What’s New:

NEW! Online registration is now LIVE for our Spring Breakdown dance weekend! Register here now for the early-bird discount! The weekend pass is only $75 through March 13 ($35 for students.) Spring Breakdown is March 27-29, 2020, with music by Roger & The Nethertones and calling by Chet Gray! We’ll be at Capital Ritz in Jefferson City. Check out the basic info here and the complete schedule of events here.

Intro to Contra Dancing, every Thursday night in February! Jim Thaxter is leading these hour-long classes from 5:30-6:30 PM on February 5, 12, 19, and 26. Offered by donation at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Jefferson City, 1021 Northeast Drive in Jefferson City. See the Facebook event for more details and to invite your “contra curious” friends!

Contra Dance at the Ballroom Academy of Columbia, this Friday, February 21, 7-10 PM featuring Coreopsis, a new band for us, coming from Lawrence, KS! Calling will be our own Paula McFarling. Details here.

Our Spring 2020 Dance Schedule for February through July is now online! We have some new bands in the lineup!

Sign up to receive emails about upcoming events.

Contra Dance – Feb. 21, 2020 – Coreopsis – Caller Paula McFarling

Contra Dance – Friday, Feb. 21st. Join us for a contra dance at  3906 Peachtree Drive.  Our lively music will be provided by the band Coreopsis, hailing from Lawrence, Kansas, Coreopsis is Whitney Baker (accordion), Lauralyn Bodle (fiddle), and Noah Musser (guitar). Coreopsis plays a wide variety of traditional music, including American old-time, Celtic jigs, French-Canadian reels, as well original compositions.

Our caller, Paula McFarling, began calling contra dances in Missouri and Kansas after taking a calling class with Jim Thaxter in 1997. She considers calling and dancing to live music a wonderful way to spend an evening. She especially likes calling dances with moves that flow into each other and delights in helping new dancers find the joy in contra dancing.

Beginners are encouraged to come to an introductory lesson at 7:00 p.m.  Everything is explained.  You do NOT need to know how to dance before you come.  You also do NOT have to bring a partner.

Dancing starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Ballroom Academy of Columbia, 3906 Peachtree Drive.  Admission is $8 for the public, $5 for students and ages 16-25, with free admittance for children 15 and under.

No dance experience is needed and folks of all ages are welcome! No partner is necessary, as dancers switch partners for most dances. Every dance is taught and called throughout the evening to live music. Dancers should wear lightweight, comfortable clothing and soft-soled or leather-soled shoes to preserve the floor—no spike heels or cowboy boots. (Please carry-in appropriate dance shoes as needed.)

English Country Dance – Feb. 14, 2020 -Caller Elizabeth Couture

English Country Dance – Friday, Feb. 14th, 2020.  Come enjoy the courtly music of the Renaissance period with our master caller, Elizabeth Couture, who will be doing the calling and teaching using recorded music. The music has the same feel as the live band with some tunes stately or courtly, some lively, and some playful, with compositions ranging from the 1600s through the present. Think of Renaissance Fairs.

Beginners are encouraged to come to an introductory lesson at 7:00 p.m.  Everything is explained.  You do NOT need to know how to dance before you come.  You also do NOT have to bring a partner.

The dance starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1600 W. Rollins Road (at the intersection of Maplewood Dr. and Rollins), which is between West Blvd. and Stadium Blvd. a bit east of Russell School. Click here for a map.  Price of admission is $5 for the public, $3 for students/youth ages 16-25, and free for children 15 and under.

MMTD dances are fun, community-oriented events. All are welcome, no dance experience is necessary.  Come alone (no partner is needed) or with a friend. Couples and groups are welcome, too.  Every dance is taught and called throughout the evening. Dancers should wear lightweight, comfortable clothing and soft-soled or leather-soled shoes to preserve the floor—no spike heels or cowboy boots.

Mid-Missouri Traditional Dancers sponsors regular contra and English Country Dances throughout the year. English dances are supported by the City of Columbia Office of Cultural Affairs.

For a complete schedule and more information, visit mmtdcolumbia.org or call 573-825-4698.

