Community

We are the Norfolk Contra Dance, officially known as the TRADin Contra Dance. We seek to educate the public about contra dance and meet once a month to preserve the forms of contra dance. Norfolk Contra is a member of the Tidewater Community Dance Council (TCDC), a 501(c)3 non-profit which covers several forms of traditional dancing.

We welcome all people regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. In the world of contra dance, men have worn kilts and skirts for centuries. While contra has for a long time assigned a “gentleman” and a “lady” role for partnering, anyone can (and many do) fill those places in a dance regardless of their own identity.

Norfolk Contra Dance “Role Terms” Survey

Many contra dances around the country have recently decided to stop using the terms “Ladies and Gents” and switch to gender-neutral role terms. Most urban dances have made this change, as well as several dances in Virginia. Washington DC, Charlottesville, Richmond and Williamsburg/Norge have all now gone to gender-neutral calling.

We have put together a survey to poll our dancers. If you’ve been to the Norfolk dance in the last few months, you know that we have done some “experimenting” with gender-neutral terms. Now we want to get a sense of how the Norfolk contra dance community feels about the issue, and whether changing how we do things makes sense or not. Thanks for your time!

Covid-19 Policy

At the Norfolk Contra Dance we ask,
PLEASE do not attend if you are not feeling well.

At the dance:
Mask wearing is optional.
Please be advised that by attending the Norfolk Contra Dance, you accept the associated risk and agree to hold Norfolk Contra Dance/TCDC harmless.

Other Events in our area:

English Country Dance: British Isles Dancers meet Tuesdays 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM at Royster Presbyterian Church, 6901 Newport Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia. More information contact Andy at aim4me@gmail.com

International Folk Dance: Virginia Beach International Folk Dance Club meets Friday nights at 7:30 PM – 10 PM at Ballet Virginia, 700 W 21st Street, Norfolk, Virginia for more information contact Ben at Allbrandt@cox.net.

Other Contra Dances:

Williamsburg Contra: Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 7479 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188. The FOAM (Friends of Appalachian Music). Caller is a rotation local and guest callers. Website: williamsburgcontradance.wordpress.com