PDX Contra Dancing

Contra dances in Portland, Oregon

Monthly and Weekly Contra Dances

These are the regularly occuring dances. See below for dances that are not monthly or weekly.
Unless otherwise noted, covid protocols are NO LONGER in effect. See the calendar or the dance website for more details.

Contra Remix — web | facebook | video

Music by DJ Contra Kitty
May or may not be masked depending on date
First Sundays (Sep-Jun)
Upstairs at Norse Hall (inner NE)
Lesson at 6:30, dance 7:00-10:00
$6-$20 cash, sliding scale - pay what you can
Gender-free calling; beginner-friendly; community-focused


Saturdays at Fulton — calendar

Contra dance to live music (almost) every Saturday of the year.
Newcomer lesson at 7:00, dance 7:30 - 10:30
$6-$20 cash, sliding scale - pay what you can

    kids through 15 always free with paid adult
    $5 second Saturdays for students and under 25s with id
2/4/5th Saturdays always use gender-neutral calling
1/3rd Saturdays usually use gender-neutral calling


Joyride — web

Music by Joyride — a much-loved local contra dance band
First Wednesdays (Sep-Jun)
No beginner lesson
Dance 7:30 - 10:00
$5-$20 cash, sliding scale - pay what you can

    Octogenarians and older are free
Role terms vary by caller and are listed on the schedule

Special Upcoming Dances


I'll try to keep this updated, but the PCDC calendar is always up-to-date.
The facebook group is also a good place to keep up on special dances.

See above for regularly occuring monthly and weekly dances.


October 3 - Countercurrent Album Release Contra Dance (masks required) (facebook)
November 14 - George Marshall with Faux Paws
December 30 - New Years Eve Eve (masks optional)

More Information


The information on this page covers contra dances within the city of Portland only. The PCDC calendar lists all Contra, Family, and English Country dances in the vicinity.

Facebook users can get updates from the Portland Country Dance Community group.

For more info on the Portland Country Dance Community, see the PCDC website.

For an intro to contra dancing in general, read Wikipedia or this very long answer or this much shorter primer. Or watch this video or this one or this Contra Remix one.

This website is not affiliated with any contra dance organization. I've just thrown it together to have a simple place to point folks for an overall summary of the Portland, Oregon contra dance scene.