Registration opens July 12!
Cascade Contras on the River (Sept 26 -28, 2025) is an urban contra dance weekend for experienced dancers in a lovely venue beside a park and the Willamette River in Springfield, Oregon. You will enjoy 14 hours of terrific contra music by two outstanding bands. We are having a Sunday evening dance this year, free for camp registrants and open to the general public (regular admission $12-20). Please join us!
FYI Next year, 2026, Cascade Contras date will be moved to May 8-10 instead of September, same location. We plan to keep it on the second weekend of May afterwards.
This year we have two great bands and two terrific callers. Countercurrent includes Alex Sturbaum and Brian Lindsay. Anadama includes Amelia Mason, Emily Troll and Bethany Waickman. We’ll have two great callers Isaac Banner and Adina Gordon. It will be a terrific weekend!
The Eugene Folklore Society values equality and mutual respect. We appreciate the diversity of gender, age, race, ethnicity, national origin, range of abilities, sexual orientation, gender identity. and gender expression. We actively cultivate a climate of purposeful inclusion of all. Gender neutral calling will be used for all dances.
As in other urban dance camps, dancers will need to arrange their own lodging and meals for the weekend.. When you register you’ll get a link to the camp roster listing dancers’ who are interested in sharing rides or lodging.. We’ve also posted discount hotel information below.
We have access to The Santiam Room most of the weekend (except for Sat. morning), used for resting, storage of belongings, workshops, yoga (bring your mat), and access to a lawn area. Tables and chairs will be provided in the room (not to take outside). We have been told not to rest, eat, or be barefoot in the lounge area outside of the dance hall, but hanging out and visiting there is fine. There is a room next to the dance hall for snacking (we will provide some basic snacks), water, storing belongings, and visiting. Please bring a water bottle.
Questions about camp? Send an email to the Cascade Contras Committee.
Countercurrent
Countercurrent: A powerhouse acoustic duo based in Olympia WA, Alex Sturbaum & Brian Lindsay, provide fiddle, guitar, harmony vocals, and foot percussion for contra dance & folk music that will rock your socks.
Anadama
Anadama, a Boston-based contra dance band, is Amelia Mason (fiddle), Emily Troll (accordion), and Bethany Waickman (guitar). The trio finds its roots in the traditional music of New England, Ireland, and Quebec. Infusing old and new tunes alike with a distinctly modern kick, it is dynamic, earthy music, played with vigor and honesty, and dance at its heart.
John Oorthuys
A great contra dance needs a great sound engineer, and we have one! John Oorthuys has handled the sound board for many, many dances, balls, camps, and special events across the Northwest. Highly regarded by dancers, musicians, and callers for his high-quality sound work, John will apply his skills at Cascade Contras on the River and his wizardry will make the sound fantastic.
Isaac Banner
Isaac Banner is a long-time contra dancer and Seattle transplant, Isaac’s become known in the Pacific Northwest for his particular blend of humor and dance instruction. With contagious excitement and a cheerful personality, he strives to bring moments of magic into the lives of newcomers and veteran dancers alike.
Adina Gordon
Adina Gordon’s collection of dances is delightful. Her sense of the moment is trustworthy. She blends the feel of the band and mood of the crowd with her repertoire to produce an exhilarating dance experience. Every program is unique. It’s no wonder she’s a favorite not only throughout the Northeast, but across the country, for contra, English, and squares.
The Cascade Contras detailed schedule will be posted here soon.
2025 Cascade Contras Fees:
Adult 30+ year Sliding Scale – $170, $180, and $200
Adult 18 to 29 years – $120
Youth 13 to 17 – Free
Children under 13 – Free
Cascade Contras on the River brings dancers together from many areas across the US and Canada. Because the risks of COVID infection varies from one area to another, we will be applying the following health safety protocols to reduce the chance of COVID exposure.
MASKS –Masks will NOT be required and will be optional at the choice of the individual dancer.
