Emerald city

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.***
(last updated May 31, 2023)

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 or check only):

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

Admission limited to 100 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.

  • June 2 – Countercurrent is Brian Lindsay on fiddle and Alex Sturbaum on guitar. You’ll dance to a mix of driving tunes, fiddling classics, and groovin’ melodies. Michael Karcher calls.
  • June 9 – The Peptides are Clyde Curley on fiddle, Cary Lung on mandolin, Carol Noyes on banjo, and Kate Lichtenstein on guitar.
  • June 16 – Vienna Scheyer and friends.
  • June 23 – An evening of surprises is in store with Au Contraire: tunes of Cape Breton, Quebec and even Texas. Susan Burke lays down the fiddle tunes while Jay Finkelstein on guitar and Julie Bennett on percussion provide the rest of the drive. Elisabeth Monica calls.
  • June 30 – Claude Ginsburg (fiddle), Vienna Scheyer (fiddle), Dave Bartley (various fretted instruments). Craig Wolfe calls.
  • July 7 – Clickbait is Ryan McKasson and Anita Anderson. A master Scottish fiddler teams up with a master of all genres on piano.
  • July 14 – Red Crow. Eric Curl calls.
  • July 21 – To be determined.
  • July 28 – RiffRaff: Lindon Toney on fiddle, Evo Toney on fiddle, Jesse Partridge on guitar. Classic contra music with classic contra arrangements. Joe Michaels calls.
  • August 18 – Joyride is a contra dance band known for fun, skilled playing, tunes fit to dance figures, and ringing, rocking, gorgeous melodies that make you want to move. George Penk’s rich and lively fiddle, Erik Weberg’s nimble flute and harmonica, Sue Songer’s piano, and Jeff Kerssen-Griep’s percussive guitar breathe big life into modern and traditional tunes.

COVID cases from previous dances

  • May 26 – no dance.
  • May 5, 12, & 19 – no reported cases.
  • April 7, 14, 21, & 28 – no reported cases.
  • March 31 – one case reported on April 2. We contacted all attendees via e-mail or text message on April 2. No further cases reported.
  • March 3, 10, 17, & 24 – no reported cases.
  • February 24 – no reported cases.
  • February 17 – one case reported on February 21. We contacted all attendees via e-mail or text on February 21. No further cases reported.
  • February 10 – one reported case. We contacted all attendees via e-mail or text on February 12. No further cases reported.
  • February 3 – 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.