This dance conflicts with the Echo Summit Dance Camp, Sept 13th-15th. Join us on Sept. 28th for the Fourth Saturday Contra!
Tag Archives: Coloma Community Center
Canceled: August 24th Contra
Join us at the September 28th contra!
Second Saturday Contra Dance!
The Sacramento Country Dance Society, building community through lively dances, live music, and friendly people, proudly presents:
Caller: Mike Fynan
Music: Bob Wren & Clark Smith
Sound: Ken Britten
Date: Saturday, August 10th, 2024 (second Saturday)
Time: 7:00–10:00 pm, with newcomer’s orientation at 6:30 pm
Location: Coloma Community Center, 4623 T St, Sacramento, CA
Cost: $12 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check); If cost is the only thing preventing you being being there, please talk to the greeters at the door.
Clear, clever, and energetic Santa Rosa caller Mike Fynan is always welcome here!
Davis fiddler Bob Wren and Sacramento guitarist Clark Smith are two of the most impressive musicians in the area. Together, they’re tough to beat!
Newcomer’s orientation is offered at 6:40 pm, perfect for people who have not contra danced before, or who could use a refresher. Experienced dancers are invited to partner with newcomers during the orientation and early dances to help integrate them into the community. No partners are needed, so come by yourself or with friends or with family. Events are accessible to people with disabilities. Potluck snacks are available at the break, and we encourage you to bring something to share.
The SCDS Board has voted to modify Covid requirements. The new policy is as follows:
Latest update: June 2024
The policies below are intended to balance our desire to dance with the safety of our community, including both our dancers and the wider public. If you are feeling ill, please stay home and join us at another event when you’re feeling well.
Vaccination
COVID vaccination and up-to-date boosters are highly recommended but not required.
Masks
Based on current immunity levels and transmission rates in our community, good quality, well-fitting masks are recommended but not required on the dance floor and in other indoor spaces at all our dance locations.
Food and Drink
Hydration is important while dancing. Dancers are encouraged to bring their own water bottles.
Please bring snacks to share with the community. Dancers may eat in the area near the food table or outside. Please don’t spill food or water on the dance floor.
Contact: For more information, and lost and found, contact Laura Leonelli, 916-549-7093, or email sactocds@gmail.com. Our schedule of future dances is always available at https://sactocds.org/calendar/. You may join our email list on groups.io at https://groups.io/g/SactoCDS/. Please enter your name when joining.
Note: The location of the SCDS dance calendar has changed. If you subscribed to the calendar before January 1, 2023, please unsubscribe from that one and re-subscribe to the new one. On the Calendar page at https://sactocds.org/calendar/, you can subscribe to the calendar so the events show up in your personal Google calendar. Click the plus sign in the lower right hand corner. For iCal users, the link is https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/sactocds%40gmail.com/public/basic.ics.
Community Band Night at Contra!
The Sacramento Country Dance Society, building community through lively dances, live music, and friendly people, proudly presents:
Caller: Mark Goodwin
Music: The Community Band
Sound: Clark Smith
Date: Saturday, June 27th, 2024 (fourth Saturday)
Time: 7:00–10:00 pm, with newcomer’s orientation at 6:30 pm
Location: Coloma Community Center, 4623 T St, Sacramento, CA
Cost: $12 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check); If cost is the only thing preventing you being being there, please talk to the greeters at the door.
Mark Goodwin began calling contra dance in Chico in 2001 and has called for local regional dances, including Nevada City and Newcastle. His aim is to call programs that bring everyone along for the ride, with dances that are memorable, have intuitive transitions, and weave familiar and interesting elements into a variety of dancer interactions.
If you’re interested in playing in the Community Band, please contact Claudia Kirkpatrick at kirkmusic@hotmail.com.
Newcomer’s orientation is offered at 6:40 pm, perfect for people who have not contra danced before, or who could use a refresher. Experienced dancers are invited to partner with newcomers during the orientation and early dances to help integrate them into the community. No partners are needed, so come by yourself or with friends or with family. Events are accessible to people with disabilities. Potluck snacks are available at the break, and we encourage you to bring something to share.
The SCDS Board has voted to modify Covid requirements. The new policy is as follows:
Latest update: June 2024
The policies below are intended to balance our desire to dance with the safety of our community, including both our dancers and the wider public. If you are feeling ill, please stay home and join us at another event when you’re feeling well.
