Contra Dance and Waltz in Fort Collins
Contra Dances run most 1st and 3rd Saturdays. See the schedule below.
next Contra Dance: Saturday, January 3rd: The Coffee People w/Paul Somlo
Free Lesson 6:15pm, Dance 7–10 p.m
Contra Dancing is beginner-friendly, but if it's your first time, it is STRONGLY encouraged that you attend the lesson!
Wear comfortable, non-marking shoes with clean soles - grit is a floor's enemy and we want to keep our landlord happy! We provide brushes etc. in the lobby - only takes a moment to ensure clean soles.
Special Location:
University Center for the Arts: 1400 Remington St., Fort Collins (Historic Fort Collins High School)
Google Maps Directions
$10–$20 sliding scale, students $5, age 16 and under free
Family plan 2 for 1 adults with infant or toddler
Public welcome - no tickets needed, just pay at door, cash or check
LOCATION: Contra Dances are held at: location varies, please check the schedule below and/or information above.
Waltz Nights are at Club Tico in City Park.
Upcoming Events:
Check the CFOOTMAD.org calendar for upcoming dances throughout the Denver area.
- December 27, 2025 - Waltz Night
Lesson 6:30-7:30pm; Dancing: 7:30-10pm
Location: Club Tico: 1599 City Park Dr, Fort Collins - January 3, 2026 - Contra Dance
Lesson 6:15pm; Dancing 7-10pm
Special Location: University Center for the Arts: 1400 Remington St., Fort Collins (Historic Fort Collins High School)
- January 17, 2026 - Contra Dance
Lesson 6:15pm; Dancing 7-10pm
Location: Christ United Methodist Church: 301 E. Drake Rd., Fort Collins - February 7, 2026 - Contra Dance
Lesson 6:15pm; Dancing 7-10pm
Location: Christ United Methodist Church: 301 E. Drake Rd., Fort Collins - February 21, 2026 - Contra Dance
Lesson 6:15pm; Dancing 7-10pm
Location: Christ United Methodist Church: 301 E. Drake Rd., Fort Collins - February 28, 2026 - Waltz Night
Lesson 6:30-7:30pm; Dancing: 7:30-10pm
Location: Club Tico: 1599 City Park Dr, Fort Collins - March 7, 2026 - Contra Dance
Lesson 6:15pm; Dancing 7-10pm
Location: Christ United Methodist Church, 301 E. Drake Rd., Fort Collins - March 21, 2026 - Contra Dance
Lesson 6:15pm; Dancing 7-10pm
Location: Christ United Methodist Church, 301 E. Drake Rd., Fort Collins - April 4, 2026 - Contra Dance
Lesson 6:15pm; Dancing 7-10pm
Special Location: University Center for the Arts, 1400 Remington St., Fort Collins (Historic Fort Collins High School) - April 18, 2026 - Contra Dance
Lesson 6:15pm; Dancing 7-10pm
Location: Christ United Methodist Church, 301 E. Drake Rd., Fort Collins - April 25, 2026 - Waltz Night
Lesson 6:30-7:30pm; Dancing: 7:30-10pm
Location: Club Tico: 1599 City Park Dr, Fort Collins
Callers and bands: E-mail FoTD@FoTD.org or call the FoTD hotline at 970-829-8689 with booking inquiries.
What is Contra Dancing?
Contra dancing is a form of American folk dancing, usually danced to live music of Celtic origin. Although it has been done since the eighteenth century, contra dancing is a living tradition. Thousands of people contra dance every week all over the country, and new contra dances are being written all the time. Contra dancers form an informal community locally, regionally, and nationally.
Check out this NPR story on Contra Dancing!
Here's what Contra dancing looks like:
Contra dances are community events. At almost any contra dance you will find people of all ages and all dance skill levels, from young to old, beginner to expert. Contra dancers form a very open and welcoming group of people. And you don't have to come with a partner. At a contra dance, it is customary to dance with a variety of partners. It is perfectly acceptable for either a man or a woman to ask someone they haven't met before to dance. You will find contra dancing a great way to make new friends.
Check out some attempts by Gary D. Shapiro to answer the question, "What Is Contra Dance?"
CONTACT
Let us know if you have questions! We are thrilled to have beginners at all our Fort Collins dances.
- General Questions: board@fotd.org
- Waltz Nights: waltz@fotd.org
- Wild Goose/Asparagus balls: wildballs@fotd.org
- Phone: (970) 829-8689
Please consider a gift to FoTD.
FoTD is a 501c3 nonprofit and donations are tax deductible. Click on the “Donate” button below to make a gift using Paypal. No account necessary, just a major credit card. It’s quick, easy, safe, and secure. If you prefer to write a check, our address is PO Box 64, Fort Collins CO 80522.
The Bands
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Avourneen (pronounced a-vore-neen), The Denver-based trio may specialize in Irish music, but their musical approach pulls from a wealth of other genres and styles. Guitarist/bouzouki/vocalist Adam Goldstein, violinist/mandolin/pianist Cieran Morden, and bassist Alice Alister are fans of incorporating elements from their eclectic influences. Their rocking dance sets blend Contra standards with Irish and American folk tunes, as well as traces of vintage jazz, modern orchestral music and classic rock.
- The Procrastinators: Adam Goldstein, Joel Hayes & Ed Secor on clarinet and saxophone.
- Nerea The Fiddler & Tony Branch. NEREA the fiddler is an accomplished musician, dancer, teacher and all around entertainer. A Canadian Folk Music nominee, she has performed on 4 continents for audiences as large as 17,000. Her music originally hails from Celtic traditions but she now combines traditional and modern fiddling, fusing it with dance, in a way you have never seen before. nereathefiddler.com
- Stringtown: Adam Goldstein, Joel Hayes, Charlie Rosario
- The Towhees: Jake Lowe, John Nielson, Lexie El Sharif, Peter Nielsen
- The Coffee People are Rodney Sauer on piano and accordion, Cieran Morden (of Avourneen) on fiddle, mandolin, and piano, and a third rotating position to change up the sound. Often it’s Ben Cohen on percussion, or Rebecca Jonas on cello, or Julia Hays on fiddle. Rodney Sauer's musical interests include folk dance music, vintage ballroom dance, and silent film scoring with his nationally touring quintet, the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra.
- Katydid: Kate Kerr, James Armington, Jeff Haemer
- Step in Time includes Deb Carstensen on fiddle, Ed Secor on clarinet and saxophone, and Rodney Sauer on the keyboard and accordion.
- Check out Deb's website. Deb Carstensen’s fiddle music has inspired many happy feet at contra dances.
- Prairie Dog Picnic is Dave Firestine on mandolin, Kate Kerr on fiddle, Phil Norman on cello, Rodney Sauer on piano and accordion, and Bonnie Carol on hammered dulcimer.
- The Rhythm Rangers is Barb Kirchner, Ed Secor, and Mark Brissenden
- Sandra Wong: Sandra plays driving, haunting melodies and harmonies in the genre of Irish, Old-time and Bluegrass. Find out more about Sandra on sandrawongmusic.com.