---
events:
  - name: "Swingin' Tern Double Dance"
    details: "Cecilia Vacanti—fiddle, Jess Newman—fiddle, Mark Price—guitar \n3:45 – 5:45 pm Afternoon Advanced Contras $15 adults/$5 students\n5:45 – 7:00 pm Dinner Break at the many walkable Chatham restaurants\n7:00 – 7:30 pm Beginners’ Workshop\n7:30 – 10:30 pm All-Level Evening Dance $15 adults/$5 students \nFull information and videos\nOur full calendar \nUseful Information:\n\nNewcomers are welcome to come at 7pm for an introductory lesson on the basics of contra dancing. No partner is necessary. All dances are taught with a “walk-through” by the caller.\nWe no longer require vaccination. Masks are optional.\nAll dances at Swingin’ Tern are called to the gender-neutral terms Larks & Robins. Dance whatever role you’re comfortable in.\nWe are air-conditioned. We have windows on three sides when we want to let the breeze come in.\nOur dance is two blocks from the Chatham station on the Morris/Essex line out of Penn Station, NYC.\nWe welcome contributions of home-baked [or not] goodies to share at the break.\nPlease bring your own water bottle. Water bottles may be filled at the kitchen sink.\nWear comfortable clothing. Contra dancing is aerobic. We prefer you carry in your shoes.\nWe are a friendly, inclusive group. Pack plenty of smiles!"
    links:
      - "https://folkproject.org/swingin-tern/"
      - "https://cdss.org/event/swingin-tern-contra-dance-7-3/"
    start: "2025-06-07T15:45:00-04:00"
    end: "2025-06-07T22:30:00-04:00"
    country: USA
    state: NJ
    city: Chatham
    styles:
      - contra
    workshop: true
    social: true
    bands:
      - The Star Charters
    callers:
      - Michael Karcher
    price: $10-$30
    organisation: "Swingin' Tern Dances"
    source: events/usa/cdss.yaml
  - name: American Dance & Music Week at Pinewoods
    details: "Does an incomparable week in the woods full of transcendent contras, delightful squares, and swingin’ songs sound appealing to you? \nIf so, then American Week will be a week full of what you love plus the joy of discovering some new things, too. Young or old, new or experienced, come relax amidst our participatory, welcoming vibe and the pressure-relieving radiance of Pinewoods Camp. \n2025 highlights: In addition to the dancing you might expect, some highlights this year include classes on calling, musicianship, singing, flatfooting, tai chi, and fusion dancing. \nAnd of course, we have our contras and squares. We have calling from Cis Hinkle, Janine Smith, and Michael Karcher. Meanwhile, this year’s music revolves around soaring New England melodies from the Stringrays (five piece version!) and deep doses of hot-hot-hot old-time from Jet Bridge. The staff is a unique dream-team of superlatively supportive, talented, world-class teacher-performers."
    links:
      - "https://camp.cdss.org/camp-weeks/american-dance-music-week-at-pinewoods/"
      - "https://cdss.org/event/american-dance-music-week-at-pinewoods-camp/"
    start_date: 2025-07-19
    end_date: 2025-07-26
    country: USA
    state: MA
    city: Plymouth
    styles:
      - contra
      - ecd
    workshop: true
    social: true
    bands:
      - Jet Bridge
      - Stringrays
    callers:
      - Cis Hinkle
      - Janine Smith
      - Michael Karcher
    organisation: Country Dance & Song Society
    source: events/usa/cdss.yaml
  - name: American Dance & Music Week
    links:
      - "https://camp.cdss.org/camp-weeks/american-dance-music-week/"
    start: "2025-07-19T15:00:00-04:00"
    end: "2025-07-26T10:00:00-04:00"
    country: USA
    state: MA
    city: Plymouth
    styles:
      - contra
    workshop: true
    social: true
    bands:
      - Stringrays
      - Jet Bridge
    callers:
      - Janine Smith
      - Michael Karcher
      - Lisa Greenleaf
    price: $850-$1500
    organisation: TryContra
    source: events/usa/trycontra.yaml
  - name: Bear Hug Dance Camp
    links:
      - "https://www.missoulafolk.org/bearhug"
    start_date: 2025-09-05
    end_date: 2025-09-07
    country: USA
    state: MT
    city: Rollins
    styles:
      - contra
    workshop: true
    social: true
    bands:
      - Countercurrent
      - Banna Damhsa
    callers:
      - Michael Karcher
      - Emily Faulkner
    organisation: TryContra
    source: events/usa/trycontra.yaml
  - name: Bear Hug Contra Dance Weekend
    details: "Get ready to contra dance, sing, swim, canoe, and play music at the 2025 Bear Hug Mountain Festival weekend on the shores of Montana’s Flathead Lake! The bands, Countercurrent and Banna Damhsa, will be providing music to the calling of Michael Karcher and Emily Faulkner. \nSingles, couples, families, and all ages are welcome! Entertainment, meals, and lodging (shared cabins, or tent and RV camping) are included. Registration fees are on a sliding scale from $250-$305, all-inclusive for the weekend. We also offer a Student rate."
    links:
      - "https://cdss.org/event/bear-hug-contra-dance-weekend/"
    start_date: 2025-09-05
    end_date: 2025-09-07
    country: USA
    state: MT
    city: Rollins
    styles:
      - contra
    workshop: false
    social: true
    bands:
      - Banna Damhsa
      - Countercurrent
    callers:
      - Emily Faulkner
      - Michael Karcher
    price: $250-$305
    organisation: Missoula Folklore Society
    source: events/usa/cdss.yaml
  - name: Echo Summit
    links:
      - "https://sactocds.wordpress.com/special-events/echo-summit-dance-camp-2025"
    start_date: 2025-09-12
    end_date: 2025-09-14
    country: USA
    state: CA
    city: Sacremento
    styles:
      - contra
    workshop: true
    social: true
    bands:
      - Countercurrent
      - Thunderwing
    callers:
      - Lindsey Dono
      - Michael Karcher
    organisation: TryContra
    source: events/usa/trycontra.yaml
  - name: ContraCopia
    links:
      - "http://www.thursdaycontra.com/contracopia/"
    start_date: 2025-11-28
    end_date: 2025-11-30
    country: USA
    state: PA
    city: Philadelphia
    styles:
      - contra
    workshop: true
    social: true
    bands:
      - River Road
      - Northwoods
      - Midnight on the Water
    callers:
      - Janine Smith
      - Qwill Duvall
      - Michael Karcher
    organisation: TryContra
    source: events/usa/trycontra.yaml
  - name: Contra Carnivale
    links:
      - "https://contracarnivale.org/"
    start_date: 2026-01-16
    end_date: 2026-01-18
    country: USA
    state: CA
    city: San Luis Obispo
    styles:
      - contra
    workshop: true
    social: true
    bands:
      - Red Case Band
      - Topspin
      - The Dam Beavers
    callers:
      - Jacqui Grennan
      - Jean Gorrindo
      - Michael Karcher
    organisation: TryContra
    source: events/usa/trycontra.yaml
  - name: Florida Snow Ball
    links:
      - "http://floridasnowball.tampabaycontra.com/"
    start_date: 2026-01-23
    end_date: 2026-01-25
    country: USA
    state: FL
    city: Gulfport
    styles:
      - contra
    workshop: true
    social: true
    bands:
      - Turnip the Beet
      - Red Case Band
    callers:
      - Michael Karcher
      - Lisa Greenleaf
    organisation: TryContra
    source: events/usa/trycontra.yaml