| Event | Caller | Band | Details | More Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 9, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Bob Nicholson | Lake Effect | Our first Community Dance downstairs in the Rosette Studio at 6:00 pm, followed by Rochester's power band upstairs. Orientation at 7:00. | More info |
| Oct 5, 2025 english First Rochester |
David Smukler | Trillium, Molly Jaynes Wilson | We are fortunate tonight to have an extremely skilled caller, and no less than 4 musicians (Meg, Cat, Laurel & Molly) adding excitement and energy. | More info |
| Oct 2, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Chuck Abell | Ostara | Honoring the light from the sun and the awakening of the earth, Ostara brings us music from New England, Quebec and France. Join us for Balfolk at 6:00 PM! | More info |
| Sep 28, 2025 english First Rochester |
Colleen Liggett | Molly, Cat & Meg | Incredible music for this dance on violin, viola, and piano / concertina. Colleen's helpful teaching rounds out the performers . | More info |
| Sep 25, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Nancy Spero | Glenrose | Experience the magic of contradancing, where all are welcome, and no partner or experience is necessary. Bring your friends, family, and fellow dance enthusiasts for a night of lively music, connection, and community. | More info |
| Sep 23, 2025 meeting Margaret Mathews |
Margaret Mathews | Contra Planning Committee | All are welcome! We have fun planning both regular and special Contra dances in Rochester. Join us for cookies and coffee at Margaret's house, our usual meeting location. | More info |
| Sep 21, 2025 english First Rochester |
Richard Sauvain | Catherine Sloboda, Roberta Truscello | The founder of our English dance series brings us his long experience as a caller, and the music will be outstanding. Anyone who has heard these two before can vouch for their talent. | More info |
| Sep 21, 2025 meeting Zoom |
Pat Donaldson | English Planning Committee | Planning for 2025-2026 | More info |
| Sep 18, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Margaret Mathews | Tryptech, Alex Fortier | Join us at 7:00 for an intro to contra dancing followed by TECHNO contra at 7:30! This is the 2nd of our free Fringe Festival dances. Bring your friends and family for a night of lively music, connection, and community. | More info |
| Sep 14, 2025 english First Rochester |
Jennifer Staples | Glenrose, Eileen Kalfass | We're lucky to have Jennifer Staples from Syracuse calling for us again. Music will feature Cat Sloboba and other talented musicians from her family. | More info |
| Sep 11, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Alex Deis-Lauby | Here on the Hill | This is the first of our two dances in the Rochester Fringe Festival. Introduction to contra dancing at 7:00. The evening dance party begins at 7:30. All dances are taught, no partner necessary. Admission is free. | More info |
| Sep 7, 2025 english First Rochester |
Jennifer Staples | Sister Haggis | Exceptional and exciting music from Jane and Eileen (AKA Sister Haggis). Clear and confident calling by Jennifer Staples from Syracuse. | More info |
| Sep 4, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Katy Heine | Sister Haggis | Introduction to contra dancing at 7:00. The evening dance party begins at 7:30. All dances are taught, no partner necessary. | More info |
| Aug 31, 2025 english |
Colleen Liggett | John Kerr | Informal English dancing in Springwater | More info |
| Aug 28, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Margaret Mathews | Quicksilver | Experience the magic of contradancing, where all are welcome, and no partner or experience is necessary. Bring your friends, family, and fellow dance enthusiasts for a night of lively music, connection, and community. | More info |
| Aug 23, 2025 meeting Margaret Mathews |
Margaret Mathews | Contra Planning Committee | All are welcome! We have fun planning both regular and special Contra dances in Rochester. Join us for cookies and coffee at Margaret's house, our usual meeting location. | More info |
| Aug 21, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Bob Fabinski | New Brew | Experience the magic of contradancing, where all are welcome, and no partner or experience is necessary. Bring your friends, family, and fellow dance enthusiasts for a night of lively music, connection, and community. | More info |
