Central Virginia Contradances

dancers
Contra Corners dances with traditional live music are generally held at Greenwood every 2nd and 4th Sunday (September thru May), starting at 6:30 pm with a beginners' workshop at 6:00 pm. First-time dancers (no special skills required) are always warmly welcomed. Special dances with top-rated touring bands are occasionally scheduled at other times.

Note: Club Contras is a separate series of contra dances with crossover music (contemporary or techno, typically with a DJ) held on 1st Sundays at Greenwood. Click the "Club Contras" tab for details.

Contra Corners 2012 Admission Prices:
Adults $10, Youth (12-18) $5, Children under 12 Free. Half-price after the break (about 8:00).

Children are most welcome to dance (or not) but must be supervised. Please dress comfortably for vigorous physical activity and bring soft soled shoes. For the latest dance news and discussion, look up the "Contra Corners" page on Facebook. Or contact Brian Hamshar with questions and comments (see below).

* * * * *  CONTRAPHORIA II  * * *  SUNDAY, JAN. 15  * * * * *

3:00 - 5:30  Afternoon combined dance featuring Open Waltzes with Perpetual e-Motion;
                 plus crossover contras: DJ Brian Hamshar with Janine Smith calling
5:30 - 6:30  Potluck meal & beginners' lesson (Bring something delicious to share!)
6:30 - 9:30  Evening contra dance: Perpetual e-Motion with Janine Smith calling

Please note the higher admission prices for this special event with a top-rated touring band, to cover expenses (pay at the door):

