Richmond has a long history of the best attended contra dance weekends in the Mid-Atlantic region: world-class bands and callers, great dancing, Southern hospitality and lots of things to do and see in our city.
Registration
Springforth Ball is SOLD OUT. There are still a few a la carte registrations left for Friday, Sunday, and Saturday workshops. A la Carte registrations will be confirmed or refunded approximately 1 week prior. See below for waitlist details.
Confirmation of registration with directions will be sent via email one week before the weekend. Please only submit an email that you check regularly for correspondences.
Scholarships
Work-trade scholarships are available in two tiered options. Tier 1: $45 discount for 3 hours of volunteer work, Tier 2: $90 discount for 6 hours of volunteer work. Sign up to volunteer, and email us at tadamsvacontra@gmail.com to apply for a scholarship discount on your registration.
Waiting list
We are keeping a waitlist for full registrations. Any a la carte registrations will be credited towards the balance of your full weekend registration, should you be granted registration off the waitlist. Please check your email regularly as you will have 48 hours to complete your registration before the spot is offered to the next person on the list.
Cancellations
Please notify us asap at tadamsvacontra@gmail.com if you need to cancel. Cancellations received before March 31, 2026 will be refunded in full. From April 1 on, refunds will be given only if you are ill, or if you registration is transferred to a waitlisted dancer.
Dance Experience
Walk-throughs and teaching will be minimal for the main event contra dances. Although the weekend is more appropriate for dancers with some experience, all are welcome.
Our Hall
The Lewis Ginter Recreation Center is located at 3421 Hawthorne Ave in Richmond. It is in the Ginter Park Historic District at the corner of Hawthorne and Walton. It was built as a public school at the turn of the 20th century and has wooden floors that are great for dancing. All dances, workshops and meals are held in the center. Ample, free, all-day parking is available on all nearby streets sometimes only on one side, but do not block the driveways of our residential neighbors even slightly or you will be ticketed or towed.
The City of Richmond
Richmonders have long known of our city’s under rated charm. We’re a city for foodies, nature lovers, history buffs, and beer enthusiasts. Explore our museums and historic sites, discover the beautiful James River and local parks, walk and shop unique shops in Carytown, sample craft beers from one of Richmond’s constellation of breweries or get them or Virginia wine at nearly any local restaurant in town, especially in the Fan, Grace St, Carytown, Shockoe Slip and Shockoe Bottom. Ask us if there’s anything more you want to know. You’ll almost wish there wasn’t so much great contra!
Housing and Hotels
Please submit housing requests by March 13th (the early-bird and mail-in deadline). Housing is available on a first-come, first-served basis. If available, it will be confirmed approximately two weeks before the event. If you wish to stay in a hotel, we recommend:
- Alpine Motel (2.9 miles away, approximately $69/night) Independent, clean, good service at reasonable price, 804-261-7981, 7009 Brook Rd.
- Econo Lodge (4.3 miles away, approximately $80/night) National chain, clean, good service at reasonable price. 8350 Brook Rd. I-95 Exit 83
- Sleep Inn (4 miles away, approximately $119/night) Newest National chain hotel at this price point. 950 E. Parham Rd. I-95 Exit 83.
- Quirk Hotel (2.8 miles away, downtown. $233+/night) Charming, upscale, modern, locally-owned, if you’re going to splurge, this hotel has attracted worldwide attention.
Richmond also has many major national chains at a variety of price points both downtown and near the Interstates. People are generally satisfied with most of these options, but your distance may vary. We encourage you to check online reviews. Richmond weekend traffic congestion is not a problem even if you choose to stay 4-5 miles away. Yes, there are a number of run-down motels on Chamberlayne and Azalea Avenues as well as the Chamberlayne and Lombardy area that we strongly recommend against even though they may be slightly closer to the dance hall and cheaper than other places. If you are looking for a low price point, look for deals from a national chain or consider one of the recommendations above.
Food
The Sunday Brunch is included with full registration or the Sunday partial registration! This includes freshly cooked waffles with fresh fruit, assorted breakfast delicacies, coffee, tea and juices. Complimentary snacks will be available throughout the weekend. Saturday lunch is optional for $12 per person, either vegetarian or omnivore, and must be reserved in advance.
Please join us Saturday evening for a Covered dish supper (and bring something yummy to share)! All full registration dancers are invited to join us in the downstairs hall for a social supper on Saturday before the evening ball. Please let us know on your registration form if you plan to attend, and if you can bring a dish to share. If you have special dietary needs, let us know and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
If you want to eat out at a restaurant, of which there are many great options, ask an organizer at the dance for a recommendation. Carytown has many local, independent restaurants within its 8 blocks. There is a Walmart Neighborhood Market 1.9 miles away at 5221 Brook Rd and also a Kroger grocery store 2.1 miles away at 901 N. Lombardy.
Fragrances
Please refrain from wearing strong fragrances to dances.
Shoes
Please help protect our historic floors: wear soft-soled shoes.
