Emerald city

(last updated September 23, 2023)

Emerald City Contra Dance

with the Seattle Folklore Society present

Contra dancing every Friday at the

Phinney Neighborhood Center

6532 Phinney Avenue North, Seattle (98103)

in the Community Hall of the brick building, near the lower parking lot

Beginner’s workshop at 7:00 pm (or thereabouts). Dance from 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm.

*** Even though the federal and state COVID emergency declarations have ended, we still require vaccinations, boosters, and masks. ***

Admission policy:

  • Proof of vaccination and boosters. Bring vaccination documentation – your vaccination card, or a photo of it (both sides, if necessary), or a digital record. Bring a picture ID. No exceptions.
  • Sign a registration form and waiver upon entry. No exceptions.
  • Bring a well-fitting mask with no exhaust vent. No exceptions.

If you have shown proof of vaccination at another dance, you’ll still need to show it here.

Admission prices (cash, check or Venmo only):

  • Sliding scale $10-$20.
  • Students $5 with a school ID.
  • Free for people under the age of 16.

Admission limited to 125 people. This total includes paying & non-paying dancers, musicians, callers, children, and adults acting like children. (In short, everyone.)

First time contra dancers get a coupon for free admission to their next dance.
Coupon redemption limited to first five coupons on any single night.

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Please help the PNA achieve their sustainability goals. Consider carpooling, walking, biking, or riding the bus to the dance. If you drive, please park in the PNA parking lots.

All dances taught. No partner necessary.
Light, comfortable clothing recommended.
Please join us without perfumes, colognes, aftershave, scented lotions, etc.

More information for dancers.
Information for bands and callers.
Past caller set lists.
Bands and callers: we’ll have an online booking form available soon.

For information not already posted here: 206-440-9839 or emeraldcitycontra@pobox.com

Enough of the suggestions, disclaimers, and notifications. Here is what you really want to know…

Schedule of bands and callers:

Callers will use the terms “larks” and “robins” for dance roles.

  • September 29 Dante Faulk (cello, bodhran), Eros Faulk (fiddle, guitar), and River Scheuerell (fiddle, guitar) bring a new and exciting energy to contra dance music. The three young multi-instrumentalists are already well versed in the worlds of Irish, Scottish, Canadian, old-time, and bluegrass fiddling, as well as many genres beyond. They blend new and old tunes with driving and innovative arrangements! Elisabeth Monica calls.
  • October 6 To be determined.
  • October 13 Merriweather is Clyde Curley on fiddle, Sam Vogt on guitar, Mike Haberman on mandolin, and a bass player to be named later. Suzanne Girardot calls.
  • October 20 The Sage Thrashers – Hayden Stern, Patrick Gunning, & Jesse Partridge. David Kreiss-Tomkins calls.
  • October 27 KGB: Julie King (piano), Claude Ginsburg (fiddle, and maybe concertina), & Dave Bartley (mandolin, and maybe other instruments). They play original music and some classic dance tunes, drawing inspiration from eastern Europe to Ballard. Susan Petrick calls.
  • November 3 Vienna Scheyer, Elise Snoey, and Anita Anderson. Koren Wake calls.
  • November 10 Folderol: A richly-seasoned brew of wild Celtic ingredients, stirred by Susan Burke (fiddle), Joe Micheals (guitar), and Brad Reynolds (accordion). Their music is tasty and playful, with tunes old and new, carefully matched for dancing.
  • November 17 Chicken Feathers – Bonnie Zahnow on fiddle & guitar, WB Reid on fiddle, banjo & guitar, Laurie Andres on accordion.
  • November 24 Dave Bartley and friends. Kelsey Hartman calls.
  • December 1 No dance – the PNA sets up for their annual Winterfest craft sale.
  • December 8 Countercurrent: Brian Lindsey on fiddle, Alex Sturbaum on guitar & accordion, both on vocals. Lindsey Dono calls.
  • December 15 Effervescence is a brand new, bicoastal contra dance trio! Boston-based guitar powerhouse and rising star Helen Kuhar returns to their home dance in Seattle, and has joined forces with the vivacious fiddle of Vienna Scheyer and the unstoppable accordion of Alex Sturbaum. Expect Celtic tunes served hot, fast, and groovy!
  • December 22 The Cinnamon Teals – Vienna Scheyer, Hayden Stern, Patrick Gunning, and Jesse Partridge. Amy Wimmer calls.
  • December 29 Heliotrope is Robin Brown on fiddle, Paul Englesberg on flutes & whistles, and Michael Hobart on guitar.

COVID cases from previous dances

  • September 15 – one case reported on September 19. We notified attendees on September 19. No further cases reported.
  • September 8 – one case reported on September 12. We notified attendees on September 12. No further cases reported.
  • September 1 – one case reported on September 3. We notified attendees on September 3. No further cases reported.
  • August 18 & 25 – no reported cases.
  • August 11 – one case reported on August 20.  We notified everyone who attended on August 20. No further cases reported.
  • August 4 – no reported cases.
  • July 7, 14, 21, & 28 – no reported cases.
  • COVID cases from earlier dances

For lots of information about the corona virus, check Public Health – Seattle & King County. For information about community-level transmission in King County, check here.