This page is an historical archive, and therefore is out of date and will not be updated. Please visit our updated homepage at http://mit.edu/fdc for current information about the MIT Folk Dance Club. |
MIT Folk Dance Club presents--
Most dances are in the Student Center (84 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge MA).
Click here for directions and parking information.
No partner or experience is necessary. All dances are taught.
Free snacks at the break!Want to play in the band or learn to call?
Students and others are welcome to sit in with the band or call dances.
To find out more, and for booking inquiries, email contra-request [at] mit.edu
All dances are from 8:00 to 10:30 PM.
Welcome and Beginner Special Caller: Dave Eisenstadter Music: Cloudfire, an acoustic band, with Julie Vallimont (piano), Andy Reiner (fiddle, mandolin, vocals), & Andrew Hlynsky (drums) In Lobdell Dining Hall (Student Center 2nd floor) |
![]() | ![]() |
Equinox Celebration Caller: Laura Johannes Music: Forks of Nature with Jon Cannon (fiddle), Jonah Sidman (fiddle), and Rowan Caplan (guitar) In Student Center 491 (4th floor) | ![]() |
Harvest Festival Caller: Ben Sachs-Hamilton Music: Audrey Knuth, Michael Friedman & Jonah Sidman In Student Center 491 (4th floor) | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Autumn Leaves Caller: Chris Lahey Music: Julie Metcalf & Larry Unger In Student Center 491 (4th floor) | ![]() |
Columbus Day Caller: Clinton Ross from Tennessee Music: The Free Raisins In Student Center 491 (4th floor) | ![]() ![]() |
October Days Caller: Daniel Friedman Music: JumpStart In Student Center 491 (4th floor) |
![]() ![]() |
Klezmer Style Caller: Jacob Bloom Music: ContraKlez with John Chambers & Friends In Student Center 491 (4th floor) |
Halloween Costumes Encouraged! Prizes & Great Fun! Maybe some sweets. Caller: Ann Cowan Music: Terrifying Emily Troll, Spooky Jonah Sidman & Jon Cannon Beach Pirate Ghost In Student Center 491 (4th floor) |
Peace Day Gala Caller: Dereck Kalish Music: Cedar Stanistreet, Julie Metcalf, & Jon Cannon. Sit-in musicians welcome. In Student Center 491 (4th floor) |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Thanksgiving Party Caller: Jeff Kaufman Music: Cathy Mason & Henry Yoshimura In Student Center 491 (4th floor) | ![]() | ![]() ![]() |
Early Winter Gala Caller: Chris Lahey Music: Floor Play In Student Center 491 (4th floor) Debby Knight is one of the most sought-after piano accompanists for contra dances -- a regular at the Concord Scout House and NEFFA, who even with one eye closed can shape the music in a most magical way. Carol Bittenson is a Boston-area musician and violin teacher with over 30 years experience playing for dances all around New England and from New York to California. Paul Lizotte is a NH-based fiddler for JumpStart, which plays regularly at the Mill City Contra Dance. | ![]() |
Holiday Party Caller: Dereck Kalish Music: Pavilion with Eric Eid-Reiner (piano), Audrey Knuth (fiddle), & Rebecca Bosworth-Clemens (clarinet) In Lobdell Dining Hall (Student Center 2nd floor) | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
New Year's Party Caller: Dereck Kalish Music: Jon Cannon, Caroline O'Shea, & Elly Marshall In Lobdell Dining Hall (Student Center 2nd floor) | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Pre-Semester Fiesta Caller: Paul Wilde Music: The Vinegar Flies with Jonah Sidman (fiddle), Jess Fox (fiddle), Julie Metcalf (fiddle), & Ben Truboff (guitar and banjo) In Lobdell Dining Hall (Student Center 2nd floor) |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Groundhog Day Caller: Chris Lahey Music: The Vinegar Flies with Jonah Sidman (fiddle), Jess Fox (fiddle), Julie Metcalf (fiddle), & Ben Truboff (guitar and banjo) In Lobby 13 (enter at 77 Mass Ave). Note the unusual location! |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Welcome and Beginner Special Caller: Ben Sachs-Hamilton Music: Agnostic Fiddle Insurgency with Cedar Stanistreet, Julie Metcalf, Nora Smith, and Max Newman In the Sala de Puerto Rico (Student Center 2nd floor) | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Valentine's Day Party Caller: Dave Eisenstadter Music: Concepdance with Carol Bittenson, Beth Murray, & Steve Bittenson In Lobdell Dining Hall (Student Center 2nd floor) |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Levi Strauss Birthday Caller: Daniel Friedman Music: Senseless Violins with Audrey Knuth, Michael Friedman, & Phil Mehan. Sit-in musicians welcome. In Student Center 491 (4th floor) |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
Mardi Gras Gala Caller: Chris Lahey Music: Cowabunga with Julie Metcalf, Larry Unger, & Joel Wennerstrom In Student Center 491 (4th floor) |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Klezmer Style (Purim Influenced) Contra Caller: Jacob Bloom Music: Contraklez with John Chambers, Cal Howard, Ben Pasamanick. Sit-in musicians welcome. In Student Center 491 (4th floor) |
St. Pat's Day Party Caller: Dereck Kalish Music: Debby Knight, Carol Bittenson, & Bruce Rosen In Student Center 491 (4th floor) |
April Fool's Party Caller: Laura Johannes Music: Cedar Stanistreet and Owen Morrison In Student Center 491 (4th floor) | ![]() |
Spring Fling Caller: Ben Sachs-Hamilton Music: Kathleen Fownes, Michael Friedman, & Nora Smith In Student Center 491 (4th floor) |
Pre-NEFFA Earth Day Caller: Dave Eisenstadter Music: Pavillion with Audrey Knuth (fiddle), Eric Eid-Reiner (piano), & Rebecca Bosworth-Clemens (clarinet) In Lobdell Dining Hall (Student Center 2nd floor) |
Post-NEFFA Gala Caller: Kristin Seibert Music: La Banane Enchantée with Peter Buchak, Julie Vallimont, & Edward Wallace In Student Center 491 (4th floor) |
![]() ![]() |
May Day Party Caller: Paul Wilde Music: Jeff Kaufman, Rick Kaufman, & Kira Treibergs In Student Center 491 (4th floor) |
End of Semester Fiesta Multi-Caller Evening: Daniel Friedman, Ben Sachs-Hamilton, Dereck Kalish, maybe more Music: Julie Vallimont and Friends In Lobdell Dining Hall (Student Center 2nd floor) |
Arbor Day Caller: Daniel Friedman Music: Gallimaufry In Student Center 491 (4th floor) | ![]() |
Early Summer Party Caller: Jeff Kaufman Music: Carol Bittenson, Steve Bittenson & Max Newman In Student Center 491 (4th floor) |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Summer Solstice Festival Caller: Dereck Kalish Music: JUMPSTART In Student Center 491 (4th floor) |
![]() ![]() |
4th of July Gala Music: Julie Metcalf, Joel Wennerstrom & Larry Unger In Lobby 13 (air conditioned) |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Bastille Day! Caller: Dave Eisenstadter Music: Autumn Rose Lester & Max Newman In Lobby 13 (air conditioned) |
![]() |
![]() ![]() |
Mid-Summer Gala Caller: Chris Lahey Music: Snow-Date with Julia Hartman, Bruce Randall, & Jean Monroe In Lobby 13 (air conditioned) |
A Bit of Klez Contra Caller: Jacob Bloom Music: ContraKlez with John Chambers, Ben Pasamanick & Cal Howard In Lobby 13 (air conditioned) |
Fall Anticipation Caller: Dereck Kalish Music: Firefly with Cedar Stanistreet, Becca Bosworth-Clemens, & Mike Sokolovsky In Lobby 13 (air conditioned) |
Free for MIT and Wellesley Students!
Suggested donation: $3 from other students; $6 from the general public.
Send an email to contra-request [at] mit [dot] edu
See the Folk Arts Center's website Folk Dancing 'Round Boston for a guide to other folk dances in this area, including contras.
Updated 10-July-2013.
Back to MIT Folk Dance Club Home Page