Skip to Content

Houston Area Traditional Dance Society

Houston Area Traditional Dance Society

Come Dance with Us!

HATDS sponsors contra dances and English Country dances, plus the occasional Old-Time Square dance, in Houston, Texas.

Become a Member!

Tap this link to learn about HATDS membership or click the button below to go directly to the membership form.

Contra Dances

At the dance

Contra dances are held on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of most months. Check our schedule page or sign up for email reminders to stay current. Updates will also be posted to our Facebook group and Instagram page.

Specifics about each dance are posted on our Google calendar.

Become a member to receive a $5 discount at every regular contra dance.

Volunteer!

HATDS members, please volunteer to be a door manager or hall manager at a contra dance. Sign up on our SignUp Genius page.

English Country Dances

English Country Dancing

HATDS English dances are on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sundays with the occasional exception. For details, see our ECD page. To stay current with the ECD schedule, subscribe to the HATDS ECD mailing list or check the HATDS calendar.


Upcoming Special Events

November 8-10 in Austin

Fire Ant Frolic is Austin's contra dance weekend. Visit fireantfrolic.org for details and registration.

Holiday Ball

HATDS Holiday Ball

The Holiday Ball will be on December 14 at Resurrection MCC, 2025 West 11th Street. It will begin with a potluck dinner followed by a combination of contra and English dances. Details will be posted here and on our calendar.

February 21-23, 2025 in Houston

Bayou Bedlam is Houston's contra dance festival, taking place a week later than usual in 2025. Visit bayoubedlam.org for details.

April 4-6, 2025 in OKC

Set for Spring is the English country dance weekend that rotates between Texas and Oklahoma cities. It returns to Oklahoma City in 2025. When the site is ready, details will be at setforspring.org.

When in Doubt, Swing!

April 25-27, 2025 in Dallas

When in Doubt, Swing! is Dallas's contra dance weekend. Visit nttds.org for details.



Location, Policies, & Prices

All HATDS regular dances are open to the public and are currently held at Dauntless Dance & Movement, 3221 Houston Ave, 77009.

Attend at your own risk. Do not attend if you are not feeling well.

Masks are welcomed but not required.

Do not attend our dances smelling of alcohol, smoke, or fragrances .

To protect the floor and keep the space clean:

  • Do not wear street shoes for dancing. Bring clean, low-heel shoes that will not scuff or damage the floor, or dance in stocking feet.
  • You may bring water in closed containers—there's no water fountain. No other beverages are allowed.
  • You may bring snacks but they must be consumed outside.

The admission price for contra dances is $10 for members, $15 for non-members. ECD is $10 for members and non-members alike.

Cash, credit cards, digital wallets, PayPal, and Venmo are currently accepted at the door. If paying cash, please bring correct change. No large bills accepted.

Special events have their own pricing structure.


Join HATDS!

Follow this link to learn about HATDS membership or click the button below to join now.

Looking for something?
  • Use the MENU in the bar at the top.
  • Tap the next to MENU) to search the site.
  • Use the site map.
  • Use the links below.

No partner necessary | All dances taught and prompted