          Afternoon:   General $8,  Youth $4        Evening:     General $12, Youth $8      (under 12: always free)
Dance Schedule
Date Caller Band Members
Sun Sep 09, 2007 TBA TBA
Sun Sep 23, 2007 TBA TBA
Sun Oct 14, 2007 TBA TBA
Sun Oct 28, 2007 TBA TBA
Sun Nov 11, 2007 TBA TBA
Sun Nov 25, 2007 TBA TBA
Sun Dec 09, 2007 Bill Wellington House Red Shawn Brenneman (piano), Jonathan Thielen (fiddle), Owen Morrison (guitar, mandolin)
Sun Jan 13, 2008 Paul Rosen Hickman, Morrison, Devine Jim Morrison (fiddle), Steve Hickman (fiddle), John Devine (guitar)
Sun Jan 27, 2008 Shawn Brenneman Nightwatch Naomi Morse (fiddle, vocals), Elvie Miller (piano, accordion, vocals), Owen Morrison (guitar, mandolin, feet)
Sun Feb 10, 2008 Gwyn Williams Toad Mamas Rick LaRue (fiddle), Patti Reum (whistles, flutes), Jack Maus (piano), David Stone (mandolin, guitar)
Sun Feb 24, 2008 Denise Lair Naked Creek Marc Perdue (banjo), Collin Gallahue (fiddle), Sabra Guzman (guitar), Lew Burrus (bass)
Sun Mar 09, 2008 Gaye Fifer David DiGiuseppe and Pete Campbell David DiGiuseppe (fiddle,accordion), Pete Campbell (guitar)
Sun Mar 23, 2008 Dave Colestock Contra Rebels Todd Clewell, fiddle, and Henry Koretsky, guitar and mandolin
Sun Apr 13, 2008 Brad Sayler Morrison Brothers Jim Morrison (fiddle), Owen Morrison (guitar, mandolin), Will Morrison (drums)
Sun Apr 27, 2008 Tom Hinds Obama Nation Rick Martin (fiddle), Aaron Olwell (viola and fiddle), Jake Hopping (banjo), Katie Burke (guitar), Joe Fallon (bass)
Sun May 11, 2008 Bill Wellington Rhythm Rollers Cathie Whitesides (fiddle), Laurie Andres (accordion), WB Reid (guitar, banjo, fiddle)
Sun May 25, 2008 Various Big Band Dance Local volunteer musicians and caller
Sun Sep 14, 2008 Tom Hinds Naked Creek Marc Perdue (banjo), Collin Gallahue (fiddle), Sabra Guzman (guitar), Lew Burrus (bass)
Sun Sep 28, 2008 Paul Rosen Driver Parks Knicely Steve Parks (mandolin), Bob Driver (guitar), Neil Knicely (bass)
Fri Oct 03, 2008 Rick Mohr Nightingale Jeremiah McLane (accordion, piano), Keith Murphy (voice, guitar, mandolin, piano, foot percussion), Becky Tracy (fiddle)
Sun Oct 12, 2008 Brad Sayler Critton Hollow String Band Sam and Joe Herrmann, Joe Fallon
Sun Oct 26, 2008 Nils Fredland Crowfoot Adam Broome, Jaige Trudell, Nicholas Williams
Fri Nov 07, 2008 Dick Bearman Skylark Paul Fackler (fiddle), Marilyn Hartman (piano), Colin Cannell (percussion)
Sun Nov 09, 2008 Gaye Fifer Floorplay Rya Martin (piano), Paul Rosen (mandolin, fiddle, accordion), Aaron Lamb (drums)
Sun Nov 23, 2008 Shawn Brenneman Toss the Possum Robbie Zisette (fiddle), Jane Zisette (flute, whistle), Chas Zisette (bass), Laura Zisette (piano), Sam (drums)
Sun Dec 14, 2008 TBA Robbie Caruthers and Friends Robbie Caruthers (fiddle), Ralph Gordon (bass) and Joe Fallon (guitar)
Sun Jan 11, 2009 Jack Mitchell Avant Gardeners Laura Light (fiddle), George Paul (piano), Dan Sebring (guitar, etc.)
Sun Jan 25, 2009 Denise Lair Skylark Paul Fackler (fiddle), Marilyn Hartman (piano), Colin Cannell (percussion)
Sun Feb 08, 2009 DeLaura Padovan Phd Steve Hickman (fiddle), John Devine (guitar)
Sun Feb 22, 2009 Warren and Terry Doyle Bill Wellington and Friends Bill Wellington (fiddle), Friends (other instruments)
Sun Mar 08, 2009 Tom Hinds Blue Ridge Rhythm Devils Rick Martin, Aaron Olwell, Katie Burke, Joe Fallon
Sun Mar 22, 2009 Gaye Fifer Elftones Mara Shea (fiddle), Roger Gold (guitar)
Sun Apr 12, 2009 Adina Gordon The Bow Rockers (a PA old time band) Rusty Neithammer, Nancy Neithammer, and Tim Brown, Margaret Sidlick, Paul Sidlick
Sun Apr 26, 2009 Nils Fredland Elixir Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Anna Patton (clarinet) Jesse Hazzard-Watkins (trumpet), and Owen Morrison (guitar)
Sun May 10, 2009 Dave Colestock Bill & Libby Hicks (from the Red Clay Ramblers and Lightnin' Wells) Bill Hicks (fiddle), Libby Hicks (piano, guitar)
Sun May 24, 2009 Various Big Band Dance Local volunteer musicians and caller
Sun Sep 13, 2009 Cis Hinkle Orpheus Supertones Walt Koken, fiddle & banjo Claire Milner, fiddle Pete Petersen, banjo Kellie Allen, guitar
