The Bay Area Country Dance Society Website

1st & 3rd Saturdays, 4th Fridays St. Paul's Presbyterian Church (1399 43rd Ave, San Francisco) (There is usually plenty of parking one block South, around Francis Scott Key Elementary School at 43rd Avenue and Kirkham Street)

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About Contra Dancing Contra dancing is a simple yet lively social dance form that's part of the New England dance scene, transported to the melting pot of San Francisco. Contra dancing is easy to learn, the music is live, and the event is a great social mixer. Come alone or bring a guest or more! Contra dances are done in long lines of couples. Pairs of couples dance together as a group of four, going through a sequence of moves or figures, for one round of the dance, until the two couples change places up and down the line and are facing the next couple, ready to start another round of the dance. The mood of a Contra dance is upbeat and quick-tempo, but the music isn't as fast as it sounds. You can do every figure at a walking pace. You get a chance to walk through each figure under the caller's direction before the dance starts, and both the caller and your fellow dancers will help you remember what to do at each point in the dance. The dance repeats, so, after only a few times through, you'll be amazed how quickly your body starts to remember what to do, and you can fully enjoy the music! About the San Francisco Contra Our dances are held the first and third Saturdays, and the fourth Fridays of the month at St. Paul's Church at 43rd Avenue and Judah Street. Street parking available or take the N Judah. All of our dances are accompanied by top-notch musicians performing music from Irish, English, and American folk traditions and led by dance callers with local and national followings. BEGINNERS ARE WELCOMED! NO PARTNER NEEDED: You can dance and have fun on your first night! No lessons are required, but come a half hour early and we'll show you the ropes at no charge. Bring your friends who are new to contra dancing to the 7:30pm free beginners/newcomers introductory workshop, and they'll get a pass admitting them to their next BACDS dance for free! POTLUCK SNACK BREAK: Bring treats to share with your fellow dancers during the break. See if you win the night's Yummy award! (treats appreciated but not required) EASY PARKING: There is usually plenty of parking one block South, around the Francis Scott Key Elementary School at 43rd Avenue and Kirkham Street. TRANSIT: The N-Judah streetcar stops at the corner. JOIN UP: We're always looking for volunteers to help out running the dance. Just click on the "Participate! Help out the SF dance" button on our main web page. For more information on the San Francisco Contra EVERYONE - Check out our main web page for details including schedule, location, map and directions and more. NEWCOMERS - learn about our dances, and get an idea what to expect on our newcomers' page FACEBOOK USERS - Share pictures, ideas, chat about what you liked (or didn't), set up carpools, volunteer to help out, or just mingle on our Facebook group (and don't for get the Events tab for lots more details about the individual dances and their performing talent. OR JUST EMAIL US