Brooklyn Contra

Brooklyn Contra If Swing dancing and Square dancing met in a bar, you’d get Contra. Live music and a vibrant social dancing scene. If you can walk, you can contra!

It’s good ol’ fashioned fun for everyone, right here in Brooklyn! Brooklyn Contra supports the dynamic cultural evolution of traditional music and dance. We host a season of fun and accessible dances and exciting special events, as well as engaging educational programs for dancers, musicians, and callers. Brooklyn Contra creates an inclusive and safe environment in order to foster sustainable comm

unity growth. Contra is danced to Old Time (usually), Southern Appalachian, New England, Folk, Blues, Jazz, Celtic and all other sorts of music (including techno) performed by live bands. It is danced with a partner, although bringing a partner is not necessary. Couples form parallel lines of dancers and over the course of the dance, interact with the couple next to them and then move up and down the hall interacting with every other couple in their line. There is no fancy footwork involved, anyone can do it! All the dances are taught and the instructions (calls) are provided from the stage, by the Caller, through out the dance. As the dance goes on, the Caller provides fewer and fewer prompts until they drop out entirely; leaving you, your partner, and the others in your line to finish the dance, accompanied only by the exciting, pulse pounding music provided by that night's band! Brooklyn Contra is a local, community-based organization, who’s mission is to organize Contra Dances in Brooklyn. All dances are organized by volunteers, who do anything from booking bands and callers to coordinating publicity to schlepping sound equipment. If you have questions about the dance or if you would like to volunteer please email us at [email protected]. for more info,
www.Brooklyncontra.com

08/27/2026

Join us for a whirlwind weekend of live folk music and dancing in NYC! Early bird tickets are going fast. Get 'em now before they're gone at: www.thefling.org

We’re so excited to have Will Mentor back on the callers box this November 6-8th for our annual Five Borough Fling! He i...
08/21/2026

We’re so excited to have Will Mentor back on the callers box this November 6-8th for our annual Five Borough Fling! He is perhaps the foremost contra dance caller in the United States. For the last 20 years, his clear teaching, upbeat wit, and relaxed stage presence have been delighting new and old dancers alike.

To learn more, visit us at www.thefling.org. Pre-sale full weekend tickets are available now, and individual session tickets go live in September.

08/21/2026

And now for a message from Will Mentor! We have a wicked lineup for you this November.

To learn more, visit us at www.thefling.org. Pre-sale full weekend tickets are available now, and individual session tickets go live in September.

Don't Miss Three! Events this weekend!⁠⁠1. Friday: A Benefit Concert for The Mary House Music Hall! Come and check out t...
08/19/2026

Don't Miss Three! Events this weekend!⁠
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1. Friday: A Benefit Concert for The Mary House Music Hall! Come and check out the lovely music hall at the NYC Catholic Worker in the LES! Macedonian and bluegrass tunes! Doors at 7:00, music at 7:30!⁠
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2. Saturday: A day of music and dance at the Brooklyn Historical Society: Music all day, dancing at 12pm and 4pm!⁠
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3. Saturday: A Contra Dance for All at Camp Friendship! Maia McCormick and Some Assembly Required! 7:30 lesson, 8:00pm dancing!

08/14/2026

Wanna feel the heat with the ✨Bubblegum Society✨ this November 6-8? Get your reduced price pre-sale tickets for the Five Borough Fling THIS WEEK ONLY at www.thefling.org!

08/12/2026

Mark your calendars! Member pre-sale is live RIGHT NOW and tickets will open to the public later this month. Don’t miss your chance to get discounted full-weekend passes at www.thefling.org

08/11/2026

August dancing in Brooklyn! Live music by Brendan Hearn’s Big Apple Contra Band and calling by Carl Levine

Ya'll, we're very sad to need to cancel this workshop due to illness! We'll reschedule soon, though! A Contra Dance for ...
08/06/2026

Ya'll, we're very sad to need to cancel this workshop due to illness! We'll reschedule soon, though! A Contra Dance for All With The Big Apple Contra Band! is still very much on!!!!!

Join us for a second bite at the Big Apple Contra Band’s amazing tunes, with a cinnamon sugar dip of calling from Allyss...
08/05/2026

Join us for a second bite at the Big Apple Contra Band’s amazing tunes, with a cinnamon sugar dip of calling from Allyssa Adkins! This four-slice ensemble is led by Brendan Hearn and his juicy cello and guitar, alongside the crisp twin fiddles of Cleek Shrey and Liz Hanley, with a jazz rhythm core of Dylan McKinstry on drums!⁠
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Lesson at 7:30 pm⁠⁠
Dancing at 8 pm⁠
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Camp Friendship⁠
339 8th Street, Brooklyn, NY

New merch dropping at today’s member picnic!! If you’re not a member yet, come by and we’ll get you signed up.
08/02/2026

New merch dropping at today’s member picnic!! If you’re not a member yet, come by and we’ll get you signed up.

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6815 Emlen St
Philadelphia, PA
19119

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