Sacramento Area Contradances
and English Country Dances

Dances sponsored by the
Sacramento Country Dance Society (SCDS)
Sacramento, California

Updated January 9, 2012


Winter 2012 Schedule

December | January | February | March |


  • What is contra dancing?
  • What is English Country Dancing?

  • "The proper allemande grip," Carrie explained to 'Joe the Arm', "is just like shooting a handgun. Keep your wrist straight, hold your partner's hand firmly but not too tight, and don't tilt your hand to the right or the left. With a handgun, of course, that throws your shot off. In the allemande it twists your partner's wrist, which hurts. Both are uncool."
    from Guns at the Dance and Issues of Etiquette

       
          Special Dances, Workshops, and Announcements
          General SCDS Dance Information
          Other Dances Near Sacramento
          Dance Organization Links
          SCDS Dance Schedule

    Special Dances, Workshops, and Announcements


    • Dec 31 –A New Year’s Eve celebration! 8 pm to midnight. Please bring dessert or appetizer to share and join us for the fun. Donation $15.
    • Jan 28 - There will be a potluck dinner at 6:30 pm before the evening dance. Please bring a food item with serving utensils to share. We will provide plates, napkins, and utensils. Bring your own beverage.
    • Feb. 11, Feb. 25, March 10, and March 24 - Waltz Workshops 6:00 - 7:30 pm before the dance given by Rich Albanese. The first half hour will focus on beginner's instruction and review of the previous class, while the last hour will introduce more intermediate moves. Donation $5
    • March 31 - A Special Zesty Contra Dance. No newcomer's orientation. Dances taught quickly and dancers should be familiar with hey for four, Petronella turns and contra corners . This is an evening for experienced dancers who want to dance with enthusiasm! Donation $12

    General SCDS Dance Information

    All dances are taught and prompted.
    Beginners are welcome.
    You don't need a partner,
    and there is always live music!

    To receive the schedule by email:
    email SactoCDS-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

    Subscribe to our Facebook group at:
    http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=47452074600


    (Usually) First Sunday English Country Dances
    (day of month varies—check schedule!)
    Dance 2:00 - 5:00 pm, Introduction to Basics workshop 1:30 pm, almost always in the air conditioned Roseville Masonic Temple, 235 Vernon Street, downtown Roseville. Sometimes dances are held at Odd Fellows Hall, Placerville. $10 donation ($8 college students, $5 high school students, $25 maximum for families). Dances may also be held at Elks Lodge #6, Sacramento. First-timers attending the Introduction to Basics workshop get a half-off coupon for the next dance. Call Susan or David at 916-739-8906 or email <SusanJones533 AT gmail.com>.
    Second and Fourth  Saturday Contra Dances

    Dance 8 to 11 p.m., beginner's workshop 7:30, in one of two locations:

    $10 donation ($8 college students, $5 high school students, $25 maximum for families). Beginners attending workshop get a half-off coupon for next dance. 8 to 11 p.m., beginner's workshop 7:30. For dance info call John or Laura at 916-549-7093 or email SactoCDS@yahoo.com

    (Usually) Third Friday Contra Dances Dance 8 to 10:30 p.m., beginner's workshop 7:30, Davis Athletic Club , 1809 Picasso Ave, Davis, CA $10 donation ($8 college students, $5 high school students, $25 maximum for families). Beginners attending workshop get a half-off coupon for next dance. For dance info call John or Laura at 916-549-7093 or email SactoCDS@yahoo.com.
    Fifth Saturday Zesty Contra Dances 8 to 11 p.m. in the Coloma Community Ctr, 4623 T. St, Sacramento, CA. $12 donation. For dance info call John or Laura at 916-549-7093 or email SactoCDS@yahoo.com

    Bands and Callers:
    Want to include Sacramento in your tour?
    email sumari AT sbcglobal.net

    Other Dances Near Sacramento

    ordered by day of month


    Nevada City Contra: First Saturdays, 8-11 pm, Nevada City Odd Fellows Hall, 212 Spring Street. Call Phyllis or Barry at 530-477-8103 or email foothilldancers@aol.com. NOTE: Dance location might sometimes change to an alternate hall: Seaman's Lodge, Pioneer Park, 425 Nimrod St., Nevada City. Be sure to check the schedule before traveling to the dance!

