What: Community Contra Dance When: Saturday April 5, 2026 Where: Historic Timpanogos Valley Theater 90 N. 100 W. Heber City, UT 84032 When: 6:30 - 7:00pm Beginner's Workshop 7:00 - 9:00pm Contra Dance Cost: $5 Admission for Adults $3 Admission for Students and under 12 yrs Babes in Arms can be worn in a carrier or sling Who: Sleepy Sun Studios a non-profit for community dances Carrie Dayton-Madsen (435) 671-2674 sleepysunstudios1969@gmail.com Contra Dancing: A Tradition for All Ages Contra dancing is a lively and inclusive tradition enjoyed by people of all ages, not just in the USA but around the world. Although rooted in American folk dancing, contra dance has distinct features that set it apart from similar styles like square dancing. Contra dance is a form of folk dancing made up of long lines of couples. It has mixed origins from English country dance, Scottish country dance, and French dance styles in the 17th century. Sometimes described as New England folk dance or Appalachian folk dance, contra dances can be found around the world, but are most common in the United States (periodically held in nearly every state). A contra dance event is a social dance that one can attend without a partner. The dancers form couples, and the couples form sets of two couples in long lines starting from the stage and going down the length of the dance hall. Throughout the course of a dance, couples progress up and down these lines, dancing with each other couple in the line. The dance is led by a caller who teaches the sequence of moves, called "figures," in the dance before the music starts.
