Contra Dance in Balboa Park!

Wednesday, April 16, 2025, 7 pm – 9:30 pm

Band: Knucklehead, Tom Dillon (fiddle), Peter Sharpe (mandolin), Given Harrison (guitar).

Caller: Ellie Konitshek

Cost: $5

San Diego Contra Dance is being hosted by the Balboa Park International Folk Club and sponsored by San Diego Folk Heritage, San Diego International Folk Dance Club, International Dance Association San Diego County, and San Diego City Parks & Recreation.

Location: Balboa Park Club
2150 Pan American W Rd, San Diego, CA 92101 in Balboa Park

Contra Jam Session (Music Only!)

Wednesday, April 30 7-9:30

Bring your instrument and learn how to play contra dance music!

First Saturday Dance: May 3

Band: Knucklehead, Tom Dillon (fiddle), Peter Sharpe (mandolin), Given Harrison (guitar)

Caller: Frannie Marr and Nora Winsler

Join us on Saturday, April 5, 2025 for our foot-stomping monthly contra dance at the Dorothea Laub Dance Place, 2650 Truxtun Rd. in Liberty Station. The dance is in Studio 106, on the first floor. The dance proper will be from 7:30 to 10:00 pm with a beginners’ session at 7:00 for newcomers, anyone who wants to knock off some of the rust, and those who would like to help them do it while meeting new friends. Our band, Hop High, will feature Lou Shrinkle on mandolin, Dan Sankey on fiddle, and Given Harrison on guitar. Martha Wild will teach and call a fun selection of contras to go with this wonderful music.

The fee is a sliding scale, we ask that dancers pay the right amount for them on a scale of $15 to $25. Money collected beyond covering expenses goes to the talent. We do have teen, student, and active military discounts.

A note about shoes: the Marley floor at the Dorothea Laub Dance Place is more sensitive to damage than the wood floor we used to dance on, so we have to request no high-heeled dance shoes. Any heel that tapers to a narrower bottom is unacceptable. Also, please bring a clean pair of shoes to change into for dancing; street shoes are not permitted by our hosts. Apologies to those who are inconvenienced by this. We encourage you to wear one of: bare feet, dance/yoga/barre socks, ballet slippers, soft or suede bottom jazz or ballet shoes (no taps), or sneakers or running shoes (thoroughly cleaned). You can find suede that attaches to the bottom of shoes on Amazon. The floor really is excellent for dancing barefoot. There is a water fountain, but you may want to bring your own water.

Note: the property owner has asked us to remind people that there is no smoking/vaping in the building or on the property.

Parking is available in the lots to the north of the building across the street, on street, and at Liberty Station. There are restaurants in the area – come and have a bite beforehand, dance, and go out for a drink afterwards!

Looking forward to dancing with you on April 5th!

San Diego Contra practices gender-neutral calling (Robins / right and Larks / left).

COVID policy:

Please note that as of June 3, 2023, our policy is to “mask optional.” Participants are encouraged to continue masking if that is their preference.

Dance shoe policy:

Please wear dance shoes with soft or suede bottoms, sneakers/running shoes specifically used for dancing and not worn on the street, or ballet slippers. Alternatively, it is available to dance in socks or barefoot. Some dance shoes and most shoes worn for regular street use can damage the dance floor. We provide cleaning equipment that can solve some issues, and we offer the option to dance in socks or barefoot, but if we determine that your shoes are damaging to the floor, we will insist you not dance in them. Additional details are at the venue, and please feel free to reach out via email with specific questions or concerns.

We look forward to dancing with you!

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