Emerald city

(last updated November 26, 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. ***
(Yes. Really.)

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.

Follow us on Facebook. Find items that you left behind on Facebook.

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.

  • December 1 – – – No dance – – – the PNA sets up for their annual Winterfest craft sale. Get some information about the artists, vendors, and performances at the event here.
  • December 8 Countercurrent: Brian Lindsey on fiddle, Alex Sturbaum on guitar & accordion, both on vocals. (No light show this time.) 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! Isaac Banner calls.
  • December 22 The Cinnamon Teals – Vienna Scheyer, Hayden Stern, Patrick Gunning, and Jesse Partridge. Amy Wimmer calls.
  • December 29 Heliotrope: Paul Englesberg (flutes, whistles, concertina), Robin Brown (fiddle), Greg Sherman (bass), and Michael Hobart (guitar). They’ll stir lively, playful, and pleasurable surprises into a distinctive blend of modern and traditional contradance tunes. Maybe Bach? Maybe Beatles? Maybe…? Joe Micheals calls.
  • January 5 Folderol is 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. Valerie Cohen calls.
  • January 12 Hummingbird: Koren Wake on fiddle and viola da gamba, Melissa Coffey on woodwinds, spaceship, and fiddle, Nick Leininger on guitar.
  • January 19 Hot Seat is Jesse Partridge (fiddle), Alex Sturbaum (acoustic and electric guitars), and Julie Bennett (drums). They’ve played together in many configurations, and now they are officially a band, and are here to rock you like the proverbial hurricane. Rich Goss calls.
  • January 26 Try-Works: Penka Jane Culevski (fiddle), Alex Sturbaum (guitar). Koren Wake and Jack Laurel call.
  • February 2 – – NO DANCE – – The Supersonic Dance Weekend is happening. You can sign up now.
  • February 9 George Paul on piano, Ryan McKassen on fiddle and Dave Bartley on mandolin at Potent Brew. Lindsey Dono calls.
  • February 16 The Electrodes (Joe Bowbeer on fiddle, Joe Micheals on guitar, Marcy Kubbs on piano).
  • February 23 Contra Quartet. Craig Wolfe calls.

COVID cases from previous dances

  • November 17 – no reported cases.
  • November 10 – no reported cases.
  • November 3 – no reported cases.
  • October 6, 13, 20, & 27 – no reported cases.
  • September 29 – one case reported on October 2. We notified attendees on October 2. No further cases reported.
  • September 22 – no reported cases.
  • 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.
  • 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.