Our UNM Student Chapter of FolkMADS is currently in-active. This page is not maintained and is kept solely for historical purposes.
The Folk Music and Dance Society (FolkMADS) UNM Student Chapter aims to share the joy of traditional folk music and dance with UNM students, faculty, and staff and with the larger community. We host monthly dances with live music on the UNM campus that are free for all students and UNM faculty/staff.
Make friends. Build community. Learn to dance. Have fun.
Contra dance is a social dance that we all do together to live music. Contra dancing, square dancing, and English country dancing are social forms of folk dancing that derive from traditional western European social folk dances. These forms of dance are easy to learn and lots of fun! Dancing together in community promotes healthy hearts, minds, and bodies by allowing us to connect physically and emotionally in a safe and friendly environment. Make friends, stay fit, and have fun folk dancing!
Dance prerequisites: If you can walk and hold hands, then you can contra dance. All dances are taught, learning as we go!
Become a member of the FolkMADS-UNM student chapter (in 5 minutes)!
- Visit UNM Intramurals, (top) create account, confirm email by clicking link.
- Go to the Clubs, click FolkMADS, “Register/Signup”, then “Join Team”
- Agree to injury waiver, enter student ID, and Submit. On next page complete any required forms.
Also, join the UNM Contra Facebook Group.
Want to help us advertise? Print some flyers and hand them out to your friends and around campus!
Front and back: color | black and white
Front only: color | black and white
Become a Member of FolkMADS-UNM
Anyone can become involved in the FolkMADS-UNM community by dancing, playing music, calling, or managing sound. Membership is open to all students who attend events and member meetings. Regular member meetings are once every two months and are focused on organizing dances, concerts, workshops, and other folk music and dance related events.
Members of FolkMADS-UNM have the opportunity to learn how to call dances, play in a dance band, set up sound equipment for live music, and organize, advertise, and operate successful community music and dance events. Members also have the opportunity to work with our affiliated nonprofit organization, New Mexico Folk Music and Dance Society, and learn what it takes to run a successful nonprofit.
FolkMADS-UNM Student Board of Directors
President: Cicely Schuring
Secretary: David Barbour
Treasurer: Clara Byom
Faculty Sponsor: Prof. Erik Erhardt
About Contra
People new to contra dancing have described it as “a kaleidoscope, a weaving, a quilting with humans to music” and “a human whirligig: people moving in patterns to live music”. This “rhythmic swirl of awesomeness and dancing” is as easy as walking and holding hands with a richness coming from its endless variations and quality of connection between dancers. Contra dancing is a style of traditional American folk social dance in long line sets down the dance hall with your partner across from you. Under the prompting of a dance caller, each dancer and their partner dances with a couple next to them in the larger set forming moving figures as the couples progress up or down the set. These dances are social, providing opportunity for dancers to relate to each other in a fun and non-stressful way. All of the dances are taught, and beginners are welcomed warmly and encouraged. Come enjoy the “geometry in motion — order out of chaos” by contra dancing with us!
UNM Contra Dance Newsletter
Please fill out this form if you would like to receive our UNM Contra Dance newsletter:
"*" indicates required fields
Slideshow
Past Events:
Spring 2016
Friday January 22, 7:30-10:30 PM
Contra Dance
Location: UNM Student Union Building (SUB), 2nd floor South mall, parking info, Location Map
Caller: Erik Erhardt
Band: Rusty Tap (UNM Student Band)
Details: Dance: includes contra dances and waltzes. All dances are taught, learning as we go!
Cost: FREE for all
Friday February 26, 7:30-10:30 PM
Contra Dance
Location: UNM Student Union Building (SUB), 2nd floor South mall, parking info, Location Map
Caller: Erik Erhardt
Band: Rusty Tap (UNM Student Band)
Details: Dance: includes contra dances and waltzes. All dances are taught, learning as we go!
Cost: FREE for all
Friday March 25, 7:30-10:30 PM
Contra Dance
Location: UNM Student Union Building (SUB), 2nd floor South mall, parking info, Location Map
Caller: Erik Erhardt
Band: Rusty Tap (UNM Student Band)
Details: Dance: includes contra dances and waltzes. All dances are taught, learning as we go!
Cost: FREE for all
Friday April 15, 7:30-10:30 PM
Contra Dance
Location: UNM Student Union Building (SUB), 2nd floor South mall, parking info, Location Map
Caller: Erik Erhardt
Band: Rusty Tap (UNM Student Band)
Details: Dance: includes contra dances and waltzes. All dances are taught, learning as we go!
Cost: FREE for all
Fall 2015
Friday October 2, 6:00-7:00 PM
General Student Meeting
Location: UNM Student Union Building (SUB), 2nd floor South mall, parking info, Location Map
Details: General student meeting to introduce officers and discuss organization.
Friday October 2, 7:00-10:30 PM
Contra Dance
Location: UNM Student Union Building (SUB), 2nd floor South mall, parking info, Location Map
Caller: Erik Erhardt
Band: Adobe Brothers: Jacoby, Moby, Pierogi, and Toby!
Details: Dance: includes contra dances and waltzes. All dances are taught, learning as we go!
Cost: All Students, Staff, & Faculty Free with ID
$4 – FolkMADS members
$5 – General Community Members
Friday October 23, 6:00-7:00 PM
General Student Meeting
Location: UNM Student Union Building (SUB), 2nd floor South mall, parking info, Location Map
Details: General student meeting to introduce officers and discuss organization.
Friday October 23, 7:00-10:30 PM
Contra Dance
Location: UNM Student Union Building (SUB), 2nd floor South mall, parking info, Location Map
Caller: Erik Erhardt
Band: The Adobe Brothers with UNM student musicians (Juliana Huestis, Russell Berman, Kyle Dee, and Clara Byom)
Details: Dance: includes contra dances and waltzes. All dances are taught, learning as we go!
Cost: All Students, Staff, & Faculty Free with ID
$4 – FolkMADS members
$5 – General Community Members
Friday November 13, 7:30-10:30 PM
Contra Dance
Location: UNM Student Union Building (SUB), 2nd floor South mall, parking info, Location Map
Caller: Erik Erhardt
Band: Rusty Tap (UNM Student Band)
Details: Dance: includes contra dances and waltzes. All dances are taught, learning as we go!
Cost: FREE for all
Friday December 4, 7:30-10:30 PM
Contra Dance
Location: UNM Student Union Building (SUB), 2nd floor South mall, parking info, Location Map
Caller: Erik Erhardt
Band: Rusty Tap (UNM Student Band)
Details: Dance: includes contra dances and waltzes. All dances are taught, learning as we go!
Cost: FREE for all