The Chicago Barn Dance Company
Contra and Square dancing in the Chicago metro area.
Events for June & July.

 
Click here for a "monthly calendar" view of our dances.

Monday Nights This Summer
Our Monday ngiht dances this summer will be held alternately at Portage Park Cultural Center and Bethany United Church of Christ, with one dance (June 30th) held in Evanston at SPACE.

Warrenville / Fermilab
The Warrenville dances are held from September — June at the Warrenville Community Building at 3S240 Warren Ave., Warrenville, Illinois.   For more information check out the Fermilab Folkclub web site or call 630-761-0599. 

English Country Dances
Challenge yourself with English dancing – contra-type dancing at a more sedate pace, with both familiar and unusual figures.  For info call Tom Senior at 847-784-6739 or drop Tom an email message at seniort@newtrier.k12.il.us.

Hyde Park
Dances sponsored by the University of Chicago Folk Arts Community.  Usually the first Saturday of each month.  Click here for more information.

Guest & Local Talent ~ Monday Nights

June 2  (Portage Park)  —  Fred Campeau leads the Money Creek Boys down this musical creek filled so richly with the sound of Old Time Music, it'll have you dancing the night away.  You'll wish you were standing in the middle of a creek soothing your tired feet, only this is the Musical Money Creek, so rest your feet when you get home!  Big Bill Sudkamp will have us all dancing in the right direction.

June 9th  (Bethany)  —  Dan Gellert & Friends.  Mark your calendar, tell your friends, polish your shoes, and twinkle your toes....  Dan Gellert, a legend in Old Time American Music, is coming to town to kick-off the summer season!  This is an event not to be missed.  Paul Watkins will be sure to call some smooth dances.

June 16  (Portage Park)  —  The Cosmic Otters:  Jonathan Whitall and Meg Dedolph, plus supplementary otter Ed Wallace (and two stuffed groupie otters) offer the entertainment for the evening. This musical trio (or should I say "significant otters") will pack the floor so be sure to get there early to reserve your space! Accompanied by the lilting calls of Tom Senior.

June 23 (Bethany)  —  The man, the myth, the legend himself:  mighty rhythm ace Steve Rosen (and Friends) a.k.a. "Jack of all trades, master of the lot", rounds up a top-drawer supporting cast for a first-class musical evening.  So much talent, so many instruments, which one will he choose?  Calling with clear instructions from Lisa Ornstein.

June 30  (SPACE in Evanston)  —  Patt & Possum.  Charlie "Possum" Walden highly decorated fiddle-meister, teams up with Patt Plunkett to play favorite big tall, Missouri-style tunes.  He plays 'em fast, he plays 'em fun, so don't miss this foot-stomp'n, yee-haw'n (yes, they do that in Illinois too, not just Missouri) night of awesome dance music.  Calling by Bill Sudkamp.  And we're trying out a new SPACE in Evanston for contra dancing - come on out, fill out a survey and let us know what you think.

July 7th  (Portage Park)  —  Join the Flyboys Paul Tyler, Fred Campeau and assorted other flatlanders for a night you won't soon forget.  These musicians revel in bringing you high energy old time music bound to leave you toothless...OH...I mean breathless!  Old-timer Eric Zorn will provide some traditional calling.

July 14th  (Bethany)  —  Jordan, Michelle and Walter of Dr. Hojka's Medicine Show perform an energizing blend of old-time music.  Dr. H. prescribes one fun-filled night of dancing; possible side effects include non-stop smiles, tunes in your head and tired feet on Tuesday.  Can somebody please call the Doctor!  The talented and lovely Lisa Ornstein is your caller.

July 21st  (Portage Park)  —  Joe, Sam & Jerry.  Where there's smoke, there's fire.  Join Smok'n-Joe and his friends for a night of first-class, top-notch, bring-on-the-heat, danceable music for a night you won't soon forget.  If you think this guy has a lot of syllables in his name, you should see how many smooth tunes he can play on his fiddle!  Dance instructor, Jo Mortland calls with possible guest appearances by ???

July 28th  (Bethany)  —  White Mule:  Genevieve Harrison, the shining star fiddler is joined by friends Smith & Paul to bring us dazzling music.  The talent shines so brightly from this group, you might want to bring your glasses and sunscreen.  Accomplished and erudite dance scholar Tom Senior will call.

Mostly Squares ~ Saturdays

June 21st  (Portage Park)  —  Spend a Saturday night on the dance floor to the fast-paced strains of White Mule musicians Genevieve Harrison, Smith Koester and Paul Harnik.  Bill Sudkamp calls mostly squares this Saturday.

July 19th  (Portage Park)  —  Ever seen a White Mule dance a Grand Square?  Big Bill Sudkamp promises to call one if you come, along with other circle and square dances.

Waltzing in SPACE

June 22nd  (Sunday Night at SPACE in Evanston)  —  Waltz Workshop - Waltzing in SPACE.  Sunday evening there will be a Waltz Playshop in Evanston at S.P.A.C.E., 7 PM to 10pm. with an all volunteer band.  Bring a potluck dessert and join us to play the night away.  If you would like to play waltz music in a group, bring your instrument!  As a bonus, there will be a mini play-shop on the cross-over waltz moves shown to several of us a few weeks ago.  (aka "right foot lead" move).