Colorado Friends Of Old Time
Music And Dance

We're a non-profit organization bringing live music and community dances including Contra Dance and English Country Dance to the Denver and Boulder metro area!

No experience needed! Nearly all of our dances include a free lesson. Whether you're 9 or 90, single or coupled, everyone is welcome to join our vibrant, intergenerational community.

For more info see the FAQs ↓

🎵 Upcoming Events

Jun 01, 2026 ( 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM )
Music Jam
Price: Free
Call to Confirm (303) 777-6259
Location: Sloan Lake Area - ., Denver, CO
Jun 05, 2026 ( 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM (Lesson: 7:00 PM ) )
Band: Avourneen
Callers: Tina Fields, Lisa Dermer
Role Terms: Callers Choice
Price: Free
Location: Avalon Ballroom - 6185 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80303
Note: Thanks to a Generous sponsor
Jun 06, 2026 ( 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM (Lesson: 6:15 PM ) )
FoTD Contra Dance
Band: Questionable Decisions (Harmoney Tucker, Ed Secor, Nathan Johnson)
Caller: TBD _
Role Terms: Callers Choice
Price: Sliding scale $10 - $15 — $5 less for students
Location: Christ United Methodist Church - 301 Drake E. Drake Rd, Ft Collins, CO 80525
Jun 12, 2026 ( 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM (Lesson: 7:00 PM ) )
Band: Cask and Chisel
Caller: Helle Hill
Role Terms: Callers Choice
Price: $15 Non-Member, $12 Member and FoTD/BDC, $10 Student, 12 and under free.
Location: Wheatridge Grange - 3850 High Ct, Wheatridge, CO 80033
Jun 13, 2026 ( 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM )
Band: Buffleheads (Joel Hayes, Ed Secor, Rodney Sauer)
Caller: Paul Somlo
Role Terms: Larks and Robins
Price: $15 Non-Member, $12 Member and FoTD/BDC, $10 Student, 12 and under free.
Location: Avalon - Tango Studio - 6185 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80303
Jun 19, 2026 ( 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM (Lesson: 7:00 PM ) )
Band: Tina Gugeler, Julia Hays, Ben Cohen
Caller: Ed Hall
Role Terms: Callers Choice
Price: $15 Non-Member, $12 Member and FoTD/BDC, $10 Student, 12 and under free.
Location: Avalon Ballroom - 6185 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80303
Jun 20, 2026 ( 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM (Lesson: 6:15 PM ) )
FoTD Contra Dance
Band: Julie Hays, Ben Cohen
Caller: Helle Hill
Role Terms: Callers Choice
Price: Sliding scale $10 - $15 — $5 less for students
Location: Christ United Methodist Church - 301 Drake E. Drake Rd, Ft Collins, CO 80525
Jun 26, 2026 ( 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM )
Band: Rodney Sauer, Deb Carstensen, Steve Winograd
Caller: TBD _
Role Terms: Callers Choice
Price: Sliding scale $5 - $15
Location: Avalon - Tango Studio - 6185 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80303
We accept cash, checks, PayPal, and Venmo for dance admission and donations.
For more events check out our calendar.
Dancers

We love welcoming new and experienced dancers. We're glad you're here! 💜

Dancers

🤝 Our community is inclusive, intergenerational, and always welcoming!

Upcoming Special Events

Rendezvous

Sep 04, 2026 – Sep 07, 2026
Bands: River Road, Dam Beavers
Callers: ,
Prices:
  • $200.00 - Standard Registration
  • $190.00 - CFOOTMAD Member
  • $100.00 - Under 35
  • $35.00 - Non-dancer or under 18
Location: Avalon Ballroom
Note: $25 for Sunday night only

Frequently Asked Questions

💃 What is Contra?

Contra dance is a social folk dance in which couples form long lines and move through repeated patterns guided by a caller and live music.

Contra dance is a partner-based folk dance where dancers form long lines of couples facing each other. Each couple interacts with neighboring couples as they progress up and down the line, performing a series of figures such as swings, allemande, circles, stars, chains, and do-si-dos. The dance is led by a caller, who teaches the sequence before the music begins and may continue calling during the dance to guide participants.

