Toronto Contra Dance
Share
Dancers form "sets" of two parallel lines that run the length of the hall. We dance to live music from the Scots-Irish or French Canadian tradition, usually played on fiddle, accordion, banjo, piano, or guitar. Each dance consists of a sequence of moves similar to the figures in old-time square dancing and other traditional dance styles. Each dance is taught by the caller before it is danced. No experience is necessary.
05/13/2026
Thanks so much to everyone who was able to share the weekend at our Spring Thaw!
It's a time when people have a chance to look past their differences and share in an act of togetherness and joy! Toronto Contra Dance is so happy to provide a place and space where people from the GTA and beyond can "balance and swing" together.
Special thanks to Alexandra Deis-Lauby for the spectacular calling, to Les Quatre Patates from la Belle Ville de Montréal for bringing so much colour to our dance as well as the local trio, Adam Iredale-Gray, Jon Cannon and Áine Schryer-O’Gorman!
As we are wrapping up the season soon, we'd like to thank the TCD Committee for making all this happen!
Aaaaaannnnd...
- all of the dancers that came, from near and far
- Floor managers - Elly, Gary, Annie, Jennie and Wilfred
- Sound crew - Mitch, Mark, Natalie and Neil
- Photos and video - Simon
- Lights / Decorations - Simon, Julia, Wilfred
- Snack Crew - Karen, Elisa, Elly, Maxine, Annie, Jennie, Wilfred
- Jocelyne for all of the wonderful samosas
- Maxine for hosting Les Quatre Patates and Alexandra
- Scott for booking the bands and caller
- Walter for chauffeuring Alexandra to and from the airport
Everyone who helped in any way - from showing up early to help setup, refilling the water jugs when they were running low to sitting out a dance at the door.
Until next year!!
April 25th Toronto Contra Dance — what a night!
Last weekend threw a lot at us — Gardiner closures, Jays and Raptors games, on top of all the usual Toronto traffic chaos. That made it extra special to see so many of you make it out and bringing your energy and connection. ❤️
Huge thanks to Tom & Myra for fantastic calling across both dances (afternoon TECD and evening TCD). And a big cheer to Daev Clysdale & Áine Schryer-O’Gorman for keeping the music lively and flowing from start to finish!
💖 Behind-the-scenes heroes:
🔹 Floor Managers: Aili and everyone who jumped in to help
🔹 Jocelyne — for the ever-popular samosas
🔹 Mark — for keeping the sound running smoothly
(Apologies if we missed anyone — it truly takes a village!)
📢 Volunteer Callout:
Toronto Contra Dance runs on community heart and helping hands. Want to join the team? Send us a message or chat with a floor manager — we’d love to have you! ❤️
👉 www.tcdance.org
🗓 Next Dance: Spring Thaw! May 8 & 9
https://www.tcdance.org/spring-thaw-2026
And yet another clip from the January 24th Toronto Contra Dance! Here's a stage view of Tom Santarsiero (guitar and foot percussion) + Saskia Tomkins (nyckelharpa).
Next Toronto Contra Dance - February 14th with Jon Cannon + Saskia Tomkins plus open band musicians!
This will be a mask-mandatory dance.
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
Category
Contact the organization
Telephone
Website
Address
175 Hampton Avenue
Toronto, ON
M4K2Z3
