San Francisco Contra Dance
2nd & 4th Wednesdays
Lesson at 7:30, dance from 8-10pm
at The Polish Club
Gender-neutral calling • Charming community
$20 entry, $6 for students/low-income
or pay-what-you-can
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be good at dancing?
Nope! Beginners are very welcome. The culture of contra dance includes everyone helping everyone, and there is no fancy footwork, just a walking step in time with the music.We recommend beginners attend the lesson at 7:30 and try to dance the first few dances. Most contra dances are intentionally structured to teach beginners - there are easier dances at the beginning to learn the dance, and dances slowly ramp up in difficulty over the evening.Do I need to bring a partner?
Nope! Almost everyone switches partners every dance. In fact, we encourage you to do the first couple dances with an experienced dancer, because they can help you figure out the dance.What should I wear?
Wear comfortable clothes you can move easily in. Some people dress up, and others stay casual - it’s all welcome. Shoes with slippery soles make turning easier, but are not required.Many people (of many genders) love to wear twirly skirts for contra dancing. We have a collection of twirly skirts available to borrow if you’d like to try them.Our hall can get pretty warm, even when it’s cold outside, and contra can be a sweaty activity. If you’re a person who sweats easily, consider bringing an extra shirt to change into at the break.What should I bring?
A water bottle.How can I get here?
We are a 10 minute walk away from the 24th St BART station.There are several bike racks on the sidewalk outside the hall, and several people lock up bikes there regularly. If you’re particularly worried about your bike there is some space to bring it inside if you can carry it up a few stairs.There is a very limited amount of car parking on-site, which is reserved first for the paid talent. The remaining spots are available on a first come first served basis. There is parking in the neighborhood as well, but it can be difficult to find a spot.I have an injury/chronic illness/disability. Can I still participate?
There are a lot of ways the dance can be adapted to meet different physical needs. Some people prefer to dance in a tornado of twirling energy, and other people prefer to slow it down and focus on the connection with their partner. Talk to an organizer for help figuring out how to accommodate a specific physical limitation.If you can’t walk, contra dancing is probably not accessible to you. However, our hall is wheelchair accessible and you are very welcome to come in to listen to the live music and chat with people even if you aren’t dancing.Can I bring my kids?
Yes! Kids are welcome (though you remain responsible for them). We have found that kids as young as 10 have enjoyed learning to dance and dancing with the community. Younger children prefer to color, read, and listen to the music with some supervision. The hall is split into two rooms with a large arch doorway between, so a child that is taking a break from dancing can easily play with some supervision without disturbing the dancing.Am I too old for this?
Nope! The contra community is intergenerational, and we love that people of all ages show up to dance together.What’s the music like?
One of the neatest things about contra dance in particular is that every dance is accompanied by a live band. Tunes are fairly lively and from the New England folk tradition. Here's a particularly great example: