Contra Dance with Chopped Liver Band

Join us for an unforgettable evening of traditional dance and live music in Santa Barbara! Our experienced callers and talented musicians guarantee a lively contra dance night filled with laughter, socializing, and fun times. Whether you’re new in town or a seasoned dancer, this event is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy a night of social dancing and folk music.

COME EARLY and enjoy a Free Waltz Class 5-6pm: Playful cross-step waltz (sometimes letting go of the frame): ZigZag versions, Butterfly and Illusion Turn.

Enjoy Contra Dancing 6-9pm to the Chopped Liver band with Jean Gorrindo at the mic. At the SB Carrillo Rec Ballroom 100 E Carrillo in the large ballroom with the sprung floor.

$10 Cash / VISA / MC /  VENMO at the door. You don’t need a partner. New dancers are having fun every week!

Nothing to wrinkle your nose up at, Chopped Liver is a local contra- and English country dance band whose repertoire includes a wide range of traditional and original tunes, performed in a lively and unique manner. Band members Michael Mendelson (fiddle), Suzanne Duffy (flute), Jeff Spero (piano), and Bill Flores (banjo, mandolin, dobro, tenor sax) have tight rhythms and a driving sound that will lift your spirits in exhilarating ways, bringing you closer to your dancing family and friends. You can have your fill of this Chopped Liver and keep wanting to come back for more!

Jean Gorrindo is a favorite caller with a confident, easy going style. Hailing from San Luis Obispo County, she is a pro at looking out for the needs of the hall, and will bring a fun assortment of dances. Jean’s strong teaching and musical skills, combined with her rhythmic vocal quality, help her deliver flowing, challenging choreography in a fun and accessible way! She has a particular knack for collecting dances with exceptional flow designed to enhance the connectedness between us all. In her mind, that feeling of connection is what it is all about.

CONTRA DANCE: co-sponsored by the SB Park and Rec Department

• Fun Spirited Social Dance
• A live band and a caller
• Playful and Enjoyable
• No Partner Needed
• Good for the body and brain
• Easy for Beginners

Contra Dance is also GREAT exercise while we are also having great fun. It is also great memory training because every dance is different all night long. We are walked through a couple simple moves that repeat, we help each other, and the only goal is to have fun dancing!

The band takes a break in the middle. At the end of each half, we can dance a waltz. And during the break (with snacks), recorded music is played for East and West Coast swing dance, Country Dance, and more.

What do you like about Contra Dance? 

“I like that there’s variety in the steps. I like that they instruct you very thoroughly. And then you have the chance to repetitively practice that step as you go through the entire line, and so I know it well by the end. I love the energy. Everyone’s just joyful. Yeah, That’s it.” 

 -Nina, a recent new dancer. 

“A friend asked me to go to contra dance. I asked, What the heck is Contra dance?” because I’m a really good ballroom dance, I’m a swing dancer. I know country dance. She said none of the above. 

So I had to give it a try. It’s just a beautiful, high energy dance. I can’t explain it. A very, very happy dance. You just have to try it. You want a happy evening? Go to Contra dance!”

-Ellie, another recent newbie

For more info check out https://www.sbcds.org/contradance/schedule/

Video of one of our dances

More info @ http://www.sbcds.org/contradance/

A big smile for your body, mind, and soul for $10. (worth it just for the live music)