= contra; 
= English; 
= Square
BACDS currently holds dances on Wednesdays and Fridays through Sundays. Click on the calendar dates to go to listings for that day.
Su M Tu W Th F Sa
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Please note: Except where noted, all dances start at 8pm.
BET--Bethany United Methodist Church, 1268 Sanchez (at Clipper), San Francisco. 2nd Saturday English dance, 7:30pm.
= contra; = English; = Square
Bold dates in brackets indicate the revision date for entries updated from the printed calendar.
[10/1] An evening of contradancing in Berkeley at GNC featuring some great talent from the Northwest and beyond: Woody Lane (Roseburg, OR) calling, with music by Open Band led by Rex Blazer (Juneau), and Rebecca King.
Friday, October 5
The first Friday English country dance at MT in downtown Palo Alto! Bob Fraley teaches all you need to know, with music by Nonesuch Country Dance Players (Ruth Anne Fraley, Susan and Stanley Kramer, Mark Daly and Paul Kostka)
with special guest Bill Jensen. There's an orientation session for beginners at 7:30, too...
Saturday, October 6
[10/1] Out in the Sunset District of San Francisco, the first Saturday contra roars to life at SF, with the calling of Woody Lane (from Roseburg, OR) and tunes served up by the redoubtable Rex Blazer (from Juneau) and Rebecca King.
Wednesday, October 10
Every Wednesday there's dancing in Berkeley at GNC, and tonights an English dance with Lise Dyckman teaching, and music by David Mostardi, Laurie Chastain, and Craig Johnson.
Friday, October 12
The once-a-month Berkeley Friday contra at FIN features series host Kirston Koths calling, with music from the amazing fiddle/guitar duo Stump Tail Dog (Dan Engle & Ray Frank).
Saturday, October 13
Second Saturday contra in south Palo Alto at PA, with the wonderful Andy Wilson calling. The joint will be jumpin' to the exciting tunes The Percolators (Laurie Rivin, Paul Rangell, and Janet Dows), a Santa Cruz trio that's been a mainstay of dances there. Go see 'em!
... there's also an English dance in the Noe Valley district of San Francisco at BET, starting at 7:30. This month's caller is Cathleen Myers, music by the trio of Stan & Susan Kramer and Bill Jensen. There's also a gathering at a local restaurant beforehand (so you can park while it's easier and get in a great meal and socialize a bit beforehand). Call 415/430-1269 x3293 for more information on the gathering.
Sunday, October 14
& [10/13] The 2nd Sunday El Cerrito Square and Contra dance at ECV features Erik Hoffman calling, with music by an amazing trio: The Earl White Dance Band (Earl White, Brendan Doyle, and Dan Warrick). Tonight there's a free Newcomers' Session from 7 to 8pm, with free admission to the entire evening (7-10PM) to all who attend the Newcomers' Session.
Wednesday, October 17
Third Wednesday Berkeley Contra at GNC. The energetic Erik Hoffman calls, with music by Open Band led by Chris Knepper, Charlie Hancock, and Kyle Thayer. They may be a trio without a name, but their cut on BACDS' CD Swinging On The Gate is wonderful.
Friday, October 19
, , & The start of BACDS' glorious Fall Dance Weekend at near Santa Cruz. This year features English, Contra, Squares, French/Breton, Morris, Northwest Morris, singing and music workshops. Bruce Hamilton, Mike Richardson (Seattle), Erik Hoffman, Ray Price, Alex Naar, Ian Robb (Ottawa) calling, with music by Kerry Elkin (Mass), Laurel Martin (Mass), Dan Compton (Portland), Jim Oakden, Shira Kammen, Charlie Hancock, Danny Carnahan, Barbara Slone, Gary Breitbard. Check out the webpage for details--as of mid-September, there were still some spaces left, but don't delay!
Or if you want to confine your dances to the evenings, the English dance in downtown Palo Alto at MT is a great bet. Bob Fraley calls, Nonesuch Country Dance Players (Ruth Anne Fraley, Susan and Stanley Kramer, Mark Daly and Paul Kostka)
plays, you have fun...
Saturday, October 20
The third Saturday San Francisco contra (at SF, natch...) features Ken Olcott calling, and music by Rebecca King and Ray Bierl.
Wednesday, October 24
A special dance at GNC! Alisa Dodson returns to her old Bay Area stomping grounds from the wilds of the Midwest, and calls an evening of dance, with music by Open Band led by David Strong, Anise Feldman, and Charlie Hancock.
Friday, October 26
There's that fourth Friday San Francisco contra at SF, so take a break from sewing your Hallowe'en duds and come dance to Charlie Fenton calling, with music by the amazing Swing Farm (Ray Bierl, Charlie Hancock & Steven Strauss). Hmmm... that makes three SFs in one listing!
Saturday, October 27
... but you should get back to your costuming because tonight's the 21st annual BACDS Hallowe'en Costume Ball ("21st in the 21st"), with The Ron Award for the best costume! It's all at PA, with Eric Black calling (along with special ghosts), with music by Hillbillies From Mars (Ray Bierl, Kevin Carr, Paul Kotapish, & Daniel Steinberg) Special price, longer dance: $13/$11, 8PM-Midnight. Bring a treat to share!
The experienced English country dance in Berkeley at GNC features North Bay caller Lydee Scudder, with music by Mark Carroll and Stan & Susan Kramer.
Sunday, October 28
& The El Cerrito Square/Contra heads south for the day, and holds forth in Berkeley at GNC. Jim Saxe calling, with music by Open Band led by SF. Again, please note the special location, but the dance starts at its regular 7pm time.
Wednesday, October 31
Contradance on Hallowe'en? But of course... come on down to the special Hallowe'en Monster Mash in Berkeley at GNC. Erik Hoffman calls, with music by Open Band led by Chris Knepper, Paul Kotapish, and Kyle Thayer. Come in costume or not, and there'll be tricks and treats. The dance goes until 11pm, and has a special admission of $10 ($8 members).