Iowa Dance Calendar 2007-2008

Dance Organizers: This calendar is built entirely from information that you mail me.

Dancers: Please contact sponsors to confirm dance schedule information.

2007: July, August, September, October, November, December.

2008: January, February, March, April, May, June.

2007

July

July 1 (Sunday) Barn Dance at West Twin Park, Webster City, Iowa. Dance 3:30-5:30 PM, admission is free. Caller Lonna Nachtigal with live music by Flying Pig Fiddle & Banjo. Rain location is the Middle School in Webster City at 1101 Des Moines Street. Contact by e-mail or call (515) 325-6439 or (515) 689-1434 for further info.

July 7 (Saturday) Flynn Barn Dance at Living History Farms' Flynn Barn, Urbandale, Iowa. Sponsored by Flying Pig Fiddle & banjo. Dance 8-11 PM, admission $5.00. Caller Martha Tyner from Stanford, Illinois with Live Southern Old-time Music by The Talking Fiddleheads. Contact by e-mail or call (515) 325-6439 or (515) 689-1434 for further info.

August

August 4 (Saturday) Flynn Barn Dance at Living History Farms' Flynn Barn, Urbandale, Iowa. Sponsored by Flying Pig Fiddle & banjo. Dance 8-11 PM, admission $5.00. Caller Karen Kaufman from Sarona, Wisconsin with Live Southern Old-time Music by The Talking Fiddleheads. Contact by e-mail or call (515) 325-6439 or (515) 689-1434 for further info.

August 25 (Saturday) Ames. Central Iowa Barn Dance, 8:00 at The Annex, 130 S Sheldon, Ames. Caller Roger Alexander; music by The Barn Owl Band.

September

September 1 (Saturday) Flynn Barn Dance at Living History Farms' Flynn Barn, Urbandale, Iowa. Sponsored by Flying Pig Fiddle & banjo. Dance 8-11 PM, admission $5.00. Caller Dot Kent from Grayslake, Illinois' Nationally acclaimed Chicago area master fiddler Lynn "Chirps" Smith will join The Talking Fiddleheads playing lively old-time string band music. Contact by e-mail or call (515) 325-6439 or (515) 689-1434 for further info.

September 8 (Friday) Rock Island, Illinois. Illowa Community Dance 7:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Donation. Singing Bird Nature Center, Black Hawk State Historic Site, 15th St. off of Black Hawk Rd., Rock Island, Illinois. Dance leaders Drew & Maura McGrath Nagle, live music by Just for Fun (Linda Slack, fiddle, mandolin and guitar; Lila Gehner, banjo; Yvonne Price, harmonica and rhythm instruments; Jean Duncan, bass; Sandy Koseter, guitar; and Chris Clark, guitar, mountain dulcimer, autoharp, banjo uke and tin whistle). For information ring 788-8986 or 788-5143, or e-mail Illowa Folk Dance.

September 7-9 Ames: Tenth Annual Central Iowa Traditional Dance and Music Festival.

Featuring Glen & Judy Morningstar; music by Last Gaspe and Cecil's Harp. New location for 2007: the Collegiate United Methodist Annex, 130 S Sheldon Ave, Ames. Registration $85 ($75 before 1 September) at the website or Central Iowa Traditional Dance c/o Gayle Hoepner, 413 10th St, Ames, IA 50010. Contact lindasuzan@aol.com.

September 15 (Saturday) Decorah. Barn Dance at Highlandville School (follow link for directions), 7:30 PM. Admission $5. Callers Marcia Minear & Roger Alexander, live music by Western Home String Band. Ring Rachel Sandhorst at (563) 382-5280 for directions or more information.

September 21 (Friday) Ames. Scottish Country Dance Welcome Night, Octagon Center for the Arts, 5th & Burnett, Ames, 7:30 - 9:30 PM. Admission $5. No partner or experience needed. All dances taught and cued. Live music.

September 21-22 Iowa Tour by caller Tim Jenkins of Gays Mills, Wisconsin with The Porch Stompers

September 21 (Friday) Hey for Forty dance, Scattergood School, West Branch, 8 PM.

September 22 (Saturday) Ames. Central Iowa Barn Dance, 8:00 at The Annex, 130 S Sheldon, Ames.

September 22 (Saturday) Fairfield. Contradance at Morning Star Studio, 51½ S Court. Beginners' lessons 7:30, dance at 8:00. Caller Gail Hintze, music by The Ridgerunners.

September 22 Iowa City International Folk Dance. Arts a la Carte, corner of Clinton & Market, Iowa City. 7-9 PM; $2 donation requested.

