Since 1970s · An all-volunteer nonprofit
Come dance, come sing, come play.
We enrich people’s lives and foster a sense of community through traditional music, dance, and song — with monthly contra dances and concerts open to everyone in Grand Rapids, from age 6 to 92.
What’s coming up
A snapshot of our next dance and concert. Full schedules, prices, and venue details are on the Dances and Concerts pages.
Friday, October 16, 2026
Fifth Street Hall (St. Adelbert’s), 701 5th Street NW, Grand Rapids. Beginner instruction at 7:00 pm, dancing 7:30–10:00 pm. No partner needed.
Saturday, November 28, 2026
Wealthy Theatre Annex, 1110 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids. Doors and music at 7:00 pm unless otherwise noted.
Members and volunteers welcome
We’re entirely volunteer-run and always looking for board members and helping hands at the door, on sound, and behind the scenes.
You just need to know how to walk
No experience, no partner, and no special outfit required. Our “New Here?” page covers what to expect, what to wear, and our code of conduct.
From our dances
We’re collecting photos from recent dances and concerts to share here — check back soon, or if you have a favorite shot from a GRFAS night, send it our way.
About the Society
Grand River Folk Arts Society (GRFAS) is a Grand Rapids–based, all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has hosted contra dances and folk concerts for the West Michigan community for decades. Everything we do — booking bands and callers, running sound, staffing the door — is powered by members and volunteers.
Looking for other folk music, dance, and arts happenings around the region? Visit our page for a curated list.
New Here? Start with this.
Contra dancing looks intricate to watch and feels simple to do — you just need to know how to walk. Every dance is taught from scratch, live music carries you through, and the whole room is on your side. Here’s what to expect.
Your first half hour
- Arrive by 7:00 pm. That’s when the free beginner walkthrough starts — come even if you think you’ll “figure it out.”
- Grab any partner, or none. Partners rotate through the evening, so you’ll dance with many different people. Arriving alone is completely normal.
- Follow the caller. Before each dance, a caller walks the whole room through every move, then calls the steps out loud as the live band plays.
- Ask, or say no thanks. Anyone can ask anyone to dance, regardless of age, gender, or experience — and it’s always fine to say “not this one, thanks.”
What to wear & bring
Loose, breathable clothing you can move freely in, and shoes with a smooth or soft sole that won’t stick to the floor — sneakers with heavy tread aren’t ideal. Contra dancing works up a real sweat, so a water bottle and maybe a second shirt are appreciated. Cash or a card for admission at the door.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to bring a partner?
No. Most dancers rotate partners throughout the night, and it’s completely normal — even typical — to arrive solo.
Is there an age limit?
Our dances welcome ages 6 to 92 and beyond. Children should be able to follow simple spoken directions and stay with a partner through a dance.
What if I have mobility concerns?
Please see the access note on our about the staircase at Fifth Street Hall, and feel free to contact us beforehand — we’re glad to help you plan.
I’m nervous about being asked to dance, or asking someone. Is that okay?
Very okay. Declining an invitation is a normal, accepted part of dance etiquette — a simple “no thank you” is enough, no explanation needed. The same goes if you’d rather sit one out.
Our code of conduct
Drafted for board review and adoption — shown here so newcomers can see the standard we’re holding ourselves to while it works through approval.
What we expect from everyone on the floor
- Respect your dance partner’s comfort — check in on dance holds and connection, and adjust or let go if asked.
- Welcome dancers of every age, background, skill level, and dance role — leading and following are for anyone.
- Dance safely and with awareness of the people around you on a shared floor.
- Discrimination or harassment of any kind isn’t tolerated.
If something doesn’t feel right
Find any board member or the person running sound that night, or reach out afterward using the contact details on our . We’ll listen first, and we’d rather have a quiet word early than let something go unaddressed.
Contra Dances
GRFAS resumed monthly contra dances in January 2024 after a break during the pandemic. Dances are welcoming to everyone aged 6 to 92 — no partner and no experience required. Come solo, with friends, or with family; we teach every dance from scratch.
Next dance
Friday, October 16, 2026 · Beginner instruction 7:00 pm · Dancing 7:30–10:00 pm
Our dances are typically held the 3rd Friday of the month. A related group, Contra GR, hosts dances on the 1st Friday — two chances a month to get out on the floor.
