Richmond Contra Dance

Musician's Workshop with Raven & Goose
2026-01-11 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Lewis Ginter Recreation Association, 3421 Hawthorne Ave, Richmond, VA, 23222, United States
TADAMS invites you to join us for a lively two-hour workshop designed for musicians of all instruments and skill levels who want to learn—or sharpen—the art of playing for contra dances. Led by the dynamic duo Corwin Zekley and Grace Fellows of Raven & Goose, this session will dive into the core techniques that make a contra dance truly sing: driving rhythm, supportive harmonies, intuitive set-building, communication with callers and dancers, and the subtle musical choices that lift the energy of the room. Whether you’re brand-new to dance playing or an experienced musician looking to refine your approach, you’ll leave with tips you can use the next time you’re on the stage!

The workshop will follow the Sunday afternoon contra dance with Raven & Goose and Chloe Levine at Lewis Ginter Recreation Association.

Kindly RSVP if possible, tadamsvacontra@gmail.com.

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Raven & Goose are a nationally touring contra duo. With fiery fiddlin’ from Corwin Zekley and foot stompin’ piano by Grace Fellows, they play original compositions and breathe new life into traditional tunes, all delivered with a passion that will get you up and dancing!

From Raven & Goose’s Website:

Virtuoso violinist, Corwin Zekley was born with a fiddle in their hands and plays with an intensity yet delicacy that pulls on the heartstrings of all who hear them. Corwin has eclectic musical roots, and enchants audiences playing anything from Celtic to Jazz to Country to Metal. Corwin studied at the Berklee College of Music, has played thousands of concerts, appeared on dozens of records, and has published books and albums of their own compositions.

Grace Fellows grew up playing traditional musics on fiddle, and she synthesized her broad musical influences while studying at Calarts, and doing her masters at BIMM London. She became an accomplished pianist while performing as a singer/songwriter, and in the last couple years has become a powerhouse contra-pianist whose potent sense of rhythm will propel you around the dance floor.

Rivanna Contra Dance (GW) 1/16/2026
2026-01-16 19:00 - 22:00 | Greenwood Community Center, 865 Greenwood Rd, Crozet, Virginia, 22932, United States
Role Terms are Larks and Robins

Caller: TBA

Band: TBA

Saturday Contra Dance (WEB), 1/24/2026
2026-01-24 19:30 - 22:30 | West End Ballroom, 2300 John Rolfe Parkway, Henrico, VA, 23233, United States
Location: West End Ballroom

Music: Mike Dunn on Fiddle, Rya Martin on Piano (Charlottesville, VA)

Caller: Greg Frock (Baltimore, MD)

Admission: $10 members/students, $15 non-members, 14 & under free.

Beginner’s Workshop: Arrive early at 6:45pm to learn or review basic steps.

Role Terms: Larks and Robins

TADAMS Board Meeting 1/26/2026
2026-01-26 19:00 - 20:45 | Twin Hickory Public Library, 5001 Twin Hickory Rd, Glen Allen, Virginia, 23059, United States
TADAMS is an all-volunteer run, non-profit organization. Our monthly board meetings are open to the public and engagement is encouraged. Board meetings typically occur the Monday following the final dance of each month.

The DECEMBER board meeting will be postponed for the holidays, rescheduled for Monday JANUARY 5. We will meet in the Conference Room of the Twin Hickory Public Library and the meeting can also be attended remotely by Zoom:

Zoom link will be posted here approximately a week before the meeting.

Williamsburg/Norge Contra Dance, Saturday, 2/7/2026
2026-02-07 19:30 - 22:30 | Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 7479 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, Virginia, 23188, United States
CHECK THE WILLIAMSBURG CONTRA DANCE WEBSITE FOR LOCATION CONFIRMATION

First Saturdays, every month September-June to music by the Friends of Appalachian Music. Each evening traditionally ends with the Virginia Reel! Role Terms are Caller’s Choice.

This evening’s contra dances will be taught and called by Virginia Varland (Richmond).

Sunday Contra Dance (LGRA), 2/15/2026
2026-02-15 14:30 - 17:30 | Lewis Ginter Recreation Association, 3421 Hawthorne Ave, Richmond, VA, 23222, United States
Location: Lewis Ginter Recreation Association

Music: Afton Crossing (Staunton/Charlottesville, VA) Jim Harrington on Accordion, Rya Martin on Piano

Caller: Kappy Laning (Maryland)

Admission: $10 members/students, $15 non-members, 14 & under free.

Beginner Lesson: Arrive early at 1:45pm to learn or review basic steps.

Role Terms: Larks and Robins

Please note 2nd Sunday afternoon dances at LGRA follow the 2nd Saturday. This maintains an every other week dance schedule with our 4th Saturday evening dances at WEB.