October

October 6 (Saturday) Flynn Barn Dance at Living History Farms' Flynn Barn, Urbandale, Iowa. Sponsored by Flying Pig Fiddle & banjo. Dance 8-11 PM, admission $5.00. Caller Corey Mohan from Bayport, Minnesota with Live Southern Old-time Music by The Talking Fiddleheads and special guests Lee Guthrie, fiddle; and Dave Furniss, guitar. Contact by e-mail or call (515) 325-6439 or (515) 689-1434 for further info.

October 12 (Second Friday) Hey for Forty dance, Scattergood School, West Branch, 8 PM. Caller Gail Hintze, live music by Acoustic Mayhem.

October 13 (Saturday) Barn Dance, presented by the Onion Creek Band and Cloggers. Community Building, Story County Fairgrounds (South end of 1st Street), Nevada. Potluck supper, 6:00 pm. Dance, 7:30-10:30 pm. Admission: Free (donations appreciated). All ages welcome! No experience or partner necessary. All dances taught and called. Ring (515) 232-3319 or send email for more information.

October 26-27 Iowa Tour by caller Gail Hintze from Bishop Hill, Illinois with The Barn Owl Band.

October 26 (Friday) Fairfield. Contradance at Morning Star Studio, 51½ S Court. Beginners' lessons 7:30, dance at 8:00.

October 27 (Saturday) Ames. Central Iowa Barn Dance, 8:00 at The Annex, 130 S Sheldon, Ames.

October 27 (Saturday) Iowa City International Folk Dance. Arts a la Carte, corner of Clinton & Market, Iowa City. 7-9 PM; $2 donation requested.

November

November 2-4 (Friday to Sunday) Fairfield. Bare Necessities Advanced English Country Dance Weekend.

Fairfield, Iowa, Morning Star Studio, 51½ S Court. Caller Jacqueline Schwab with music by Bare Necessities (Peter Barnes, Earl Gaddis, Mary Lea & Jacqueline Schwab). Registration $109 full weekend, $99 before 1 Sep: or FFADC c/o PO Box 1321, Fairfield, Iowa 52556.

November 16 (Friday) Hey for Forty dance, Scattergood School, West Branch, 8 PM. Callers Marcia Minear & Roger Alexander from Ames, live music by The Good Old Way.

November 16-17 (Friday and Saturday) Muscatine Dulcimer and Dance Weekend

November 16 (Friday) Muscatine. Open Jam Session. Pearl Plaza Atrium, 210 W. 2nd St. Sponsored by 'Round the Bend Music.

November 17 (Saturday) Workshops with Rick Thum on hammered dulcimer: "Arranging Christmas Tunes for the Hammered Dulcimer." Muscatine Hotel Ballroom. Corner of Mississippi Dr. & Iowa St, 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon, and 1:00-4:00 PM. Cost $30.00 each or $55.00 for both.

November 17 (Saturday) Old Time Barn Dance 7:00 p.m. Muscatine Hotel Ballroom. Corner of Mississippi Dr. & Iowa St. Admission $5. Caller Melanie Foss, with music by Rick Thum on Hammered Dulcimer and the jam session band (those playing in the band admitted free).

For more info ring 'Round the Bend Music at (563) 288-4122, Melanie at (563) 260-7877 or Chris at (563) 260-797; or email Chris & Melanie.

November 17 (Saturday) Fairfield. Contradance at Morning Star Studio, 51½ S Court. Beginners' lesson 7:30, dance at 8:00. Admission $8 general; $4 students, MUM & seniors (65 or older), half price if you have never contra danced in Fairfield. Caller Nikki Herbst from Iowa City with live Celtic music by The Stones in the Field from Iowa City: Dennis Roseman (concertina, button accordion, bouzouki, banjo, and harmonica), Arianne Waseen (fiddle), Abram Doval (fiddle, wooden flute, mandolin, guitar), Dave Hicks (wooden flute, tin whistle, and guitar). Questions? Email Jack Engstrom, or ring (641) 469-5243 or (641) 469-2717.

November 24 (Saturday) Ames. Central Iowa Barn Dance, 8:00 at The Annex, 130 S Sheldon, Ames. Caller Lonna Nachtigal, live music by The Barn Owl Band with special guest Reggie Greenlaw.

November 24 (Saturday) Iowa City International Folk Dance. Arts a la Carte, corner of Clinton & Market, Iowa City. 7-9 PM; $2 donation requested.

November 30 (Friday) Ames. Scottish Country Dance (every) Friday night at the Octagon Center for the Arts in Ames (ongoing now for 19 years) 7:30 to 9:30 in the dance studio! Located at Fifth and Douglas, dance in second floor dance studio.

