Sacramento Area Contradances
and English Country Dances

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

Updated March 29, 2012


Spring 2012 Schedule

| April | May | June |

  • 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

    Join us for Echo Summit Dance Weekend, high in the Sierras at beautiful Camp Sacramento, September 14-16, 2012! You'll want to spend every possible minute of this fantastic weekend dancing to the fabulous Moving Violations and the eclectic grooves of the Syncopaths. Callers Nils Fredland and Rebecca Lay will entertain and challenge you with fun new dance moves! You and your partners will glide on a newly-cleaned and re-surfaced floor while enjoying the quiet and crisp clean air of the mountains.

    Once again we are pleased to be able to offer scholarships to young adults 18 to 30(ish). Young dancers who register for camp for the first time are eligible for a reduced fee of $50.

    Download your registration application (and if eligible, your scholarship application) today!

    Click here to download a 2012 Echo Summit Registration form

    Click here to download a young adult scholarship form

    Want more information? Click here to E-Mail the Camp Registrar or write to: EchoSummitRegistrar@gmail.com
       
          Special Dances, Workshops, and Announcements
          General SCDS Dance Information
          Other Dances Near Sacramento
          Dance Organization Links
          SCDS Dance Schedule

    Special Dances, Workshops, and Announcements

    • April 14 - Waltz Workshop - Continue your waltz improvement program with a waltz session from 6PM to 7:30PM before the dance. Open waltzing and Q&A with Rich Albanese. Donation $5.
    • April 28 - Please join us for our 26th anniversary celebration featuring calling by Susan Petrick and the Syncopaths, a great band from Southern California! Donation $12. There will be a potluck dinner at 6:30PM before the evening dance. Please bring a food item with serving utensils to share. We will provide plates, napkins, utensils and cake! Bring your own beverage.
    • May 12 - Improve your contra dance skills! A balance and swing workshop given by Rich Albanese from 6PM to 7:30PM before the dance will focus on improving your skills and adding flourishes. Donation $5.
    • June 30 - 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
    LIKE our Facebook Page
    by Clicking Here!

    (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 Contra: Third Saturdays, 8-11 pm, Newcastle Portugese Hall, 690 Taylor Road, Newcastle. Call 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.
    To May

    April 2012

    		To June
    Date Type of Dance Location Caller Musicians and Information 
    Sun. 1 English Dance Roseville
    Masonic
    Temple    		 Joyce Uggla &
    Gary Sandler

    Dance 2PM - 5PM
    Quite Carried Away     (David Wright, Susan Jones, Arlene Jamar, Sandy Westfall, Jane Kostka, Martin Lodahl, and Dick Holdstock)
    Sat. 14 Waltz
    Workshop    		 Coloma
    Community Ctr    .    		 Rich Albanese

    6PM to 7:30PM
    Waltz Practice Session
    Donation $5
    Sat. 14 Contra Coloma
    Community Ctr    .    		 Talib Huff

    Dance 8PM - 11PM
    The Coyote ContraBand (David Wright, Susan Jones, Arlene Jamar, Char Berta, Bob O'Brien and Frank Gallardo)
    Dance Time and Donation
    Fri. 20 Contra Davis Athletic Club Jean Gibson-Gorrindo Dance 8PM - 10:30PM
    Coyote Thistle (Susan Jones, Cheryl McKinney and David Wright)
    Dance Time and Donation
    Sat. 28 Potluck Coloma
    Community Ctr.    		 6:30PM - Potluck Dinner in the Rescue Room. Please bring a dish with utentils to share. We provide plates, napkins, utensils, and cake! Bring your own beverage.
    Sat. 28
    		 Contra Coloma Community Ctr. Susan Petrick 26th Anniversary Dance - 8PM to 11PM!
    Syncopaths (Jeff Spero, Ryan McKasson, Christa Burch and Ashley Broder)
    Donation $12
    To April

    May 2012

    		To June
    Date Type of Dance Location Caller Musicians and Information 
    Sun. 6 English Dance Roseville
    Masonic
    Temple    		 Kalia Kliban Dance 2PM - 5PM
    Quite Carried Away     (David Wright, Susan Jones, Arlene Jamar, Sandy Westfall, Jane Kostka, Martin Lodahl, and Dick Holdstock)
    Dance Time and Donation
    Sat. 12 Workshop Coloma
    Community Ctr    .    		 Rich Albanese

    6PM - 7:30PM
    Balance and Swing Workshop
    Donation $5
    Sat. 12 Contra Coloma
    Community Ctr    .    		 Mavis McGaugh

    Dance 8PM - 11PM
    Soul Weaving (Jonathan Goodwin, Ehlert Lassen, Stephen Evans and Erik Levins)
    Dance Time and Donation
    Fri. 18 Contra Davis Athletic Club Bob O'Brien Dance 8PM - 10:30PM
    The Mighty Murphys (Day Griffin, Seiko Cummings and Robert Cummings)
    Dance Time and Donation
    Sun. 20 Extra English Country Placerville
    Odd Fellows Hall    .    		 Joyce Uggla &
    Gary Sandler    		 Dance 2PM - 5PM
    Quite Carried Away (David Wright, Susan Jones, Arlene Jamar, Sandy Westfall, Jane Kostka, Martin Lodahl, and Dick Holdstock) with special guest Rebecca King
    Dance Time and Donation
    Sat. 26 No Contra Enjoy your holiday weekend!
    To April

    June 2012

    		To May
    Date Type of Dance Location Caller Musicians and Information 
    Sun. 3 English Dance Roseville
    Masonic
    Temple    		 David Newitt Dance 2PM - 5PM
    Quite Carried Away (Arlene Jamar, Sandy Westfall, Jane Kostka, Martin Lodahl, and Dick Holdstock)
    Dance Time and Donation
    Sat. 9 Contra Coloma
    Community Ctr         		Robin Steen

    Dance 8PM - 11PM
    Star Thistle (Cheryl McKinney, David Wright, Lonna Whipple and David Kistler)
    Dance Time and Donation
    Fri. 15 Contra Davis Athletic Club Erik Hoffman Dance 8PM - 10:30PM
    The Faulkner Family (David, Cynthia, and Joaquin )
    Dance Time and Donation
    Sat. 23 Contra Coloma
    Community Ctr         		Lynn Ackerson

    Dance 8PM - 11PM
    Three Fifths of Scotch (Debra Tayleur, Eloise Blanchard and Del Eckels)
    Dance Time and Donation
    Sat. 30 Zesty Contra Coloma
    Community Ctr    .    		 Joyce Miller Dance 8PM - 11PM
    Hot Cider (Rudy Darling, Barry Angell and Ken Nilsson)
    Dance Time and Donation