What weβre about
These social dances are fun for all ages, and benefit the body and mind. A fun way to exercise and make friends. You can bring a friend, but you don't need a partner. Typically 60 to 90 of us are dancing many Sunday nights. See Schedule at https://www.sbcds.org A 20-minute orientation lesson is before each dance
They were not started on Meetup. So you won't see very high RSVP counts since most people attend without RSVPing on Meetup.
Contra Dancing: You love live music, to move to it, to get exercise, to make friends.
This is a great place for non-dancers to explore a new kind of fun, for experienced dancers new to contra dance, and of course returning contra dancers. No experience necessary!
Our live music includes all kinds of instruments depending on the band. Typical instruments include fiddle, guitar, piano, mandolin, accordion, flute.
We offer a 20-minute orientation lesson before each dance where you'll learn the basic structure of a contra dance and the most common figures. The caller teaches the sequence for ach dance before the music starts, and then prompts the figures for a while. The moves are about 30 seconds but then the sequence repeats several more times, and each time you meet another pair of dancers. How sociable!
It's perfectly okay to come to the dance by yourself. Everybody asks everybody to dance.
What to wear: comfortable, smooth-sole (if possible) shoes, lightweight clothing or layers when it's cold. Maybe bring an extra shirt in case you work up a sweat...Let's Dance!
2 of 2: English Country Dancing
The Grandparent of contra dancing, English Country Dancing appeals to your love of variety, excitement, elegance, energy, and even a bit of challenge. Come with friends or come by yourself. Everyone dances.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- SUNDAY CONTRA DANCE- Thksgiving pot luck 5pm,π$10 Dance 6:30 Chopped Liver bandSB Carrillo Recreation Center, Santa Barbara, CA$10.00
SUNDAY CONTRA DANCE $10- Thanksgiving pot luck (with turkey) 5pm,π Dance 6:30 Chopped Liver TRIO band-
$10 Cash / VISA / MC / VENMO at the door.
What do you like about Contra Dance?***"I like that there's variety in the steps. I like that they instruct you very thoroughly. And then you have the chance to repetitively practice that step as you go through the entire line, and so I know it well by the end. I love the energy. Everyone's just joyful." ***-Nina, a recent new dancer.
Nothing to wrinkle your nose up at, Chopped Liver Trio is a local contra- and English country dance band whose repertoire includes a wide range of traditional and original tunes, performed in a lively and unique manner. Band members Michael Mendelson (fiddle), Jeff Spero (piano), and Bill Flores (banjo, mandolin, dobro, tenor sax) have tight rhythms and a driving sound that will lift your spirits in exhilarating ways, bringing you closer to your dancing family and friends. You can have your fill of this Chopped Liver and keep wanting to come back for more!
CONTRA DANCE: co-sponsored by the SB Park and Rec Department
- Fun Spirited Social Dance
- A live band and a caller
- Playful and Enjoyable
- No Partner Needed
- Good for the body and brain
- Easy for Beginners
Future 2024 Contra Dances (1st & 3rd Sundays, 5th Sunday FREE: put them on your calendar)
DATE BAND CALLER
Dec 1. Chopped Liver Trio w. Lindsay Verbil calling $10
Dec 15. Anvil Sky w. Frannie Marr calling $10
Dec 25. Corwin & Grace w. Erik Hoffman calling FREE DANCE
Jan 5: Fiddle Tunas w. Jacqui Grennan calling $10
Jan 26: Chopped Liver w. Chris Page calling $10
Feb 2: Rosin Sniffers w. Andy Shore calling $10
Feb 16: Stepwise w. Frannie Marr calling $10The band takes a break in the middle. At the end of each half, we can dance a waltz. And during the break (with snacks), recorded music is played for East and West Coast swing dance, Country Dance, and more.
For more info check out https://www.sbcds.org/contradance/schedule/
Video of one of our dances
More info @ http://www.sbcds.org/contradance/
A big smile for your body, mind, and soul for $10.
(worth it just for the live music)
Please share this email with friends or bring them to the dance - CONTRA DANCE-A live band $10π6-9pm 1st & 3rd Sundays 6-9pm in Carrillo ballroomSB Carrillo Recreation Center, Santa Barbara, CA$10.00
CONTRA DANCE- $10 Cash / VISA / MC / VENMO at the door.
ALWAYS A LIVE BAND
You don't need a partner. New dancers are having fun every week! What do you like about Contra Dance?What do you like about Contra Dance?
"I like that there's variety in the steps. I like that they instruct you very thoroughly. And then you have the chance to repetitively practice that step as you go through the entire line, and so I know it well by the end. I love the energy. Everyone's just joyful. Yeah, That's it."
