# Event Details

- **Event Name**: Contra dance: Susan Petrick calling to music of Lisa Miklos-Illés, Peter Mellinger, and Will Wheeler
- **Event Start and End Date**: Sat, 31 Jan, 2026 at 07:00 pm – Sat, 31 Jan, 2026 at 10:00 pm
- **Event Description**: Susan Petrick calling to the live music of Lisa Miklos-Illés (flute and sax), Peter Mellinger (fiddle), and Will Wheeler (guitar and feet).

Day: Saturday, Jan 31, 2026.
Time: 7 to 10 PM with a free beginners’ lesson at 6:30 PM.
Venue: Second floor, First United Methodist Church Palo Alto, 625 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301.
Cost: Pay what you can. Recommend $15 for BACDS members, $20 for non-members, $10 for students. Purchase in person or online (https://paloaltocontradance.org/calendar/).

Values: Hosting inclusive dances is a priority. Bringing a partner is not necessary, and dancers are encouraged to switch partners after each dance. Dances are called in a gender-free format, and emphasis is on safe and respectful dancing.

Share the joy: Invite family and friends to join the dance. Share the event with your community. Links to the dance event across multiple platforms are at the bottom.


What is Contra Dancing?
Contra dancing is a partner dance that features live music and long lines of dancers. An evening features multiple contra dances and usually a couple of waltzes. Contra dancing is a fantastic introduction to dancing because the basic steps are based on walking and are taught at the start of every dance and called throughout each dance. It is also a fun dance for experienced dancers because the dances are rather flexible, allowing people to add flourishes (like twirling or skipping) around the basic walking steps.


Is Contra dancing for me?
YES! We welcome people old and young, of all genders, races, nationalities, and other identities, and strive to create an inclusive dance floor. Notably, our dances are called/announced using gender-free terms.


Can I come without a partner?
YES! Dances have a mix of people who come with partners and those that don’t. Typically, everyone switches partners through the course of the evening to meet new people and experience the dance and energies of different people.


But I’m hesitant to try something new! How can I ease in?
Every dance hosts a 30-minute free beginner’s lesson covering the different ways of walking (Contra dance moves). Come check it out! If you like it, stay on. Otherwise, you’ll be in downtown Palo Alto with lots of good food, music, and desserts on a Saturday evening. Classic win-win situation.


Okay! What do I need to go dancing?
a. Wear comfortable, supportive, clean non-marking shoes.
b. Wear comfortable clothes, because the dance room can get warm. If you’d like, wear a flowy garment so the twirls are more fun.
c. We are no longer requiring participants to wear a mask. You may bring an N95 or KN95 mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory pathogens.
d. Bring cash to pay for the dance or pre-purchase online at https://paloaltocontradance.org/calendar/
e. Bring a water bottle. We do have a water fountain at the venue.


Upcoming dances: Keep an eye out!
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/pacontra/
Website - https://paloaltocontradance.org
Other local dances - https://bacds.org/
Google calendar - https://bacds.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3e43d9ae80f2c76e051c6354b&id=966d71e390&e=49d0fa43e6
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/palo-alto/contra-dance-susan-petrick-calling-to-music-of-lisa-miklos-illés-peter-mellinger-and-will-wheeler/200029450393133
- **Event Categories**: music, entertainment, calendar, live-music, sports
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 274

## Ticket Details

- **Ticket URL**: http://facebook.com/200029450393133?utm_source=AllEvents.in&utm_medium=event-discovery-platform&utm_campaign=palo+alto-events

## Event venue details

- **city**: Palo Alto
- **state**: CA
- **country**: United States
- **location**: First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto, CA
- **lat**: 37.4493
- **long**: -122.15669
- **full address**: First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto, CA, 625 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301-2016, United States

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: Contra dance: Susan Petrick calling to music of Lisa Miklos-Illés, Peter Mellinger, and Will Wheeler
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events10/banners/19b4718104ca3b61e1e1929607fccc1b4268dfe8d7748e0e02b2c1f90ca6e0ee-rimg-w1200-h900-dcabaca8-gmir?v=1769717008

## FAQs

- **Q**: When and where is Contra dance: Susan Petrick calling to music of Lisa Miklos-Illés, Peter Mellinger, and Will Wheeler being held?
  - **A:** Contra dance: Susan Petrick calling to music of Lisa Miklos-Illés, Peter Mellinger, and Will Wheeler takes place on Sat, 31 Jan, 2026 at 07:00 pm to Sat, 31 Jan, 2026 at 10:00 pm at First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto, CA, 625 Hamilton Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94301-2016, United States.
- **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me?
  - **A:** Contra dance: Susan Petrick calling to music of Lisa Miklos-Illés, Peter Mellinger, and Will Wheeler 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 Palo Alto, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. With 270+ people already showing interest, this is clearly an event worth adding to your calendar - don't miss out.

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