Resources
This is a growing list of regular alternative, crossover, and techno contra series. As you can see, right now the list is rather small. If you know of others, please let me know! Or better yet, if there's not one where you are, organize it and let me know so I can list it here!
Other events -- which may or may not be part of a series -- can be found through your favorite search engine or through social media outlets such as Facebook.
Asheville, NC
Asheville Contra -- This community hosts the annual Summer Soirée in June, which in recent years has had a techno contra event featured one of its nights.
Technophoria -- Run by DJ Shel D and friends, this is another periodic series in Asheville, established in 2011.
Boston area, MA
Spark in the Dark -- Roughly quarterly since 2010; usually features live music with a club-like atmosphere
Charlottesville, VA
Club Contras -- Once or twice monthly techno-style dances since January 2011
Durham, NC
Rushfest! -- Blog surrounding a DJ'd contra dance series (not the same as a techno!)
Glen Echo, MD
Contra Sonic -- Roughly quarterly (as of 2014), sponsored by the Folklore Society of Greater Washington
Minneapolis, MN
Tapestry Folkdance Center -- monthly (as of 2014), second Thursdays
Sewanee, TN
Sewanee Contra Dancers -- The folks down at Sewanee: The University of the South have been putting together an occasional techno contra series spun by DJ Tony T
Winston-Salem, NC
Electric Camel Contra -- Community-oriented "electroflow" alternative contra dance series featuring electrotrad music (frequently spun by Eileen Thorsos) since 2009.
Other events -- which may or may not be part of a series -- can be found through your favorite search engine or through social media outlets such as Facebook.
Asheville, NC
Asheville Contra -- This community hosts the annual Summer Soirée in June, which in recent years has had a techno contra event featured one of its nights.
Technophoria -- Run by DJ Shel D and friends, this is another periodic series in Asheville, established in 2011.
Boston area, MA
Spark in the Dark -- Roughly quarterly since 2010; usually features live music with a club-like atmosphere
Charlottesville, VA
Club Contras -- Once or twice monthly techno-style dances since January 2011
Durham, NC
Rushfest! -- Blog surrounding a DJ'd contra dance series (not the same as a techno!)
Glen Echo, MD
Contra Sonic -- Roughly quarterly (as of 2014), sponsored by the Folklore Society of Greater Washington
Minneapolis, MN
Tapestry Folkdance Center -- monthly (as of 2014), second Thursdays
Sewanee, TN
Sewanee Contra Dancers -- The folks down at Sewanee: The University of the South have been putting together an occasional techno contra series spun by DJ Tony T
Winston-Salem, NC
Electric Camel Contra -- Community-oriented "electroflow" alternative contra dance series featuring electrotrad music (frequently spun by Eileen Thorsos) since 2009.
Bands/Music Talent
Adding web presences to this list. Ping me with more!
Buddy System -- New England-based musicians Noah VanNorstrand (fiddle, foot percussion, didgeridoo, vocals) and Julie Vallimont (computer, piano, synths, accordion, jawharp) mix electronic dance music, live fiddle, and improvisation.
ContraForce -- Andrae Raffield, Jimi "jimi2Nails" Peirano, Joey Dorwart form a live band from the Carolinas bringing their own eclectic electric flavor to the contra scene.
dJ improper -- Jeremiah Seligman (MD) bringing various types of recorded and remixed music to contra since 2010.
Firecloud -- DJ Nanocannon, Julie Vallimont, & Andy Reiner (New England) team up to bring fabulous fiddle techno fusions in a live band format to a contra hall near you!
Giant Robot Dance -- VanNorstrands and Marcuses combine to spread their popular tune-infused contra sets to the masses.
Perpetual e-Motion -- John Coté and Ed Howe (Maine) live-mix their blend of electronic music in the style of Martyn Bennett into energetic contra music and rock the contra scene.
Phase X -- Ross Harriss and Chris Jacoby combine recorded music with a sultry saxophone.
The Contra Kid -- Cincinnati-area DJ contra by Bill Ross.
Buddy System -- New England-based musicians Noah VanNorstrand (fiddle, foot percussion, didgeridoo, vocals) and Julie Vallimont (computer, piano, synths, accordion, jawharp) mix electronic dance music, live fiddle, and improvisation.
ContraForce -- Andrae Raffield, Jimi "jimi2Nails" Peirano, Joey Dorwart form a live band from the Carolinas bringing their own eclectic electric flavor to the contra scene.
dJ improper -- Jeremiah Seligman (MD) bringing various types of recorded and remixed music to contra since 2010.
Firecloud -- DJ Nanocannon, Julie Vallimont, & Andy Reiner (New England) team up to bring fabulous fiddle techno fusions in a live band format to a contra hall near you!
Giant Robot Dance -- VanNorstrands and Marcuses combine to spread their popular tune-infused contra sets to the masses.
Perpetual e-Motion -- John Coté and Ed Howe (Maine) live-mix their blend of electronic music in the style of Martyn Bennett into energetic contra music and rock the contra scene.
Phase X -- Ross Harriss and Chris Jacoby combine recorded music with a sultry saxophone.
The Contra Kid -- Cincinnati-area DJ contra by Bill Ross.
