Second Thursday Contra Dance

On the second Thursday of every month, enjoy the fun as well as the mental and physical health benefits of dancing with others! Are you yearning for more community engagement? More joy? More cultural activities? More exercise? We’ve got it all covered in one stop — come along and dance!

June’s dance features traditional Irish, old-time American and Balkan songs performed by Slow Down Tommy – Marty Frye (Irish flute), David McKindley-Ward (guitar), Jonathan Een Newton (cello/fiddle) and Anders Fahey (clawhammer banjo). Caller: Janine Smith.

No experience required: each session starts at 7:00 pm with a 30-minute lesson, and then dances are “called” from 7:30-10 pm (this means the steps are called out loud so you can follow along). All levels of experience are welcome.

NOTE: TWO FOR ONE OPPORTUNITY!!! VOTE AND DANCE!!! Show your “I Voted” sticker and get free admission!

IMPORTANT HEADS UP: Because June 14 coincides with early voting, the dance will not be in the usual Great Hall but in one of the smaller rooms on the ground level. We will have access to two rooms, so one will be set-up for refreshments and social break times, and the other for dancing. We have made this work once before and actually it was one of our best dances! So we will make it work again, though we are sorry for the inconvenience.

The Contra Dances are presented by Carpe Diem Arts in partnership with the Folklore Society of Greater Washington and Washington Revels, with support from BE ACTIVE: Montgomery County Department of Recreation.