What we're about

Contra dance is a kind of social dance with live music where a caller teaches the figures. You don't need to come with a partner, and while there is a short lesson before each of our dances it's optional. Most people learn contra dancing by doing it.

It looks like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beOFeIIk4KY

You should wear comfortable clothes that you can move easily in. High heels don't work well. We'll have water but if you'd like to save cups bringing a water bottle is good.

Upcoming events (1)

BIDA Contra Dance + Family Dance!

Cambridge Masonic Hall, Porter Square

Come join us once again for a delightful night of contra dancing!

Sunday June 4th, at 1950 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge MA.

Evening Caller: Chloe Levine
Evening Music: Rose Jackson, Rebecca Weiss, Amy Englesberg
Family Dance Caller: Marcie Van Cleave
Family Dance Music: Open Band

Family Dance & Open Band Arrival: 5pm
Family Dance: 5:30 - 6:30
Potluck: 6:30-7:15
Lesson: 7pm
Dance: 7:30-10:30pm

Please feel free to join us at 7:00 for a beginner's lesson if you're fresh to contra dancing! Or y'know, if you'd like a refresher, or to help welcome folks into the contra dance community 🙂

This is a special Family Dance evening. Come join us before our evening dance to build community, dance with adorable kids and families, and play tunes in a welcoming space. Between the family dance and the evening dance we'll have a potluck.

BIDA needs new volunteers! Many of our pre-covid regular volunteers are no longer able to help out. If you are interested in being more involved with making BIDA the dance we all love, please reach out to us.

The evening dance is a $5-20 sliding scale, as you're able. Bring someone new to Contra to the intro session and you both get passes for free admission to a future dance! Share the love. The family dance is $3-5/person.

Public Transportation (recommended): We are across the street from the Porter Square Red Line stop.
Parking: Free street parking (meters and residential are open to all on Sundays). The big parking lot has been known to tow.

Sign up for BIDA mailing lists to hear about the updates you’re interested in here: https://www.bidadance.org/join

Ok, here's the ✨Pandemic Special ✨ details.
We'll be requiring:
- Full vaccination, including a booster if you're eligible for one. We'll check cards at the door, so bring your card or a picture of it. We accept exceptions for those with Dr's notes, contact us at bida@bidadance.org in advance if this is you.
- Well-fitting high filtration masks. We will offer complimentary masks if you don't have one. more info here https://blog.bidadance.org/2022/05/requiring-high-filtration-masks.html

Optionally:
- anyone is welcome to sign up for our covid notifications mailing list, where we send out alerts if we are notified that someone who attended a dance tested positive https://www.bidadance.org/join
We will ventilate to the extent possible, but the Cambridge Masonic Hall is not a place where we'll be able to get as much air turnover as we would like.

for more details: https://blog.bidadance.org/2022/01/getting-back-to-dancing.html

See you there!

Past events (194)

BIDA Contra Dance!

Cambridge Masonic Hall, Porter Square