Contra dance is a New England folk social dance of mixed English and American tradition that has earned a reputation for being fun, diverse, inclusive and open to all. Dances are done in long lines and the steps are simple figures that a Caller combines together to create a longer pattern that is repeated until the music ends. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions / Häufig gestellte Fragen.

• Easy to learn: if you can walk, you can dance, no extra lessons needed
• Start any time (of the evening or year): no previous experience needed
• Dance any part: lead or follow
• Great social interactions
• Open minded group of people
• Arrive alone or with friends
• Live music: Appalachian folk fiddle and banjo/guitar

Admission is free of charge, but we ask you to kindly donate to the band for their hard work!

We end all sets with a slow waltz - you may dance alone or as a couple or with a group - as you like!

Volkshaus, Lagergasse 98o, 8020 Graz (ground floor)
Heilandskirche, Kaiser-Josef-Platz 9, 8010 Graz (Enter courtyard via gate on Kaiser-Josef-Platz and go in first door on left).
St. Leonhard Pfarrsaal (Graz), Leonhardplatz 14, 8010 Graz (From Odilien-Institut/Klinikm Süd tram station, enter via church/cemetary parking lot).
Tennenmälzerei, Reininghaus (link and Stadtteilbüro)
Google Maps use address Am Steinfeld 9.
Tram 4 / Bus 65 (Reininghausstrasse or Reininghauspark/tim).
Bike via Alte Poststraße to Am Steinfeld
Parking garage in nearby Green Tower.

First Fridays of the month (with a few exceptions):

Caller: Brian Roberts

Band:

Guest Callers and/or Bands will be announced separately

A typical contra dance in Worcester, Massachusetts
English Language Wikipedia - CONTRA DANCE
German Language Wikipedia - CONTRA DANCE
Contra Dance Steps JUST FYI - you won't need to know these - we tell you every dance what to do! :)
A Brief History of Contra Dancing

• Austria (Klagenfurt): Kärntner Kelten occassional Irish ceili dances and classes.
• Austria (Vienna): Zeitentanz has historical (Renaissance through Biedermeier) contra dance classes and occasional dances, Höfischen Tanz does social dances from 16th to 19th century including contra dances, Kultureulenwelt has regular medieval and renaissance "Reigentänze" dances and practice sessions which are sometimes similar to contra dances.
• Austria (Scottish Ceilidh Vienna): RSCDS Vienna Branch has weekly practice sessions and monthly ceilidhs with live music, Cafe Henriette (Vienna) has monthly small ceilidhs with recorded music, Vienna Pipes and Drums has a yearly Ceilidh for St. Andrew's Day (November) with live music as well as Ceilidh music at a Burns Supper (January).
• Austria (Irish Céilí Vienna): Cumann Céilí Vín has weekly practice evenings of Irish Set + céilí dances
• Czechia: Prague (regular country dances/clasess and every two years a tour culminating in a weekend festival)
• Denmark: Gentofte, Gladsaxe
• France: Paris modern urban contra
• Germany: Aachen, Karlsruhe modern urban contra + English Country Dance, Leipzig area, Munich, Stuttgart
• Switzerland: Zurich area, Lugano, Geneva
• Europe-wide: European Callers and Teachers Association (ECTA) (yearly contra dance convention as well as other events containing contra, square, round and clogging dancing), European Association of American Square Dancing Clubs e.V. (occasional contra dances).
• UK: London Barn Dance (monthly modern urban contra), and many, many, more groups...
• Lists of events worldwide: Folkdance.page