Search
For the LGBTQIA community, friends & allies. No partner or experience necessary!

Dates: 4th Saturdays, October through April
Time: Intro lesson 2-2:30; dancing to live music 2:30-5:30
Location: Berith Sholom, 167 3rd St, Troy NY
Cost: $10-20, no one turned away due to lack of funds
COVID protocol: Well-fitting high-filtration mask (N95, KN95, KF94) required. Air purifiers will be present and running. 

Please bring clean, soft-soled shoes (i.e., sneakers that don't leave scuff marks) to protect the wooden floor. Also please refrain from wearing perfumes, colognes and other highly scented products. All dances are smoke, drug and alcohol free.

Parking: We have not formally received permission to park in the lots managed by Russell Sage on Division Street and down the Franklin Street alley, but we haven’t heard of any problems with that yet. Park at your own risk of ticket from the college, or use street parking. If you are ok with a bit of a walk, there are parking garages on State Street and 5th Ave.

Dates and performers
  • October 25 - Calling by Liz Nelson; Music by Cojiro (Jess Newman and Mark Price)
  • November 22 - Calling by Qwill Duvall; Music by Thunderwing (Cedar Stanistreet and Amy Englesberg)
  • December 27 - Calling by Joan Savitt; Music by Eric Buddington and Seamus Connor
  • January 24 - Calling by Hannah Johlas; Music by Paper Plane (Daniel Raine, Emma Azelborn, and Rohan Weeden)
  • February 28 - Calling by Tommy Linden; Music by Minda Cowen, Max Carmichael, and Dominique Gagné
  • March 28 - Calling by Julian Blechner; Music by Silas Hamilton and Ben Hemmendinger
  • April 25 - Calling by Adina Gordon; Music by Mo Brachfeld and friend
We will take a break for the summer and plan to be back in October!

Troy Queer Contra FAQ

What is contra dancing?
Contra dancing is a social dance in which a caller coaches dancers through steps that repeat over the course of a song. Dancers typically keep one partner per song, but dance with a variety of neighbors. There is not a “lead” and a “follow” role in contra dance; rather, the caller acts as the leader for the whole room. Many figures differentiate two roles among the dancers, which we call Lark (the dancer on the Left) and Robin (the dancer on the Right). Here is a video of a contra dance.

