- Friday May 22 – Monday May 25
Dance at Folklife on May 23! Check out Contra dancing (and so much more) at the 55th Annual Northwest Folklife Festival, May 22-25. This event is FREE to the public.
- Saturday May 16 @ 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Contra Dance! The Star Charters with Annie Kidwell calling. The Star Charters are Cecilia Vacanti (fiddle), Jess Newman (fiddle), and Mark Price (guitar, foot percussion). All visting from Boston, MA!
- Saturday May 9 @ 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Our Annual Fundraiser! Olympia Volunteer String Band with Lindsey Dono calling. This giant community band is led by Jesse Partridge. This event is our annual fundraiser for the Olympia contra
- Saturday April 25 @ 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Regular Contra Dance Riffraff with Abigail Golden calling.
- Wednesday April 15 @ 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Special Wednesday Dance Countercurrent with Lindsey Dono calling. Countercurrent is Alex Sturbaum (guitar, vocals) and Brian Lindsay (fiddle, foot percussion, vocals). Dance runs 7pm to 9:30pm, with no lesson.
- Saturday April 11 @ 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Regular Contra Dance Anglerfish ft. Steve with William Watson calling. The band is Alex Sturbaum (mandocello), Rae Eaton (upright bass), Hayden Stern (viola), and Steve Cifka (cello).
- Saturday March 28 @ 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Regular Contra Dance Riffraff with Caitlin Bannan calling. The band is Evo Toney (fiddle, mandolin), Alex Sturbaum (guitar, accordion, vocals), Hayden Stern (fiddle, accordion), Jesse Partridge (fiddle, guitar, piano), and
2026 Contra Dances
Wed April 15, 2026: Special Wednesday evening dance: Countercurrent with Lindsey Dono calling. Countercurrent is Alex Sturbaum (guitar, vocals) and Brian Lindsay (fiddle, foot percussion, vocals). Dance runs 7pm to 9:30pm, with no lesson.
April 11, 2026: Anglerfish ft. Steve with William Watson calling. The band is Alex Sturbaum (mandocello), Rae Eaton (upright bass), Hayden Stern (viola), and Steve Cifka (cello).
March 28, 2026: Riffraff with Caitlin Bannan calling. The band is Evo Toney (fiddle, mandolin), Alex Sturbaum (guitar, accordion, vocals), Hayden Stern (fiddle, accordion), Jesse Partridge (fiddle, guitar, piano), and Julie Bennett (percussion).
March 14, 2026: Special afternoon dance with Countercurrent with Jesse Partridge calling! Local powerhouse duo Countercurrent consists of Brian Lindsay (fiddle, foot percussion, vocals) and Alex Sturbaum (guitar, vocals). Lesson at 12:30, dance from 1:00-3:30. This dance is part of Cascade Promenade, a series of dances along the I-5 corridor.
Monday Feb 16, 2026: Waltz night with Gaye Fifer with music by Dave & Brian. Join us for a workshop in contra-style waltz taught by nationally renowned instructor Gaye Fifer, followed by an evening of waltzing to live music from Dave Bartley (guitar etc.) and Brian Lindsay (fiddle). The workshop will be beginner-friendly, and will also offer more experienced waltzers an opportunity to up their game. The dancing will be taught gender-free. Workshop 7pm – 8pm, open dancing 8pm – 9:30. Admission: Sliding scale – suggested $10-25.
Feb 28, 2026: Riffraff/Hot Seat with Tom Wimmer calling. We don’t know whether to call this band Riffraff or Hot Seat! Members this month are Evo Toney (fiddle), Jesse Partridge (fiddle), Alex Sturbaum (guitar), and Julie Bennett (percussion).
Feb 14, 2026: No contra dance this day. Instead, spend all weekend at the Grange for the Oly Old Time Festival! Then join us on Monday for a special waltz event – details below.
Jan 24, 2026: Riffraff with Rich Goss calling. The band is Evo Toney (fiddle, mandolin), Jesse Partridge (fiddle), Josh Gaydos (bouzouki).