December

December 3 (Monday) Des Moines. Scottish Country Dance night at St. Luke's in Des Moines with live music by Cecil's Harp from 7:30 to 9:30, potluck to follow. Located at Beaver and Forest. Park behind the church, dance in the social hall on the second floor. We dance most Monday nights during the school year. Everyone welcome. No experience or partner needed. All dances are taught. Wear comfortable clothes and flexible soled shoes.

December 8 (Saturday) Fairfield. Contradance at Morning Star Studio, 51½ S Court. Beginners' lesson 7:30, dance at 8:00. Admission $8 general; $4 students, MUM & seniors (65 or older), half price if you have never contra danced in Fairfield. Caller "Kat" DiFoxfire from Columbia, Missouri with live music by Mooncoin: Brenda Knox, flute; Carol Carlisle, guitar; Dave Carlisle, fiddle; Rick Stanley, Celtic harp; and Claudine Stanley, bodhran. Info: email Jack Engstrom, or ring (641) 469-5243 or (641) 469-2717.

December 22 (Saturday) Iowa City International Folk Dance. Arts a la Carte, corner of Clinton & Market, Iowa City. 7-9 PM; $2 donation requested.

2008

January

January 18 (Friday) Hey for Forty dance, Scattergood School, West Branch, 8 PM. Caller Nikki Herbst, live music by The Gilded Bats.

January 19 (Saturday) Fairfield. Contradance at Morning Star Studio, 51½ S Court. Beginners' lesson 7:30, dance at 8:00. Admission $8 general; $4 students & fixed income. Caller Nikki Herbst from Iowa City with live music by The Gilded Bats: Norbert Sarsfield, fiddle, guitar; Andrew Epstein, banjo, jaw harp; Bill Bryant, guitar; and Chris Clark on washtub bass. Info: email Jack Engstrom, or ring (641) 469-5243 or (641) 469-2717.

January 26 (Saturday) Ames. Central Iowa Barn Dance, 8:00 at The CUMC Annex, 130 S Sheldon, Ames. Caller Lonna Nachtigal, music by The Barn Owl Band.

February

February 2 (Saturday) Decorah. Challenge Contra. Community Building, East Main St at the fair grounds, 8:00 PM. Admission $5. An evening of exciting, fast-paced contra dances for dancers who already know some basic contra dance figures. Robin Nelson calling with Western Home String Band.

February 15 (Friday) Hey for Forty dance, Scattergood School, West Branch, 8 PM. Caller Nikki Herbst, live music by Acoustic Mayhem.

February 16 (Saturday) Decorah Contra Dance. Community Building, East Main St at the fair grounds in Decorah. Admission $5/person, children under 12 free. Basics taught at 7:30, dance begins at 8 pm. Bill Deutsch calling with Western Home String Band.

February 16 (Saturday) Omaha (part of Greater Iowa). Benefit Dance of Habitat for Humanity of Omaha. Cary Hall, First United Methodist Church (70th and Cass), 7-10pm. Suggested donation $7 per person, but more or less will be cheerfully accepted. All proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity of Omaha.

The Rivertown String Band and Friends (Jim and Kathy Wood, Jenni Wallace, Sheryl Cuba, Marti Nerenstone and Mindy Hunke) will be on hand to provide lively dance music, while expert caller Eric Manley will teach and call all dances - squares, big circles, and contras. The band will throw in an occasional polka, hambo, waltz or schottische for your dancing enjoyment. No previous experience is required - every dance will be taught and called. Refreshments will be available, too.

February 23 (Saturday) Des Moines. Third Annual Scottish Country Dance Day School and Winter Dance. St. Luke's Episcopal Church, corner of Beaver and Forest, Des Moines. Admission $10 for the entire event. Workshops 9:00am to 4:00pm led by Gayle Hoepner and Linda Lieberman. Basic to intermediate level, no experience necessary. Potluck lunch.

Winter social dance 7:00-10:00pm including Maxwell's Rant, Domino Five, Silver Tassie, Monymusk, St. John's River, Andrew & Gordon Jig, Knit the Pocky, Torreyburn Lassies, De'il Among the Tailors (and more). Live music by Widdershins and friends: Gary and Linda Lieberman, Annie Grieshop, Andrew Vick.

February 23 (Saturday) Ames. Central Iowa Barn Dance, 8:00 at The Annex, 130 S Sheldon, Ames. Caller Lonna Nachtigal, live music by The Barn Owl Band.

