the Dancing Bears
Contra Dancing in Anchorage, Alaska
Dancing Bears
is a nonprofit, member run, participant oriented, dance organization located in Anchorage, Alaska.
Contra Dancing is our most popular activity, featuring live traditional music performed by local bands. Contra Dancing is an energetic enjoyable activity that promotes healthy life stlye, and provides an excellent opportunity to socialize and meet new friends. We dabble in some square dances too.
Because most of our activities are organized and staffed by enthusiastic volunteers, we do our best to keep event costs down.
Explore this website to learn more about Dancing Bears, our organization, and the activities we sponsor.
Plan to attend an event soon and join in the fun!
Plus -- We offer GREAT discount admission prices to first time dancers, and to Students.
Our events are Special Attend a dance and See Why!
Welcome
Events
Stay Connnected
Most Contra Dances are held at Wendler Middle School or Romig MS in Anchorage Friday at 7:30. Plus, there's even more fun in The Valley! Check out the Palmer Dance Schedule. All of our dances are listed on the Events Calendar link.
The foremost event of the year, is Dance Camp, held each Memorial Day weekend, at Kings Lake near Wasilla.
See our events & calendar page.
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Kind of like square dancing in a line. We don't require you to attend lessons or wear special costumes. Learn just by coming to your first dance, but come early. The first dances of the evening are the easiest!
Did You Know?
It's True! I Read It on the Internet!
For other great dance opportunities, check the Other Groups link for more informantion.
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"Contact Us" page.
Hello, fellow Dancers and Musicians! We miss you! Due to the necessities of these Coronavirus times, we are are not dancing and enjoying live music together in person. We hope you are all staying safe and healthy! The Dancing Bears community is still vibrant and maintaining connections, even as we maintain physical distance. We have had a few (and hope to do more) online music and dance gatherings, where we’ve been able to connect and share our love for live music and dance with one another.
We are taking this down time to focus on Uptrancing and Re-Invigorating our DB's dance culture. In December 2020, 55 Bears gathered for a wonderful online Community Gathering. At that gathering, we started a discussion of our Community Values, and of what actions we’d like to take as a community to co-create a dance culture that is even more vibrant, welcoming, and full of delight for all who participate. In January 2021, several of us continued that discussion along with the help of facilitator, dance organizer, dancer and caller Dela Murphy. This conversation is ongoing.
Please reach out to us at [email protected] if you’d like to join the discussion! We value your input and creative ideas and have several specific projects and jobs we need help with. We are currently a Board of four, looking to grow.
Please note that much of what you’ll find on our website does not reflect our current situation, but remains there as a placeholder to be updated when we are able to schedule dances again. Our hope is that we can safely come together again beginning in Fall 2021. Dance Camp for May 2021 has been cancelled due to the pandemic. We will provide updates here as that date gets closer and we know more. (Updated 1/28/21)
Online Cajun House Party Dance Opportunity! Saturday, February 13th at 7:30 until about 9:00.
Cajun, Zydeco, Waltzes, Swing music for you to get your dance chops back in tune. Weasel Gras (alias Fat Weasel) Band will provide the live music over Zoom, while you get to dance like no one is watching from your home. All you need is a Zoom connection through either your computer, smartphone, iPad, tablet, or tin foil hat. Here’s the link to participate:
You can also do it this way:
Meeting ID: 306 713 5047
Passcode: 430506