Jan 10, 2026: Contra Quartet with Lindsey Dono calling. Free admission – this dance is sponsored by Jay Finkelstein to celebrate his fourth annual 80th birthday! Contra Quartet is Jay Finkelstein (guitar), Jesse Partridge (fiddle), Steve Cifka (cello), and Julie Bennett (percussion).
2025 Contra Dances
Wed Dec 31, 2025: Special New Years Eve contra dance with music by The Spantickles (Hayden Stern, Rosie O’Neill, and Dave Bartley) and calling by Eric Curl. Doors at 8:30, dancing from 9pm until after midnight. $20-$40 sliding scale. Hosted by the South Bay Grange.
Dec 27, 2025: No dance; cancelled for holidays.
Dec 20, 2025: Lindon Toney hosts his annual solstice party at his house. Potluck at 6, music and dance around 7:30. Bring your instruments and dance cards if you have them! For more details and the address, contact Lindon or ask us!
Dec 13, 2025: Dave and Brian with Shannon Horst calling. The band is Dave Bartley and Brian Lindsay.
Nov 22, 2025: Riffraff with Noah Grunzweig (Portland) calling. The band is Lindon Toney (fiddle), Evo Toney (fiddle), and Jesse Partridge (piano). This will be Lindon’s last hometown gig – come help celebrate his many years of service to the Olympia contra community.
Wednesday Nov 5, 2025: Special Wednesday evening dance – Countercurrent with George Marshall (MA) calling! George Marshall returns for his annual PNW tour. Countercurrent is Alex Sturbaum (guitar, vocals) and Brian Lindsay (fiddle, foot percussion, vocals).
Oct 25, 2025: Riffraff with Penelope Weinberger (DC) calling. Riffraff this month will be Evo Toney (fiddle), Jesse Partridge (fiddle), and Jay Finkelstein (guitar).
Oct 11, 2025: The Electrodes (Seattle) with Doe Taryn (Bay Area) calling. The band is Joe Micheals (guitar), Joe Bowbeer (electric fiddle), and Marcy Kubbs (piano).
Sept 27, 2025: Riffraff with Shell Stowell calling. The band is Evo Toney (fiddle), Lindon Toney (fiddle), Jesse Partridge (piano), and Julie Bennett (percussion).
Sunday Sept 14, 2025: The Nettles with Isaac Banner calling. This special Sunday afternoon dance features the Nettles from Corvallis, Oregon: Laura Brophy (fiddle), Kev Nettles (guitar), Julie Bennett (percussion), and Michael Proctor (bass). Beginning lesson at 2pm, dancing 2:30-5:00.
August 23, 2024: Riffraff with Abigail Hobart calling. The band is Evo Toney (fiddle), Jesse Partidge (guitar), and Julie Bennett (percussion).
July 26, 2025: Riffraff with Joe Micheals calling. The band is Evo Toney, Lindon Toney, and Jesse Partridge.
June 28, 2025: Riffraff with Elisabeth Monica calling. The band is Evo Toney (fiddle), Eros Faulk (fiddle), and Jesse Partridge (piano).
June 14, 2025: “2/3 of a Baby Corn” with Kelsey Hartman calling. The band is Hayden Stern (fiddle) and Rosie O’Neil (guitar).
May 31, 2025: Raven and Goose with Craig Wolfe calling. This special 5th Saturday dance features Corwin Zekley (fiddle) and Grace Fellows (piano), visiting from California. Plus a special workshop for intermediate contra dancers from 6-7pm. These are designed for dancers who know common contra moves (e.g. balance and swing, robin’s chain, hey for four, etc.) and want to take their dancing to the next level. Regular intro lesson still at 7pm.
May 24th, 2025: No Olympia dance – Contra dancing (and so much more) at the 54rd Annual Northwest Folklife Festival May 23-26. This event is FREE to the public.
May 10, 2025: Olympia Volunteer String Band with Victoria Fox calling. This special community band is led by Jesse Partridge. This event is a fundraiser for the South Bay Grange and the Olympia contra dance.
April 26, 2025: Riffraff with Elizabeth Bretschneider calling. The band is Evo Toney, Jesse Partridge, and Jay Finkelstein.
April 12, 2025: Peter and the Wolf Tones (Portland) with Valerie Cohen calling. The band is George Penk (fiddle), Heather Pinney (piano, fiddle), and Jesse Shafer (cello).
March 22, 2025: Riffraff with Carol Piening calling! The band is Lindon Toney, Evo Toney, Jesse Partridge, and Julie Bennett. Plus a special workshop for intermediate dancers from 6-7pm. We’ll practice skills to take your dancing to the next level. Regular intro lesson still at 7pm.
March 8, 2025: Special afternoon dance with Countercurrent with Koren Wake calling! Local powerhouse duo Countercurrent consists of Brian Lindsay (fiddle, foot percussion, vocals) and Alex Sturbaum (guitar, vocals). Lesson at 12:30, dance from 1:00-3:30. This dance is part of Cascade Promenade, a series of dances along the I-5 corridor.
Feb 22, 2025: Riffraff with Amy Wimmer calling!
Feb 8, 2025: Hayden, Ezra, and Patrick with Jesse Partridge calling! The band is Hayden Stern (fiddle), Ezra Jane Landsman (guitar), and Patrick Gunning (mandolin).
Jan 25, 2025: Riffraff with Tom Wimmer calling! The band is Lindon Toney (fiddle), Evo Toney (fiddle), Jesse Partridge (guitar, piano).
Jan 11, 2025: Hot Seat with Gwen Rousseau calling! The band is Alex Sturbaum, Jesse Partridge, and Julie Bennett.
2024 Contra Dances
Dec 14, 2024: Dec 14, 2024: Contra Quartet with Elizabeth Bretschneider calling! The band is Jesse Partridge (fiddle), Jay Finkelstein (guitar), Steve Cifka (cello), and Julie Bennett (percussion).
Nov 23, 2024: Riffraff with Joe Micheals calling! The band is Evo Toney, Hayden Stern, Jesse Partridge, and Julie Bennett.
Nov 9, 2024: No dance
Nov 6, 2024: Special Wednesday evening dance – Countercurrent with George Marshall (MA) calling! Countercurrent is Alex Sturbaum (guitar, vocals) and Brian Lindsay (fiddle, foot percussion, vocals).
Oct 26, 2024: Riffraff with Eric Curl calling! The band is Lindon Toney, Evo Toney, and Jesse Partridge. Plus, come by a little early to experience the South Bay Spooktacular autumn festival and haunted house. (Festival and contra dance are separate events with separate admission)
Monday Oct 21st, 2024: Evergreen contra dance! 5:30-7:00 pm at the Housing Community Center on the Evergreen State College campus (closest parking is at F Lot). Live music by Brian Lindsay and Penka Jane Culevski and calling by Jesse Partridge (robins/larks)! Donations are welcome at this free event.
Oct 12, 2024: Ryan & Anita with Lindsey Dono calling! The band is Ryan McKasson (fiddle) and Anita Anderson (piano).
Sept 28, 2024: Riffraff with Craig Wolfe calling! The band is Evo Toney (fiddle), Jesse Partridge (piano), and Jay Finkelstein (guitar).
Aug 24, 2024: Riffraff with Angela DeCarlis (Florida) calling! The band is Lindon Toney (fiddle), Evo Toney (fiddle), Jesse Partridge (piano), and Julie Bennett (percussion).
July 27, 2024: Riffraff with Kelsey Hartman calling! The band is Evo Toney (fiddle), Elise Snoey (fiddle), and Joe Micheals (guitar).
June 22, 2024: Riffraff with Rich Goss calling! The band is Evo Toney (fiddle), Hayden Stern (fiddle), and Jesse Partridge (piano).