February 23 (Saturday) Fairfield. Contradance at Morning Star Studio, 51½ S Court. Beginners' lesson 7:30, dance at 8:00. Admission $10 general; $5 students & fixed income. Fairfield caller Jennifer Hamilton with live music by Tim Britton, uilleann pipes; and guests from the Twin Cities Brian Miller, guitar; Norah Rendell, wooden flute. Info: email Jack Engstrom, or ring (641) 469-5243 or (641) 469-2717.

March

March 15 (Saturday) Decorah Contra Dance. Beau Farmer calling with Western Home String Band. Basics taught at 7:30, dance begins at 8 pm. Community Building, East Main St at the fair grounds in Decorah. Admission $5/person, children under 12 free.

March 21 (Friday) Hey for Forty dance, Scattergood School, West Branch, 8 PM. Caller Lonna Nachtigal from Ames, live music by Just 4 Fun.

March 29 (Fifth Saturday) Ames. Central Iowa Barn Dance, 8:00 at The Annex, 130 S Sheldon, Ames. Caller Roger Alexander, music by The Barn Owl Band.

April

Apri 5 (Saturday) Fairfield. Contradance at Morning Star Studio, 51½ S Court. Beginners' lesson 7:30, dance at 8:00. Admission $10 general; $5 students & fixed income. Caller Lonna Nachtigal from Ames, with live music by The Ridgerunners from Cedar Rapids: Bill Hart on fiddle, Gary Hart on banjo, Karen Pierce on hammered dulcimer; Pete Kies on guitar and mandolin, Dave Wallace on bass. Info: email Jack Engstrom, or ring (641) 469-5243 or (641) 469-2717.

April 18 (Friday) Hey for Forty dance, Scattergood School, West Branch, 8 PM. Caller Tim Jenkins from Gays Mills, Wisconsin, music by Pig in a Poke.

April 19 (Saturday) Decorah. Family Folk Dance. Robin Nelson calling with Western Home String Band, 4:30-6:30 pm at the Community Building: East Main St. at the Winneshiek County Fairground. Admission $10/family. Kids under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Questions? Contact Erik Sessions (563) 387-0837 or Beth Lynch (lynchbet@luther.edu).

April 26 (Saturday) Ames. Central Iowa Barn Dance, 8:00 at The CUMC Annex, 130 S Sheldon, Ames. Caller Lonna Nachtigal, music by The Barn Owl Band.

May

May 3 (Saturday) Decorah. Contra Dance at Highlandville School (follow link for directions). Admission $5/person, children under 12 free. David Kirchner calling with music by Contratopia. Basics taught at 7:30, dance begins at 8 pm.

May 3 (Saturday) Flynn Barn Dance at Living History Farms' Flynn Barn, Urbandale, Iowa. Sponsored by Flying Pig Fiddle & banjo. Dance 8-11 PM, admission $6.00. Caller Nate Kemperman of Boone, Iowa with Live Southern Old-time Music by The Talking Fiddleheads. Contact by e-mail or call (515) 325-6439 or (515) 689-1434 for further info.

May 3 (Saturday) Seventeenth Annual Ball, "An Evening of Scottish Country Dance in Celebration of Spring". Sponsored by Scottish Country Dancers of Central Iowa. Memorial Union, Iowa State University, Ames. Music by Highland Heart: Susie Petrov (piano, accordion) and Callum Pasqua (fiddle, guitar) (follow the link to the Ball for musician bios). See schedule for Friday Des Moines concert; Saturday music workshop, ball walk-thru, wildflower walk, reception and dinner; Sunday brunch and English Country Dance in the park. Further info: Linda or Gary Lieberman, (515) 292-8590 or lindasuzan@aol.com.

May 3 (Saturday) Fairfield. Morning Star ballroom, 2nd Floor at 51 S. Court St., on the East side of the downtown Square. Admission $10, $5 for students and seniors. Beginners' lesson 7:35pm, dance 8:00pm. Caller Jennifer Hamilton, from Fairfield, with music by 3/4 of the Gilded Bats from Iowa City. More info: Jack Engstrom (641) 469-5243.

May 16 (Friday) Hey for Forty dance, Scattergood School, West Branch, 8 PM. Caller Gail Hintze from Bishop Hill, Illinois, live music by The Good Old Way.

May 24 (Saturday) Ames. Central Iowa Barn Dance, 8:00 at The Annex, 130 S Sheldon, Ames. Caller TBA, music by TBA.

June

June 7 (Saturday) Flynn Barn Dance at Living History Farms' Flynn Barn, Urbandale, Iowa. Sponsored by Flying Pig Fiddle & banjo. Dance 8-11 PM, admission $6.00. Caller Deborah Hyland of St Louis, Missouri with Live Southern Old-time Music by The Talking Fiddleheads. Contact by e-mail or call (515) 325-6439 or (515) 689-1434 for further info.

