Welcome to the Orlando Contra Dance! We feature high-tempo, gender-neutral dancing. We are Florida’s only gender-neutral contra series. Dancing is open to EVERYONE and FREE for students, returning beginners (2nd contra ever), and those out of work!
New? Curious? Check out the video below or our What’s Contra? page.
We dance on 1st and 3rd Fridays, usually with LIVE MUSIC! Scroll down for details. Changes happen, so CHECK HERE or our SOCIALS before going:
Email – NEW! Dance announcement newsletter (two a month, we don’t share your email)
Facebook – Dance announcements and conversation
Instagram – Dance announcements, photos, videos
MeetUp – Dance announcements, brings people here!
YouTube – Videos
Here’s the first dance we did at UCF in Fall 2022. Almost nobody knew how to dance 90 minutes earlier. You can do it, too!
We’re beginner-friendly and we’ll teach you everything you need to know. If you can walk, you can dance! No partner or experience needed. There are more videos on our What’s Contra? page and there’s an FAQ, too.
UPCOMING DANCES
| DATE | CALLER | MUSIC |
| Fri Feb 7 | Kenny Greer (Berea, KY) | Coral Riff (Tampa) |
| Fri Feb 21 | Joe Harrington (Orlando, FL) | McIntyre (Orlando) |
| Fri Mar 7 | Beth Molaro (Asheville, NC) | Howe & Co. (Atlanta, GA) |
| Fri Mar 21 | Drew Thomas (Tallahassee) | The Little Mercies (Tallahassee) |
Visit our Dances and Events page for the full schedule with musicians.
Details
| WHO | Everyone! Contra is intergenerational. We have dancers from 7 to 70+, ranging from first-timers to experts! Typically 20+ people come, including 5+ beginners. |
| WHERE | Winter Park Ballroom Dance Co. 6904 Aloma Ave Winter Park, Florida Click for map Just East of Jeremiah’s Italian Ice The floor is suspended hardwood with a poly finish. |
| SCHEDULE | 6:30 Door opens 6:40 Intermediate workshop – 2nd timers through advanced dancers 7:00 sharp! Beginner lesson! 7:30 Beginner to Intermediate Dancing 9:00 Intermediate to Advanced Dancing 10:30 Dessert at Jeremiah’s Italian Ice (3 minute walk) |
| LEVEL | Beginner/intermediate. Dances start easy and get more complex later. First-timers should be ready to dance for the lesson at 7:00. |
| COST | $15. Students and out of work: FREE! Your second contra ever: FREE! |
| PARKING | Plenty! Free! |
| CALLING TERMS | Calling (dance instruction) is gender-neutral. |
| ATTIRE | Wear what’s comfortable, see videos. This is athletic, so you will sweat. Hopefully a lot! Dress lightly and bring a water bottle. No perfumes, please. Stilettos and very high heels discouraged! |
| BRING | Bringing snacks to share is encouraged! This is an alcohol-free event. |
CONTRA KNIGHTS (STUDENT) DANCES:
Contra Knights is UCF’s student contra dancing club, sponsored by Orlando Contra Dance. We are seeking UCF student officers to restart on-campus dances. If interested, email info@orlandocontra.org. Meanwhile, come to our Winter Park dances, where students dance FREE!