What is Contra Dancing?
Is it legal in Provo?
Do you remember having to do square dancing back in grade school?
Have you seen square dancers at the county fair?
Contra dancing is every good thing that you have heard about square dancing, with none of the bad things. We dance in longways sets like a Virginia Reel, but everybody gets to dance instead of just having one active couple. We dance to live music, teach all of the dances, and welcome newcomers. You can walk in off the street knowing nothing about contra dancing and still have a great time.
If it's outlawed in Provo, it must be fun!
Local Dances
August, 2025
?? Contra, Midway, with Carrie Dayton-Madsen calling
?? Country Dancing Tonight, Murray
16 Wasatch Contra, Salt Lake City, with Mike Cottle calling
?? Country Dancing Tonight, Murray
January, 2026
February, 2026
21 Wasatch Contra, Salt Lake City, with Mike Cottle calling
March, 2026
21 Wasatch Contra, Salt Lake City, with Brenda Goodwin, with Frayed Knot
April, 2026
4 Community Contra Dance, Heber City, with Carrie Dayton-Madsen calling
18 Wasatch Contra, Salt Lake City, with Bandage a Trois with Luann Clausen
25 Community Contra Dance, Heber City, with Carrie Dayton-Madsen calling
Special Events
Wasatch Wiggle 2025
Wasatch Wiggle Contra Dance Weekend, September 19, 2025 - September 21, 2025
See website Wasatch Wiggle 2025 for details
Dance Locations and Times
Contra Dance, Salt Lake City, UT
First Unitarian Church, 569 South 1300 East
Music by Loose Shoes
Chief caller: Brenda Goodwin (usually open mic)
Usually the fourth Saturday of the month, September through May.
Beginner Classes 7:30 PM, Dancing 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Cost $5.00
Contact: Richard Ebling 801-856-6209
Wasatch Contras, Salt Lake City, UT
Garbett Center at the intersection of 200 West and Wall Street, Salt Lake City
Possibly also known as "The Old North Church" at 700 N 200 W in Salt Lake City
Park on 2nd West (east side only), Wall Street, or 7th North
Music by a variety of bands
Calling by various callers
Usually third Saturday of the month
Beginner Workshop 7:00 PM, Dancing 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Cost $10 General Admission, $8 (financial hardship), $5 Youth (7-15)
Contact: Brenda 801-232-2348
Community Contra Dance, Heber City, UT
Historic Timpanogos Valley Theater
90 N. 100 W.
Heber City, UT 84032
6:30pm – 7:00pm: Beginner’s Workshop for 5yrs +
7:00pm – 9:00pm: 80's Contra Dance for Adults and 5yrs +
Cost: $5 Admission for adults. $3 for students and under 12yrs,
Sliding scale of payment offered
Contact: Carrie 435-671-2674
sleepysunstudios1969@gmail.com
Midway Community Center Contra
160 W Main Street, Midway, UT
Music by Doxatunes (live)
Calling by Carrie Dayton-Madsen
5-6pm Kid's Community Dance
Ages 3-12yrs, all kids must be accompanied by an adult
Babes in arms can be worn in a sling
$5 per person under 12yrs.
6-6:30pm Beginner's Workshop for 8yrs - Adult
6:30-9:30pm Contra Dance
Ages 8yrs - Adult for Beginner's Workshop and Contra Dance.
Babes in arms can be worn in a sling
$7 for 12yrs.+ Non-dancers $5
Contact: Carrie Dayton-Madsen 435-671-2674
Country Dancing Tonight, Murray, UT
English Country and Scottish Country (ceilidh)
Dances led by caller Kim Deacon
Live music for most dances
Location: Location: Crosspointe Ward House, 1327 West (Canal St) 5550 South, Taylorsville, UT
Schedule: every other Thursday evening, 7:30 pm to 9:00.
There is no charge to come and dance.
More information and dance dates found on our Facebook page (County Dancing Tonight).
Contact: Kim Deacon
Website currently shows 2021 Dance Schedule Currently on Hold
Whittier Community Center, 290 North 400 East, Logan
Music by Leaping Lulu
Chief caller: Kay Forsyth
Usually first Saturday of the month.
Dancing 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Cost $7, $4 for children under 12
Contact: Kay Forsyth 435-232-2966
Contra Dance, Rockport, UT
Rockport Old Church, Wanship, UT
Music by Loose Shoes and the Rockport Dam Band
Calling by Rob Snow
Held twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall (2019 dates: Saturday, May 4th and Saturday, October 12th)
Beginner Workshop 7:30 PM, Dancing 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Cost $5.00, Proceeds benefit Friends of Rockport Old Church
Contact Dani or Sharon for more information
Awesome wood floor in a beautifully restored historic building. All dances taught; no partner or experience needed. Located in the Old Church area of Rockport State Park (below the dam), exit 155 off I-80, Wanship, Utah. Sponsored by Friends of Rockport Old Church, Utah State Parks, and Loose Shoes.
Moab Arts and Recreation Center (the MARC), 111 E. 1st North, Moab
Music by the Moab Community Dance Band
Various callers, including our own
Usually third Saturday of the month.
Dancing 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM, instruction at 7:30 PM
Cost: We are non-profit and the admission charge is a donation to a worthy local charity of the month (such as the Food Bank, the Youth Garden Project,the Humane Society, etc).
Contact: Miriam Graham 516-376-8003
Contra Dance, Pocatello, Idaho
Assemble' Learning and Event Center (AKA Miss Tiffin's Dance Studio)
820 East Young, Pocatello, ID
Music by a variety of bands
Calling by various callers
Usually second Saturday of the month, September through May.
Instruction for Beginners starts at 7:00pm
Dancing 7:30 PM - 10 PM
Cost $10.00 per person, $25 per family
Contacts: Luann Claussen and Don Allen
Dance Related Sites on the Web:
Salt Lake Scandinavian Dancing
Salt Lake International Folk Dancers
Locations and Schedules for Colorado dances
New Mexico Folk Music & Dance Society