Dedicated to promoting, preserving, enjoying and sharing the music, dance, arts, crafts, and skills of contemporary and traditional cultures and generally having a pretty good time.

Welcome to the Missoula Folklore Society's Contra Dance Page!

What is Contra Dancing? Americanized old English Country dance -- it is fun, great exercise, and easy to learn. You can learn about contra dancing by clicking here.

Contradancing: Missoula, Helena, Kalispell, or on Shy Bear Farm (summer)

Folk Dancing: Dances of Universal Peace (Missoula)

Check out photos from past Missoula Contra Dances: Jan-21-2006, Nov-05-2005, Dec-04-2004, Jan-17-2004, Nov-15-2003, Nov-1-2003, May-15-2004

All MFS events are smoke-free. Be sure to show your membership card at all MFS events to get your MFS discount. If you would like to join MFS click here.

Missoula Contra dances feature live music and are held regularly on the first and third Saturday of each month, October through May, on the second floor of  The Union Hall in Missoula, unless otherwise noted in the calendar below.  There is a beginner's (or newcomer's) workshop at 7:30 p.m. and dancing from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m.  Cost is $6 for MFS members (bring your membership card!) and $8 for all others.  All dances are taught from scratch. Everyone is welcome including singles, couples, groups, and families. Summer dances in June, July, August will be held on the third Saturday only at Shy Bear Farm's Dance Pavilion.

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2008-2009 Missoula Contra Dances · 1st and 3rd Saturdays

Click here for a printable .pdf version of this schedule.

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Date	Band	Caller	Theme	Location
Oct 4	WMD from Helena	Bev Young		Union Hall - 2nd floor
Oct 18	Skippin' a Groove	Rab Cummings from Bozeman		Union Hall - 2nd floor
Nov 1	Sleeping Child from Hamilton	Janet Grove	Town & Gown	UM Center Ballroom 3rd floor
Nov 15	Out of Wood from Careywood, ID	Roy Curet		Union Hall - 2nd floor
Dec 6	AM String Band from Helena	Janet Grove		Union Hall- 2nd floor
Dec 20	Skippin' a Groove	Morna Leonard from Hamilton		Union Hall - 2nd floor
First Night Contra Dance Dec. 31 4 PM	Live Music by Sleeping Child from Hamilton	Calling & Teaching by Bev Young & Roy Curet	4 PM - 6:30 PM December 31	UM Center Ballroom 3rd floor 4 PM - 6:30 PM December 31
Please note: All First Night activities, including this contra dance, require a First Night button for admission.
Jan 3	No Dance Tonight
Jan 17	Strawberry Ridge	Mark Clawson from Hawaii	Black & White	Union Hall - 2nd floor
Feb 7	Skippin' a Groove	Bev Young		Union Hall - 2nd floor
Feb 21	Out of Wood from Careywood, ID	Bev Young	TropiContra	Union Hall - 2nd floor
Mar 7	Skippin' a Groove	TBA		Union Hall - 2nd floor
Mar 21	Skippin' a Groove	Bev Young	Heritage Dance	The Del Brown Room Turner Hall - UM
Apr 4	Sleeping Child from Hamilton	Mitchell Frey from Idaho		Union Hall - 2nd floor
Apr 18	AM String Band from Helena	Bev Young	Earth Service Day	Union Hall - 2nd floor
May 2	Sleeping Child from Hamilton	Morna Leonard from Hamilton		Union Hall - 2nd Floor
May 16	Skippin' A Groove	Caller Round Robin (open mic for everyone who wants to call)	Volunteer Appreciation Dance	Union Hall - 2nd Floor

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Shy Bear Farm Summer Contra Dances 3rd Saturday of June, July, and August Dates: June 20, July 18, August 15 Potluck: 5:30 pm Dance: 7:00 pm Sunday Breakfast: 9 am Dance Cost: $5.00, Little ones free Breakfast: $4.00 person/$10.00 Family Bring lawn chairs, water bottles, dance shoes, warm clothes, swimsuit/towel, hiking shoes, dinner potluck food, and camping gear if staying overnight. A flashlight comes in handy when trying to find your car or camp after the dance. Please carpool. Parking is limited! Dogs must be leashed. Click here for directions to Shy Bear Farm.

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Helena Contra Dances - Second Saturday of each month GENERAL INFO: Dates: 2nd Saturdays. Cost: $7 for adults, $5 students, $4 for kids 14 and under, family rates. Location: Allegro Dance Studio, 3750 No. Montana Ave, Helena (North of the big box stores and on the west side of Montana Ave.) SPECIFICS: Saturday, May 9th, 2009 Beginners Workshop at 7:30 pm Main Dance: 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm Band: Skippin’ a Groove from Missoula Caller: Morna Leonard from Hamilton Contact: For directions or information, call 406-495-0935. Come join us for lively music and fun dancing. No partner or experience necessary; beginners & singles welcome.

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Kalispell Contra Dances - Second Saturdays of each month   GENERAL INFO: Dates: 2nd Saturdays of the month, September through May Location: Salvation Army Church, 110 Bountiful Drive, Kalispell. Time: Lessons from 7:30 - 8:00 pm; Dance from 8:00 - 11:00 pm Cost: $6 Adults, $3 Teens (12-18), Free for kids 11 and under. Contact: For directions, lodging, or info on band/callers, please call Joe at 406-752-7469.

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Missoula Folk Dances of Universal Peace GENERAL INFO: Location: Open Way (702 Brooks St.) in Missoula. Next to the Missoula Memorial Rose Garden, several blocks west of S. Higgins. Entrance is around the corner from Brooks on E. Franklin St. Time: 7:30 pm, Third Friday of some months Cost: $5 free will donation (appreciated but not required.) SPECIFICS: Dances are taught and danced to live music. For more info, e-mail Richard Conviser.

This page is maintained by Robert Logan. If you have MFS-related dances (including non-Missoula dances) that you would like to have listed here or if you have corrections/comments concerning this dance page, please e-mail rlogan[at sign]forestry.umt.edu. Q: What's the difference between an UZI and an accordion? A: An UZI stops after 20 rounds. Q: What is the definition of a gentleman? A: Someone who knows how to play the accordion, but doesn't. Q: What do you call an accordion player with an iPhone? A: An optimist.

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