5. December 2025 at 17:30 - Next Dance
at Heilandskirche, Kaiser-Josef-Platz
9, 8010 Graz (Enter courtyard via gate
on Kaiser-Josef-Platz and go in first door on left).
This month during the break, you can try another American Folk tradition of shape note singing which Shape Note Graz calls "part old English church hymn, part Sea Shanty, part Folk Song and part Gospel (Amazing Grace is in our book, too!)". Like contra, it is easy to learn: "Everyone can sing Sacred Harp. Come sing with us!"
This month during the break, you can try another American Folk tradition of shape note singing which Shape Note Graz calls "part old English church hymn, part Sea Shanty, part Folk Song and part Gospel (Amazing Grace is in our book, too!)". Like contra, it is easy to learn: "Everyone can sing Sacred Harp. Come sing with us!"
what is contra?
Contra dance is a New England folk social dance of mixed English and American tradition
that has earned a reputation for being fun, diverse, inclusive and open to all.
Dances are done in long lines and the steps are simple figures that a Caller combines together to
create a longer pattern that is repeated until the music ends.
The Pros of Contra
- Easy to learn: if you can walk, you can dance, no extra lessons needed
- Dance any part: lead or follow
- Great social interactions
- Open minded group of people
- Arrive alone or with friends
- Live music: Appalachian folk fiddle and banjo/guitar
ablauf of our dances
Admission is free of charge, but we ask you to kindly donate to the band for their hard work!
- 17:30 Introductory guide to steps and dances: no experience required
- 18:00 A few simple contra or mixer dances, ending with a waltz
- 19:30 Snack time - Potluck: bring food to share
- 20:00 A few simple and a few trickier contra dances, we walk you through everything
- 21:30 End with a waltz, until next time!
We end all sets with a slow waltz - you may dance alone or as a couple or with a
group - as you like!
A typical contra dance in Graz, Austria
Thanks to Falk and Zowy for
creating!
Where do we meet?
Heilandskirche, Kaiser-Josef-Platz 9, 8010 Graz (Enter courtyard via gate on Kaiser-Josef-Platz and go in first door
on left). We are working on a new permanent location.
Tennenmälzerei, Reininghaus (link and Stadtteilbüro)
Google Maps use address Am Steinfeld 9.
Tram 4 / Bus 65 (Reininghausstrasse or Reininghauspark/tim).
Bike via Alte Poststraße to Am Steinfeld
Parking garage in nearby Green Tower.
Tennenmälzerei, Reininghaus (link and Stadtteilbüro)
Google Maps use address Am Steinfeld 9.
Tram 4 / Bus 65 (Reininghausstrasse or Reininghauspark/tim).
Bike via Alte Poststraße to Am Steinfeld
Parking garage in nearby Green Tower.
When do we meet?
First Fridays of the month (with a few exceptions):
- November - no dance
- 5. December 2025 at 17:30
at Heilandskirche, Kaiser-Josef-Platz 9, 8010 Graz Facebook event
- Friday 9. January 2026 - Heilandskirche Facebook event
- Friday 6. February 2026 - Kunst Klub
Kräftner, Reitschulgasse 13, 8010 Graz
Facebook event
- Friday 6. March 2026 - Heilandskirche
- Friday 10. April 2026 - Heilandskirche
- Friday 1. May 2026 - Heilandskirche
- Friday 5. June 2026 - Location TBD (To Be Determined)
- Friday 3 July 2026 - Location TBD
- August - no dance
- Friday 11 September 2026 - (just before school start) Location TBD
- Friday 2 October 2026 - Location TBD
- Friday 6 November 2026 - Location TBD
- Friday 4 December 2026 - Location TBD
the team
Caller: Brian Roberts
Band:
Irma Servatius (Fiddle)
Philip Daniel (Banjo)
Guest Callers and/or Bands will be announced separately
informational web links
other dances
- Austria (Vienna): Zeitentanz has historical (Renaissance through Biedermeier) contra dance classes and occasional dances, Höfischen Tanz does social dances from 16th to 19th century including contra dances, Kultureulenwelt has regular medieval and renaissance "Reigentänze" dances and practice sessions which are sometimes similar to contra dances.
- Austria (Scottish Ceilidh Vienna): Cafe Henriette (Vienna) has monthly small ceilidhs with recorded music, Vienna Pipes and Drums has a yearly Ceilidh for St. Andrew's Day (November) with live music as well as Ceilidh music at a Burns Supper (January).
- Czechia: Prague (regular country dances/clasess and every two years a tour culminating in a weekend festival)
- Denmark: Gentofte, Gladsaxe
- France: Paris
- Germany: Aachen, Karlsruhe, Leipzig area, Munich, Stuttgart
- Switzerland: Zurich area, Geneva
- Europe-wide: European Callers and Teachers Association (ECTA) (yearly contra dance convention as well as other events containing contra, square, round and clogging dancing), European Association of American Square Dancing Clubs e.V. (occasional contra dances).
- UK: London Barn Dance (monthly modern urban contra), and many, many, more...
- Lists of events worldwide: Folkdance.page
@grazcontra.bsky.social
@ContraDanceGraz