Category: Contra Dance

Saturday, May 2, 2026

Steve Zakon-Anderson calling with Springtide (Elsie Gawler cello & fiddle, Ethan Tischler guitars, Willy Clemetson fiddle & foot percussion).

The dancing from 8:00 PM until 11 PM. 

Optional workshop for dance basics at 7:30 PM.

Admission is sliding scale $5-25. $30 family, or pay what you can.
Gender-free roles will be used for this evening: Larks and Robins.

Contra dance is a fun, easy style of folk dance that has flourished in New England since the 1700s. Partners form lines and dance a short sequence of steps with their neighbors. Over the course of the dance, each couple travels the length of the line and dances with every other couple. Dancers are welcome to bring a partner or a group of friends but it’s not necessary – traditionally, dancers are encouraged to change partners throughout the evening.

The dance takes place in the historic Town House in Peterborough, NH at 1 Grove Street. For more information, call 603-547-5831 or visit www.facebook.com/peterboroughcontra.

The Monadnock Folklore Society has presented contra dances and concerts of traditional music since 1982.

Saturday, April 4, 2026

Hannah Johlas calling with Stomp Rocket (Bethany Waickman, Glen Loper, Dave Langford).

The dancing from 8:00 PM until 11 PM. 

Optional workshop for dance basics at 7:30 PM.

Admission is sliding scale $5-25. $30 family, or pay what you can.
Gender-free roles will be used for this evening: Larks and Robins.

Contra dance is a fun, easy style of folk dance that has flourished in New England since the 1700s. Partners form lines and dance a short sequence of steps with their neighbors. Over the course of the dance, each couple travels the length of the line and dances with every other couple. Dancers are welcome to bring a partner or a group of friends but it’s not necessary – traditionally, dancers are encouraged to change partners throughout the evening.

The dance takes place in the historic Town House in Peterborough, NH at 1 Grove Street. For more information, call 603-547-5831 or visit www.facebook.com/peterboroughcontra.

The Monadnock Folklore Society has presented contra dances and concerts of traditional music since 1982.

Saturday, March 7, 2026

Steve Zakon-Anderson calling with Noah VanNorstrand on fiddle and Amy Englesberg on keyboard.

The dancing from 8:00 PM until 11 PM. 
Workshop for dance basics at 7:30 PM.
Admission is sliding scale $12-20. $30 family, or pay what you can.
Gender-free roles will be used for this evening: Larks and Robins.

Contra dance is a fun, easy style of folk dance that has flourished in New England since the 1700s. Partners form lines and dance a short sequence of steps with their neighbors. Over the course of the dance, each couple travels the length of the line and dances with every other couple. Dancers are welcome to bring a partner or a group of friends but it’s not necessary – traditionally, dancers are encouraged to change partners throughout the evening.

The dance takes place in the historic Town House in Peterborough, NH at 1 Grove Street. For more information, call 603-547-5831 or visit www.facebook.com/peterboroughcontra.

The Monadnock Folklore Society has presented contra dances and concerts of traditional music since 1982.

Saturday, February 7, 2026

Liz Nelson calling with music by the Star Charters (Mark Price, guitar; Jess Newman, fiddle; and Cecilia Vacant, fiddle).

The dancing from 8:00 PM until 11 PM. 
Workshop for dance basics at 7:30 PM.
Admission is sliding scale $12-20. $30 family, or pay what you can.
Gender-free roles will be used for this evening: Larks and Robins.

Contra dance is a fun, easy style of folk dance that has flourished in New England since the 1700s. Partners form lines and dance a short sequence of steps with their neighbors. Over the course of the dance, each couple travels the length of the line and dances with every other couple. Dancers are welcome to bring a partner or a group of friends but it’s not necessary – traditionally, dancers are encouraged to change partners throughout the evening.

The dance takes place in the historic Town House in Peterborough, NH at 1 Grove Street. For more information, call 603-547-5831 or visit www.facebook.com/peterboroughcontra.

The Monadnock Folklore Society has presented contra dances and concerts of traditional music since 1982.