    Chico Contra: Dances are held September through May, (usually) second Saturday of the month. Dance 7-10 pm, 6:30 pm finger food social and informal introduction. Admission $8, students $5, teens half adult price, children accompanied by adult are free. Chico Grange, 2775 Nord Ave. at Rodeo Ave., near Henshaw.
    Directions: The grange is NOT on Hwy 32! Nord is off East Ave., near the RR tracks. From south of Chico, take Hwy 99 north to the East Ave exit and turn west. Nord will be on the right, just before the RR tracks. Click here for map. Contact: Grace or Mark 530-877-2930. To receive email announcements of dances, contact Joy <mebejoyous@prodigy.net>. NOTE: There might be some changes to time, day, or location of dances, so be sure to check before traveling long distances.


    Sonora Contra, Ceilidh, and English: Third Saturdays, potluck dinner at 6:30 pm, dance starts at 7:30 pm. Aronos Women's Club, 37 E. Elkin St (at Stewart St.) in downtown Sonora, CA. $6 admission. Contact: contradancesonora@yahoo.com.

    Auburn ContraThird Saturdays, 8-11 pm, Masonic Temple, 956 1/2 Lincoln Way, Auburn. Call Isel at 530-878-0399, Lonna at 530-346-0099, or email foothilldancers@aol.com.

    Cool Contra: Typically, fourth Saturday of the month September to May, except no dance in December. Pilot Hill Grange Hall, 1.6 miles west of Cool on Georgetown Road (Highway 193). Family friendly fun for all ages! Live music and free lessons. Come alone or bring a friend. Beginner lesson starts at 6:30pm, and the dance is from 7:00 to 10:00pm. Adults are $7, ages 12 to 18 are $5, and under age 12 is only $1 with paid adult. Sponsored by the Georgetown Divide Recreation District. Questions? Email info@emistycreek.com.
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    December 2011

    To January
    Date Type of Dance Location Caller Musicians and Information 
    Sun. 4 English Dance Roseville
    Masonic
    Temple
    Kalia Kliban

    English Dance and Holiday Tea
    2 – 6 pm
    A dressy affair with potluck food. Tea provided.

    Quite Carried Away (David Wright, Susan Jones, Arlene Jamar, Sandy Westfall, Jane Kostka, Martin Lodahl, and Dick Holdstock)

    Sat. 10 Contra Coloma
    Community Ctr
    .
    Susan Petrick

    Howard Booster, Caroline McCaskey, and Debra Tayleur
    Dance Time and Donation

    Fri. 16 Contra Davis None No dance. Happy Holidays.
    Sat. 24 Contra Coloma
    Community Ctr
    .
    None No dance. Happy Holidays.
    Sat. 31
    Contra Clunie Hall Joyce Miller New Year's Eve Dance
    8 pm to midnight. Please bring dessert or appetizer to share and join us for the fun.
    Crabapples (Norm Cotton, Marta Lynch, Bob Silberstein, and Teresa Fife)
    Donation $15

    To December

    January 2012

    To February
    Date Type of Dance Location Caller Musicians and Information 
    Sun. 8 English Dance Roseville
    Masonic
    Temple
    Brooke Friendly Quite Carried Away (David Wright, Susan Jones, Arlene Jamar, Sandy Westfall, Jane Kostka, Martin Lodahl, and Dick Holdstock)
    Dance Time and Donation
    Sat. 14 Contra Coloma
    Community Ctr
    .
    Celia Ramsay

    Star Thistle (Cheryl McKinney, David Wright, Lonna Whipple, and Dave Kistler)
    Dance Time and Donation

    Fri. 20 Contra Davis Athletic Club Erik Hoffman The Angell Brothers (Barry Angell and Thomas Angell)
    Dance Time and Donation
    Sat. 28 Potluck Coloma
    Community Ctr
    .
      Potluck in Rescue Room, 6:30 pm
    Please bring a food item with serving utensils to share. We will provide plates, napkins, and utensils. Bring your own beverage.
    Sat. 28 Contra Coloma
    Community Ctr
    .
    Warren Blier Dance 8:00 - 11:00 pm
    The Rosin Doctors (Erik Hoffman, Dan Engle, and Topher Gayle)

