January 17: Stepping Stones & John Rogers
2025-01-17 19:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | United Church of Gainesville, 1624 NW 5th Avenue, Gainesville, FL, 32603, United States
G.O.D.S. Dance!
The Stepping Stones & John Rogers
Our January dance will be Friday the 17th.
Please Note: For this dance we will be dancing at the United Church of Gainesville.
1624 NW 5th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32603
Note: Start time for this dance is 7:00pm!
John will be calling contra dances to the live music of
The Stepping Stones!

The Stepping Stones are:
* Robin Osgood on fiddle; and
* Norman Rodham on guitar.
Friday, January 17, 2025
Times:
7:00 – 10:00 pm
Dance Location (for this dance):
United Church of Gainesville
1624 NW 5th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32603
Schedule:
6:00pm - 7:00 - Setup
7:00pm - 9:45pm - Introductory workshop & Contra Dance
9:45 – 10:15pm — Cleanup
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Suggested Donation:
$10 (ages 26+)
$5 (ages 16-25)
Dancers ages 15 & under get in FREE when accompanied by an adult.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
• Please bring your own non-alcoholic beverage.
• This is a friendly welcoming recreational activity and all are welcome.
• No partner or experience is necessary.
Contra dancing is fun and we’ll teach you how.
• No special dress is required.
Wear comfortable, casual attire & soft-soled non-marking shoes.
• Smoking and/or alcoholic beverages are not allowed at our dances.

February 21: Andy Kane & The Little Mercies
2025-02-21 19:00 - 22:00
Feb 21: Andy Kane & The Little Mercies
Caller Andy Kane
United Church of Gainesville
1624 NW 5th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32603
Start time is 7:00 pm!

The Little Mercies are:

Rosalee Walsh- Fiddle, banjo;
Shanice Richards – fiddle, guitar; and
Bronwyn Chelette – double bass, guitar, banjo

Times:
7:00 – 10:00 pm
Dance Venue:
United Church of Gainesville
1624 NW 5th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32603
Schedule:
6:00pm - 7:00 - Setup
7:00pm - 9:45pm - Introductory workshop & Contra Dance
9:45 – 10:15pm — Cleanup
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Suggested Donation:
$10 (ages 26+)
$5 (ages 16-25)
Dancers ages 15 & under get in FREE when accompanied by an adult.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
• Please bring your own non-alcoholic beverage.
• This is a friendly welcoming recreational activity and all are welcome.
• No partner or experience is necessary.
Contra dancing is fun and we’ll teach you how.
• No special dress is required.
Wear comfortable, casual attire & soft-soled non-marking shoes.
• Smoking and/or alcoholic beverages are not allowed at our dances.

March 21: Joe DePaolo & The Dune Hoppers
2025-03-21 19:00 - 22:00
March 21: Joe DePaolo & The Dune Hoppers

Joe De Paolo from New York will be calling contra dances to the live music of The Dunehoppers from St Augustine on Friday 21 March 2025..
The Dunehoppers are:

Bob Parsons on mandolin,
Kathy Zemanek on banjo,
Mike Elias on guitar,
Janine Rainville on bass, and
Allen Hood on fiddle.

United Church of Gainesville
1624 NW 5th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32603
Times:
7:00 – 10:00 pm
Dance Location
United Church of Gainesville
1624 NW 5th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32603
Schedule:
6:00pm - 7:00 - Setup
7:00pm - 9:45pm - Introductory workshop & Contra Dance
9:45 – 10:15pm — Cleanup
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Suggested Donation:
$10 (ages 26+)
$5 (ages 16-25)
Dancers ages 15 & under get in FREE when accompanied by an adult.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
• Please bring your own non-alcoholic beverage.
• This is a friendly welcoming recreational activity and all are welcome.
• No partner or experience is necessary.
Contra dancing is fun and we’ll teach you how.
• No special dress is required.
Wear comfortable, casual attire & soft-soled non-marking shoes.
• Smoking and/or alcoholic beverages are not allowed at our dances.

Al Rogers Memorial Dance with Vicki Morrison & The Wind That Shakes the Barley
2025-05-04 14:00 - 17:00
Al Rogers Memorial Dance
featuring The Wind that Shakes the Barley
A celebration of the contra and English country dances that Al Rogers loved to dance and call
Vicki Morrison will guide you through both easy and challenging contra dances.

Annette Merritt and Randy Thorp will call some of Al’s favorite English country dances.

The Wind That Shakes The Barley is:
• Bill Dudley – guitar
• Kathie Aagaard – fiddle
• Sarah Mitchell – flute, hammered dulcimer, penny whistle, percussion
• Wes Maluk – mandonlin, banjo
Callers:

Vicki Morrison
Randy Thorp
Annette Merritt

A celebration of life for the late Al Rogers, Dance Angel extraordinaire and friend to every dancer he ever met. We invite all contra and English country dancers who may have known the late great Al Rogers to join us in our annual celebration of the dances that Al loved to call and dance to.

If you knew Al Rogers (and even if you didn’t know Al), be sure to circle the date on your calendar: Sunday 4 May from 2 to 5 pm at United Church of Gainesville.

