The Lawrence Barn Dance Association

The Lawrence Barn Dance Association (LBDA) organizes contra dances, workshops, and special events in the Lawrence, Kansas area with the goal of promoting community through dance and music, and having fun in the process! Those of you who have never contra danced before may wish to check out Gary Shapiro's page which answers What is Contra Dancing?  If you can handle a fairly big download (2.2MB), click here to see a video clip of contra dancing (from our 2001 dance weekend with Kathy Anderson and the Groovemongers).

Regular Events

The LBDA holds a regular contra dance, usually on the third saturday of the month. Beginners are always welcome at these dances. When a month has five saturdays, we add a "Blue Moon" dance for more experienced dancers only on the fifth saturday, in addition to the regular dance. In order to avoid schedule conflict with some community music events, we occasionally alter the date of our dances - so check our LBDA Calendar to see what's happening when!

Special Events

We also have special events from time to time. These range from family dances and dance parties to our annual dance weekend each November. Our 14th Annual Pilgrim's Progression Dance Weekend will be November 14-16, 2008. It will feature caller Tom Hinds and music by Lit Splickety
with Mark Simos on fiddle, Brendan Doyle on 5-string banjo, Jody Platt on tenor guitar, Jere Canote on guitar and banjo-uke, Stuart Kenney on bass, and special guest Maxine Gerber on banjo & guitar.

How can I get on the mailing list?

You can sign up to receive info on the dances any (or all) of the following ways:
  • Via our seasonal calendar, containing about four months worth of dance events, via US mail (3 times/yr)
  • Special events mailings via US mail (such as for our dance weekend) about two mailings/year.
  • Email version of the seasonal calendar and special events (3-4 emails/year)
  • Email notification about a week before each dance. (about 16 emails/year)
  • Email notification about and before family dances. (about 6 emails/year)
Email LBDA mailing list additions & corrections to:

What is the history of the LBDA?

The LBDA was founded by Mike Rundle and Catherine Baer around fourteen years ago. In November of 1995, we held our first multi-day dance weekend. In November, 1996, we became a CDSS Group Affiliate, and held our second dance weekend.

Other Northeast Kansas Contra Dance Groups

Between the Lawrence Barn Dance Association and the other dances below, a determined dancer who is willing to do a bit of driving can attend a contra dance in or near northeast Kansas every weekend of the month.

National Dance Info

If you are looking for contra dancing around the country (or around the world), or more information about organizing contra dances, the The Country Dance and Song Society is the place to turn for lots of information.

Click here for the Kansas Folk Music and Dance Resource Center with links to other folk dance and music activities and resources in Lawrence and Kansas.

LBDA home page maintained by Brad Levy