Leeds Contra will organise a short series of monthly Contra Dances to be held between 7.30 and 11.00 pm on various Saturdays in October and November 2026 with some of the best English (or American) Contra dance bands and callers.
Ticket prices £12 - £15. Information available from Richard (07989 618550, email).
The organisers often lose money running this community event, so please consider adding a donation. Additional donations help us to pay the musicians, caller, and hall costs. With the number of dancers we are getting the previously suggested minimum donation of £12 will not go anywhere near covering the cost of the hall and related expenses for live music events. If you are able to support us by contributing more than this it would be greatly appreciated. Contras generally cost at least £15 per attendee to arrange, assuming good attendance (average £120 per caller and musician plus hall and insurance)
Sail Away Ladies and Caller Seth Tepfer
The duel fiddles of Linda Game and Betsy Branch are perfectly complemented by Sue Songer’s piano and together, Sail Away Ladies create a warm, welcoming atmosphere with unforgettable dance highs.
Linda is known internationally for her work with Box of Frogs, ECDB, Kitchen Girls, Sail Away Ladies, and more. Inspired by dance, her driving style and dynamic improvisation inspires dancers in turn.
Betsy is a versatile musician based in Portland, Oregon (USA). She plays regularly in Fine Companions and Fiddle Hellions and loves to collaborate with new musicians. A key figure at festivals across the United States for decades, she will perhaps be most familiar to UK audiences from the Portland Playalong Selection, a playalong CD for the canonical tune collection.
Sue, also from Oregon, is the creative force behind The Portland Collection, founder of the Portland Megaband, and a powerhouse contra dance musician. You may know her from Joyride or The Stage Crew; like Linda and Betsy she enjoys creating new collaborations. Sue was the 2019 recipient of a CDSS Lifetime Achievement Award.
Since 1997, Seth Tepfer (USA) has been calling dances and festivals in almost every state in the union and around the world. Known for his infectious energy, his short walk-throughs, and his ‘hash-contras’, Seth’s warm enthusiasm is contagious, and gets everyone moving, smiling, and having a great time.
St Chads Hall, Otley Road, Leeds LS16 5JT
SatNav: 53.82861,-1.584928
Contrasaurus with caller Liam Binley. (Sadly Lynne Render is unable to be with us).
Contrasaurus are a contra dance band, based in England, who specialise in playing traditional tunes in an innovative style that is great to dance to.
Alan, Benjamin and Adam met at the University of Warwick Folk Society, and a chance encounter with David at a session started their musical journey as a band. Since 2016 they have enjoyed bookings at many of the top festivals and dance series in the UK.
Alan has played accordion for years with anyone willing to listen, most notably with Hoik.
Benjamin can be found playing fiddle across the country, which they've done for as long as anyone can remember. They can also be seen playing with Bearded Dragons and Bluejay.
David can be heard playing cello, basses, concertinas and very occasionally tuba behind many bands. In another life he plays and dances with Stone Monkey Sword Dancers.
Adam is their tame guitarist, and also a member of Chaotic Good. Has a cello, a banjo, and an octave mandolin hidden in a cupboard somewhere, but they haven't seen a stage yet.
St Chads Hall, Otley Road, Leeds LS16 5JT
SatNav: 53.82861,-1.584928
Philip Rowe with Joshua Rowe and Caller Geoff Cubitt
St Chads Hall, Otley Road, Leeds LS16 5JT
SatNav: 53.82861,-1.584928
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