The calendar adjusts based on the time zone you're in. For example, if you're in the eastern time zone, it will look like our 7:30pm dances happen at 8:30pm. Some people also see the wrong times when daylight saving time is not in effect, i.e., November to March. In any case, the Tuesday dances are always at 7:30pm central time.
Please do not attend if you are having symptoms of respiratory illness. We encourage all to keep up-to-date on vaccinations.
On Tuesday (execpt for election days) dancing begins promptly at 7:30 to about 9:30 pm, at the Wil-Mar Center.
To rent the hall and pay our bands and callers fairly, our breakeven cost is $7 per person, but we offer a sliding scale and accept cash and Venmo. When out-of-town bands and callers perform, we'd appreciate you chipping in a little more to help cover their travel expenses.
Open Band | The first Tuesday of each month has an Open Band. If you're interested in playing, please do! Find out more by talking to Open Band members at one of these dances. To preview our music, you can review our sheet music or listen to this YouTube playlist. Although music readers are welcome, you do not need to be able to read music to join the band. Contra dance music is traditionally learned by ear, and many Open Band members continue this tradition.
News articles about Tuesday dances:
Pride on the Floor, published in Curb Currents - December, 2025
Circle Left, published in the Isthmus - January 2, 2020
Madison's Tuesday Night Dances: Fostering Talent for More Than Twenty Years, published in CDSS News - spring 2014
This season will feature five Saturday dances on the third Saturday of the month. These dances are also held at the Wil-Mar Center from 7:30pm to 10:00pm. Optional, but recommended, is the beginner lesson at 7:00pm.
November 21st | Rare Privilege (Amy McFarland and Maria Terres) with Steve Pike calling
January 16th |
February 20th |
March 20th |
May 15th |
We hope to see you at Squirrel Moon, September 18-20, 2026! Held at the beautiful Folklore Village in Dodgeville, WI.