United Church of Gainesville
1624 NW 5th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32603
Times:
2:00 – 5:00 pm
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Suggested Donation:
This event is a fundraiser so that Al’s gift grows and continues for years to come. The suggested donation for this special dance event is $20, though, as always, no one will be turned away.
$10-20 (ages 26+)
$5-10 (ages 16-25)
Dancers ages 15 & under get in FREE when accompanied by an adult.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
• Please bring your own non-alcoholic beverage.
• This is a friendly welcoming recreational activity and all are welcome.
• No partner or experience is necessary.
Contra dancing is fun and we’ll teach you how.
• No special dress is required.
Wear comfortable, casual attire & soft-soled non-marking shoes.
• Smoking and/or alcoholic beverages are not allowed at our dances.

Drew Thomas & Katie’s Contradiction
2025-06-20 19:00 - 22:00
Drew Thomas & Katie’s Contradiction
Drew Thomas & Katie’s Contradiction is:

Pete Sucsy on banjo;
Eleta Sucsy on penny whistle & djembe;
Gary Zimmerman on fiddle;
Tim Stevens on guitar; and
Bill Paine on mandolin.

Drew Thomas of Tallahassee will be your caller.
Caller Drew Thomas of Tallahassee

July 18: Andy Kane and The Dementors
2025-07-18 19:00 - 22:00
Andy Kane and The Dementors

The Dementors are:

Tim Stevens – bass, guitar
Pat Stevens – guitar/ banjo
Karan Newman – mandolin, bass
Garrett Alvar – banjo/ guitar

Caller Andy Kane

Times:
7:00 – 10:00 pm
Dance Venue:
United Church of Gainesville
1624 NW 5th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32603
Schedule:
6:00pm - 7:00 - Setup
7:00pm - 9:45pm - Introductory workshop & Contra Dance
9:45 – 10:15pm — Cleanup
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Suggested Donation:
$10 (ages 26+)
$5 (ages 16-25)
Dancers ages 15 & under get in FREE when accompanied by an adult.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
• Please bring your own non-alcoholic beverage.
• This is a friendly welcoming recreational activity and all are welcome.
• No partner or experience is necessary.
Contra dancing is fun and we’ll teach you how.
• No special dress is required.
Wear comfortable, casual attire & soft-soled non-marking shoes.
• Smoking and/or alcoholic beverages are not allowed at our dances.

Jonathan King & Wind that Shakes the Barley
2025-08-15 19:00 - 22:00
The Wind that Shakes the Barley
Called by Jonathan L. King

The Wind that Shakes the Barley is:
• Bill Dudley – guitar
• Kathie Aagaard – fiddle
• Sarah Mitchell – flute, hammered dulcimer, penny whistle, percussion
Times:
7:00 – 10:00 pm
Dance Venue:
United Church of Gainesville
1624 NW 5th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32603
Schedule:
6:00pm - 7:00 - Setup
7:00pm - 9:45pm - Introductory workshop & Contra Dance
9:45 – 10:15pm — Cleanup
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Suggested Donation:
$10 (ages 26+)
$5 (ages 16-25)
Dancers ages 15 & under get in FREE when accompanied by an adult.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
• Please bring your own non-alcoholic beverage.
• This is a friendly welcoming recreational activity and all are welcome.
• No partner or experience is necessary.
Contra dancing is fun and we’ll teach you how.
• No special dress is required.
Wear comfortable, casual attire & soft-soled non-marking shoes.
• Smoking and/or alcoholic beverages are not allowed at our dances.

Coral Riff & Angela DeCarlis
2025-09-19 19:00 - 22:00
☠️ Contra Dance Like a Pirate! ☠️
with the Gainesville Oldtime Dance Society (G.O.D.S.)

Coral Riff & Ang DeCarlis

Avast ye landlubbers!
Hoist your colors, don your finest tricorn hat or flowing red sash, and join us for a rollicking evening of contra dancing to lively tunes. Whether you be a seasoned deck-dancer or stepping aboard for the first time, fear not—we’ll teach ye the moves. No partner or prior experience needed. All are welcome on this friendly, welcoming ship
Coral Riff is:

Sarah Mitchell – flute/ penny whistle, hammered dulcimer, concertina, foot percussion
Kathie Aagaard – fiddle
Wes Maluk – tenor banjo, mandolin, percussion
Sherry Mattos – keyboard

Captain Ang will be barking the orders
Times:
7:00 – 10:00 pm
Dance Venue:
United Church of Gainesville
1624 NW 5th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32603
Schedule:
6:00pm - 7:00 - Setup
7:00pm - 9:45pm - Introductory workshop & Contra Dance
9:45 – 10:15pm — Cleanup
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Suggested Donation:
$10 (ages 26+)
$5 (ages 16-25)
Dancers ages 15 & under get in FREE when accompanied by an adult.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
• Please bring your own non-alcoholic beverage.
• This is a friendly welcoming recreational activity and all are welcome.
• No partner or experience is necessary.
Contra dancing is fun and we’ll teach you how.
• No special dress is required.
Wear comfortable, casual attire & soft-soled non-marking shoes.
• Smoking and/or alcoholic beverages are not allowed at our dances.