Why queer contra specifically?
Although modern contra dance is very queer-friendly, it is important to have queer-specific spaces. It can foster a stronger sense of community and comfort.
I have no dance experience, can I still come? How will I know what to do?
Yes, please come! Contra dance is a great way to get moving with friends and strangers. We recommend attending the intro lesson from 2-2:30, but if you don’t get here in time, the whole room will help you learn! Every dance is taught.
It sounds like a long event. What is the structure like?
There is an intro lesson from 2-2:30, during which the caller will teach the things that are most important to know for the session. Each dance is taught by the caller, and then we dance together to a song. After each dance, we find new partners, learn a new dance, and dance it. The dancing goes from 2:30-5:30, with a short break in the middle. There are places to sit out and watch when you need a break.
How do I get a partner for a dance?
At contra dances, you can ask anybody if they would like to dance. If someone asks you to dance, you have the option to accept or decline. When you and someone else agree to dance together, you will probably dance one song together and then find other partners. Saying “no” when someone asks you to dance is totally normal. If you say no to someone, it does not mean you need to sit that dance out; you are welcome to find a different partner.
What's up with the price range?
We have a sliding scale, and appreciate dancers paying what they can. You know your own situation, and know what you can comfortably spend on an afternoon of entertainment. Funds go toward the performers on the day you pay, and any extras will be used to pay future performers. If the low end of the sliding scale is beyond your means, please email [email protected] and we will make it work!
What should I wear?
Please bring clean, non-marking, soft-soled shoes (such as sneakers that don't leave scuff marks) to protect the floor. Beyond that, wear whatever you’re comfortable moving in! Many contra dancers of all genders wear skirts to help with air flow and make spinning more fun. Contra dancers are also known to wear t-shirts, tank tops, button downs, polos, pants, jeans, shorts, sweats, and anything else you can imagine!
Do I need to bring anything?
While water will be available, we recommend bringing your own water bottle. Please bring clean, soft-soled, non-marking shoes to protect the floor. It can be a good idea to bring snacks - dancing is a lot of work! Please avoid bringing anything with peanuts in case of severe allergies.
Can I bring kids?
Yes! Contra dancing is recommended for kids of any age who can listen to and follow directions, who won’t be distressed by being confused or making a mistake, who are comfortable saying “no” to strangers, and who are comfortable holding hands with adults they don’t know. All kids must be accompanied by a trusted adult.
Why is it at a synagogue?
Berith Sholom is being generous with their space, and their beautiful new wood floor! TQC, and contra dance generally, does not have a religious affiliation or any ritual significance. Everyone is welcome to attend and dance.
Why are masks required?
Contra is a community dance, where we are in close contact with many different people. Wearing masks helps to protect everyone, especially the most vulnerable among us, from transmitting airborne illnesses that can cause permanent and severe disability. Because of our history, the queer community tends to be more conscientious than the general population when it comes to being cautious about spreading disease. There will also be air purifiers running in the space. We protect us!
How do I drink water/take mask breaks?
It's expected that folks will lower their masks to drink water. If you need a break from breathing with a mask on, please step into the courtyard or outside before removing your mask.
I have another concern about accessibility!
The building is wheelchair accessible, with an elevator up to the dance space (sanctuary) on the second floor, and down to the basement for the accessible bathroom. The space is heated but not air conditioned. We do not offer ASL interpretation. If you have another question about accessibility, please email [email protected]
Who's organizing this?
Hi! My name is Rindle Glick; I use they/them pronouns. I've been contra dancing since 2015, and helping to organize the Albany contra dance since 2022. If you'd like to help make Troy Queer Contra happen, please email me at [email protected]

Safety Policy (adapted from Downtown Amherst Contra)

