Rochester Contra & English Dancing

10/13/2026

The Country Dancers of Rochester are turning 50, and we are filling two halls with three days of extraordinary music, dancing, and community.

Join us in Rochester, NY November 27th through 29th for our Golden Celebration Weekend, featuring contra and English country dancing alongside waltz, balfolk, fusion, musician workshops, techno contra, singing and much more. An incredible gathering of callers and musicians is coming to Rochester to help us celebrate five decades on the dance floor.

More than 60% of available tickets were already claimed by early October, so now is the time to make your plans. Full weekend passes are still the best value, and single day tickets for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are now available for anyone who cannot join us for the entire celebration. Observer tickets are also available.

Come for one day or make a weekend of it. Either way, you will want to be in the hall when CDR’s next 50 years begin.

Tickets and full details:
https://cdrochester.org/events/golden-celebration-weekend

Instagram users can also follow the link in our bio.

Schedule subject to change.

We have danced contras nearly every Thursday in Rochester, NY since 1976, except for the global COVID pandemic, and English country dances for many of those Sundays. In our 50th year, it's time for a celebration of the great times we've had dancing and the dear friendships we have formed, as well as...

10/11/2026

Today!

Come on down to Rochester First Baptist Church in Brighton to dance some beautiful English Country dancing tonight!

Dances called by Jennifer Staples, music by Jane and Cat.

Beginner lesson at 6PM, dance from 6:30 - 9:30PM. All are welcome. 175 Allen's Creek Road, Rochester, NY

10/08/2026

Today!

Join us for CDR's Community Dance and Open Band....an hour of fun, easy dances, and fun for all ages. No experience needed, just come ready to move your body!

Called by: Margaret Mathews

Music by: Our fabulous open band, led by Micah Wiesner!

Musicians are warmly invited to join this community jam-style session. Acoustic string instruments, accordions, and select wind instruments are welcome. This is a participatory learning opportunity rather than a performance gig. Musicians play for free, and are welcome to stay at the evening contra as well for free.

Tonight from 6-7PM at the Rose Room (295 Gregory Street).

$5 per person, $15 family cap.

Bring your friends, bring your family, bring your dancing feet!! 💃🏻

10/07/2026

October 15th is National Poetry Day!

To celebrate poetry and CDR's 50th anniversary, dancers can vote for their favorite poems from last month's poetry contest. Voting closes on Halloween at 11:59 pm giving everyone three weeks to vote. One vote per person. Please do not try to vote more than once.

The results will be announced in November.

Click on the link to cast your ballot.

10/06/2026

BIG TICKET NEWS! Single day tickets for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are now available for CDR’s Golden Celebration Weekend, along with observer tickets for those who want to enjoy the music and festivities without dancing.

Join us November 27 through 29 in Rochester for three incredible days of Contra, English country dance, Waltz, Balfolk, Fusion, Techno Contra, workshops, jams, singing, and so much live music.

We are already about 60% sold out and less than two months away, so now is the time to make your plans. If you want the full Golden Weekend experience, weekend passes are still the best value for this truly stacked lineup of musicians and callers.

Choose your day or come for the whole glorious weekend. Just don’t miss it. ✨

Tickets and details:
https://cdrochester.org/events/golden-celebration-weekend

Instagram friends can also find tickets through the link in our bio.

10/05/2026

Come play with us!

Ever wanted to try playing music for dancers, but have no idea where to start? That’s exactly what our Open Band is for.

Bring your acoustic instrument and join us for Community Dance! No experience with contra or traditional dance music is needed. Our Open Band works more like a learning jam, with supportive, experienced musicians like Micah leading the tunes and helping you find your way in.

Fiddles, guitars, banjos, mandolins, accordions, autoharps, and other acoustic instruments (even flutes!) are all welcome. Come learn some tunes, play alongside other musicians, and experience what it’s like to make music for a room full of dancers.

And a little bonus: play with the Open Band at Community Dance and you’ll get into that evening’s upstairs contra dance for free!

Come as you are, bring an instrument, and make some music with us.

This next open band is this Thursday (10/8) at 6PM at 295 Gregory Street (The Rose Room).

09/30/2026

Start October off right with some dancing! 💃🏻

Tomorrow, 7PM at the Rose Room.

Music by Alex Fortier and Matt Sloboda, dances called by Casey Carr.

No dance experience or partner is required, come dance with us!!

09/29/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out to Dolly Parton Night last week!! We were SO excited when Clara Riedlinger started singing "9 to 5" and "Jolene" for us during the dance!

Many thanks to Cattail for providing such awesome, foot-stomping tunes, and to Evan De Smitt for coordinating such fun and Dolly-themed dances, too!

Spread a little kindness, today! 🌟

Thank you to Natalie Marshall for this awesome video!!!

09/28/2026

This is your LAST chance for submitting a haiku or limerick for our 50th Anniversary Poem Celebration! All poems will be accepted until the end of September (Wednesday).

The winners will receive awesome 50th anniversary merch!!

09/24/2026

Today!

Want to up your dance skills? Join us for our free Contra 102 session from 6-7PM tonight at the Rose Room, this week it will led by our friend Cindy.