What we're about
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 (4+)
SB Carrillo Recreation Center
Contra Dance Sun 6:30-9:30pm Lesson@6:10 at Carrillo Rec Center
Caller:Jon Southard:
Band: Casitas String Band
2nd and 4th Sundays
CONTRA DANCE:
- Fun social dance
- Always a live band and a caller
- Enjoyable
- Good Exercise
- Good for the body and brain
- You don't need a partner.
In 2023 we are back on a schedule of callers and bands!
| April 2023 |
| ---------- |
| 9 | Jon Southard | Casitas String Band |
| 23 | Jon Southard | Chris Murphy Trio |
| May 2023 |
| 14 | TBD | Chris Murphy Trio |
| 28 | Jean Gorrindo | Casitas String Band |
Policies of the State of California do not allow us to require masks or vaccinations, since we are co-sponsored by the City of Santa Barbara, whose policies follow the state's.
That said, we encourage you to properly wear N-95, KN-95, KF-94, or equivalent masks and to be fully vaccinated, for the protection of yourself, and others, including those in your shared living spaces.
Contra dance is a fun social dance with a live band and a caller. Enjoyable, good exercise, and you don't need a partner. From 6:30 -9:30pm. Contra dance orientation/lesson at 6:10 p.m. in the Carrillo Ballroom for those who are new. Every dance is a new experience.
We are a community, so please help everyone get to dance. Don't book ahead. Watch for people sitting on the side and ask them to dance! Reach out of your comfort zone to make folks feel welcome. You might make a life-long friend!
We need new dancers!
At SB Carrillo Recreation Center
100 East Carrillo Street, Santa Barbara, CA
in the large ballroom with the sprung floor.
You don't need to bring a partner because this is a social dance and everybody dances with everybody. You don't need to know how to Contra Dance. There is a lesson at 6:00 pm and a walk-through by the caller before each dance so you can just jump in. You will get friendly help all night.
Those who participate in contra dancing find a safe place to meet and socialize with other people. It's a great social activity, a way to meet people, to socialize and have a good time with a group of people. Not just one or two....At a contra dance you meet lots of people in the course of an evening. Lots of good exercise too.
The band takes a break in the middle. At the end of each half, you can dance a waltz. And during the break, recorded music is played for East and West Coast swing dance, Country Dance, and more.
The best description we've heard is that with each dance we build a carousel, then jump on and ride it. Great fun for the brain and the body. Join us for great fun!
Video of one of our dances
More info: http://www.sbcds.org/contradance/
- Tom B.
- 1 attendee
SB Carrillo Recreation Center
Contra Dance Sun 6:30-9:30pm Lesson @ 6:10pm
Band: Chris Murphy Trio
Caller: Jon Southard
Contra dance:
- Fun social dance
- A live band and a caller
- Enjoyable
- Good Exercise
- Good for the body and brain
- You don't need a partner.
In 2023 we are back on a schedule of callers and bands!
| April 2023 |
| ---------- |
| 9 | Jon Southard | Casitas String Band |
| 23 | Jon Southard | Chris Murphy Trio |
| May 2023 |
| 14 | TBD | Chris Murphy Trio |
| 28 | Jean Gorrindo | Casitas String Band |
Policies of the State of California do not allow us to require masks or vaccinations, since we are co-sponsored by the City of Santa Barbara, whose policies follow the state's.
That said, we encourage you to properly wear N-95, KN-95, KF-94, or equivalent masks and to be fully vaccinated, for the protection of yourself, and others, including those in your shared living spaces.
Contra dance is a fun social dance with a live band and a caller. Enjoyable, good exercise, and you don't need a partner. From 6:30 -9:30pm. Contra dance orientation/lesson at 6:10 p.m. in the Carrillo Ballroom for those who are new. Every dance is a new experience.
We are a community, so please help everyone get to dance. Don't book ahead. Watch for people sitting on the side and ask them to dance! Reach out of your comfort zone to make folks feel welcome. You might make a life-long friend!
We need new dancers!
At SB Carrillo Recreation Center
100 East Carrillo Street, Santa Barbara, CA
in the large ballroom with the sprung floor.
You don't need to bring a partner because this is a social dance and everybody dances with everybody. You don't need to know how to Contra Dance. There is a lesson at 6:00 pm and a walk-through by the caller before each dance so you can just jump in. You will get friendly help all night.
Those who participate in contra dancing find a safe place to meet and socialize with other people. It's a great social activity, a way to meet people, to socialize and have a good time with a group of people. Not just one or two....At a contra dance you meet lots of people in the course of an evening. Lots of good exercise too.
The band takes a break in the middle. At the end of each half, you can dance a waltz. And during the break, recorded music is played for East and West Coast swing dance, Country Dance, and more.
The best description we've heard is that with each dance we build a carousel, then jump on and ride it. Great fun for the brain and the body. Join us for great fun!
Video of one of our dances
More info: http://www.sbcds.org/contradance/
- Tom B.
- 1 attendee
Contra Dance Sun 6:30-9:30pm Lesson@6:10
Band: Chris Murphy Trio
Contra dance:
- Fun social dance
- A live band and a caller
- Enjoyable
- Good Exercise
- Good for the body and brain
- You don't need a partner.
In 2023 we are back on a schedule of callers and bands!
| April 2023 |
| ---------- |
| 9 | Jon Southard | Casitas String Band |
| 23 | Jon Southard | Chris Murphy Trio |
| May 2023 |
| 14 | TBD | Chris Murphy Trio |
| 28 | Jean Gorrindo | Casitas String Band |
For more info go to: https://www.sbcds.org/contradance/schedule/
Policies of the State of California do not allow us to require masks or vaccinations, since we are co-sponsored by the City of Santa Barbara, whose policies follow the state's.
That said, we encourage you to properly wear N-95, KN-95, KF-94, or equivalent masks and to be fully vaccinated, for the protection of yourself, and others, including those in your shared living spaces.
Contra dance is a fun social dance with a live band and a caller. Enjoyable, good exercise, and you don't need a partner. From 6:30 -9:30pm. Contra dance orientation/lesson at 6:10 p.m. in the Carrillo Ballroom for those who are new. Every dance is a new experience.
We are a community, so please help everyone get to dance. Don't book ahead. Watch for people sitting on the side and ask them to dance! Reach out of your comfort zone to make folks feel welcome. You might make a life-long friend!
We need new dancers!
At SB Carrillo Recreation Center
100 East Carrillo Street, Santa Barbara, CA
in the large ballroom with the sprung floor.
You don't need to bring a partner because this is a social dance and everybody dances with everybody. You don't need to know how to Contra Dance. There is a lesson at 6:00 pm and a walk-through by the caller before each dance so you can just jump in. You will get friendly help all night.
Those who participate in contra dancing find a safe place to meet and socialize with other people. It's a great social activity, a way to meet people, to socialize and have a good time with a group of people. Not just one or two....At a contra dance you meet lots of people in the course of an evening. Lots of good exercise too.
The band takes a break in the middle. At the end of each half, you can dance a waltz. And during the break, recorded music is played for East and West Coast swing dance, Country Dance, and more.
The best description we've heard is that with each dance we build a carousel, then jump on and ride it. Great fun for the brain and the body. Join us for great fun!
Video of one of our dances
More info: http://www.sbcds.org/contradance/
- Tom B.
- 1 attendee
Past events (916)
SB Carrillo Recreation Center
- Tom B.
- Julia S.
- 2 attendees
