# Event Details

- **Event Name**: April Contra with “The Lost Keys PLUS The Spare Keys”
- **Event Start and End Date**: Sat, 11 Apr, 2026 at 07:00 pm (-05:00)
- **Event Description**: Join us for a Contra Dance at Woodlawn Elementary School in Lawrence, Kansas.
Doors 6:30
Lesson 7:00 (don't be late!)
Dance begins 7:30
Open to both beginners and newcomers without experience. Those new to contra should attend the free lesson at 6:45. All ages welcome!
Our dances are social, inclusive, fun, and beginner friendly. No experience? No partner? No problem!
We strongly recommend that newcomers and beginners arrive at 6:45 for the lesson. The lesson is fun and an invaluable experience - you will enjoy the rest of the dance much more after the lesson.
All dances are taught and prompted, and feature live music.
You’ll hear our callers use gender free terms like Larks and Robins. Larks dance on the left side of a pair of dancers; Robins dance on the right side.
Contra dancing is fun and vigorous! Wear comfortable clothes and clean shoes. Be aware of damaging grit, especially in boots, please, no black marking heels.
Flexible admission rates for in-person dances:
Adult admission pay what you can between $8 to $15+ to help support our dances.
Adults just listening (not dancing) $5
Students $5
Children under 16 $free

***new as of April! Bring snacks to share!***
We so enjoyed the space behind the stage with pie on “pi day” in March, that we decided to open that space for socializing and snacking throughout the evening. Bring whatever your favorite snack food is (I.e. fruit, chips, popcorn, cookies, or a cheese plate?) and we’ll have the tables out for a fun gathering of community! We appreciate your participation and good taste, and can’t wait to see what shows up! 
Don’t miss another dance opportunity! Sign up on our email list to get twice a month reminders of all upcoming events on our website.

On our website, check out our tips for beginners, complete with videos of lessons.

Band: The Spare Keys

Originally booking the family’s string band “The Lost Keys” for this dance, conflicts will keep the two young men from playing for us, so we have reached for “The Spare Keys” to make sure the evening goes as planned! 

Renowned fiddlers, artists, and multi-instrumentalists Tricia Spencer and Howard Rains of the duo Spencer & Rains lead a new pick up band, replacing family members Isaiah Sibi and Orion Spencer-Speirer with musicians Marnie Orville (guitar) and Avery Parkhurts (mandolin). As always Ru Yother will be on bass. So grateful to have some spare keys when we need them! 

***update***
The Lost Keys have been FOUND! All The List keys will be playing WITH  The Spare Keys on Saturday! This will be an amazing band for our contra dance😃

Caller: Jim Hemphill

His wife,Mariah, and he found contra dance in 2002.  They quickly fell in love with the dance style and the wonderful people in the contra dance community.  In 2008 they moved to rural southeast Missouri, far from any contra dance communities.  They decided to learn to call and teach contra dances in hopes of starting a contra dance community closer to home.  He found he enjoyed calling contra dances almost as much as he enjoys dancing.  Along the way he also became fascinated with the patterns and flows of the dance and began writing new contra dances.  He will try out the Lawrence Barn Stomper, at the dance in April.  

When he is not on the dance floor, he enjoys taking care of his 70 acre nature preserve, foraging and cooking with wild edibles and providing entertainment for his cats Stormy and Onyx.

Photography:
Our photographer, of Denis Nicholson Photography, may be on site at this dance. He will post photos after the event and will have prints available through his web site. These are fun reminders of a magical evening and make great gifts and holiday surprises for the dancer in your life!
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/lawrence/april-contra-with-the-lost-keys-plus-the-spare-keys/200029887242208
- **Event Categories**: Music, Entertainment, Kids
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 50

## Ticket Details


## Event venue details

- **city**: Lawrence
- **state**: KS
- **country**: United States
- **location**: Woodlawn Elementary
- **lat**: 38.97623
- **long**: -95.22811
- **full address**: Woodlawn Elementary, 508 Elm St, Lawrence, KS 66044-5430, United States

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: April Contra with “The Lost Keys PLUS The Spare Keys”
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events8/banners/d4450b3f3335e07d5d1d464ada89428e79e5290deb4c53452a5d032ee9139d5f-rimg-w940-h788-dcfffffe-gmir?v=1775854934

## FAQs

- **Q**: When and where is April Contra with “The Lost Keys PLUS The Spare Keys” being held?
  - **A:** April Contra with “The Lost Keys PLUS The Spare Keys” takes place on Sat, 11 Apr, 2026 at 07:00 pm to Sat, 11 Apr, 2026 at 07:00 pm at Woodlawn Elementary, 508 Elm St, Lawrence, KS 66044-5430, United States.
- **Q**: Who is organizing April Contra with “The Lost Keys PLUS The Spare Keys”?
  - **A:** April Contra with “The Lost Keys PLUS The Spare Keys” is organized by Lawrence Barn Dance Association.
- **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me?
  - **A:** April Contra with “The Lost Keys PLUS The Spare Keys” is ideal for music lovers, fans of all genres, and anyone who wants to celebrate the power of music - from intimate gigs and live sessions to festivals and cultural performances. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Lawrence, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. If April Contra with “The Lost Keys PLUS The Spare Keys” sounds like your kind of event, don't wait - spots fill up fast.

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