Vaccination
COVID vaccination and up-to-date boosters are highly recommended but not required.
Masks
Based on current immunity levels and transmission rates in our community, good quality, well-fitting masks are recommended but not required on the dance floor and in other indoor spaces at all our dance locations.
Food and Drink
Hydration is important while dancing. Dancers are encouraged to bring their own water bottles.
Please bring snacks to share with the community. Dancers may eat in the area near the food table or outside. Please don’t spill food or water on the dance floor.
Contact: For more information, and lost and found, contact Laura Leonelli, 916-549-7093, or email sactocds@gmail.com. Our schedule of future dances is always available at https://sactocds.org/calendar/. You may join our email list on groups.io at https://groups.io/g/SactoCDS/. Please enter your name when joining.
Note: The location of the SCDS dance calendar has changed. If you subscribed to the calendar before January 1, 2023, please unsubscribe from that one and re-subscribe to the new one. On the Calendar page at https://sactocds.org/calendar/, you can subscribe to the calendar so the events show up in your personal Google calendar. Click the plus sign in the lower right hand corner. For iCal users, the link is https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/sactocds%40gmail.com/public/basic.ics.
Zesty Contra Dance!
The Sacramento Country Dance Society, building community through lively dances, live music, and friendly people, proudly presents:
Caller: Bowen Lee
Music: Ruby Mountain String Band (Darin Smith, Julia Landis, and Cliff Landis)
Sound: Amanda Schmidt
Date: Saturday, June 29th, 2024 (fifth Saturday)
Time: 7:00–10:00 pm, with no newcomer’s orientation
Location: Coloma Community Center, 4623 T St, Sacramento, CA
Cost: $12 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check); If cost is the only thing preventing you being being there, please talk to the greeters at the door.
Bowen Lee has been dancing most of her life, with folkdance, ballet, tap, jazz, and African dance in her repertoire. And she just likes to party down. She’s been a Zumba instructor, children’s dance teacher, and tai chi instructor. She became a contraholic about ten years ago, and started calling just as the pandemic shut the dance hall down. But she’s calling dances now to connect dancers with great music in a community that celebrates the joy of contra.
Ruby Mountain String Band is Cliff and Julia Landis with Darin Smith melding traditional and contemporary old time and alt country styles.
This is a special zesty contra, with no newcomer orientation, for experienced dancers who want to dance with enthusiasm! The dances will be taught quickly, and the dancers should be familiar with hey for four, Petronella turns, and contra corners.
No partners are needed, so come by yourself or with friends or with family. Events are accessible to people with disabilities. Potluck snacks are available at the break, and we encourage you to bring something to share.
The current SCDS Covid policy is as follows:
Latest update: June 2024
The policies below are intended to balance our desire to dance with the safety of our community, including both our dancers and the wider public. If you are feeling ill, please stay home and join us at another event when you’re feeling well.
Vaccination
COVID vaccination and up-to-date boosters are highly recommended but not required.
Masks
Based on current immunity levels and transmission rates in our community, good quality, well-fitting masks are recommended but not required on the dance floor and in other indoor spaces at all our dance locations.
Food and Drink
Hydration is important while dancing. Dancers are encouraged to bring their own water bottles.
Please bring snacks to share with the community. Dancers may eat in the area near the food table or outside. Please don’t spill food or water on the dance floor.
Contact: For more information, and lost and found, contact Laura Leonelli, 916-549-7093, or email sactocds@gmail.com. Our schedule of future dances is always available at https://sactocds.org/calendar/. You may join our email list on groups.io at https://groups.io/g/SactoCDS/. Please enter your name when joining.
Note: The location of the SCDS dance calendar has changed. If you subscribed to the calendar before January 1, 2023, please unsubscribe from that one and re-subscribe to the new one. On the Calendar page at https://sactocds.org/calendar/, you can subscribe to the calendar so the events show up in your personal Google calendar. Click the plus sign in the lower right hand corner. For iCal users, the link is https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/sactocds%40gmail.com/public/basic.ics.
Contra Dance, Fourth Saturday!