June 8, 2024: Dante, River, and Eros with Abigail Golden calling! The band is Dante Faulk (cello), Eros Faulk (fiddle, guitar), and River Scheuerell (fiddle, mandolin, guitar).
May 25th, 2024: No Olympia dance – Contra dancing (and so much more) at the 53rd Annual Northwest Folklife Festival May 24-27. https://nwfolklife.org/festival This event is FREE to the public.
May 11, 2024: Olympia Volunteer String Band with William Watson calling! The Olympia Volunteer String Band is conducted by Jesse Partridge. This event is a benefit for the South Bay Grange. All are welcome to bring a dish to share for a community potluck 6-7pm.
April 27, 2024: Riffraff with Shannon Horst calling! The band is Lindon Toney (fiddle), Evo Toney (fiddle), and Jesse Partridge (guitar).
April 13, 2024: Hayden and Patrick with Amy Wimmer calling! The band is Hayden Stern (fiddle) and Patrick Gunning (guitar).
Saturday, March 23, 2024: Contra Quartet with Valerie Cohen calling! The band is Jay Finkelstein (guitar), Steve Cifka (cello), Julie Bennett (percussion), and Jesse Partridge (fiddle).
Friday, March 22, 2024: Squares and Lines, an evening of contra and square dancing at the Grange! Live music from One Dollar Whiskey (Brian Lindsay, Penka Jane Culevski, and Alex Sturbaum), with contra dances called by Lindsey Dono and square dances called by Suzanne Girardot.
March 9, 2024: Special afternoon dance with Dave, Hayden, Marni, and Julie, with Koren Wake calling! Our all-star band is Dave Bartley (guitar), Hayden Stern (fiddle), Marni Rachmiel (flute, saxophone), and Julie Bennett (percussion). Lesson at 12:30, dance from 1:00-3:30. This dance is part of Cascade Promenade, a series of dances along the I-5 corridor. Dance here in the afternoon and then head down to the Portland Megaband dance in the evening!
February 24, 2024: Riffraff with Elisabeth Monica calling! The band is Lindon Toney (fiddle), Evo Toney (fiddle), and Jesse Partridge (guitar).
February 10, 2024: Hot Seat with Eric Curl calling! The band is Jesse Partridge (fiddle), Alex Sturbaum (guitar), and Julie Bennett (percussion), with friends Leah and Jeremy (fiddle and banjo) in the hot seat!
January 27, 2024: Riffraff with Noah Grunzweig (Portland) calling! The band is Lindon Toney (fiddle), Jesse Partridge (fiddle), Alex Sturbaum (guitar).
January 13, 2024: Hummingbird with Tom Wimmer calling! The band is Melissa Coffey (spaceship, woodwinds), Koren Wake (fiddle, viola de gamba), and Nick Leininger (guitar).
2023 Contra Dances
December 23, 2023: Riffraff with Isaac Banner calling! The band is Lindon Toney (fiddle), Jesse Partridge (guitar), Julie Bennett (percussion), and Lisa Robinson (fiddle).
December 9, 2023: Joyride with Jesse Partridge calling! Portland mainstay band Joyride consists of Erik Weburg (flute, bombarde, harmonica), George Penk (fiddle), Sue Songer (piano), and Jeff Kerssen-Griep (guitar).
November 25, 2023: November 25, 2023: Riffraff with Elizabeth Bretschneider calling! The band is Lindon Toney (fiddle), Evo Toney (fiddle, mandolin), Jesse Partridge (guitar), and Julie Bennett (percussion).
November 6, 2023: Special Monday evening dance with the Faux Paws and George Marshall! For their new dance band lineup, Faux Paws founding members Noah VanNorstrand (fiddle, foot percussion) and Chris Miller (saxophone) are joined by skilled guitarist Owen Morrison (of Elixir fame).
