Help Needed: We need volunteers to help set up for our Monday Dances. Our sound people will have the building open before you get there and all the supplies live in the closet under the stairs to the balcony. There are detailed instructions in the notebook that resides in one of the white crates. If you would like to shadow someone else before taking on the task solo that can be arranged. Click here to sign up
What is Contra Dancing?
Contra Dancing is a great way to meet new people. You'll find us welcoming and friendly.
Even if you have two left feet you should be able to contra dance. If you can walk and chew gum, you can contra dance.
Here is a short video to help answer that question.
Welcome to Knoxville Contra Dance, click for tips on technique and etiquette.
Join our Facebook Group: Knoxville Contra Dancers.
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We dance to live music every Monday night, 7:30, at the Laurel Theater (16th St. and Laurel Ave. [directions]) - Our philosophy is no one should be excluded from contra dance for lack of funds, however to keep the group functioning we have expenses such as rent, bands and caller. We have a pay as you can policy. Our recommendation is $10 for adults and $5 for students & those just listening).
If this is your first time, we offer a brief new dancer workshop, where we teach the basics. The workshop begins at 7:00.
Beginners are welcome, no partner or experience is required. It's easy and fun!
With very rare exceptions we dance every Monday night from 7-11 pm at the Laurel Theater at 16th Street and Laurel Avenue [directions].
Beginners are welcome, (it helps to show up early), and no partner is required. All dances will be taught. "If you can walk, you can contra dance." Admission for dances is pay as you can afford, our recommendation is $10 ($5 for students & those just listening).
You can burn a lot of energy on the dance floor, so we recommend you wear loose-fitting comfortable clothing with layers that you can remove. To save yourself some time in the water line, bring a couple of bottles of water with you.
We dance in the historic Laurel Theater, to preserve our dance floor, we request that you wear or bring clean, non-marking, soft-soled, or leather shoes for dancing.
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Reasons people love contra dance:
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Emily - I love to dance because it gives me a sense of belonging.
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Mary - I like to dance because it's happy movement.
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Joyce - I love to dance.
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Doug - I love the music.
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Kristen - I love a structured activity.
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Joe- I like the connection structure.
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Ray- I like the interpersonal dynamics of all the partners
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Todd - I just have a lot of energy. I’ve got to use it and it's nice to meet people.
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Steven - Sheer ecstasy of moving my body in time.
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Zach - I love making mistakes and I'm having the community all help me make it better. And also I did a really deep dive into like why people like the contrast.
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Gary - I love to dance because I like to move with other people.
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Alice - I like that you use nonverbal silly activities.
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Donna - I'm an introvert. I love that I can interact with a lot of people without becoming socially overwhelmed.
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Matt - I like the physical touch and connection
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Patty - When I'm at a contra dance, there's nothing else. It's just totally into the dancing.
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Kevin - I really enjoy the connection and the love.
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Paul - There's so many reasons, but one that just comes to mind is joy, sharing joy.
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Bob - I come for the fun.
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Walter - Hope.
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Jen - I do it for smiling and happiness.
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Bill - I like the, on the music, physical activity, and I feel like I found my tribe.
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Eliza - Sometimes I call it speed dating, but the real reason that I'm interested in it is to take those group movement skills outside of the dance to be crowd movement skills in non-dance situations.​
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Check out the New KCD Brochure!