  • We expect attendees of all genders, races, sexual orientations, bodies, abilities, ages, and backgrounds. We actively work to offer events that do not present barriers to participation.
  • We strive to create an environment where attendees can feel safe to express themselves and to have fun. Dancing should be done with consciousness of physical safety of self and other attendees.
  • We respect each other as people. We believe that all attendees have something valuable to offer. We trust that our attendees will show this respect.
  • We want to have fun! We love contra dancing as an art form, social experience, and recreational activity. We want to share that love with others, and we want to connect everyone with the joy of contra dancing.
  • We want the Troy Queer Contra to be a place where new attendees can discover and experience contra dancing. We offer lessons, dances that are easy to learn, and we encourage experienced dancers to help new attendees learn.
  • We aim to introduce students to contra dancing. We aim to foster connections between students and the broader community of local dancers.
Code of Conduct (adapted from Bread and Roses fusion dance)
As an attendee, I agree to:
  • Value consent, both verbal and nonverbal.  I am empowered to say no to anyone for anything, without giving a reason. I also understand that at times I may receive a no, I am not entitled to a reason, and will accept it with grace.
  • I will respect people’s identities, including sex, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, or nationality.
  • I will be responsible for communicating my reasonable personal boundaries with everyone I engage with. I recognize that boundaries (both mine and other’s) are fluid and may change throughout the event. I will proactively communicate changes in my personal boundaries.
  • I will not intentionally cross anyone’s boundaries nor harass them. I understand that crossing boundaries is not always intentional, but not immediately complying to feedback will result in disciplinary action. At the organizers’ discretion, failure to comply with feedback will automatically place me in at least the orange category of the instant action plan (see below).
  • I will not initiate a romantic or sexual pursuit of anyone under the age of 18 if I am an adult. Doing so will automatically place me in at least the orange category of the disciplinary action plan.
  • I will maintain a level of sobriety that allows me to meet all of the responsibilities outlined in this document at all times. If I am found giving an intoxicating substance to a minor, I will be immediately expelled from the event and reported to the minor's parents or present guardians.
  • I will not smoke or use a vaporizer or other smoking device within 100ft of the entrances.
  • I will dance in a manner that is safe for myself and others.
  • I agree to engage in good faith with the organizers and/or the third-party mediator when a complaint involves me.
  • I will wear a KN95 mask or equivalent when dancing or inside the dance space. I will limit taking my mask off inside to sips of water and go outside to snack or take mask breaks as I need.
Action plan
Our code of conduct seeks to do three things
  • Keep members of our community safe
  • Provide restorative justice as a tool to fix harm done in community
    • Offer education and space to change and learn to someone who has made another member of the community unsafe
    • Offer to a member of the community who has been harmed avenues to seek healing/restitution
  • Provide a consistent framework to deal with complaints/discomfort/harm in a way that minimizes the bias of the organizers in a situation by situation basis
Our code of conduct seeks not to
  • Provide a carceral or penal code where people are punished for doing wrong or threatened into doing the “right” thing
  • Set our organizing and safety team as “above” our code of conduct
Yellow
This category means you have made someone uncomfortable, or broken a policy that does not cause significant harm to someone else.
One of the organizers will have a conversation with you to let you know that they have witnessed you doing something or it’s been reported that you’ve made someone uncomfortable. It’s expected that you will be open to a conversation with the organizers. We know we’re not always right and comfort, safety, and boundaries can be deeply tied into identities and how people are perceived but we expect everyone involved with these interactions (especially the organizers) to move through it by assuming all parties involved were operating from their best intentions while still owning any harm done to individuals or our community. 
Repeated offenses at this level or intentionally ignoring feedback will lead to escalation within the instant action plan.
Orange
This category means you have caused harm to another person. This category is intended to allow room for people to prove they are willing to improve and grow. If we believe you are not willing to change for the better, we reserve the right to exclude you from our events, even if your behaviors are not deemed to be significantly harmful.
The following are the requirements to attend our events if you are placed in this category:
  • You may not be under the influence of any recreational substances at the event that inhibit your sobriety.
  • You must have an accountability buddy. This accountability buddy is someone chosen by you but must be approved by all organizers. The accountability buddy will be with you at whatever activities you choose to do (lesson, dancing, etc.) This means that if your accountability buddy wants to go to bed early, you will be expected to leave the dance as well.
Red
This category means you are banned from all Troy Queer Contra events.
How to report if someone has violated the policies
If you have concerns about a member of the community, please bring your concerns to a safety volunteer or organizer directly or through a third party, or email troyqueercontra@gmail.com. You don't have to have a fully formed request or plan when you initiate the conversation.

When taking a harassment report in person, our team will do our best to ensure you are safe and cannot be overheard. We may involve other members of our organizing team or safety team to ensure your report is managed properly. Once safe, we'll ask you to tell us about what happened. This can be upsetting, but we'll handle it as respectfully as possible, and you can bring someone to support you. You will never be asked to confront anyone directly, and we won't tell anyone who you are without your explicit consent; we will discuss with you before taking action. Our team will be happy to help you contact local support services as you may request. 

Any attendee is encouraged to bring any problem to any organizer at any time. When the attendee does this, they agree to the following actions:

  • Organizers will be informed of anonymized information that is given to any organizer regarding a complaint. 
    • If a complaint involves one of the organizers, that organizer will be treated as an attendee for conflict-resolution purposes.
    • If the complaint involves a minor, the minor's present caregiver will be given information as well.
  • The organizers will attempt to resolve all complaints, but do not promise specific outcomes. The organizers promise to act with integrity according to their personal values and our community's shared values to the best of their judgment.
  • The organizers may utilize the instant action plan, and outcomes include:
    • removing anyone from the event.
    • removing anyone from the dance area.
    • restricting an individual's access to specific spaces at the event, resources, or behaviors; or
    • involving a third-party mediator.

In cases where suspensions and bans need to be enforced, Troy Queer Contra may make a request of the reporter to document their experiences in writing.