Contra dancing or barn dancing is familiar squaredance-type moves done in longways sets, some circles and even a few traditional squares. It is fun and people of all ages find it easy to learn. These dances feature live calling and live music that is absolutely energizing and, while fairly fast moving, they are very forgiving. An American traditional dance form that originated from English and French roots in the 1600s, contra dance thrived through the 1900s, survived in small pockets of the northeast, resurfaced in the 1950s and by the 1970s had experienced a renaissance, spreading across the country and growing in popularity. The links below offer connections to dancing across Kansas and to the nationwide community of dancing and well as descriptions of the dance form.

• Wichita Contra Dance — 1st Saturdays in Wichita, Kansas
  

• Flint Hills Barn Dance — Manhattan, Kansas
  We are hoping to have a few contra dances each year, check back regularly

• Old-Time Community Contra Dance — 2nd Saturdays in North Newton, Kansas

• Cottonwood Falls Contra Dance — 3rd Saturdays in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas

• Smoky Hill Contra Dance — selected 4th Saturdays in Salina, Kansas

• The Land Institute
  • Graduate Fellows Workshop Contra Dance—Yearly in June in Matfield Green, Kansas
  • Prairie Festival Contra Dance—Yearly in October in Salina, Kansas

• Eastern Kansas Dances

• Kansas City Area Dances — 2nd and 4th Saturdays.

• Lawrence Barn Dances — Check here for information on regular, family, and Bloo Moon advanced dances

• Links to other Contra Dance Information

• Some Contradance Stuff gives links to dance pages and information across the country including a clickable locator map of the US.

• What is a Contradance is a great way to find out about what we do, how we do it, and how much fun it is.

• Contra Dance Primer gives a general overview of contra dancing in a question-answer format.

• Contact:

Maintained by John Turner
Updated: 27 January 2008