Structure and Participation

  • Formation: Couples stand opposite each other in longways sets or sometimes squares.
  • Progression: As the dance continues, couples move along the line, dancing with new neighbors in each round.
  • Figures: Each dance consists of 6–12 figures, repeated in a pattern that typically lasts 64 beats.
  • Accessibility: No prior experience or fixed footwork is required. Participants can join without a partner, and the social nature encourages interaction with different dancers.

Music and Atmosphere

Contra dances are usually accompanied by live music, often featuring fiddles, guitars, banjos, mandolins, or pianos, with styles including Irish, Scottish, old-time, bluegrass, and French-Canadian folk tunes. The dance emphasizes community, cooperation, and shared rhythm, creating a welcoming and social environment.

Origins and Cultural Context

Contra dance has mixed origins from English country dance, Scottish country dance, and French contredanse styles dating back to the 17th century. It became particularly popular in New England and Appalachian regions of the United States. The term "contra" reflects its historical connection to the French "contredanse" and English country dance traditions.

Key Takeaways

  • Contra dance is participatory, not performative, focusing on social interaction and enjoyment.
  • It is easy to learn, with guidance from a caller and repetitive patterns.
  • The dance fosters a sense of community, making it a popular activity at festivals, folk clubs, and local events.
What is English Country Dance?

English country dance is a traditional form of social dance that originated in England during the Renaissance. It is characterized by its lively and interactive nature, allowing multiple couples to participate in a variety of formations and figures.

Key Features

  • Formations: Dances are typically performed in longways sets, circular formations, or geometric shapes like squares and triangles.
  • Figures: Dancers execute a series of predefined patterns which can range from simple to complex. Common figures include circles, heys, and hands across.
  • Caller: A caller guides the dancers through the figures, making it accessible for beginners. No prior experience is necessary.

Historical Context

  • Popularity: English country dancing was popular among both the upper classes and rural communities from the mid-1500s to the early 19th century.
  • Revival: The dance saw a revival in the 20th century, largely due to the efforts of figures like Cecil Sharp, who collected and preserved traditional dances.

Modern Practice

  • Inclusivity: Dancers often change partners throughout the evening, promoting interaction among participants. It is common to see a mix of experienced dancers and newcomers.
  • Music: The dances are accompanied by a variety of music styles, including traditional folk tunes and contemporary compositions.

English country dance remains a vibrant community activity, celebrated for its fun and social nature.

🐦 What are Larks and Robins?

In contra dance, "Larks" and "Robins" are gender-neutral roles replacing "Gents" and "Ladies" — Larks stand on the left and Robins on the right during dance formations.

  • 🌿 Inclusivity: They separate dance roles from gender identity, making the dance welcoming for LGBTQ+ participants and anyone who prefers a role different from their gender presentation.
  • 🌿 Role Flexibility: Dancers can switch roles mid-dance without confusion, as the terms indicate position rather than gender.
  • 🌿 Accessibility: Children and families can dance together more easily, and dancers can choose the role that suits them best.
  • 🌿 Clarity for Beginners: Larks are on the left, Robins on the right — a simple way to quickly find your place on the dance floor.
👕 What should I wear?
  • Comfortable, cool clothes that allow for movement
  • Comfortable shoes. Choose shoes that are easy to turn in, and avoid flip-flops, 3-inch heels, clogs, or anything that could slip off or make turning difficult. Do not wear shoes with hard black soles that can mar the dance floors.
👟 What is Your Shoe Policy?

Only clean, non-marking shoes are permitted to preserve our host's floor. Please thoroughly clean the soles of the shoes you will use for dancing and carry them in. This is a good practice for any dance floor.

👥 Do I need to bring a partner?

No partner required! You'll dance with many different people throughout the evening.

👶 Are children welcome?

Absolutely! Children are welcome. Kids under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Dancers

⚡ High-energy & beginner-friendly! Free lessons included! 🎓

Dancers

🛡️ A welcoming, safe, and respectful community for all! ✨

🤝 Our Code of Conduct

No form of harassment or discrimination will be tolerated at CFOOTMAD events.

At CFOOTMAD events, we expect all participants to be:

🌈 Inclusive

We ask a variety of people to dance and use pronouns respectfully.

💖 Welcoming

We respect boundaries, give grace when mistakes happen, and are kind to all.

🛡️ Safe

We prioritize consent, ask about flourishes, and speak up when uncomfortable.