1st and 3rd Sunday Contra Dances
BIDA hosts a contra dance on the first and third Sunday of every month at the Masonic Temple at 1950 Mass Ave., Cambridge MA, in Porter Square. These run 7:30-10:30 and cost $5-$20 (sliding scale).
If you've never contra danced before and you come to the 7pm beginner's workshop, or you bring someone who hasn't, we'll give you a free pass for a future dance.
BIDA hosts both mask-optional and mask-required dances. Policies for each dance are listed on the schedule below. At mask-required dances high-filtration (KN95 or better) masks are required for people two years and older. All of our dances are gender-free (Larks / Robins calling). The Masonic Hall is not wheelchair accessible. For more details, see our accessibility information.
Upcoming Events
Have feedback on a recent dance? Use our feedback form.
5:30-6:30 | Family dance |
6:30-7:30 | Potluck |
7:00-7:30 | Beginner's Lesson |
7:30-10:30 | Evening dance |
Andy Taylor-Blenis will call the family dance with Emma Azelborn leading an open band.
This dance is at a different location: The Somerville Armory, 191 Highland Ave.
Accessibility info: Lighting at this dance will be darker than usual, and will include black lights. Some dancers can find it confusing or overwhelming. The Armory's is wheelchair accessible, with more information on their website.
6:40 | Lesson |
7:00 | Kingfisher |
8:30 | Moondial, then Kingfisher |
10:30 | Yaron, then Kingfisher |
12:00 | End |
Picnic! Singing! Our last dance before summer break!
4pm | Picnic at Ruthie's House |
7pm | Lesson |
7:30 - 10:30pm | Contra Dance! |
This dance is mask-optional
5:30-6:30 | Family dance (mask-optional) |
6:30-7:30 | Potluck (mask-optional) |
7:00-7:30 | Beginner's Lesson (mask-required) |
7:30-10:30 | Evening dance (mask-required) |
Jeff Kaufman will call the family dance with Rick Kaufman leading an open band.
5:30-6:30 | Family dance |
6:30-7:30 | Potluck |
7:00-7:30 | Beginner's Lesson |
7:30-10:30 | Evening dance |
Jeff Kaufman will lead an open band for the family dance.
5:30-6:30: | family dance + open band |
6:30-7:30: | potluck dinner |
7:30-10:30: | contra dance + open band |
5:30-6:30 | Family dance |
6:30-7:30 | Potluck |
7:00-7:30 | Beginner's Lesson |
7:30-10:30 | Evening dance |
Marcie Van Cleave will lead the family dance, to the music of Jonah Sidman and an open band.
Chloe Levine will call the evening dance, to the music of Rose Jackson, Rebecca Weiss, & Amy Englesberg.
4:00-6:30 | Advanced dance |
6:30-7:30 | Potluck |
7:00-7:30 | Beginner's Lesson |
7:30-10:30 | Evening dance |
- What do you mean, advanced? Should I come??
For the afternoon advanced session, Steve is going to be calling some trickier material and teaching less than usual. If you are comfortable doing a no-walkthrough, you should be good!
5:30-6:30: | family dance + open band |
6:30-7:30: | potluck dinner |
7:30-10:30: | contra dance |
5:30-6:30: | family dance + open band |
6:30-7:30: | potluck dinner |
7:30-10:30: | contra dance |
6:30-9:30 at the Somerville Armory
5:30-6:30: | family dance + open band |
6:30-7:30: | potluck dinner |
7:30-10:30: | contra dance |
5:30-6:30: | family dance + open band |
6:30-7:30: | potluck dinner |
7:30-10:30: | contra dance |
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