Contra Dance – Feb. 7, 2020 – River Ridge String Band, Caller Jim Thaxter

Contra Dance – Friday, Feb. 7th.  Our lively music will be provided by River Ridge String Band.  The band has been playing together for many years.  While they play a variety of folk music, their sound is anchored in traditional dance tunes, with hammered dulcimer serving as the lead instrument. The band has a large repertoire of dance tunes from traditional standbys as well as a good assortment of modern tunes that create a great dance groove.  In all of their music, River Ridge tries to lay down a driving rhythm, with an eclectic sound, that makes for great fun for dancers and musicians alike.  River Ridge features Cliff White on hammered dulcimer, Molly White on mandolin and banjo, Ted Koenig on guitar and John Cunning on folk percussion.

Our caller, Jim Thaxter, developed an interest in traditional dancing about the same time he was discovering the banjo. One thing led to another and he was a regular on the dance floor at the old-time contra dances about 40 years ago. Calling started about 10 years later. Numerous calling workshops at dance camps and dance weekends helped hone his skills. Calling for beginners groups made him more aware of the needs of the dancers for clear instruction. Calling is a great way to bridge the gap between listeners’ tapping toes and the lively rhythms from live musicians.

Beginners are encouraged to come to an introductory lesson at 7:00 p.m.  Everything is explained.  You do NOT need to know how to dance before you come.  You also do NOT have to bring a partner.

Dancing starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Ballroom Academy of Columbia, 3906 Peachtree Drive.  Admission is $8 for the public, $5 for students and ages 16-25, with free admittance for children 15 and under.

No dance experience is needed and folks of all ages are welcome! No partner is necessary, as dancers switch partners for most dances. Every dance is taught and called throughout the evening to live music. Dancers should wear lightweight, comfortable clothing and soft-soled or leather-soled shoes to preserve the floor—no spike heels or cowboy boots. (Please carry-in appropriate dance shoes as needed.)

Contra Dance – Jan. 31st 32 BarTenders with Claire Baffaut Calling

Contra Dance – Friday, Jan. 31st.  Our lively dance music will be provided by 32 BarTenders, with Tom Verdot (fiddle and banjo), Rebecca Logan (flute and penny whistle), Thom Howard (guitar and mandolin), and Marcie McGuire (piano).  32 BarTenders mixes up a cocktail of tunes from American, Irish, English, and French traditions with a twist of original reels, jigs, and waltzes plus splashes of swing, ragtime, and klezmer.

Our caller will be Claire Baffaut. “I call because I want to make people happy. That is what dancing does to me so I think it might do the same to others. I want dancers to feel connected to each other and to the musicians. After dancing for >20 years, I first gave a thought to calling in 2012. I tried at a party (a calling jam), in November 2012. I felt exhilarated and I still get that feeling whenever I call. I like to have a variety of dances during an evening, often a mix of modern contra dances, circle dances, and triplets. Perhaps a square or a triple minor. I also call community dances (longways, circle dances, and simple squares).”

Beginners are encouraged to come to an introductory lesson at 7:00 p.m.  Everything is explained.  You do not need to know how to dance before you come.  You also do not have to bring a partner.

Dancing starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Ballroom Academy of Columbia, 3906 Peachtree Drive. Admission is $8 for the public, $5 for students and ages 16-25, with free admittance for children 15 and under.

No dance experience is needed and folks of all ages are welcome! No partner is necessary, as dancers switch partners for most dances. Every dance is taught and called throughout the evening to live music. Dancers should wear lightweight, comfortable clothing and soft-soled or leather-soled shoes to preserve the floor—no spike heels or cowboy boots. (Please carry-in appropriate dance shoes as needed.)

CANCELLED DUE TO THE WEATHER: Contra Dance – Jan. 17th Snor T Horse with Paula McFarling Calling

Contra Dance – Friday, Oct. 18th.  Come join us for a contra dance at 3906 Peachtree Drive. We’ll be dancing to a Missouri favorite band, Snor T Horse. We’ll certainly be missing Cathy Barton, but the trio will still bring some great dance music.

