This year we are alternating Fourth Fridays at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 55 Pleasant Avenue, Lancaster, NY and           Second Saturdays at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo, 695 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14222

links to maps of locations on the dance schedule tab.

Band and caller set up at the “head” of the hall, both locations are wheelchair accessible.

A QCCD member will be available to open doors and direct set up at 6:15pm.  If you need to come at 6pm, let us know.

If you’ve studied our schedule, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us.  

We’re always interested in new or out-of-town callers and bands!

Queen City Contra Dancers attendance ranges from 20-60 dancers in an evening.  There is the usual range of experience in our dancers,  from some very experienced dancers to the perennial beginner, most are good competent dancers. We like to start the dancing at 7pm.  However, if there are “newbies”, we ask that the caller spend 15-20 minutes teaching some basic calls to make them feel more confident.

Callers:

We have no official policy regarding dance role identifiers and have danced to the use of Larks & Robins, Left & Right as well as Gents & Ladies. Our member dancers are familiar with proper, improper, and becket dances as well as squares.  We are strong in traditional dance moves such as allemandes, do-si-dos and swings and have had some experience with Hey’s, Rory O’Mores, Ocean Waves, Contra Corners and Grand Squares. Please plan on teaching some of these figures during the walk through and for some a second walk through is appreciated.  You will need to make your own assessment of the floor on your evening, but feel free to consult with an organizer regarding this.  If callers need to teach basics at 7 pm, it  is suggested that you cover allemande, do-si-do, swing, stars, ladies chain, courtesy turn, and right & left through.

Bands:

Unless other plans are made, our booker or set up crew will meet you at the church at 6:15pm.  We have a 12 input mixing board and amplifier with 2 speakers, 2 floor monitors, 6 mic stands but no floor mic stand. There are 6 microphones – 5 instrumental and 1 cabled vocal microphone.  We have a wireless vocal mic as well. Our dedicated sound person will be at the hall no later than 6:30 pm to assist with set up and get the sound check done.  We prefer the sound be completed by 7 pm prior to the basics lesson.  If you need warm up time please use the time before 7 for this. If the caller would like music for basics they will discuss this with you, but it is not expected.

12 input mix board and amplifier, 2 loudspeakers; 2 monitor speakers; 6 instrument mike stands, but no floor level mike stand; 6 pretty good quality mikes—5 instrumental and caller; mic cables. If you need more, please tell us in advance. We have a designated sound person for set-up and tear down. If you are planning on bringing components to use in place of ours, please let us know because we will endeavor to have the system more or less set up when you arrive.

QCCD may be able to supply overnight accommodations.  Check with us if you need lodgings, no guarantees.

The dance begins at 7:00pm and ends at 10:00pm. Basics should start at 7:00pm if needed. Depending on the dances you will generally be able to do about 12 dances in the evening. A 15 min break typically occurs near 8:30pm. 

There are typically 2 waltzes in the evening: 1 before the break and 1 at the end of the evening.  We have some who polka and if you would like to substitute one for a waltz it is a welcome change.

Yes, we pay our performers!

Payment is discussed at booking. If you have questions or concerns please discuss this with the booker.