Location
Fifth Street Hall (St. Adelbert’s), 701 5th Street NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 — at the corner of 5th and Davis. Get directions →
Access note
The dance hall is on the second floor, reached by a long staircase; there is currently no elevator to the hall. If you have mobility concerns or want to talk through the space beforehand, please contact us using the details below — we’re happy to help you plan your visit.
| Category | Price |
|---|---|
| General admission | $12 |
| Seniors | $10 |
| GRFAS members | $8 |
| Students | $6 |
| Family rate | $20 |
Booking a dance
Callers and bands interested in playing a GRFAS contra dance are welcome to reach out. Callers, please give us at least 10 days’ notice.
Contact for dances
- Dance sound & booking616-691-8243 · grfasrogerk@earthlink.net
More dancing in the area
Happy Soles Round and Square Dance Club, Grand Rapids Original Swing Society, and statewide listings at contradancelinks.com are all worth a look for more dance nights around West Michigan.
Concerts
GRFAS brings touring and regional folk musicians to Grand Rapids for listening-room concerts. Music starts at 7:00 pm unless the listing says otherwise.
Location
Wealthy Theatre Annex, 1110 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506 (just west of Fuller Avenue). Get directions →
| Category | Price |
|---|---|
| General admission | $15 |
| Seniors / students with ID | $12 |
| GRFAS members | $10 |
| Children under 12 | $5 |
| Lap sitters | Free |
Tentative 2026–2027 schedule
Saturdays, dates subject to change — check back or contact us to confirm before you plan a trip.
| Date |
|---|
| Saturday, November 28, 2026 |
| Saturday, December 12, 2026 |
| Saturday, January 16, 2027 |
| Saturday, February 13, 2027 |
| Saturday, March 13, 2027 |
| Saturday, April 10, 2027 |
| Saturday, May 8, 2027 |
Booking a concert
We’re a nonprofit working with a modest rental budget, so we typically offer a low guarantee plus a percentage of the door. If you’d like to play GRFAS, send a recording, a link to your music online, or promotional materials to our concert booker.
- Concert booking — Roger Plaxton616-421-5043 · roganddeane@aol.com
Membership
GRFAS runs entirely on volunteer effort and member support. Joining helps keep dances and concerts affordable, and gets you a discount at the door.
| Membership | Price |
|---|---|
| Single | $15 / year |
| Family | $25 / year |
Dues paid after July 1 run through the following year
How to join
Join at any dance or concert — just fill out a short form at the door and you’ll receive a wallet card with your expiration date.
What membership includes
Discounted admission to GRFAS concerts and dances, plus reciprocal benefits with affiliated organizations: Country Dancing in Kalamazoo, The Looking Glass Music and Arts Association, and Allegan Woods Folk Arts Cooperative.
Volunteer with us
Everything from running dance sound to booking bands and callers to staffing the door is done by volunteers. Open roles regularly include board positions, dance sound, dance booking, local concert booking, grants, and concert sound. If you can spare a few hours a month, we’d love to hear from you.
2026–2027 board
Board meetings are open to all members. The schedule has been TBA since February 2025 — contact us for the next meeting date.
Membership & general contact
- Web & membership — Cal Lamoreauxcal.mi.mpc@gmail.com
Folk Organizations
Friends, affiliates, and resources across the traditional music and dance world — regional and national. Don’t see a working link for a group you know? Let us know and we’ll add it.
National
- Folk Alliance International
- Folk Alliance Region Midwest (FARM)
- Country Dance & Song Society
Music venues & organizations
- Wheatland Music Organization
- The Ark (Ann Arbor)
- Acoustic Cafe (radio)
- WYCE 88.1 FM
- Ten Pound Fiddle (Lansing)
- The Looking Glass Music and Arts Association (Lansing)
- West Michigan Bluegrass Association
- Great Lakes Music Association
- K’zoo Folklife Organization
- One Trick Pony (Grand Rapids)
Local events & jams
- Local jam sessions
- Country Dancing in Kalamazoo
- Bob’s Barn Jamborees (Lake Odessa)
- Folkjam (participative music links)
Fiddler organizations
- Michigan Fiddlers Association
- Original Michigan Fiddlers
Museums & education
- Coopersville Farm Museum
- Ann Arbor Community for Traditional Music and Dance (AACTMAD)
Resources
- Michigan historic fiddlers & tunes database
- contradancelinks.com