October 28, 2023: Riffraff with Carol Piening calling! The band is Lindon Toney (fiddle), Jesse Partridge (fiddle, guitar, piano), Eros Faulk (fiddle, guitar), and Dante Faulk (cello).
October 14, 2023: Vienna, Elise, and Patrick with Tom Wimmer calling! The band is Vienna Scheyer (fiddle), Elise Snoey (fiddle), and Patrick Gunning (guitar).
October 4, 2023: Special Wednesday evening dance for Countercurrent album release tour with Lindsey Dono calling! Countercurrent is Alex Sturbaum (guitar, accordion, vocals) and Brian Lindsay (fiddle, banjo, foot percussion, vocals).
September 23, 2023: Riffraff with Susan Michaels calling! The band is Lindon Toney (fiddle), Jesse Partridge (fiddle, guitar, piano), Eros Faulk (fiddle, guitar), and Dante Faulk (cello).
Sep 9th, 2023: Elise, Vienna, and Anita with Elisabeth Monica calling! The band is Elise Snoey (fiddle), Vienna Scheyer (fiddle), and Anita Anderson (piano).
Aug 26th, 2023: Riffraff with Noah Grunzweig (Portland) calling! The band is Jesse Partridge (fiddle), Evo Toney (fiddle), Julie Bennett (percussion), and Jay Finkelstein (guitar).
Aug 12th, 2023: Campaign for Reel Time with Eric Curl calling! The band is Betsy Branch (fiddle), Bill Tomczak (clarinet, sax percussion), and Mark Douglass (piano).
July 22nd, 2023: Riffraff with David Kreiss-Tomkins calling! Riffraff this month is Lindon Toney (fiddle), Evo Toney (fiddle), and Jesse Partridge (guitar).
July 8th, 2023: Noah and Dave with Craig Wolfe calling! Noah VanNorstrand plays fiddle and foot percussion, and Dave Bartley plays guitar, mandolin, and bouzouki.
June 24th, 2023: Riffraff with Valerie Cohen calling! Riffraff this month is Lindon Toney (fiddle), Evo Toney (fiddle), and Eros Faulk (guitar).
June 10th, 2023: Contra dance! Live music by Natterjack (Alex Sturbaum, Hayden Stern, Ezra Jane Landsman, and special guest – Julie Bennett) and calling by Amy Wimmer (robins/larks)!
May 27th, 2023: No Olympia dance Contra dancing (and so much more) at the 52nd Annual Northwest Folklife Festival May 26-29. https://nwfolklife.org/festival This event is FREE to the public. Masks and vaccines encouraged, but not required. Contra dances will have one dedicated “Mask only” line.
May 13th, 2023: Contra dance! Live music by Olympia Volunteer String Band, directed by Jesse Partridge. Calling by Isaac Banner (robins/larks)! This event is a benefit for the South Bay Grange.
April 22nd, 2023: Contra dance! Live music by Live music by Riffraff (Lindon Toney, Evo Toney, Jesse Partridge, Jay Finkelstein, and Julie Bennett) and calling by Joe Micheals (robins/larks)!
April 8th, 2023: Contra dance! Live music by ClickBait (Ryan McKasson, Dave Bartley, and Anita Anderson) and calling by Koren Wake (robins/larks)!
March 25th, 2023: Contra Dance! Live music by Riffraff (Lindon Toney, Jesse Partridge, and Evo Toney) with calling by Elizabeth Bretschneider (robins/larks)!
March 11th, 2023: Special Afternoon Contra Dance for Cascade Promenade! Live music by One Dollar Whiskey (Brian Lindsay, Penka Jane Culevski, and Alex Sturbaum) with Lindsey Dono calling (robins/larks)! Lesson at 12:30, dance 1:00-3:30. This dance is part of Cascade Promenade, a string of exciting regional dances taking place between Seattle and Portland on March 9th-12th.
February 25th, 2023: Contra Dance! Live music by Riffraff (Lindon Toney, Jesse Partridge, Alex Sturbaum, and Julie Bennet) with calling by Rich Goss (robins/larks)!