| Aug 17, 2025 english First Rochester |
David Smukler | Sister Haggis | One of the area's treasured musical duos provides stimulating music, paired with one of the most experienced callers in the region. AND it is ice cream Sundae night. Contributions of ice cream & fixins appreciated. | More info |
| Aug 14, 2025 contra Rose Room |
David Smukler | Birch Trio | Experience the magic of contradancing, where all are welcome, and no partner or experience is necessary. Bring your friends, family, and fellow dance enthusiasts for a night of lively music, connection, and community. | More info |
| Aug 7, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Chuck Abell | Cruise Control | Experience the magic of contradancing, where all are welcome, and no partner or experience is necessary. Bring your friends, family, and fellow dance enthusiasts for a night of lively music, connection, and community. | More info |
| Aug 3, 2025 english First Rochester |
Carmen Giunta | Molly Jaynes Wilson, Eileen Kalfass, Jane Knoeck | What a grouping of superb musicians we will have tonight -- two violins and piano -- and a caller with many decades of leading dances under his belt. | More info |
| Jul 31, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Margaret Mathews | Sister Haggis | Experience the magic of contradancing, where all are welcome, and no partner or experience is necessary. Bring your friends, family, and fellow dance enthusiasts for a night of lively music, connection, and community. | More info |
| Jul 27, 2025 meeting Zoom |
Planning 2025-2026 | More info | ||
| Jul 24, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Evan De Smitt | Alyssa and Alex, Ben Hockenberry | Experience the magic of contradancing, where all are welcome, and no partner or experience is necessary. Bring your friends, family, and fellow dance enthusiasts for a night of lively music, connection, and community. | More info |
| Jul 20, 2025 english First Rochester |
Dan Seppeler | Barbara Seppeler | We will have glorious music on piano from Barb and one of Dan's programs which almost always include something new to interest us. No dance on July 27; we're on our reduced summer schedule. | More info |
| Jul 17, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Rachel Ameen | Spindrift | Experience the magic of contradancing, where all are welcome, and no partner or experience is necessary. Bring your friends, family, and fellow dance enthusiasts for a night of lively music, connection, and community. | More info |
| Jul 15, 2025 meeting Margaret Mathews |
Margaret Mathews | Contra Planning Committee | All are welcome! We have fun planning both regular and special Contra dances in Rochester. Join us for cookies and coffee at Margaret's house, our usual meeting location. | More info |
| Jul 10, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Margaret Mathews | Groove Effect | Experience the magic of contradancing, where all are welcome, and no partner or experience is necessary. Bring your friends, family, and fellow dance enthusiasts for a night of lively music, connection, and community. | More info |
| Jul 6, 2025 english First Rochester |
Jennifer Staples | Catherine Sloboda, Roberta Truscello, Meg Grindrod | Clear, confident calling from Jennifer, and exquisite music from Cat, Meg and Roberta. Bring a friend for a fun evening of dance, with delightful refreshments at the break. | More info |
| Jul 3, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Mattie Rynkiewicz | Glenrose | Experience the magic of contradancing, where all are welcome, and no partner or experience is necessary. Bring your friends, family, and fellow dance enthusiasts for a night of lively music, connection, and community. | More info |
| Jun 28, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Sunny Lawrence, Carmen Giunta | Lake Effect, Quicksilver with Guest: Eileen Kalfass | Celebrate Pride Day at the Rose Room where all are welcome and calling is gender free. The afternoon dance will have more complex figures to delight experienced dancers and the evening dance will be great for all. | More info |
| Jun 26, 2025 cancelled |