The 30th Annual Snow Ball
Saturday, January 24, 2026

Dancing from noon to midnight

Peterborough Town Hall
1 Grove Street
Peterborough, NH 03458

$35

Seniors 65+ $25

Under 25 pay your age

Liz Nelson
Anna and the Alphabet
Anna Patton Sarah-Hadley Yakir Michael Friedman

Nils Fredland
Riptide
Alden Robinson Glen Loper Owen Marshall Mark “Pokey” Hellenberg

Lyss Adkins
Springtide
Willy Clemetson Elsie Gawler Ethan Tischler

Steve
The Dam Beavers
Ben Schreiber Scotty Leach

Role terms: Larks and Robins

Masks optional but recommended

COVID policy

Please bring a clean pair of shoes to protect the dance floor

Peterborough, NH First Saturday Contra Dance on Saturday, January 3. Steve Zakon-Anderson will be calling with music from Julie Metcalf and friends.

This January dance is FREE in honor of long-time contra dancer Bob Jervis, who passed away one year ago. He requested and sponsored this free dance.

Contra dance is a fun, relaxed style of folk dance that has flourished in New England since the 1700s.

Partners form lines and dance a short sequence of steps with their neighbors.

Dancers are welcome to bring a partner or a group of friends, but it’s not necessary – traditionally, dancers are encouraged to change partners throughout the evening.

The dancing begins at 8:00 PM.
Workshop for new dancers and all interested at 7:30 PM.
Admission is sliding scale $12-20, $30 family, or pay what you can.

Positions will be Larks and Robins.

The Monadnock Folklore Society presents this dance in the historic Town House in Peterborough, NH at 1 Grove Street.

For more information call 603.547.5831.
The Monadnock Folklore Society has presented contra dances and concerts of traditional music since 1982.

The annual Thanksgiving Eve Contra

Steve Zakon-Anderson calling with Northwoods

Molly Tucker, fiddle
Casey Murray, cello and guitar
Sam Zakon-Anderson, piano

No workshop

Admission: Sliding Scale $12 – $20

Dancing 8:00 to 11:00 PM

Peterborough Town Hall
1 Grove Street
Peterborough, NH 03458

Role terms: Larks and Robins

MFS COVID Policy 

Peterborough, NH First Saturday Contra Dance on Saturday, November 1. Ben Sachs-Hamilton will be calling with music from the Gaslight Tinkers.

Contra dance is a fun, relaxed style of folk dance that has flourished in New England since the 1700s.

Partners form lines and dance a short sequence of steps with their neighbors.

Dancers are welcome to bring a partner or a group of friends, but it’s not necessary – traditionally, dancers are encouraged to change partners throughout the evening.

The dancing begins at 8:00 PM.
Workshop for new dancers and all interested at 7:30 PM.
Admission is sliding scale $12-20, $30 family, or pay what you can.

Positions will be Larks and Robins.

The Monadnock Folklore Society presents this dance in the historic Town House in Peterborough, NH at 1 Grove Street.

For more information call 603.547.5831.
The Monadnock Folklore Society has presented contra dances and concerts of traditional music since 1982.

Peterborough, NH First Saturday Contra Dance on Saturday, December 6. Don Veino will be calling with music from the band Joy Factor.

Contra dance is a fun, relaxed style of folk dance that has flourished in New England since the 1700s.

Partners form lines and dance a short sequence of steps with their neighbors.

Dancers are welcome to bring a partner or a group of friends, but it’s not necessary – traditionally, dancers are encouraged to change partners throughout the evening.

The dancing begins at 8:00 PM.
Workshop for new dancers and all interested at 7:30 PM.
Admission is sliding scale $12-20, $30 family, or pay what you can.

Positions will be Larks and Robins.

The Monadnock Folklore Society presents this dance in the historic Town House in Peterborough, NH at 1 Grove Street.

For more information call 603.547.5831.
The Monadnock Folklore Society has presented contra dances and concerts of traditional music since 1982.