Today, Orlando Contra Dance is a labor of love by Joe Harrington and a few helpers. We’re funded generously by the donors on the Thanks! page, but our main support ends in February 2024. To maintain our LIVE MUSIC long-term, we need 60 paying dancers at each event. As of Fall 2023, fewer than 20 dancers are coming, though we’ve had over 40 in the past. Our goal is to get our attendance up to 60 by the end of February, 2024, and to incorporate as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization after that. To do that, we need the right dance and a volunteer team to make it happen.
Our dances are energetic and fun, and people typically stay to the end and go out after. So, we think we have the right dance! All we need now is to let more people know about it.
There are 2.3 million people within an hour’s drive! What if 0.1% of them knew about our dance? That’s where you come in! Here are some ways to help:
- Bring a friend! Most of us were first brought by a friend.
- Tell your friends, co-workers, family, members of other groups you’re in. Pick up some QR cards at a dance.
- Post a flyer at your school, job, coffeehouse, library bulletin board, or fridge!
Download here.
- Help run our social media (Facebook, Instagram, Meetup, etc.) – talk to Joe.
- Bring snacks to share.
- Take and post videos and photos online.
If you’re a musician and you’d like to learn how to play for contra (the tune structure is quite specific), talk to Joe. Almost any musical style can work!
If you’re a dancer who would like to learn to call, talk to Joe.
To promote contra, Joe will be calling dances at churches, schools, and clubs around Orlando. If you know of a group that might be interested, talk to Joe.
Finally, if you’d like to contribute, your donation will help us keep LIVE MUSIC, guest callers, and professional sound in our lineup! We currently rent our hall for $250 and pay $100 per person plus gas to our musicians, caller, and sound tech, which includes renting all the sound equipment. Our most expensive events cost $940. Our cheapest are $250, with recorded music and Joe calling for free. Those sponsoring more than a full night’s expenses will be recognized on the Thanks! page. However, whether you round your admission up to $20 or fund a grant for $5000, THANKS!
Joe Harrington
Orlando Contra Dance organizer, caller, DJ
321-247-8864
Dancer Joe on social media