The Sacramento Country Dance Society, building community through lively dances, live music, and friendly people, proudly presents:
Caller: Dane Wallinga
Music: The Dance Dinos (Leah Wollenberg on fiddle, Will Wheeler on guitar & feet, and Lisa Illés on flute, whistle, and sax)
Sound: Sue Jones
Date: Saturday, June 22nd, 2024 (fourth Saturday)
Time: 7:00–10:00 pm, with newcomer’s orientation at 6:30 pm
Location: Coloma Community Center, 4623 T St, Sacramento, CA
Cost: $12 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check); If cost is the only thing preventing you being being there, please talk to the greeters at the door.
Dane Wallinga has quickly become a Bay Area go-to caller, giving dancers a thoughtful program of interesting, fun dances, called with a relaxed style. He has choreographed a number of dances himself.
Leah Wollenberg on fiddle, Will Wheeler on guitar & feet, and Lisa Illés on flute, whistle, and sax — the Dance Dinos are out of this world!
Newcomer’s orientation is offered at 6:40 pm, perfect for people who have not contra danced before, or who could use a refresher. Experienced dancers are invited to partner with newcomers during the orientation and early dances to help integrate them into the community. No partners are needed, so come by yourself or with friends or with family. Events are accessible to people with disabilities. Potluck snacks are available at the break, and we encourage you to bring something to share.
The SCDS Board has voted to modify Covid requirements. The new policy is as follows:
Covid vaccination and boosters are highly recommended but not required for attending Contra dances. Good quality, well-fitting masks are recommended but not required on the dance floor and other indoor spaces.
Contact: For more information, and lost and found, contact Laura Leonelli, 916-549-7093, or email sactocds@gmail.com. Our schedule of future dances is always available at https://sactocds.org/calendar/. You may join our email list on groups.io at https://groups.io/g/SactoCDS/. Please enter your name when joining.
Note: The location of the SCDS dance calendar has changed. If you subscribed to the calendar before January 1, 2023, please unsubscribe from that one and re-subscribe to the new one. On the Calendar page at https://sactocds.org/calendar/, you can subscribe to the calendar so the events show up in your personal Google calendar. Click the plus sign in the lower right hand corner. For iCal users, the link is https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/sactocds%40gmail.com/public/basic.ics.
Special Band, Second Saturday Contra, and Potluck, Oh My!
The Sacramento Country Dance Society, building community through lively dances, live music, and friendly people, proudly presents:
Caller: Talib Huff
Music: Double Trouble (Rodney Miller & Jeff Spero)
Sound: Amanda Schmidt
Date: Saturday, June 8th, 2024 (second Saturday)
Time: 7:00–10:00 pm, with newcomer’s orientation at 6:30 pm POTLUCK 5:30-6:30, Rescue Room!
Location: Coloma Community Center, 4623 T St, Sacramento, CA
Cost: $15 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check); If cost is the only thing preventing you being being there, please talk to the greeters at the door.
Talib Huff has been calling dances for over 20 years. He currently calls primarily in the Sacramento region and has led dances for local groups, schools wedding, festivals and dance communities.
Master Fiddler Rodney Miller’s fiddling commands the stage and the eardrums.
A long-time New Hampshire resident (now living in sunny California), Rodney is well-known as both a traditionalist and innovator, with a playful style and soulful tone. He is widely considered to be one of the foremost exponents of New England style fiddling, although his exploratory style invites quite a few surprises, and has earned a place in such admired bands as The Stringrays, The Rhythm Raptors, and The Backwater Boys.
He has toured the world, performed and taught at hundreds of music and dance festivals, and recorded numerous albums, among them the acclaimed New England Chestnuts, Airplang, and Airdance albums. He’s also a respected luthier, building violins like the one he’s holding here.
Jeffrey Spero has become one of the premiere dance pianists on the west coast. Known for his energetic style and creative arrangements, Jeff has brought his talents to dances and festivals throughout the nation. His accompaniments bring a fresh perspective to traditional forms. Through performances with The Syncopaths, Chopped Liver and Jax, along with renowned fiddlers Richard Greene (Bluegrass), Jamie Laval (Scottish), Kathleen Keane (Irish), Laura Light (Contra, Swing), Laura Risk (Scottish), and Tom Sauber (Old-time), Jeff’s reputation as a highly sought after pianist has been well established.
Newcomer’s orientation is offered at 6:40 pm, perfect for people who have not contra danced before, or who could use a refresher. Experienced dancers are invited to partner with newcomers during the orientation and early dances to help integrate them into the community. No partners are needed, so come by yourself or with friends or with family. Events are accessible to people with disabilities. Potluck snacks are available at the break, and we encourage you to bring something to share.