No contra dance on June 26 because we're having a Saturday double dance on Pride Day, June 28. | More info | ||
| Jun 22, 2025 english First Rochester |
Richard Sauvain | Sister Haggis | Sister Haggis will be urging us on with extraordinarily danceable music,, and it's Strawberry Shortcake Night! Join us in the kitchen from 6 PM to 6:30 to slice strawberries. No dance on June 29 -- it's a 5th Sunday. | More info |
| Jun 19, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Katy Heine | Sister Haggis | Introduction to contra dancing at 7:00. The evening dance party begins at 7:30. All dances are taught, no partner necessary. | More info |
| Jun 15, 2025 english First Rochester |
Pamela Goddard | Eileen Kalfass, Catherine Sloboda, Jim Sloboda | Pamela has a witty, engaging, no nonsense style of calling and the band will give us thrilling music. If you're new to English dance, come early for a quick introduction. | More info |
| Jun 12, 2025 contra Rose Room |
David Smukler | Ostara | Honoring the light from the sun and the awakening of the earth, Ostara brings us music from New England, Quebec and France. Join us for Balfolk at 6:00 PM! | More info |
| Jun 7, 2025 meeting Margaret Mathews |
Margaret Mathews | Contra Planning Committee | All are welcome! We have fun planning both regular and special Contra dances in Rochester. Join us for cookies and coffee at Margaret's house, our usual meeting location. | More info |
| Jun 5, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Lake Effect | Syracuse's exciting new caller this week with Rochester's power band. Orientation at 7:00. | More info | |
| Jun 1, 2025 english First Rochester |
David Smukler | Sister Haggis, Laurel Sharp | This dance is free, thanks to the generosity of the Baileys and the Gehrets, who are covering all our expenses. Expert calling and exceptional music as well. | More info |
| May 29, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Margaret Mathews | Tryptech | Join us at 7:00 for an intro to contra dancing followed by TECHNO contra at 7:30, plus fusion dancing at 10:00! Bring your friends and family for a night of lively music, connection, and community. | More info |
| May 25, 2025 english First Rochester |
Dan Seppeler | Serendipity | Glorious music on flute and piano at the dance tonight, with one of Dan's programs of mostly familiar dances, but often a few new ones to keep us on our toes. Join us at 6 PM for a quick intro to English dancing. | More info |
| May 22, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Evan De Smitt | Alex Fortier, Catherine Sloboda, Eileen Kalfass | Another hot combination on stage this week. Come early for an introduction to contra dancing at 7:00. The evening dance party begins at 7:30. All dances are taught, no partner necessary. | More info |
| May 18, 2025 meeting Zoom |
Cindy Culbert | CDR Board | Quarterly Board meeting to coordinate across our several dance events. | More info |
| May 18, 2025 english First Rochester |
Richard Sauvain | Eileen Kalfass, Catherine Sloboda, Alex Fortier | With Eileen & Cat & Alex playing, the music will be fabulous, and the program is full of easy dances. Joyful movement, such as dancing, contributes to happiness! The break refreshment theme is cheese. | More info |
| May 15, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Nancy Spero | Oliver Scanlon, Alex Fortier | Another hot combination on stage this week. Come early for an introduction to contra dancing at 7:00. The evening dance party begins at 7:30. All dances are taught, no partner necessary. | More info |
| May 11, 2025 english First Rochester |
Colleen Liggett | Quicksilver | Colleen's teaching and prompting is careful and supportive. The band Quicksilver will assure that you'll be carried away by the music. | More info |
| May 10, 2025 meeting Margaret Mathews |
Margaret Mathews | Contra Planning Committee | All are welcome! We have fun planning both regular and special Contra dances in Rochester. Join us for cookies and coffee at Margaret's house, our usual meeting location. | More info |
| May 8, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Chuck Abell | River Road | A special band from New England this week! Come early for an introduction to contra dancing at 7:00. The evening dance party begins at 7:30. All dances are taught, no partner necessary. | More info |
