awesome gender-free contra dancing
“Last night's dance was seriously some of the most fun, chill, welcoming and open dancing I've been to in a super long time. I feel so lucky to live in a community that can create this kind of vibe. And, I got my contra and club dancing done all in one night.” -TC
Find Out MoreContra Dance is a form of community dance. No partner is necessary. PDX Contra Remix is a gender-free community of contra dancers. We use LARKS and ROBINS to signify what is often referred to as the Gents and Ladies or Lead and Follow roles in partner dancing.
Dance Culture
Contra Remix is a queer loving, intergenerational dance series that focuses on ecstatic, joyful dance connection and asking everyone in our community to own the culture we each create. Anyone who can get down with this is welcome. Gender neutral terms are used when teaching and calling dances. No fragrances - especially mint!
Music
Genres include House music around the world, High driving Electro Swing, Latin & Remix Pop, Reggaeton, Melodic Techno, Funk, Alt Indigenous, and a medley of genre bending magical music to tantalize your body's emoticons.
Lights
Lighting is dimmed lower than a traditional dance but is intended to still be visible. We use the white lantern lights & string lights of our hall at a little less than half luminescence as well as lasers & colored floods, some of which bleepy-bloop with the music.
Floor
A deliciously smooth wooden floor in the main hall of the Academy. Warm feel & comfortable on the feet & knees.
Callers
Noah Grunzweig is the house caller. Callers interested in cultivating our language &/or cultural agreements at our dance are encouraged to reach out to Noah.
DJ's
DJ Contra Kitty is our House DJ, and we have guest DJ's both in person & virtually, though the playlist.
Lesson
We do have an introduction to culture & dance at 6:30.
UPDATE: MASKS ARE REQUIRED AT SUNDAY'S DANCE!
In our enthusiasm to restart Remix, we jumped the gun a little bit on relaxing the Covid masking protocol. After contacting the CDC and engaging some online discussion, we have decided we don’t have enough information yet to drop the mask requirements and depend on rapid tests instead. Please bring your mask and plan to wear it at the dance.
Our aim is to take care of each other as a community and to have fun dancing together. We want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to enthusiastically consent to the risk level at the dance and to advocate for and negotiate the community dancing experience they want. We will bring our vision for care and community in this context to you at the dance and like we always do at Remix, we will muddle our way through together.
Norse Hall upstairs @ 111 NE 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97232
Norse Hall upstairs
111 NE 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97232
6:30pm community welcome & lesson | dance until 10
$6 - $20 sliding scale
or ask about volunteering
Check Facebook for the most up-to-date info.
Join our Facebook group to keep in touch and hear about events.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/pdxcontraremix
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or feedback.
[email protected]
Noah (caller, dj, organizer)
[email protected]
Jaydra (organizer)
[email protected]
Mike (website)