The SCDS Board has voted to modify Covid requirements. The new policy is as follows:
Covid vaccination and boosters are highly recommended but not required for attending Contra dances. Good quality, well-fitting masks are recommended but not required on the dance floor and other indoor spaces.
Contact: For more information, and lost and found, contact Laura Leonelli, 916-549-7093, or email sactocds@gmail.com. Our schedule of future dances is always available at https://sactocds.org/calendar/. You may join our email list on groups.io at https://groups.io/g/SactoCDS/. Please enter your name when joining.
Note: The location of the SCDS dance calendar has changed. If you subscribed to the calendar before January 1, 2023, please unsubscribe from that one and re-subscribe to the new one. On the Calendar page at https://sactocds.org/calendar/, you can subscribe to the calendar so the events show up in your personal Google calendar. Click the plus sign in the lower right hand corner. For iCal users, the link is https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/sactocds%40gmail.com/public/basic.ics.
Contra Dance, Fourth Saturday!
The Sacramento Country Dance Society, building community through lively dances, live music, and friendly people, proudly presents:
Caller: Kelsey Hartman
Music: Magic Reelism (David Wright, Susan Jones, Cheryl McKinney, and Del Eckels)
Sound: Ken Britten
Date: Saturday, May 25th, 2024 (fourth Saturday)
Time: 7:00–10:00 pm, with newcomer’s orientation at 6:30 pm
Location: Coloma Community Center, 4623 T St, Sacramento, CA
Cost: $12 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check); If cost is the only thing preventing you being being there, please talk to the greeters at the door.
Kelsey Hartman is a “contraholic,” and can often be found any given weekend dancing or calling a contra dance. Her inspiration for calling comes from Nils Fredland, whose callers’ workshop at American Week (BACDS) in 2012 spurred her down the caller’s path. When calling, she considers herself a conduit between the dancers and the band, helping to channel the joy of the musicians’ music through flowing, interesting dances.
Magic Reelism plays Celtic, old-time, French-Canadian, northern, and original tunes for dances around Sacramento and the Bay Area. David Wright on fiddle and mandolin, Sue Jones on concertina and recorders, Cheryl McKinney on piano, and Del Eckels on percussion bring energy, drive and creativity to the dance! They play for contradances and for special events like weddings and private parties.
For more information and some recordings, see https://www.facebook.com/MagicReelism.
Newcomer’s orientation is offered at 6:40 pm, perfect for people who have not contra danced before, or who could use a refresher. Experienced dancers are invited to partner with newcomers during the orientation and early dances to help integrate them into the community. No partners are needed, so come by yourself or with friends or with family. Events are accessible to people with disabilities. Potluck snacks are available at the break, and we encourage you to bring something to share.
The SCDS Board has voted to modify Covid requirements. The new policy is as follows:
Covid vaccination and boosters are highly recommended but not required for attending Contra dances. Good quality, well-fitting masks are recommended but not required on the dance floor and other indoor spaces.
Contact: For more information, and lost and found, contact Laura Leonelli, 916-549-7093, or email sactocds@gmail.com. Our schedule of future dances is always available at https://sactocds.org/calendar/. You may join our email list on groups.io at https://groups.io/g/SactoCDS/. Please enter your name when joining.
Note: The location of the SCDS dance calendar has changed. If you subscribed to the calendar before January 1, 2023, please unsubscribe from that one and re-subscribe to the new one. On the Calendar page at https://sactocds.org/calendar/, you can subscribe to the calendar so the events show up in your personal Google calendar. Click the plus sign in the lower right hand corner. For iCal users, the link is https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/sactocds%40gmail.com/public/basic.ics.
Contra Dance, Second Saturday!
The Sacramento Country Dance Society, building community through lively dances, live music, and friendly people, proudly presents:
Caller: Tanya Merchant
Music: Star Thistle (Lonna Whipple, David Wright, and Cheryl McKinney)
Sound: Amanda Schmidt
Date: Saturday, May 11th, 2024 (second Saturday)
Time: 7:00–10:00 pm, with newcomer’s orientation at 6:30 pm
Location: Coloma Community Center, 4623 T St, Sacramento, CA
Cost: $12 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check); If cost is the only thing preventing you being being there, please talk to the greeters at the door.