| May 4, 2025 english First Rochester |
David Smukler | Dave Wiesler, Sister Haggis | Special music tonight: our amazing local band Sister Haggis plus a visiting keyboard player who has composed many popular English dance tunes. With David's expert calling, this will be a wonderful night! | More info |
| May 1, 2025 cancelled Rose Room |
Good news! The dance floor is being refinished. Bad news: The finish is still curing. This week's contra dance is cancelled. | More info | ||
| Apr 26, 2025 english MAG Ballroom |
Beverly Francis | Alchemy | Celebrate Jane Austen's 250th Birthday with us! Events on both April 26 (starting at 2:30 PM) & April 27 (starting at 9 AM). | More info |
| Apr 24, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Margaret Mathews | PossumTone String Band | Orientation at 7:00 & Contras at 7:30. No partner or experience is necessary. Bring your friends, family, and fellow dance enthusiasts for a night of connection and community. | More info |
| Apr 17, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Margaret Mathews | Groove Effect | Chuck Abell is putting together an exciting new band. Come enjoy new tunes matched to fun contra dancing! | More info |
| Apr 13, 2025 ball-prep First Rochester |
Richard Sauvain | Meg Grindrod, Catherine Sloboda | A practice for the Jane Austen Ball. Anyone who is new to English dancing, or who wants a refresher, is strongly encouraged to attend. | More info |
| Apr 13, 2025 english First Rochester |
Jennifer Staples | Silvia Sörensen, Meg Grindrod, Catherine Sloboda | We're happy to have a clear, confident caller at this last evening dance before the Jane Austen Ball weekend, with entrancing music on flute, piano, and violin. No dance on Easter Sunday 4/20! | More info |
| Apr 10, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Rachel Ameen | Lake Effect | Syracuse's exciting new caller this week with Rochester's power band. Orientation at 7:00. | More info |
| Apr 6, 2025 ball-prep First Rochester |
Carmen Giunta | Sister Haggis | A practice for the Jane Austen Ball. Anyone who is new to English dancing, or who wants a refresher, is strongly encouraged to attend. | More info |
| Apr 6, 2025 english First Rochester |
Carmen Giunta | Sister Haggis | Enjoy dancing to the music of an exceptional violin / piano duo, guided by a helpful caller who will be walking you through the dances. Come 20 minutes early if you would like a quick introduction to English dance. | More info |
| Apr 3, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Evan De Smitt | Roberta Truscello, Tim Ball | Old friends are back in the Rose Room. Roberta & Tim will lift your heart and drive your feet. All are welcome! No partner necessary. Come to experience the magic of contra dance. | More info |
| Mar 30, 2025 ball-prep First Rochester |
David Smukler | Laurel Sharp, Pat Hanley | As our Jane Austen Ball approaches, afternoon ball prep classes begin. Anyone who is new to English dancing, or who wants a refresher, is strongly encouraged to attend. No evening dance on March 30! | More info |
| Mar 27, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Margaret Mathews | Alex Fortier, Oliver Scanlon, Catherine Sloboda | An exciting new Western NY combo comes to the Rose Room this week. All are welcome! No partner necessary. Come to experience the magic of contra dance. | More info |
| Mar 23, 2025 english First Rochester |
David Smukler | Trillium | Our last regular afternoon dance before we revert to evenings. Enjoy moving through beautiful dances, guided by one of the region's top callers, and sample our amazing break refreshments during the break. | More info |
| Mar 20, 2025 contra Rose Room |
David Smukler | Sister Haggis | All are welcome! All dances are taught, no partner necessary. Another one of Rochester's best bands paired with the dean of Western NY callers. | More info |
| Mar 16, 2025 english First Rochester |
Dan Seppeler | Barbara Seppeler | Come have fun this Sunday afternoon dancing with friends, and maybe some new friends! We will be enjoying incredibly rich music on solo piano, and probably one or two brand new dances. | More info |