Sun Sep 27, 2009 Bill Wellington Critton Hollow String Band Sam and Joe Herrmann, Joe Fallon
Sun Oct 11, 2009 Shawn Brenneman Jane's Gang #2 Jane Rothfield: Fiddle Dan Rublee-Banjo, Double Bass Rick Friend-Guitar Steve Parks-Mandolin.
Sun Oct 25, 2009* NoteAdmission: $10 for this dance George Marshall Wild Asparagus Ann Percival (piano, guitar), David Cantieni (flute, tin-whistle, oboe, saxophone, bombard), Becky Tracy (fiddle), George Marshall (concertina, bodhran, bones)
Sun Nov 08, 2009 Dick Bearman Morrison Brothers Jim Morrison (fiddle), Owen Morrison (guitar, mandolin), Will Morrison (drums)
Sun Nov 22, 2009 Gaye Fifer Elftones Mara Shea (fiddle), Roger Gold (guitar)
Sun Dec 13, 2009 Tom Hinds Old Sledge Chance McCoy (fiddle/banjo), Anna Roberts-Gevalt (banjo/fiddle), Sabra Guzmán (guitar), Jake Hopping (bass)
Sun Jan 10, 2010 Paul Rosen Driver Parks Knicely Steve Parks (mandolin), Bob Driver (guitar), Neil Knicely (bass)
Sun Jan 24, 2010 Warren and Terry Doyle Steve Hickman and friends Steve Hickman (fiddle), John Devine (guitar)
Sun Feb 14, 2010 Jim Morrison Cleek, Rhys, and Joel Cleek Schrey, piano Rhys Jones, fiddle and Joel Wennerstrom, banjo
Sun Feb 28, 2010 Shawn Brenneman Gypsy Meltdown Colleen Reed (flute, saxophone), Kathy Kerr (fiddle), Keith Gillis (guitar)
Sun Mar 14, 2010 Tom Hinds Rhythm Devils Rick Martin & Aaron Olwell, fiddles - Dan Rublee, banjo - Katie Burke, guitar - Vaughn Mairs
Sun Mar 28, 2010 Brad Sayler The Time Flies
Sun Apr 11, 2010 Jack Mitchell Perpetual E-Motion Ed Howe, fiddle John Cote, guitar and percussion
Sun Apr 25, 2010 Janine Smith The Mostly Mountain Boys Paul Brown, fiddle John Schwab, guitar Brett Riggs, banjo and Kevin Enoch, bass
Sun May 09, 2010 Will Martin Floorplay Rya Martin (piano), Paul Rosen (mandolin, fiddle, accordion), Aaron Lamb (drums)
Sun May 23, 2010 Brian Hamshar & Valerie Helbert Big Band Community Dance
Sun Sep 12, 2010 Jim Morrison Serpentine Andrea Hoag, fiddle Charlie Pilzer, piano and button accordian Leigh Pilzer, soprano saxophone and bass clarinet Will Morrison, drum set and percussion
Sun Sep 26, 2010 Shawn Brenneman Red Hen Jane Rothfield, fiddle Linda Schrade, guitar David Kipputh, banjo Allan Carr, bass
Sun Oct 10, 2010 Adina Gordon David DiGiuseppe and Pete Campbell David DiGiuseppe (fiddle,accordion), Pete Campbell (guitar)
Sun Oct 24, 2010* NoteFall Festival Weekend Gaye Fifer Notorious Eden MacAdam-Somer (fiddle) and Larry Unger (guitar, etc.)
Sun Nov 14, 2010 Paul Rosen Toad Mamas Rick LaRue (fiddle), Patti Reum (whistles, flutes), Jack Maus (piano), David Stone (mandolin, guitar)
Sun Nov 28, 2010 Rob Harper Avant Gardeners Laura Light (fiddle), George Paul (piano), Dan Sebring (guitar, etc.)
Sun Dec 12, 2010 Warren and Terry Doyle Rhthym Devils Rick Martin & Arron Olwell, fiddles Jake Hopping, banjo, Katie Burke, guitar and Joe Fallon, bass
Sun Dec 26, 2010* NoteNo Dance - Happy Holidays NO DANCE - HAPPY HOLIDAY'S
Sun Jan 09, 2011 Brian Hamshar Uncle Henry's Favorites Jim Childress (fiddle, guitar), Pete Vigour (fiddle, guitar), Ellen Vigour (mandolin), Mark Beale (bass)
Sun Jan 23, 2011 Jeff Petrovich Perpetual E-Motion Ed Howe, fiddle John Cote, guitar and percussion
Sun Feb 13, 2011 Valerie Helbert The Virginia House Band Mark Campbell, George Frick, Ron Gentry and Doug Shakelford, Molly Campbell
Sun Feb 27, 2011 Shawn Brenneman Eye of the Monkey String Band Gailanne Amundsen,Roger Amundsen,Joe Overton, Julia Sewell,Scarlett Amundsen
Sun Mar 13, 2011 Dave Colestock Highlander String Band Jim Gaskins (fiddle), Phyllis Gaskins (Appalachian dulcimer), Al Kennedy (mandolin), Suzanne Kennedy (bass), Gene Bowlen (banjo and octave mandolin)
Sun Mar 27, 2011 Rebecca Lay Riptide Alden Robinson: fiddle Owen Marshall: guitar, octave mandolin, harmonium Glen Loper: mandolin, tenor banjo, percussion
Sun Apr 10, 2011* NoteSpecial flat-footing workshop with T. Paul Anderegg from NC before the dance (5-6 pm), $5 donation Bill Wellington Old Sledge Chance McCoy (fiddle/banjo), Anna Roberts-Gevalt (banjo/fiddle), Sabra Guzmán (guitar), Jake Hopping (bass)