Tanya Merchant learned to call dances while sheltering in place during the COVID-19 pandemic and has been calling contra and barn dances since venues re-opened in 2021. Dancers praise her clear, warm, and energetic calling style.
Star Thistle plays contra dances featuring Celtic, old-time, and other music. The band (left to right, as pictured) is Lonna Whipple (fiddle), David Wright (fiddle and mandolin), and Cheryl McKinney (keyboard).
Newcomer’s orientation is offered at 6:40 pm, perfect for people who have not contra danced before, or who could use a refresher. Experienced dancers are invited to partner with newcomers during the orientation and early dances to help integrate them into the community. No partners are needed, so come by yourself or with friends or with family. Events are accessible to people with disabilities. Potluck snacks are available at the break, and we encourage you to bring something to share.
The SCDS Board has voted to modify Covid requirements. The new policy is as follows:
Covid vaccination and boosters are highly recommended but not required for attending Contra dances. Good quality, well-fitting masks are recommended but not required on the dance floor and other indoor spaces.
Contact: For more information, and lost and found, contact Laura Leonelli, 916-549-7093, or email sactocds@gmail.com. Our schedule of future dances is always available at https://sactocds.org/calendar/. You may join our email list on groups.io at https://groups.io/g/SactoCDS/. Please enter your name when joining.
Note: The location of the SCDS dance calendar has changed. If you subscribed to the calendar before January 1, 2023, please unsubscribe from that one and re-subscribe to the new one. On the Calendar page at https://sactocds.org/calendar/, you can subscribe to the calendar so the events show up in your personal Google calendar. Click the plus sign in the lower right hand corner. For iCal users, the link is https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/sactocds%40gmail.com/public/basic.ics.
Anniversary Contra Dance!
The Sacramento Country Dance Society, building community through lively dances, live music, and friendly people, proudly presents:
Caller: Susan Petrick
Music: Tartan Suite (Caroline McCaskey, Patti Cobb, and Thomas Dewey)
Sound: David Wright
Date: Saturday, April 27th, 2024 (fourth Saturday)
Time: 7:00–10:00 pm, with newcomer’s orientation at 6:30 pm
Location: Coloma Community Center, 4623 T St, Sacramento, CA
Cost: $12 for adults; $8 for college students with ID; $5 for dancers under 18; $25 maximum for families (cash or check); If cost is the only thing preventing you being being there, please talk to the greeters at the door.
Susan Petrick started teaching and calling for contra dances in 2000, and teaching couple dances, including waltz, cross-step waltz, and hambo, shortly thereafter. She tours throughout the country calling for dance weekends and festivals. Susan lives in Mountain View and has become a regional treasure with national prominence. She is well-known for her clear teaching, efficient guidance, and expert pacing, making even complex dances accessible to all.
Caroline McCaskey, Thomas Dewey, and Patti Cobb. What do you get when you seamlessly combine the powerful sound of an improvising champion fiddler with the infectious fun of a dance pianist infused with rock and blues, and add a dash of deep, soulful cello? You get Tartan Suite, a sound like no other, for a night of dancing you won’t soon forget.
Come help us celebrate our 38th anniversary! We’ll have cake at the break!
Newcomer’s orientation is offered at 6:40 pm, perfect for people who have not contra danced before, or who could use a refresher. Experienced dancers are invited to partner with newcomers during the orientation and early dances to help integrate them into the community. No partners are needed, so come by yourself or with friends or with family. Events are accessible to people with disabilities. Potluck snacks are available at the break, and we encourage you to bring something to share.
The SCDS Board has voted to modify Covid requirements. The new policy is as follows:
Covid vaccination and boosters are highly recommended but not required for attending Contra dances. Good quality, well-fitting masks are recommended but not required on the dance floor and other indoor spaces.
Contact: For more information, and lost and found, contact Laura Leonelli, 916-549-7093, or email sactocds@gmail.com. Our schedule of future dances is always available at https://sactocds.org/calendar/. You may join our email list on groups.io at https://groups.io/g/SactoCDS/. Please enter your name when joining.
Note: The location of the SCDS dance calendar has changed. If you subscribed to the calendar before January 1, 2023, please unsubscribe from that one and re-subscribe to the new one. On the Calendar page at https://sactocds.org/calendar/, you can subscribe to the calendar so the events show up in your personal Google calendar. Click the plus sign in the lower right hand corner. For iCal users, the link is https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/sactocds%40gmail.com/public/basic.ics.