| Mar 13, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Bob Nicholson | Ballingarry | Celebrate the fusion of Irish and New England cultures at the contra dance this week. All are welcome! No partner necessary. | More info |
| Mar 9, 2025 english First Rochester |
Jennifer Staples | Bellamira | How wonderful: Jennifer's clear and confident calling paired with exciting, moving music from Cat, Eileen & Jane. | More info |
| Mar 9, 2025 meeting |
Pat Donaldson | ECD planning committee meeting on Sunday, March 9, at 7 PM, via Google Meet. The agenda is mostly Jane Austen Ball planning. Open to anyone in CDR - email to request a link. | More info | |
| Mar 6, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Dan Kappus | Lake Effect | There's always smiles and laughter at Contra. One of Rochester's best bands joins with a talented caller from Knoxville, TN. All are welcome! No partner necessary. | More info |
| Mar 2, 2025 english First Rochester |
Carmen Giunta | Trillium | Carmen will keep us on our toes for our first dance in March. Maybe it will actually feel like Spring! Music to warm our hearts by Cat, Laurel & Meg (fiddle, winds and piano). | More info |
| Feb 27, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Margaret Mathews | Clara, Pete & Alex | Join us at 7:00 for an orientation lesson followed by a night of contra dancing at 7:30. All are welcome. Bring your friends and family for a night of lively music, connection, and community. | More info |
| Feb 23, 2025 english First Rochester |
David Smukler | Bellamira | Bellamira's music is AMAZING and David is one of our region's busiest and most effective callers (as well as the president of the Country Dance and Song Society). Don't miss this dance. | More info |
| Feb 20, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Rachel Ameen | Lake Effect | An uplifting evening of contra dance with good friends, both old and new. | More info |
| Feb 16, 2025 cancelled |
Cancelled | More info | ||
| Feb 13, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Chuck Abell | Eileen Kalfass and John Wobus, Catherine Sloboda | An uplifting evening of contra dance with good friends, both old and new. | More info |
| Feb 9, 2025 english First Rochester |
Carmen Giunta | Sister Haggis | The music will make you want to dance your socks off -- Jane and Eileen are nationally known and are old hands at this business. Carmen, from Syracuse, is a frequent performer at the Rochester English dances. | More info |
| Feb 8, 2025 meeting Margaret Mathews |
Margaret Mathews | Contra Planning Committee | All are welcome! We have fun planning both regular and special Contra dances in Rochester. Join us for cookies and coffee at Margaret's house, our usual meeting location. | More info |
| Feb 6, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Colleen Liggett | Untitled | Eileen Kalfass brings her musical friends from Syracuse for our contra dance. | More info |
| Feb 2, 2025 english First Rochester |
Richard Sauvain | Quicksilver | Two top notch musicians this afternoon, and a well prepared and supportive caller. Might be a good dance to bring an as yet non-dancing friend. They will be given a get in free card to encourage them to come again. | More info |
| Jan 30, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Casey Carr | Lake Effect | Our exciting band is refreshed from their fall tour and eager to get you up and dancing. | More info |
| Jan 26, 2025 english First Rochester |
Jennifer Staples | Sister Haggis | Jennifer will lead the dances with confidence and clarity AND we'll have exceptional music from Eileen and Jane. | More info |
| Jan 26, 2025 meeting |
Pat Donaldson | English Planning Committee | Planning for the 2025 Jane Austen Ball | More info |
| Jan 23, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Margaret Mathews | Vandalia | We welcome the mid-Atlantic String-band, Vandalia, to the Rose Room this week. This accomplished trio bring a new approach to the great dance music of Appalachia. | More info |
| Jan 19, 2025 english First Rochester |
Carmen Giunta | Trillium | What could be nicer in this cold snowy month than dancing with friends in a warm hall? Carmen is coming from Syracuse to call and we'll have heart warming music from Trillium and lots of cupcakes at the break! | More info |
