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Bay Area Country Dance Society
Promoting traditional English and American music and dance

Berkeley Contra Dance

1st, 3rd, & 5th Wednesdays
We always dance to live music, and there is an open band on most evenings—musicians are welcome to play along with the band!
New to contra dancing? Come early at 7:30pm for an introductory lesson.
Role Names: This a gender-neutral series.
We usually use the role names “Larks” and “Robins.”

About Contra Dancing

Contra dancing is a simple yet lively social dance form that's part of the New England dance scene, transported to the melting pot of San Francisco. Contra dancing is easy to learn, the music is live, and the event is a great social mixer. Come alone or bring a guest or more! Contra dances are done in long lines of couples. Pairs of couples dance together as a group of four, going through a sequence of moves or figures, for one round of the dance, until the two couples change places up and down the line and are facing the next couple, ready to start another round of the dance.

The mood of a Contra dance is upbeat and quick-tempo, but the music isn't as fast as it sounds. You can do every figure at a walking pace. You get a chance to walk through each figure under the caller's direction before the dance starts, and both the caller and your fellow dancers will help you remember what to do at each point in the dance. The dance repeats, so, after only a few times through, you'll be amazed how quickly your body starts to remember what to do, and you can fully enjoy the music!

BACDS COVID safety precautions

TIME: 8 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

LOCATION:  Christ Church East Bay, 2138 Cedar St. (near Oxford), Berkeley

Map to Christ Church East Bay

Christ Church East Bay policies
  • Street shoes discouraged, but permitted if clean.
  • Do NOT put bikes on the handrails that are on the west side of the hall (the mailbox side) at the exterior "elevator" at Christ Church East Bay. There are two signs on Cedar Street (by the green zone) that could secure four bikes. Additional railings are available at the steps that go down to the lower floor front offices. Finally, bikes may be brought into the facility provided that the wheels are clean.
  • The handrails are off-limits in order to remain compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and keep the hall accessible at all times.

PRICE:
$25 supporters,
$20 non-members,
$15 members
$6 students or low-income
or pay what you can.

DRIVING AND TRANSIT DIRECTIONS

The BACDS mission: Promoting, preserving, performing, and teaching traditional English and American music & dance

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Last Updated: Wed Apr 22 01:34:14 2026

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