Contra Dancing in Corvallis

Regular CFS contra dance evenings in Corvallis are on the first and third Saturday of the month except in July and August. There are occasional special dances too.

Please check the Calendar of Contra dances for individual dance details.

  • Our dances always have a caller and live music, usually a band with 3 or more members who play a lively mix of instruments that might include fiddle, guitar, mandolin, piano, banjo, (bag) pipes or pretty much anything
  • We begin with a “newcomer’s session” of dance instruction at 7:00 pm
  • The “main” dance is from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm with an intermission
  • Beginners are always welcome, even if you don’t make it to the instruction session.
  • We draw dancers from every age and ability from teens to retirees; from “first dance ever” to “been a dancer for decades”.
  • Each dance set starts with a “walk through” to teach the dance sequence, and is called during the dance. Each set lasts about 15 minutes including the walk-through.
  • The price is now a sliding scale of $8 to $10 at the door. CFS members get a $2 discount, as do people who arrive by bike or foot. People 18 and under get in free. There are occasional special dances with visiting special and nationwide bands at different prices.
  • We suggest that dancers wear “cool, comfortable, casual clothes”. “Swirly” skirts are common, as are shorts (contra is aerobic!).
  • We suggest flat shoes with clean soft soles. Tennis or gym shoes are fine.
  • Please refrain from wearing fragrances, perfumes, and colognes. Some of our dancers have chemical sensitivities.

Occasionally, a CFS member will host a potluck before the evening dance. Often, several dancers will get together at a local bar or restaurant after the dance to talk and wind down.

For more information contact Jennifer Carlin: phone: 541.231.0008 or email: Contras @ CorvallisFolklore.org.

2019-2020    CORVALLIS  CONTRA-DANCE         

Fall/Winter     Band and Caller Line-up:

  9/21   Euphemists   w/ Michael Karcher

10/05  The Nettles   w/ Laurel Thomas

10/17   DAM BEAVERS   w/ Seth Tepfer  Thursday @ OSU MU

11/02   Treehouse   w/ Shell Stowell

11/16   Joyride   w/ Deb Comly

11/25   FAUX PAWS   w/ George Marshall  Monday @ OSU MU $12

12/07   Uncle Farmer   w/ Susan Petrick

12/21   Bandwidth   w/ Isaac Banner

2020    

 CFS contra dances are cancelled for now, to avoid spreading COVID-19

1/04   Alchemists   w/Erik Weberg

1/18    The Nettles   w/Isaac Banner @ OSU MU

2/01    Coriolis   w/Eric Curl

2/16    Joyride & Stomp Rocket   w/Lindsey Dono & Sarah BanNorstrand   Sunday

3/07    The Hat Band   w/Woody Lane

3/21     Cascade Crossing   w/Shell Stowell  CANCELLED

4/04    The Euphemists   w/Noah Grunzweig

4/18     Countercurrent   w/Marlin Prowell

5/02    Stage Crew   w/William Watson

5/16     Treehouse   w/Karen Olsen

6/06    The Nettles   w/Kelsey Hartman

6/20    Penk, Pinney, & Lindsay   w/Erik Weberg

 Corvallis Contradance Weekend

Each Presidents day weekend, we host the Corvallis Contradance Weekend, a full weekend of contra dance, music and community.

Pacific Northwest Contra Dance Callers and Bands

Information for Callers and Bands

Corvallis Dance Locations:

FCC Gatton Hall (First Congregational Church)
4515 West Hills Road, Corvallis, Oregon

FUMC Community Center (First United Methodist Church)
1166 NW Jackson Avenue. We use the community center, on the southwest corner of 11th and Jackson. It has a parking lot.

Oregon State University Memorial Union 2501 NW Jefferson Way

 

Other dance/Music Events

Salem Folklore’s Westwind Weekend, May 4-6, 2018 at Camp Westwind near Lincoln City, OR.     https://westwindweekend.org

Where else can I dance?

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