February 11th, 2023: Contra Dance! Live music by Dante, River, and Eros with Jesse Partridge calling (robins/larks)!
January 28th, 2023: Contra Dance! Live music by Riffraff with William Watson calling (robins/larks)!
January 14th, 2023: Contra Dance! Live music by Countercurrent (Brian Lindsey and Alex Sturbaum) with Isaac Banner calling (robins/larks)!
2022 Contra Dances
December 24th, 2022: no dance
December 10th, 2022: Contra dance! Live music by KGB (Claude Ginsburg, Dave Bartley, Julie King) and calling by Tom Wimmer (robins/larks)!
November 26th, 2022: Contra dance! Live music by Riffraff (Lindon Toney, Jesse Partridge, Dante Faulk) and calling by Kelsey Hartman (robins/larks)! Kelsey is visiting from California.
Monday, November 7th, 2022: Live music by “The Engine Room (Noah VanNorstrand, Alex Sturbaum, and Kelsey Wells) with George Marshall calling (robins/larks)! This dance replaced our regular 2nd Saturday dance – we did not dance on Nov. 12th.
October 22nd, 2022: Contra dance! Live music by Riffraff (Lindon Toney, Jesse Partridge, Evo Toney, and Julie Bennett) and calling by Eric Curl (robins/larks)!
October 8th, 2022: Contra dance! Live music by Contra Quartet (Jesse Partridge, Julie Bennet, Steve Cifka, and Jay Finkelstein) and calling by Craig Wolfe (robins/larks)!
Wednesday, October 5th, 2022: Evergreen contra dance! 5-7pm at Red Square on the Evergreen State College campus. Live music by a collection of wonderful local musicians led by Alex Sturbaum (including River Scheuerell, Julie Bennet, and Dante & Eros Faulk) and calling by Jesse Partridge (robins/larks)! Donations are welcome at this free event. ** Note that vaccinations and masks will not be required at this outdoor event, but strongly encouraged.
September 24th, 2022: Contra dance! Live music by Riffraff and calling by Amy Wimmer (robins/larks)!
September 10th, 2022: Contra dance! Live music by River Scheuerell and Dante & Eros Faulk and calling by Jesse Partridge (robins/larks)!
August 27th, 2022: Contra dance! Live music by Riffraff (Jesse Partridge, River Scheurerell, Lindon Toney) and Koren Wake calling (robins/larks)!
July 23rd, 2022: Contra dance! Live music by Riffraff (Lindon Toney, Alex Sturbaum, and Jesse Partridge) and Susan Michaels calling (robins/larks)!
July 9th, 2022: Contra dance! Live music by Jesse Partridge and Alex Sturbaum (plus special guest Julie Bennet) with Isaac Banner calling (robins/larks)!
June 25th, 2022: Contra dance! Live music by Riffraff (Lindon Toney, Jesse Partridge, and WB Reid) with Lindsey Dono calling (robins/larks)
June 11th, 2022: no dance
May 28th, 2022: No Olympia dance Contra dancing (and so much more) at the 51st Annual Northwest Folklife Festival May 27-30. https://nwfolklife.org/
May 14th, 2022: Noah VanNorstrand (of The Faux Paws / Great Bear) with Craig Wolfe calling (larks/robins)
April 23rd, 2022: Riffraff! (Lindon Toney, Evo Toney, Dante Faulk, Jesse Partridge) with Eric Curl calling (larks/robins)
March 26, 2022: Riffraff (Lindon Toney, Jesse Partridge, River Scheurerell) with William Watson calling (larks/robins)
March 13, 2022 (Sunday): No dance, but supported the Portland Roadhouse Film Festival: films celebrating what we all love so much about folk music and dance.
February 26, 2022: Riffraff (Lindon Toney, Evo Solkoloff-Toney, WB Reid) with Joe Michaelscalling (ladies/gents)!
2021 Contra Dances
December 20th, 2021: Riffraff!