) when dances are easier and figures are introduced. An introductory lesson is often offered at 7:30 before the dance. You will be able to step right in and dance. Each dance, of the dozen or so each evening, is taught and called. Please bring shoes with clean soles to preserve our fine wooden dance floors. In the event of bad weather, check the Mad Dancers listserver for possible cancellation. Web site: http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/dances.htm.
Madison - Thursday: Location: Tripp Commons at the Memorial Union: 800 Langdon Street, Madison, WI (At the north end of Park Street at Langdon St. overlooking Lake Mendota on the University of Wisconsin Campus). Evening dances are generally 8-11 pm except as noted and have an admission charge of typically $7. Dances are taught, partners are not required, and no experience is necessary. If you are new to contra dancing, show up early (preferably for the beginning) when dances are easier and figures are introduced. An introductory lesson is often offered at 7:30 before the dance. You will be able to step right in and dance. Each dance, of the dozen or so each evening, is taught and called. Please bring shoes with clean soles to preserve our fine wooden dance floors. In the event of bad weather, check the Mad Dancers listserver for possible cancellation. Web site: http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/dances.htm.
Madison - Goodman Community Center: Dance is from 6:30pm to 8:00pm at the Goodman Community Center, 149 Waubesa Street, Madison, WI. Call Veena at 608-663-8390 for more information. Web site: http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/dances.htm.
Madison - Early Music Festival: Dance as a fundraiser for the festival at the High Noon Saloon, 701 East Washington Avenue, Madison, WI. Dance instructionm. Cost is $15. Light snacks and water provided; cash bar. Instruction at 3:30pm. Dancing from 4:15pm to 6:00pm. Web site: http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/dances.htm or http://www.dcs.wisc.edu/lsa/memf/related-events.htm.
Madison - Squares - Wil-Mar Center: Dance at the Wil-Mar Center, 953 Jenifer Street, Madison, WI. Web site: http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/dances.htm.
Madison - Waltz - Workshop: Waltz Workshop from 7pm to 10pm at Grace Hall, Memorial Union: 800 Langdon Street, Madison, WI (At the north end of Park Street at Langdon St. overlooking Lake Mendota on the University of Wisconsin Campus). Web site: http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/dances.htm.
Manitowoc - Pinecrest Historical Village Fall Harvest Fest: A barn dance is held as part of this event held in late September. The sponsor is the The Manitowoc Historical Society. Time - 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Web site: http://www.newnorth.net/~promn8/barndance.htm.
Milwaukee - Power Down Week: Dance at the Falcon Bowl, 801 E. Clarke, Milwaukee, WI 53212 from 7pm to 10pm. Web site: http://transitionmilwaukee.org.
Milwaukee - Falcon Bowl: Dance at the Falcon Bowl, 810 East Clark, Milwaukee, WI (across from Riverwest Coop), with a lesson at 7:00pm and dancing at about 7:30pm or 8:00pm. Web site: https://www.facebook.com/groups/107579962615328.
Pewaukee - Delafield IndepenDance Weekend: Held in late June at the Prairie Hill Waldorf School west of Milwaukee. Pre-registration is encouraged, but not required (but at-the-door is dependent on the amount of pre-registrations. Web site: http://www.delafieldcontra.com/Delafield_Contra_Weekend.html.
Pewauakee - Prairie Hill Contra Dances Contra Dances: All dances are held at the Prairie Hill Waldorf School, N14 W29143 Silvernail Road on the first Saturday of the month. Time: 8:00-11:00 pm; (teaching 7-8 pm). Cost: Adults $7.00; Students $5.00; Children under 12 $5.00. Please help us protect this great floor by bringing clean shoes to change into for the dance. Street shoes should not be used for dancing. Web site: http://www.delafieldcontra.com/.
River Falls: Dances from October to April on the 4th or 3rd Saturday of the month. Anyone, any age, and any ability level can attend these dances, and anyone can dance. The professional callers teach each dance before we dance it AND the learning is fun too. It's a great way to meet new people, to have a cheap night out, to exercise, and to frolic. Each dance is on a Saturday evening from 7 to 10 pm at the River Falls Academy. Enter on Maple Street where you see the sign. From 7 to 8:30 is "family dance"; after 8:30 the callers like to challenge us with more sophisticated dances. Cost is just $5 per person ($2.50 for each child under 12). Inexpensive refreshments are also available for sale. Web site: http://www.riverfallscab.org/communitybarndances.php.
Sister Bay - Door County Folk Festival: The Door County Folk Festival (DCFF) is one of the most fun-filled, enjoyable and educational dance weekends held in the Midwest. Each year, the DCFF attracts hundreds of participants to Door County, Wisconsin, from all around the U.S., Canada and often other countries. The Festival begins on the Wednesday following Independence Day. Each Festival continues a tradition of enjoyable, extended July weekends where you can dance (as late into the night as you wish), sing, play, learn, share experiences, eat, party and make new friends in a congenial, relaxed, community atmosphere. Register in advance for a discount. Variety of dances styles. Web site: http://www.dcff.net/.
Sister Bay: The Door County Folk Alliance sponsors a dance at the Sister Bay Village Hall from 7:00pm to 9:30pm. Donations accepted to pay for the caller and hall. Web site: http://www.dcfolk.com/index.htm.
Sturgeon Bay - Institute Saloon: The Door County Folk Alliance sponsors a dance at the Institute Saloon, 4599 State Highway 57 Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 from 7:00pm to 9:30pm. Donations accepted to pay for the caller and hall. Web site: http://www.dcfolk.com/index.htm.
Sturgeon Bay - Knights of Columbus Hall: The Door County Folk Alliance sponsors a dance at the Sturgeon Bay Knights of Columbus Hall from 7:00pm to 9:30pm. Donations accepted to pay for the caller and hall. Web site: http://www.dcfolk.com/index.htm.
Sturgeon Bay - Team Leadership Center: The Door County Folk Alliance sponsors a dance at the Sturgeon Bay Team Leadership Center from 7:00pm to 9:30pm. Donations accepted to pay for the caller and hall. Web site: http://www.dcfolk.com/index.htm.
Williams Bay - Breaking Up Thanksgiving: is an old-time music and dance weekend held near Chicago over the weekend following Thanksgiving. The program is produced by volunteers. Web site: http://www.breakingupthanksgiving.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 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 Mississippi, South Dakota or Wyoming, but I have created pages if something changes in the future.