Welcome to the Orlando Contra Dance! We feature high-tempo, community 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 – Two dance announcement newsletter 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.
Special: Intermediate/Advanced Contra Workshop and Dance
Fri Aug 29, 7-10pm, at Joe & Sara’s house
If you can dance through to the end of our regular dances, come level up toward festival-level dancing while having a blast! This fun workshop is for intermediate and advanced dancers only. We’ll do complex dances, learn some advanced moves and concepts, and play contra games. About half the event will be dancing, half exercises and teaching. We will dance 3-6 complex dances, each carefully taught. See the event on Facebook or email info@orlandocontra.org for more info and to register.
UPCOMING DANCES
| DATE | CALLER | MUSIC |
| Fri Sep 5 | Kenny Greer (Berea, KY) | Sandy Back Porch (Orlando) |
| Fri Sep 19 | Alice Raibourn (Orlando) | That’s a Plenty (Orlando) |
| Fri Oct 3 | Sam Sharpless (Orlando) | McIntyre (Orlando) |
| Fri Oct 17 | Joe Harrington (Orlando) | Kettle of Fish (Space Coast) |
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+ first-timers. |
| 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 7:00 sharp! Beginner lesson! 7:00 Intermediate workshop – 2nd timers through advanced dancers 7:30 Beginner to Intermediate Dancing 9:00 Intermediate to Advanced Dancing 10:30 Dessert at Jeremiah’s Italian Ice (3 minute walk) |
| 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 | We encourage bringing snacks to share. 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!