Snor T Horse is Dave Para on guitar, Mike Fraser on fiddle and Tenley Hansen on keyboards. They are all great old-time musicians who will provide high energy tunes and variety for your dancing excitement.

Our caller, Paula McFarling, began calling contra dances in Missouri and Kansas after taking a calling class with Jim Thaxter in 1997. She considers calling and dancing to live music a wonderful way to spend an evening. She especially likes calling dances with moves that flow into each other and delights in helping new dancers find the joy in contra dancing.

Beginners are encouraged to come to an introductory lesson at 7:00 p.m.  Everything is explained.  You do NOT need to know how to dance before you come.  You also do NOT have to bring a partner.

Dancing starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Ballroom Academy of Columbia, 3906 Peachtree Drive.  Admission is $8 for the public, $5 for students and ages 16-25, with free admittance for children 15 and under.

Contra dance on January 3, 2020

No dance experience is needed and folks of all ages are welcome! No partner is necessary, as dancers switch partners for most dances. Every dance is taught and called throughout the evening to live music. Dancers should wear lightweight, comfortable clothing and soft-soled or leather-soled shoes to preserve the floor—no spike heels or cowboy boots. (Please carry-in appropriate dance shoes as needed.)

English Country Dance – Jan. 10th with Elizabeth Couture calling

English Country Dance – Friday, Jan. 10th, 2019.  Come enjoy the courtly music of the Renaissance period with our master caller, Elizabeth Couture, who will be doing the calling and teaching using recorded music. The music has the same feel as the live band with some tunes stately or courtly, some lively, and some playful, with compositions ranging from the 1600s through the present. Think of Renaissance Fairs.

Beginners are encouraged to come to an introductory lesson at 7:00 p.m.  Everything is explained.  You do NOT need to know how to dance before you come.  You also do NOT have to bring a partner.

The dance starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1600 W. Rollins Road (at the intersection of Maplewood Dr. and Rollins), which is between West Blvd. and Stadium Blvd. a bit east of Russell School. Click here for a map.  Price of admission is $5 for the public, $3 for students/youth ages 16-25, and free for children 15 and under.

MMTD dances are fun, community-oriented events. All are welcome, no dance experience is necessary.  Come alone (no partner is needed) or with a friend. Couples and groups are welcome, too.  Every dance is taught and called throughout the evening. Dancers should wear lightweight, comfortable clothing and soft-soled or leather-soled shoes to preserve the floor—no spike heels or cowboy boots.

Mid-Missouri Traditional Dancers sponsors regular contra and English Country Dances throughout the year. English dances are supported by the City of Columbia Office of Cultural Affairs.

For a complete schedule and more information, visit mmtdcolumbia.org or call 573-825-4698.

Contra Dance – January 3, 2020 Three Around Three with Paula McFarling Calling

Contra Dance – Friday, January 3rd. Join us for a contra dance at  3906 Peachtree Drive.  Our lively music will be provided by the band Three Around Three, a Columbia old-time band featuring Bill Foley on banjo, Cliff White on guitar, and Pippa Letsky on fiddle.  They like to play for fiddle jams and contra dances, maybe some American old-time tunes, maybe some original tunes, and maybe even a touch of Irish tunes.

Our caller, Paula McFarling, began calling contra dances in Missouri and Kansas after taking a calling class with Jim Thaxter in 1997. She considers calling and dancing to live music a wonderful way to spend an evening. She especially likes calling dances with moves that flow into each other and delights in helping new dancers find the joy in contra dancing.

Beginners are encouraged to come to an introductory lesson at 7:00 p.m.  Everything is explained.  You do NOT need to know how to dance before you come.  You also do NOT have to bring a partner.

Dancing starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Ballroom Academy of Columbia, 3906 Peachtree Drive.  Admission is $8 for the public, $5 for students and ages 16-25, with free admittance for children 15 and under.

No dance experience is needed and folks of all ages are welcome! No partner is necessary, as dancers switch partners for most dances. Every dance is taught and called throughout the evening to live music. Dancers should wear lightweight, comfortable clothing and soft-soled or leather-soled shoes to preserve the floor—no spike heels or cowboy boots. (Please carry-in appropriate dance shoes as needed.)