About us
**These social dances are fun for all ages, and benefit the body and mind. A fun way to exercise and make friends. You can bring a friend, but you don't need a partner. Typically 60 to 90 of us are dancing many Sunday nights. See Schedule at https://www.sbcds.org** A 20-minute orientation lesson is before each dance
They were not started on Meetup. So you won't see very high RSVP counts since most people attend without RSVPing on Meetup.
Contra Dancing: You love live music, to move to it, to get exercise, to make friends.
This is a great place for non-dancers to explore a new kind of fun, for experienced dancers new to contra dance, and of course returning contra dancers. No experience necessary!
Our live music includes all kinds of instruments depending on the band. Typical instruments include fiddle, guitar, piano, mandolin, accordion, flute.
We offer a 20-minute orientation lesson before each dance where you'll learn the basic structure of a contra dance and the most common figures. The caller teaches the sequence for ach dance before the music starts, and then prompts the figures for a while. The moves are about 30 seconds but then the sequence repeats several more times, and each time you meet another pair of dancers. How sociable!
It's perfectly okay to come to the dance by yourself. Everybody asks everybody to dance.
What to wear: comfortable, smooth-sole (if possible) shoes, lightweight clothing or layers when it's cold. Maybe bring an extra shirt in case you work up a sweat...Let's Dance!
2 of 2: English Country Dancing
The Grandparent of contra dancing, English Country Dancing appeals to your love of variety, excitement, elegance, energy, and even a bit of challenge. Come with friends or come by yourself. Everyone dances.
Upcoming events
1
- $15.00
Contra Dance Sunday💃 Live Band: Anvil Sky and Chris Oshiro in 4 days) 🎶 6-9pm
Carrillo Recreation Center, 100 East Carillo Street, Santa Barbara, CA, USDANCE 6–9pm to a LIVE BAND!
SB Carrillo Recreation Center,
100 E Carrillo St. in the large sprung-floor ballroomCONTRA DANCE this Sunday 6–9pm to a LIVE BAND (in 3 days)!
SB Carrillo Recreation Center, 100 E Carrillo St. in the large sprung-floor ballroom
The Band: Anvil Sky
The Caller: Chris Oshiro$15 Cash/Visa/MC/Venmo, Youth/Student $5-10
Beginners are welcome, cherished even. No need to bring a partner.
We suggest newcomers dance with experienced dancers for the first few dances. It helps make if fun and easy for everyone!
Dress for comfort. We recommend low or flat shoes that don't stickSee how Another fun Contra Dance can be! CLICK to watch the video!!!!
Anvil Sky band
Featuring Frank Hoppe on fiddle, Laura Osborne on flute, and Jeffrey Spero on piano.
Anyone who has danced before to any or all of these musicians knows how spectacular each one of them is - and what a combo it will be.
Frank Hoppe's fiddle was enjoyed in our last dance. lives in the Los Angeles area and enjoys playing fiddle for dances, kitchen junkets, farmer’s markets, and wineries.
Jeffrey Spero has toured around the country playing concerts, festivals, and dances. From Celtic to Americana, Jeffrey can be heard with bands such as Syncopaths, Rhythm Raptors, Anvil Sky, and Lift Ticket.
Laura Osborne is a flute professor at UCLA. Laura holds degrees in Flute Performance from Eastman School of MusicChris Oshiro is a caller whose approach involves clear, concise walk-throughs, flexibility in teaching and programming, and working with the band to create that groove that dancers love.
Future 2026 Contra Dances
DATE CALLER BAND
May 17 Chris Oshiro Anvil Sky
May 31 Jacqui Grennan Double Trouble (Rodney Miller & Jeffrey Spero)
Jun 7 Chris Page Whole Hog
Jun 21 Diana Livada Fiddle Tunas
Video of one of our dancesFor more info see https://www.sbcds.org/contradance
Future English Country Dances
May 17 Alice Williams
May 31 Extraordinary music with Rodney Miller and Jeffrey Spero
Jacqui Grennan Double Trouble
First Presbyterian Church21 E. Constance Ave. Santa Barbara, CA 93105
First, Third, and Fifth Sundays (with some exceptions).
New dancer instruction at 1:45, dancing 2:00 to 4:15 pm. Doors open at 1:40.2 attendees
Past events
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