| Jan 18, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Liz Nelson | Torrent | Take advantage of the long weekend for a spirited double dance with New York city performers. The afternoon dance will have more complex figures to delight experienced dancers and the evening dance will be great for all. | More info |
| Jan 12, 2025 english First Rochester |
Richard Sauvain | Catherine Sloboda, Roberta Truscello | It will be an evening of fun and familiar dances with occasional departures into the more challenging area to keep us on our toes. Roberta, joining us from Geneva will play piano and the very popular Cat the violin. | More info |
| Jan 12, 2025 meeting Zoom |
Cindy Culbert | CDR Board | Quarterly Board meeting to coordinate across our several dance events. | More info |
| Jan 11, 2025 meeting Margaret Mathews |
Margaret Mathews | Contra Planning Committee | All are welcome! We have fun planning both regular and special Contra dances in Rochester. Join us for cookies and coffee at Margaret's house, our usual meeting location. | More info |
| Jan 9, 2025 contra Rose Room |
David Smukler | Audrey Potter, Jane Knoeck | Another delightful dance with a Kanack School and Oberlin graduate paired with a beloved veteran pianist and one of Western NY's masterful callers. | More info |
| Jan 5, 2025 english First Rochester |
David Smukler | Laurel Sharp, Jane Knoeck, Catherine Sloboda | You won't want to miss this one. A friendly and supportive caller will lead us through the dances, and we will have exquisite music on violin, recorders, whistles, oboe, and piano. | More info |
| Jan 2, 2025 contra Rose Room |
Margaret Mathews | Tryptech | Join us at 7:00 for an intro to contra dancing followed by TECHNO contra at 7:30, where all are welcome. Bring your friends, family, and fellow dance enthusiasts for a night of lively music, connection, and community. | More info |
| Dec 28, 2024 english First Rochester |
David Smukler | Bellamira | Turning of the Year Ball, an elegant English dance to celebrate the old year and welcome in the new, in a beautifully decorated hall. Dressy attire suggested. Pay at the door ($25 / $15). | More info |
| Dec 26, 2024 contra Rose Room |
Margaret Mathews | Cattail | Celebrate Boxing Day at The Most Wonderful dance! Open waltz at 6:00, Contra at 7:30, leftover cookies, tacky holiday clothe. Cat and Clara will fiddle up a storm backed by Alex's skillful, twinkle fingers. | More info |
| Dec 19, 2024 contra Rose Room |
Bob Nicholson | Glenrose | The Rose Room blooms at 6:00 with workshopping good timing for flourishes, followed by an intro to contra figures at 7:00 and the dance party at 7:30. | More info |
| Dec 15, 2024 english First Rochester |
Dan Seppeler | Serendipity | One of our most booked combination of performers. Come benefit from their decades of experience. There is no dance on Dec. 22 -- too close to the year end holidays! | More info |
| Dec 14, 2024 meeting Margaret Mathews |
Margaret Mathews | Contra Planning Committee | All are welcome! We have fun planning both regular and special Contra dances in Rochester. Join us for cookies and coffee at Margaret's house, our usual meeting location. | More info |
| Dec 12, 2024 contra Rose Room |
Evan De Smitt | Matt, Cat and Alex | Aspiring callers will practice their dances at 6:00, followed by contras at 7:30. Bring your friends, family, and fellow dance enthusiasts for a night of lively music, connection, and community. | More info |
| Dec 8, 2024 english First Rochester |
Jennifer Staples | Trillium | A caller who explains the dances clearly and concisely, working with musicians who really know how to get feeling into their playing. | More info |
| Dec 5, 2024 cancelled Rose Room |
Margaret Mathews | Lake Effect | Bloom at 6:00 with a workshop of good times for different flourishes. Magical contra dance at 7:30. | More info |
| Dec 1, 2024 english First Rochester |
Richard Sauvain | Mark & Chris, Silvia Sörensen | Harmonious music on flute, mandolin & piano will head us into the holiday season, with a very experienced caller teaching and prompting the dances. Bring a friend! | More info |
| Nov 30, 2024 contra Rose Room |
Bev Bernbaum | Calico | Advanced contra dancing for experienced dancers at 2:00, a regular contra dance party at 7:00. Dance away the Thanksgiving calories while keeping the Thanksgiving community spirit high! | More info |