    Dance Time and Donation
    To January

    February 2012

    To March
    Date Type of Dance Location Caller Musicians and Information 
    Sun. 5 English Dance Roseville
    Masonic
    Temple
    Lise Dyckman Quite Carried Away (Arlene Jamar, Sandy Westfall, Jane Kostka, Martin Lodahl, and Dick Holdstock)
    Dance Time and Donation
    Sat. 11 Waltz Workshop Coloma
    Community Ctr
    - Rescue Rm
    Rich Albanese

    6:00 - 7:30 pm
    Waltz Workshop in Rescue Room
    , Donation $5
    First half hour: beginner's instruction.
    Last hour: Introducing more intermediate moves.

    Sat. 11 Contra Coloma
    Community Ctr
    .
    Joyce Miller

    Dance 8:00 - 11:00 pm
    Hot Cider (Rudy Darling, Barry Angell, and Ken Nilsson)

    Dance Time and Donation

    Fri. 17 Contra Davis Athletic Club Robin Steen The Faulkner Family (David, Cynthia, and Joaquin )
    Dance Time and Donation
    Sat. 25 Waltz Workshop Coloma
    Community Ctr
    - Rescue Rm
    Rich Albanese

    6:00 - 7:30 pm
    Waltz Workshop in Rescue Room, Donation $5
    First half hour: beginner's instruction & review of previous class.
    Last hour: Introducing more intermediate moves.

    Sat. 25 Contra Coloma
    Community Ctr
    .
    Robin Steen Dance 8:00 - 11:00 pm
    Soul Weaving (Jonathan Goodwin, Ehlert Lassen, and Stephen Evans)

    Dance Time and Donation
    To February

    March 2012

    To January
    Date Type of Dance Location Caller Musicians and Information 
    Sun. 4 English Dance Roseville
    Masonic
    Temple
    Joyce Uggla, Gary Sandler, & guests Quite Carried Away (Arlene Jamar, Sandy Westfall, Jane Kostka, Martin Lodahl, and Dick Holdstock with special guests Jim Oakden and Michelle Levy)
    Dance Time and Donation
    Sat. 10 Waltz Workshop Coloma
    Community Ctr
    - Rescue Rm
    Rich Albanese

    6:00 - 7:30 pm
    Waltz Workshop in Rescue Room, Donation $5
    First half hour: beginner's instruction & review of previous class.
    Last hour: Introducing more intermediate moves.

    Sat. 10 Contra Coloma
    Community Ctr
    .
    Nick Cuccia

    Dance 8:00 - 11:00 pm
    The Honeysuckle Sisters (Janette Duncan, Regan Hemphill, and Debra Tayleur)

    Dance Time and Donation

    Fri. 16 Contra Davis Athletic Club Susan Petrick Star Thistle (Cheryl McKinney, David Wright, Lonna Whipple, and Dave Kistler)
    Dance Time and Donation
    Sun. 18 Special English Elks Lodge #6, Sacramento Kalia Kliban

    Special program in Sacramento featuring Playford Ball Dances
    Quite Carried Away (David Wright, Susan Jones, Arlene Jamar, Sandy Westfall, Jane Kostka, Martin Lodahl, and Dick Holdstock)
    Dance Time and Donation

    Sat. 24 Waltz Workshop Coloma
    Community Ctr
    - Rescue Rm
    Rich Albanese

    6:00 - 7:30 pm
    Waltz Workshop in Rescue Room, Donation $5
    First half hour: beginner's instruction & review of previous class.
    Last hour: Introducing more intermediate moves.

    Sat. 24 Contra Coloma
    Community Ctr
    .
    Susie Kendig from Portland, OR Dance 8:00 - 11:00 pm
    Triangularity (from Seattle – Eric Anderson, Susan Burke, and Joe Micheals)

    Dance Time and Donation
    Sat. 31 Zesty Contra Coloma
    Community Ctr
    .
    Lynn Ackerson Dance 8:00 - 11:00 pm
    Hot Cider (Rudy Darling, Barry Angell, and Ken Nilsson)
    Donation $12

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