Rivanna Contra Dance (GW) 2/20/2026
2026-02-20 19:00 - 22:00 | Greenwood Community Center, 865 Greenwood Rd, Crozet, Virginia, 22932, United States

Saturday Contra Dance (WEB), 2/28/2026
2026-02-28 19:30 - 22:30 | West End Ballroom, 2300 John Rolfe Parkway, Henrico, VA, 23233, United States
Location: West End Ballroom

Music: Jim Morrison, Owen Morrison & T.J. Crow (Charlottesville, VA)

Caller: Brian Hamshar (Palmyra, VA)

Admission: $10 members/students, $15 non-members, 14 & under free.

Beginner’s Workshop: Arrive early at 6:45pm to learn or review basic steps.

Role Terms: Larks and Robins

Williamsburg/Norge Contra Dance, Saturday, 3/7/2026
2026-03-07 19:30 - 22:30 | Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 7479 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, Virginia, 23188, United States
CHECK THE WILLIAMSBURG CONTRA DANCE WEBSITE FOR LOCATION CONFIRMATION

First Saturdays, every month September-June to music by the Friends of Appalachian Music. Each evening traditionally ends with the Virginia Reel! Role Terms are Caller’s Choice.

This evening’s contra dances will be taught and called by Ben Allbrandt (Norfolk).

Sunday Contra Dance (LGRA), 3/15/2026
2026-03-15 14:30 - 17:30 | Lewis Ginter Recreation Association, 3421 Hawthorne Ave, Richmond, VA, 23222, United States
Location: Lewis Ginter Recreation Association

Music: Petrichord (DC)

Caller: Thomas Begley (North Carolina)

Admission: $10 members/students, $15 non-members, 14 & under free.

Beginner Lesson: Arrive early at 1:45pm to learn or review basic steps.

Role Terms: Larks and Robins

Please note 2nd Sunday afternoon dances at LGRA follow the 2nd Saturday. This maintains an every other weekend dance schedule with our 4th Saturday evening dances at WEB.

Rivanna Contra Dance (GW) 3/20/2026
2026-03-20 19:00 - 22:00 | Greenwood Community Center, 865 Greenwood Rd, Crozet, Virginia, 22932, United States

Saturday Contra Dance (WEB), 3/28/2026
2026-03-28 19:30 - 22:30 | West End Ballroom, 2300 John Rolfe Parkway, Henrico, VA, 23233, United States
Location: West End Ballroom

Music: Early Grove String Band (Charlottesville, VA)

Caller: Thea Nettleton

Admission: $10 members/students, $15 non-members, 14 & under free.

Beginner’s Workshop: Arrive early at 6:45pm to learn or review basic steps.

Role Terms: Larks and Robins

Williamsburg/Norge Contra Dance, Saturday, 4/4/2026
2026-04-04 19:30 - 22:30 | Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 7479 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, Virginia, 23188, United States
CHECK THE WILLIAMSBURG CONTRA DANCE WEBSITE FOR LOCATION CONFIRMATION

First Saturdays, every month September-June to music by the Friends of Appalachian Music. Each evening traditionally ends with the Virginia Reel! Role Terms are Caller’s Choice.

This evening’s contra dances will be taught and called by Kappy Laning (Maryland).

Springforth Ball Dance Weekend 4/10-4/12, 2026 (LGRA)
2026-04-10 18:00 - 2026-04-12 16:00 | Lewis Ginter Recreation Association, 3421 Hawthorne Ave, Richmond, VA, 23222, United States
Please join us at the beautiful Lewis Ginter Recreation Association for the 2026 Springforth Ball, a weekend of dance, music, food, and camaraderie. we are excited to announce that Wild Asparagus and George Marshall will be playing for Springforth Ball 2026, our annual contra dance weekend!

Wild Asparagus website:“The heartbeat of Wild Asparagus is Ann Percival on piano, guitar, and vocals. Ann’s playing is highly inventive while still maintaining an irresistible rhythm. David Cantieni, a wood-wind wizard, pours forth lively melodies and liquid harmonies on his flutes, tin-whistle, oboe, saxophone and bombard. Becky Tracy’s masterful fiddling is that rare combination of energy and beauty. George Marshall is an accomplished English concertina player and also provides driving rhythms on bodhran and bones. [Mark Murphy joins them on bass for Springforth 2026] George also provides excellent instruction and calling for New England style contras.”

So, mark your calendars for Springforth Ball April 10-12, 2026, and watch for registration to open in January!

Rivanna Contra Dance (GW) 4/17/2026
2026-04-17 19:00 - 22:00 | Greenwood Community Center, 865 Greenwood Rd, Crozet, Virginia, 22932, United States
Role Terms are Larks and Robins

Caller: Penelope Weinberger (Washington, DC)

Band: TBA

Saturday Contra Dance (WEB), 4/25/2026
2026-04-25 19:30 - 22:30 | West End Ballroom, 2300 John Rolfe Parkway, Henrico, VA, 23233, United States
Location: West End Ballroom

Music: TBD

Caller: TBD

Admission: $10 members/students, $15 non-members, 14 & under free.

Beginner’s Workshop: Arrive early at 6:45pm to learn or review basic steps.

