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"Serving the South Bay area..."
Olympia Contra Dance
We updated our COVID-19 policies in July 2023 to better align with the current status of COVID-19 in our community and preferences of our community members. Our approach since re-starting the dances in early 2022 has been to focus on offering a safe environment for as many people to dance as possible. We recognize that this change may be difficult for those who enjoy things as they are, and may be disappointing to those who were hoping for a different or more drastic change. Please be kind to one another as we navigate this together.
Read the full COVID protocols
What is Contra Dancing?
Contra is community-oriented social folk dancing to live music. It's lively, joyful, welcoming, modern, traditional, and fun! No partner or experience is needed to have a great time, so we hope to see you on the dance floor!
The Details
Our dances are typically held on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month
When:
- Lesson: for new dancers: 7:00 pm.
- Dance: 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Ways to stay connected and learn about upcoming dances:
Cost: Sliding scale $10-20 ($5 for under 18). We prefer cash (so we can easily pass it along to the performers), but also accept checks and online payment forms using your smart phone.
COVID: Well-fitting masks are required (and provided for those who forget). We recognize that contra dancing is a high-risk activity for spreading airborne diseases and we care deeply about the health, safety, and joy of this community. Review the full COVID protocols here.
Where: Dances are held at the South Bay Grange at 3918 Sleater Kinney Rd NE, Olympia, WA 98506. There is a gravel parking lot just to the south of the building along Sleater Kinney and you are welcome to use the school parking lot across the street.
Community: contra dancing is not just about dancing to great music, it's also about being part of a safe, supportive, and inclusive community. Check out our community standards and
code of conduct. Use our
feedback form to share any suggestions or requests, or to let us know if something happened that made you feel uncomfortable.
Who: Since dancing restarting in 2021, these contra dances have been hosted by a committee of the South Bay Grange rather than the Olympia Contra Dance Community (OCDC).
Upcoming Dances
September 23, 2023: Riffraff with Susan Michaels calling! The band is Lindon Toney (fiddle), Jesse Partridge (fiddle, guitar, piano), Eros Faulk (fiddle, guitar), and Dante Faulk (cello).
October 4, 2023: Special Wednesday evening dance for Countercurrent album release tour with Lindsey Dono calling! Countercurrent is Alex Sturbaum (guitar, accordion, vocals) and Brian Lindsay (fiddle, banjo, foot percussion, vocals).
October 14, 2023: Vienna, Patrick and TBD with Tom Wimmer calling! The band is Vienna Scheyer (fiddle), Patrick Gunning (guitar), and possibly another fiddler.
October 28, 2023: Riffraff with Carol Piening calling! The band is Lindon Toney (fiddle), Jesse Partridge (fiddle, guitar, piano), Eros Faulk (fiddle, guitar), and Dante Faulk (cello).
November 6, 2023: Special Monday evening dance featuring The Faux Paws with George Marshall calling! The Faux Paws are Noah VanNorstrand (fiddle, foot percussion), Chris Miller (saxophone), and other nationally renowned contradance musicians.
Add our upcoming dances to your Google Calendar (you must be logged into a Google account)
Past Dances
2023 contra dances
2022 contra dances
2021 contra dances
COVID exposure tracking results
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