Montreal’s Local Contra Dance

Please note that all ContraMontreal dances will now be masks optional. Masks are still welcome at our events, and will remain so. We also reserve the right to change our policy should the situation require it.

Our next dance is on Saturday, March 23th at 6:30pm-9:30pm, with music by Steve Jones (accordion & fiddle), Marie-Christine Lance (piano), and Jean Duval (fiddle), and calling by Bev Bernbaum.

Patro Villeray (Room R.01)
7355 Avenue Christophe-Colomb
6:30pm – 7:00pm   Introductory lesson (Recommended for new dancers)
7:00pm – 9:30pm   Contra dance

Upcoming Dances:

Dances are usually the second and fourth Saturdays of each month

  • Saturday, March 23, 2024 (masks optional)
  • Saturday, April 13, 2024 (masks optional)
  • Saturday, April 27, 2024 (masks optional)
  • Saturday, May 11, 2024 (masks optional)
  • Saturday, May 25, 2024 (masks optional)
  • Saturday, June 8, 2024 (masks optional)

    6:30pm – 7:00pm   Introductory lesson (Recommended for new dancers)
    7:00pm – 9:30pm   Contra dance

Health and Safety:

To keep all dancers and our community safe:

  • At half of our dances, we require a good quality, well-fitting mask (surgical or better) to be worn. At the other dances we strongly suggest wearing them, but do not require it
  • Please stay home if you have cold or flu-like symptoms, even if you think it’s just a minor cold

Location:

Patro Villeray (Room R.01)
7355 Ave Christophe-Colomb
Montréal (Québec)
H2R 2S5

Enter from the main entrance on Avenue Christophe-Colomb. Room R.01 is down the hallway to the left.

Cost:

We have a sliding scale payment system. We offer this price flexibility to keep our dances accessible while also collecting enough funds to pay our talented musicians and callers.

  • Minimum: $8
  • Suggested: $15
  • Sponsor: $20
  • Children under 13: Free

If you would like, you can buy your ticket in advance by sending an Interac transfer to info@contramontreal.org (the answer to the question must be Villeray) or a Paypal transfer to @contraMontreal

Additional Info:

  • Our dances are called with the role terms Larks and Robins
  • To keep our floor clean, please bring indoor shoes to change into.
  • Please be aware that we often take videos and pictures during the event, and those images may be used by ContraMontreal for promotion.

Write to us if you have any questions at info@contramontreal.org.

Our Mission

To provide regular, continuing, and fun opportunities for everybody – no matter what their age, income, skill level, etc. – to share with other members of our community the joys and challenges of dancing led by a good caller and to music played by good musicians; and to help local dancers, callers, and musicians improve their skills.

What is contra dance?

In a contra dance, guided by a caller, each couple dances figures with a series of other couples. It’s great fun. The two roles are called “larks” and “robins” and they are each danced by whoever wants to, no matter their genders and it is common to see same-gendered couples.

I don’t know how to dance.

The best way to learn how to contra dance is to go to one. Beginners are welcome. (New dancers describe their first contras here.) There will be a half hour of introduction, starting at 6:30, to show you the basic moves and calls. We highly recommend that you come to the intro class!

I don’t have a partner.

You don’t need one. The tradition in contra is to change partners for each dance so it’s usually easy to find someone to dance with.

I don’t have the proper shoes and clothes.

You don’t need to bring any special shoes or clothes. It does help keep the floor clean if you change from your outdoor shoes to light, indoor shoes.

Are children welcome at ContraMontreal’s events?

Yes, contra is appropriate for all ages and all fitness levels. We would be really happy to have more children dancing with us!