VACCINATION – Vaccinations are not required at this time. We will update the website if we have reason to change this policy.
COVID TESTS – Test strip or dated photo of same-day home rapid COVID test showing negative results will be required upon initial arrival. Please bring your own test, we do not provide any.
THIS POLICY MAY CHANGE BETWEEN NOW AND THE EVENT DATE. If this policy is changed after you register for Cascade Contras, you will be able to cancel and receive a refund if you are not willing or able to comply with the revised policy.
Refunds may be requested for any reason prior to September 1. In this case $25 will be retained and the balance of the fee paid will be refunded.
After September 1, fees paid cannot be refunded except as described below. In these cases $25 will be retained and the balance of the fee paid will be refunded.
>> ILLNESS – Anyone who is ill or has COVID symptoms, or has a person in their household who is ill or has COVID symptoms, and so is unable to attend the event, will be provided a refund.
>> POSITIVE COVID TEST – A refund will be provided if at the time of the event a registered dancer or a member of their household has a positive COVID test.
>> CHANGE IN COVID POLICY – If the Cascade Contras COVID policy is changed after a dancer is registered, and the dancer will not agree to comply with the changed policy, a refund will be provided.
>> EVENT CANCELLATION – If Cascade Contras on the River is entirely cancelled, all registered dancers will be provided a refund.
REGISTRATION LIMIT & WAITLIST– We are limiting the number of registered dancers to 135 to prevent overcrowding on the dance floor. Once this limit is reached a waitlist will be maintained and waitlisted dancers will be notified when a cancellation occurs.
COVID TESTS – Test strip or dated photo of same-day home rapid COVID test showing negative results will be required upon initial arrival. Please bring your own test, we will not have any to provide at camp.
BADGES – Cascade Contras will provide a badge for each registrant with your first name and city.. Prefered pronouns can be included on badge if the dancer indicates this on the registration form.
SNACKS – We will provide simple snacks at Cascade Contras. Dancers may also bring their own snacks but refrigeration will be limited.
SHOE & CLOTHING EXCHANGE – We’ll provide an area to display dancing shoes and clothing that you may bring for sale or exchange.
Located in downtown Springfield alongside a wonderful park and the Willamette River, the Willamalane Adult Activity Center is a beautiful, modern facility featuring a comfortable lounge area and outdoor patio overlooking the river and Island Park. The center’s lovely setting, spacious interior, stage, and dance floor are ideal for our contra dancing weekend and can accommodate up to 200 people. Ample parking is available at the Center and on adjacent streets.
We will be dancing in the McKenzie Room, a 2,300-square-foot multi-purpose room suitable for large gatherings and special events. Key features include an excellent wood floor and performance stage. This room connects to the Cascade Room, an 800 square foot room that will be our cloakroom and provide social and relaxation space. During most of the weekend, we will also have full use of the large, comfortable lounge area and patio for socializing and relaxing.
The property is operated by the Willamalane Park and Recreation District. Terms of rental do not allow alcohol, tobacco and marijuana in any form on the Activity Center property. Dogs and other pets are also not allowed in the Activity Center.
Simple snacks will be provided, but dancers will be responsible for their own meals. There will be breaks for lunch and dinner on Saturday, and a lunch break on Sunday. We will have access to a lawn area at the facility, feel free to bring your own lunch and/or dinner and join others.
Maverick Hotel Eugene
You may use the link below to reserve the Maverick Hotel. It’s set for three nights for those who want to stay for the Sunday night dance so be sure to adjust the dates if you are only staying for two nights.
https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/QI67S4
Direct 541-284-5255
Front Desk:541.342.6383
We also have a few local dancers who can house those in need. Please let us know on the registration form if you would like our help setting that up (see the section: Do you have comments or questions about Cascade Contras on the River?)
We will update the roster for those who seek to share travel or housing so that those people may contact each other to make arrangements.