Techno Party Dance with Katie Zanders
2025-10-17 19:00 - 22:00
Halloween Techno Contra Party Dance with Katie Zanders
Step into a night of music, mystery, and movement at the Halloween Techno Contra Party Dance with Katie Zanders. This special contra-fusion event transforms the dance floor into a costumed celebration, blending traditional contra steps with the pulse of techno beats. With lights, sound, and spirited company provided by the incomparable Chad Young, it’s a chance to revel in the season’s playfulness while giving your favorite costume a whirl.

Expect a lively mix of haunting rhythms and high-energy calling as Katie Zanders leads dancers through patterns that are both familiar and freshly reimagined. The Halloween theme adds an extra spark—whether you come dressed as a ghost, a ghoul, or something entirely your own, the night promises revelry, laughter, and the magic of dancing together in disguise.
Caller Katie Zanders
Times:
7:00 – 10:00 pm
Dance Venue:
United Church of Gainesville
1624 NW 5th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32603
Schedule:
6:00pm - 7:00 - Setup
7:00pm - 9:45pm - Introductory workshop & Contra Dance
9:45 – 10:15pm — Cleanup
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Suggested Donation:
$10 (ages 26+)
$5 (ages 16-25)
Dancers ages 15 & under get in FREE when accompanied by an adult.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
• Please bring your own non-alcoholic beverage.
• This is a friendly welcoming recreational activity and all are welcome.
• No partner or experience is necessary.
Contra dancing is fun and we’ll teach you how.
• No special dress is required.
Wear comfortable, casual attire & soft-soled non-marking shoes.
• Smoking and/or alcoholic beverages are not allowed at our dances.

Nov 21: Contra Fusion & Joe DePaolo
2025-11-21 19:00 - 22:00
Contra Fusion & Joe DePaolo

Contra Fusion is:

Roger Reep, saxophone
Darren Burgess, guitar
Andrew Driscoll, violin
Diane Schulbach, keyboard

Caller Joe DePaolo
Times:
7:00 – 10:00 pm
Dance Venue:
United Church of Gainesville
1624 NW 5th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32603
Schedule:
6:00pm - 7:00 - Setup
7:00pm - 9:45pm - Introductory workshop & Contra Dance
9:45 – 10:15pm — Cleanup
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Suggested Donation:
$10 (ages 26+)
$5 (ages 16-25)
Dancers ages 15 & under get in FREE when accompanied by an adult.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
• Please bring your own non-alcoholic beverage.
• This is a friendly welcoming recreational activity and all are welcome.
• No partner or experience is necessary.
Contra dancing is fun and we’ll teach you how.
• No special dress is required.
Wear comfortable, casual attire & soft-soled non-marking shoes.
• Smoking and/or alcoholic beverages are not allowed at our dances.

Alice Raibourn & The Mystic Gorillas
2025-12-19 19:00 - 22:00
Alice Raibourne & The Mystic Gorillas
Contra dance caller Alice Raibourn
The Mystic Gorillas are:

Roger Eudy on guitar
Buz Sibley on fiddle
Lloyd Baldwin on banjo and fiddle

Times:
7:00 – 10:00 pm
Dance Venue:
United Church of Gainesville
1624 NW 5th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32603
Schedule:
6:00pm - 7:00 - Setup
7:00pm - 9:45pm - Introductory workshop & Contra Dance
9:45 – 10:15pm — Cleanup
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Suggested Donation:
$10 (ages 26+)
$5 (ages 16-25)
Dancers ages 15 & under get in FREE when accompanied by an adult.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
• Please bring your own non-alcoholic beverage.
• This is a friendly welcoming recreational activity and all are welcome.
• No partner or experience is necessary.
Contra dancing is fun and we’ll teach you how.
• No special dress is required.
Wear comfortable, casual attire & soft-soled non-marking shoes.
• Smoking and/or alcoholic beverages are not allowed at our dances.

Jonathan King & Coral Riff
2026-01-16 19:00 - 22:00
Jonathan King & Coral Riff

Coral Riff is:

Sarah Mitchell – flute/ penny whistle, hammered dulcimer, concertina, foot percussion
Kathie Aagaard – fiddle
Wes Maluk – tenor banjo, mandolin, percussion
Sherry Mattos – keyboard

Times:
7:00 – 10:00 pm
Dance Venue:
United Church of Gainesville
1624 NW 5th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32603
Schedule:
6:00pm - 7:00 - Setup
7:00pm - 9:45pm - Introductory workshop & Contra Dance
9:45 – 10:15pm — Cleanup
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Suggested Donation:
$10 (ages 26+)
$5 (ages 16-25)
Dancers ages 15 & under get in FREE when accompanied by an adult.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
• Please bring your own non-alcoholic beverage.
• This is a friendly welcoming recreational activity and all are welcome.
• No partner or experience is necessary.
Contra dancing is fun and we’ll teach you how.
• No special dress is required.
Wear comfortable, casual attire & soft-soled non-marking shoes.
• Smoking and/or alcoholic beverages are not allowed at our dances.
