About Contra Dancing

Contra dancing is a blend of folk and square dancing - with a flavor and warmth all its own. It is relaxed, fun, and easy to learn. Whether you come with a group, a partner, or alone, you'll always find plenty of folks to dance with. In fact, part of the fun of contra dancing is getting to dance with just about everyone in the room at least once during the evening! Old friends reconnect and new friends meet in this really welcoming, upbeat environment. 

We recommend that you dress comfortably and wear shoes that aren't slippery.  Rubber-soled flats or low heels work best - comfort is key. The dancing begins in the historic gym behind the center with a free lesson at 7:30pm, and the dance itself starts at 8pm. Adult admission is $10.00, SNCA Members $7.00, Students $5.00. Children under 12 FREE. NOTE: As of September 28, 2019, prices are $6.00 for students and $8.00 for SNCA members. Non-member adult admission remains $10.00.

For further information, call the Sautee Nacoochee Center at 706-878-3300,
OR call Walter Daves at 706-754-3254,
OR contact Jeanie Daves at jbdaves@windstream.net,
OR call Peter Bull at 706-865-5715 or e-mail peterbull.wood@gmail.com.

Site maintained by Christin Whittington of Solutions in Writing.
Questions or comments about this site? Contact ccwr2r@gmail.com.

A Brief History of Contra in Sautee


The Sautee Community Contra Dance has been held regularly in the historic gym of the Sautee-Nacoochee Community Center since March 2002. The dance has its roots in the 1970s.

  • 1979: The first dances in Sautee were held in 1979, first on the front porch of Jimmy and Courtney Johnstons’ home, then at an old country fruit stand across the street. There was a Thanksgiving dance in the historic gym as part of a festival put on by a group of dancers, musicians, artists and storytellers.
  • June 16, 1980: This group officially established itself as The Evening Star Folk Society, a non-profit arts organization.
  • 1981, dancing in the Historic Gym: The Evening Star Folk Society got approval from the County recreation department to use the historic gym and held a dance in March 1981. Frederick Park called the dance. 
  • 1981, Sautee Nacoochee Community Association (SNCA): SNCA was officially established as a 501(c)3 in March 1981. Some of the Evening Star Folk Society members were also founding members of SNCA.
  • 1986: SNCA membership voted to acquire the property of the Nacoochee School and grounds (including the gym) from White County Board of Education on June 29, 1986. Sporadic community dances were held in the gym until the mid-1990s.
  • 1990s: In 1995 and 1996 some local musicians put together a band and held several dances for a season or so: Steve Welsch, Tom Ryan, Lisa Deaton and Jim O’Connor.
  • 2002: In March 2002, Peter Bull, a timber frame artist from White County, started the current community contra dance series in the historic gym. He received help from Julianne Wilson of White County and Christin Whittington of Atlanta. In 2003, Jeanie and Walter Daves and other volunteers began joining the coordinating group.
  • 2007: The Sautee community dance became an official program of SNCA. 
  • 2016: Many fine volunteers have helped over the years, including countless musicians who have played without charge at SNC events.
                                                                            - Jeanie Daves, June 2016

  • About community dancing:
  • “People of different ages, backgrounds, and beliefs connect with one another with warmth and smiles and laughter … I am overjoyed to see so many new young people getting involved – so that this wonderful gem of a dance can continue long into the future.” - Julianne Wilson