June 28 (Saturday) Ames. Central Iowa Barn Dance, 8:00 at The Annex, 130 S Sheldon, Ames. Caller TBA, live music by TBA.

July 5 (Saturday) Flynn Barn Dance at Living History Farms' Flynn Barn, Urbandale, Iowa. Sponsored by Flying Pig Fiddle & banjo. Dance 8-11 PM, admission $6.00. Caller Dot Kent from Grayslake, Illinois with Live Southern Old-time Music by The Talking Fiddleheads and fiddler Chirps Smith. Contact by e-mail or call (515) 325-6439 or (515) 689-1434 for further info.

August 2 (Saturday) Flynn Barn Dance at Living History Farms' Flynn Barn, Urbandale, Iowa. Sponsored by Flying Pig Fiddle & banjo. Dance 8-11 PM, admission $6.00. Caller Shawn Glidden from St Paul, Minnesota with Live Southern Old-time Music by The Talking Fiddleheads. Contact by e-mail or call (515) 325-6439 or (515) 689-1434 for further info.

September 6 (Saturday) Flynn Barn Dance at Living History Farms' Flynn Barn, Urbandale, Iowa. Sponsored by Flying Pig Fiddle & banjo. Dance 8-11 PM, admission $6.00. Caller Jim Thaxter from Columbia, Missouri with Live Southern Old-time Music by The Talking Fiddleheads. Contact by e-mail or call (515) 325-6439 or (515) 689-1434 for further info.

October 4 (Saturday) Flynn Barn Dance at Living History Farms' Flynn Barn, Urbandale, Iowa. Sponsored by Flying Pig Fiddle & banjo. Dance 8-11 PM, admission $6.00. Caller Corey Mohan from Bayport, Minnesota with Live Southern Old-time Music by The Talking Fiddleheads, along with fiddler Lee Guthrie and guitarist Dave Furniss. Contact by e-mail or call (515) 325-6439 or (515) 689-1434 for further info.

Dance Series Sponsors

Central Iowa Barn Dance - established for enjoyment of American country dancing and old time music, featuring American squares and contradances, music by the Barn Owl Band ... no partner necessary. (Please wear clean shoes to preserve the floor.) Info: (515) 292-5587 or (515) 292-0117.

Hey for Forty dances at Scattergood Friends School in West Branch, 12 miles east of Iowa City. Dancing begins at 8:00 p.m. Admission $5. Singles and couples, beginners and veterans welcome. All dances taught and called. Contact Dan Treadway.

tfbd Barn Dances in a real barn! -- sponsored by Flying Pig Fiddle & Banjo. Enjoy the southern string band sound of Dave, Mary and Charlie. Squares, contras, waltzes, polkas, schottisches... taught and called. Call (515) 325-6349.

Central Iowa Traditional Dance Inc. sponsors the Central Iowa Traditional Dance and Music Festival in September in Ames.

Fairfield Dances are sponsored by Fairfield Folk Arts and Dance Co-op -- e-mail: Fairfolk@SomaStream.net.

Scottish Country Dancers of Central Iowa - traditional jigs, reels, and strathspeys of Scotland. No partner necessary. Annual Scottish Ball every spring. SCDCI participates in events throughout the midwest. Classes available -- various times and locations. Call (515) 233-6841 or (515) 292-8590

International Folk Dancers of Iowa City meet on the fourth Saturday every month, 7-9PM at Arts a la Carte, next door to "Old Brick" at Clinton and Market Streets. Iowa City.

Onion Creek Band and Cloggers -- a performing group since 1977, hosts of community dances since February, 1983. Contras, squares, circles, waltzes, polkas... all taught and called. Children and families welcome. Bring your instrument, join the band. OCC meets every Sunday to play music and dance. Old-time, flat-foot style clogging. call: (515) 232-3319 or (515) 292-5537

IDC International Dance Circle -- folk dances from around the world. First and Third Sunday evenings in Ames. For more information call (515) 292-7563 or (515) 233-6244

Omaha Contradances are held on Third Saturdays, 7:30-10:30 PM at the First Central Congregational Church, 36th & Harney (in the gym on the East side of the church, Northeast door), Omaha.
(Ya, I know it's in Nebraska, not Iowa, but it's just across the river!) Admission $5 adult, supervised children free. Contact by e-mail or 551-5275 or Carol Gilbert at 391-4765.

This dance calendar is brought to you by The Central Iowa Barn Dance Association. Last updated 2008 May 4.

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