-Nina, a recent new dancer.Future 2024 Contra Dances (1st & 3rd Sundays, 5th Sunday FREE: put them on your calendar)
DATE BAND CALLER
Nov 17. Frank Hoppe & Laura Osborn Teasel, with D. Farnsworth joining them on mandolin w. Jean Gorrindo calling $10
Dec 1. Chopped Liver Trio w. Lindsay Verbil calling $10 Thanksgiving potluck at 5pm dance 6:30-9:30
Dec 15. Anvil Sky w. Frannie Marr calling $10
Dec 25. Corwin & Grace w. Erik Hoffman calling FREE DANCE
Jan 5: Fiddle Tunas w. Jacqui Grennan calling $10CONTRA DANCE: co-sponsored by the SB Park and Rec Department
- Fun Spirited Social Dance
- A live band and a caller
- Playful and Enjoyable
- No Partner Needed
- Good for the body and brain
- Easy for Beginners
The band takes a break in the middle. At the end of each half, we can dance a waltz. And during the break (with snacks), recorded music is played for East and West Coast swing dance, Country Dance, and more.
For more info check out https://www.sbcds.org/contradance/schedule/
Video of one of our dances
More info @ http://www.sbcds.org/contradance/
A big smile for your body, mind, and soul for $10.
(worth it just for the live music)
Please share this email with friends or bring them to the dance - CONTRA DANCE-A live band $10π6-9pm 1st & 3rd Sundays 6-9pm in Carrillo ballroomSB Carrillo Recreation Center, Santa Barbara, CA$10.00
CONTRA DANCE- $10 Cash / VISA / MC / VENMO at the door.
ALWAYS A LIVE BAND
You don't need a partner. New dancers are having fun every week! What do you like about Contra Dance?What do you like about Contra Dance?
"I like that there's variety in the steps. I like that they instruct you very thoroughly. And then you have the chance to repetitively practice that step as you go through the entire line, and so I know it well by the end. I love the energy. Everyone's just joyful. Yeah, That's it."
-Nina, a recent new dancer.Future 2024 Contra Dances (1st & 3rd Sundays, 5th Sunday FREE: put them on your calendar)
DATE BAND CALLER
Nov 17. Frank Hoppe & Laura Osborn Teasel, with D. Farnsworth joining them on mandolin w. Jean Gorrindo calling $10
Dec 1. Chopped Liver Trio w. Lindsay Verbil calling $10 Thanksgiving potluck at 5pm dance 6:30-9:30
Dec 15. Anvil Sky w. Frannie Marr calling $10
Dec 25. Corwin & Grace w. Erik Hoffman calling FREE DANCE
Jan 5: Fiddle Tunas w. Jacqui Grennan calling $10CONTRA DANCE: co-sponsored by the SB Park and Rec Department
- Fun Spirited Social Dance
- A live band and a caller
- Playful and Enjoyable
- No Partner Needed
- Good for the body and brain
- Easy for Beginners
The band takes a break in the middle. At the end of each half, we can dance a waltz. And during the break (with snacks), recorded music is played for East and West Coast swing dance, Country Dance, and more.
For more info check out https://www.sbcds.org/contradance/schedule/
Video of one of our dances
More info @ http://www.sbcds.org/contradance/
A big smile for your body, mind, and soul for $10.
(worth it just for the live music)
Please share this email with friends or bring them to the dance - CONTRA DANCE-A live band $10π6-9pm 1st & 3rd Sundays 6-9pm in Carrillo ballroomSB Carrillo Recreation Center, Santa Barbara, CA$10.00
CONTRA DANCE- $10 Cash / VISA / MC / VENMO at the door.
ALWAYS A LIVE BAND
You don't need a partner. New dancers are having fun every week! What do you like about Contra Dance?What do you like about Contra Dance?
"I like that there's variety in the steps. I like that they instruct you very thoroughly. And then you have the chance to repetitively practice that step as you go through the entire line, and so I know it well by the end. I love the energy. Everyone's just joyful. Yeah, That's it."
-Nina, a recent new dancer.Future 2024 Contra Dances (1st & 3rd Sundays, 5th Sunday FREE: put them on your calendar)
DATE BAND CALLER
Nov 17. Frank Hoppe & Laura Osborn Teasel, with D. Farnsworth joining them on mandolin w. Jean Gorrindo calling $10
Dec 1. Chopped Liver Trio w. Lindsay Verbil calling $10 Thanksgiving potluck at 5pm dance 6:30-9:30
Dec 15. Anvil Sky w. Frannie Marr calling $10
Dec 25. Corwin & Grace w. Erik Hoffman calling FREE DANCE
Jan 5: Fiddle Tunas w. Jacqui Grennan calling $10CONTRA DANCE: co-sponsored by the SB Park and Rec Department
- Fun Spirited Social Dance
- A live band and a caller
- Playful and Enjoyable
- No Partner Needed
- Good for the body and brain
- Easy for Beginners
The band takes a break in the middle. At the end of each half, we can dance a waltz. And during the break (with snacks), recorded music is played for East and West Coast swing dance, Country Dance, and more.
For more info check out https://www.sbcds.org/contradance/schedule/
Video of one of our dances
More info @ http://www.sbcds.org/contradance/
A big smile for your body, mind, and soul for $10.
(worth it just for the live music)
Please share this email with friends or bring them to the dance