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New to contra dance? Attend our Newcomers' Session at 7:30 before each regular dance.
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Receive email reminders of upcoming dances. Details here.
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HATDS now has a Facebook page.
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HATDS Home
Welcome to the web site of the Houston Area Traditional Dance Society, the volunteer-run, non-profit organization that sponsors and promotes contra dances in the Houston, Texas metro area.
Upcoming Events
Click for an expanded schedule with footnotes and options.
English Country Dance Events
Clear Lake Ball, January 21. Contact Barbara Attema for details.
Set For Spring, March 23-25 in Austin. Click for details and registration.
Bayou Bedlam
Bayou Bedlam is our annual contra dance weekend. We bring in nationally-known, or soon-to-be nationally-known, bands and callers. We dance Friday evening, all day Saturday, and Sunday afternoon. We provide lunch on Saturday and brunch on Sunday.
This year Bayou Bedlam takes place over the Presidents Day weekend, February 17-19, 2012. We are proud to present veteran New England caller David Kaynor and a young, dynamic band from the Pacific Northwest, The Retrospectacles.
Details and online registration at bayoubedlam.org.
Is This Your Platter?
This platter is one of two that was left at the Holiday Ball. Is it yours? If so, please email the board.
Contra Dan's Open Contra Dance Band
Do you play an instrument? Would you like to play for our dances? Being in a contra dance band is a lot of fun with none of the pressure of concert music. The ability to read music is a plus and sheet music is provided. See the Contra Dan's page for details.
About our dances
HATDS sponsors contra dances on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of most months at St. Andrews Episcopal Church. We offer a newcomers' session at 7:30 PM; the regular dance begins at 8:00. Check our schedule page for specifics. You may also sign up for our email reminders; read more on the Email Reminders page. If you support HATDS by becoming a member you will receive a discount at our dances.
Don't know what contra is? See our About Contra and Contra FAQ pages.
Looking for English Country Dancing? Our English Country page has the information you need.
All dances are open to the public, feature live music, and are smoke- and alcohol-free. We also ask that you come fragrance-free. No partner is necessary (it's contra dance eitquette to dance with different partners) and all dances are taught. See our About Contra page for more details.
Join us at a dance! We think that you will find us to be a friendly and welcoming group and contra dance to be great fun and exercise.
Live music always ♦ No partner necessary ♦ All dances taught and prompted