Sun Apr 24, 2011 Perry Shafran Gypsy Meltdown Colleen Reed (flute, saxophone), Kathy Kerr (fiddle), Keith Gillis (guitar)
Sun May 08, 2011 Brian Hamshar & Valerie Helbert Big Band Dance Local volunteer musicians and caller
Sun May 22, 2011 Tom Hinds Albemarle Ramblers Pete Vigour, Dick Harrington and Arnie Naiman
Sun Sep 11, 2011 Diane Silver Adam Hurt & friends Adam Hurt (banjo), Beth Hartness (guitar), Stephanie Coleman (fiddle) and Kellie Allen (bass)
Sun Sep 25, 2011 Will Martin Janet Muse and Mike Dunn Janet Muse (piano), Mike Dunn (fiddle)
Sun Oct 09, 2011 Dave Colestock Contra Rebels Todd Clewell, fiddle, and Henry Koretsky, guitar and mandolin
Sun Oct 23, 2011 Nils Fredland Elixir Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Anna Patton (clarinet) Jesse Hazzard-Watkins (trumpet), and Owen Morrison (guitar)
Sun Nov 13, 2011 Perry Shafran Toad Mamas Rick LaRue (fiddle), Patti Reum (whistles, flutes), Jack Maus (piano), David Stone (mandolin, guitar)
Sun Nov 27, 2011* NoteA special afternoon advanced contra dance & open waltz (2:00-5:30) followed by a Potluck! Ron Buchanan Kendall Rogers & Brad Battey Kendall Rogers (piano/guitar/bodhran); Brad Battey (fiddle)
Sun Nov 27, 2011 Ron Buchanan Ricochet Rya Martin (piano) and Walter Hojka (fiddle)
Sun Dec 11, 2011 Greg Frock Avant Gardeners Laura Light (fiddle), George Paul (piano), Dan Sebring (guitar, etc.)
Sun Dec 25, 2011 NO DANCE - HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Sun Jan 08, 2012 Eric Black Jim Morrison, Sue Read & T.J. Johnson Jim Morrison (fiddle); Sue Read (piano & guitar); T.J. Johnson (mandolin)
Sun Jan 15, 2012* NotePlus afternoon dance (3:00-5:30): Waltzing + Crossover Contras w/ J-9 Janine Smith Perpetual E-Motion Ed Howe, fiddle John Cote, guitar and percussion
Sun Jan 22, 2012 Warren and Terry Doyle Serpentine Andrea Hoag, fiddle Charlie Pilzer, piano and button accordian Leigh Pilzer, soprano saxophone and bass clarinet Will Morrison, drum set and percussion
Sun Feb 12, 2012 Valerie Helbert Yellow Goats Beard David Prins (piano, percussion, didgeridoo, voice), Danny Blose (mandolin, fiddle, cosmic sound machine, voice), Jagmeet "J" Mac (guitar, percussion, banjo, voice)
Sun Feb 26, 2012 Kim Roberts MetroGnomes Bob Garber (clarinet), Mark Vidor (piano), McGregor Yatsevitch (fiddle)
Sun Mar 11, 2012 Bill Wellington Sligo Creek Stompers Sarah Foard - fiddle / Chris Ousley - banjo, guitar, ukulele, vocals, bodhrán, fiddlesticks / A.J.P. Erlinger - upright bass, guitar, mandolin, dobro, banjo / J. Eliot Myhre - vocals, washboard, clarinet, euphonium
Sun Mar 25, 2012 Tom Calwell & Myra Hirschberg Atlantic Crossing 2012 Viveka Fox (fiddle, bodhran); Peter Macfarlane (fiddle, low whistle, vocals); Tristan Henderson (mandolins, tenor banjo, foot percussion, vocals); Rick Klein (guitar, vocals)
Sun Apr 08, 2012* NoteCommunity potluck at 5:00 prior to the dance Brian Hamshar Rhythm Method
Sun Apr 22, 2012 C'ville Callers Floorplay Rya Martin (piano), Paul Rosen (mandolin, fiddle, accordion), Aaron Lamb (drums)
Sun May 13, 2012 Rickey Holt Highlander String Band Jim Gaskins (fiddle), Phyllis Gaskins (Appalachian dulcimer), Al Kennedy (mandolin), Suzanne Kennedy (bass), Gene Bowlen (banjo and octave mandolin)
Sun May 27, 2012 Will Martin Big Band Dance Local volunteer musicians and caller
Board Members
Name Phone
Jim Morrison 434-295-6854
Brian Hamshar 434-242-3369
Cindy Richards
Carol Bradford 540-471-9096
Gregory Kandt 434-978-7544

Booking Info:

Brian Hamshar

Directions

GREENWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER:
865 Greenwood Road, Greenwood VA
Caution: DO NOT rely solely on Mapquest or GPS for accurate directions!

Take I-64 to Exit 107 (Crozet). Turn onto US-250 West (toward Waynesboro) for 1.6 miles. Turn right on Greenwood Station Rd (Rt. 690) for 1.1 miles. Turn right on Greenwood Rd (Rt. 691). The dance is just over the hill on the right.