Role Terms: Larks and Robins

Williamsburg/Norge Contra Dance, Saturday, 5/2/2026
2026-05-02 19:30 - 22:30 | Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 7479 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, Virginia, 23188, United States
CHECK THE WILLIAMSBURG CONTRA DANCE WEBSITE FOR LOCATION CONFIRMATION

First Saturdays, every month September-June to music by the Friends of Appalachian Music. Each evening traditionally ends with the Virginia Reel! Role Terms are Caller’s Choice.

This evening’s contra dances will be taught and called by Virginia (Richmond).

Sunday Contra Dance (LGRA), 5/10/2026 Mother's Day
2026-05-10 14:30 - 17:30 | Lewis Ginter Recreation Association, 3421 Hawthorne Ave, Richmond, VA, 23222, United States
Location: Lewis Ginter Recreation Association

Music: TBA

Caller: TBA

Admission: $10 members/students, $15 non-members, 14 & under free.

Beginner Lesson: Arrive early at 1:45pm to learn or review basic steps.

Role Terms: Larks and Robins

Saturday Contra Dance (WEB), 5/23/2026
2026-05-23 19:30 - 22:30 | West End Ballroom, 2300 John Rolfe Parkway, Henrico, VA, 23233, United States

Williamsburg/Norge Contra Dance, Saturday, 6/6/2026
2026-06-06 19:30 - 22:30 | Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 7479 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, Virginia, 23188, United States

Sunday Contra Dance (LGRA), 6/14/2026 Father's Day
2026-06-14 14:30 - 17:30 | Lewis Ginter Recreation Association, 3421 Hawthorne Ave, Richmond, VA, 23222, United States
Location: Lewis Ginter Recreation Association

Music: TBA

Caller: TBA

Admission: $10 members/students, $15 non-members, 14 & under free.

Beginner Lesson: Arrive early at 1:45pm to learn or review basic steps.

Role Terms: Larks and Robins

Please note: This is the last dance at LGRA before a summer hiatus due to heat. We will continue to dance on 4th Saturdays throughout the summer at WEB, which is air conditioned. 2nd Sunday afternoon dances at LGRA will resume on September 13.

Saturday Contra Dance (WEB), 7/25/2026
2026-07-25 19:30 - 22:30 | West End Ballroom, 2300 John Rolfe Parkway, Henrico, VA, 23233, United States
Location: West End Ballroom

Music: TBD

Caller: TBD

Admission: $10 members/students, $15 non-members, 14 & under free.

Beginner’s Workshop: Arrive early at 6:45pm to learn or review basic steps.

Role Terms: Larks and Robins

Please note: There is no LGRA 2nd Sunday afternoon dance this month. 2nd Sunday afternoon dances at LGRA will resume on September 13. We will continue to dance on 4th Saturdays throughout the summer at WEB, which is air conditioned.

Saturday Contra Dance (WEB), 8/22/2026
2026-08-22 19:30 - 22:30 | West End Ballroom, 2300 John Rolfe Parkway, Henrico, VA, 23233, United States

Sunday Contra Dance (LGRA), 9/13/2026
2026-09-13 14:30 - 17:30 | Lewis Ginter Recreation Association, 3421 Hawthorne Ave, Richmond, VA, 23222, United States

Saturday Contra Dance (WEB), 9/26/2026
2026-09-26 19:30 - 22:30 | West End Ballroom, 2300 John Rolfe Parkway, Henrico, VA, 23233, United States

Sunday Contra Dance (LGRA), 10/11/2026
2026-10-11 14:30 - 17:30 | Lewis Ginter Recreation Association, 3421 Hawthorne Ave, Richmond, VA, 23222, United States

Saturday Contra Dance (WEB), 10/24/2026
2026-10-24 19:30 - 22:30 | West End Ballroom, 2300 John Rolfe Parkway, Henrico, VA, 23233, United States

Saturday Contra Dance (WEB), 11/28/2026
2026-11-28 19:30 - 22:30 | West End Ballroom, 2300 John Rolfe Parkway, Henrico, VA, 23233, United States

Sunday Contra Dance (LGRA), 12/13/2026
2026-12-13 14:30 - 17:30 | Lewis Ginter Recreation Association, 3421 Hawthorne Ave, Richmond, VA, 23222, United States
Please join us for our annual holiday dance, Snowflake Ball!

Location: Lewis Ginter Recreation Association

Music: TBA

Caller: TBA

Admission: $10 members/students, $15 non-members, 14 & under free.

Beginner Lesson: Arrive early at 1:45pm to learn or review basic steps.

Role Terms: Larks and Robins

NO 4th SATURDAY DANCE, 12/26/2026
2026-12-26 00:00 - 23:59 | West End Ballroom, 2300 John Rolfe Parkway, Henrico, VA, 23233, United States
There will be no 4th Saturday dance this month. Please enjoy time with your loved ones. Stay safe and warm, friends!

We’ll see you in 2027 for two January dances:

2nd Sunday afternoon dance at LGRA

4th Saturday evening dance at WEB!
