Swingin' Tern Dances

Swingin' Tern on FacebookVisit Swingin' Tern on Facebook

LOCATION: The First Presbyterian Church Parish House, 14 Hanover Road, East Hanover, NJ, a smoke & alcohol free environment

ADMISSION: $12 per adult, $5 per student with Student ID.

TIMES: Beginner's workshop at 7:30 PM. Dance follows, 8 PM - 11 PM (unless otherwise indicated). Please carry in clean, soft-soled shoes for dancing. Non-dancing children must be supervised at all times. Dance at your own risk.

INFORMATION: (973) 295-6864 or send email to E-mail

What, you may be asking, is Contra Dancing? Watch the video at right and see our About page for a video and an explanation.


Swingin' Tern 35th Anniversary Buttons: Available now through April 2019 for only $3. Click on the button at right to purchase.
January 19: Peter Stix
Rhythmic Heart: Doug Healy – guitar, mandolin, djembe; Norma Castle – flute; Robin Russell - keyboard

Peter ferries us across the River Stix, past the Contra Cerberus, into a Hades chain. Like a danse macabre, we Dante up our soft soles in those infernal circle dances. Before you flatline, Rhythmic Heart will give you a beat for some contra coroners with tunes to wake the dead. Don’t pay the ferryman until he gets you to Swingin’ Tern. Then pass through to the other side, giving in to your demon desire to set the floor on fire.

February 2: Ron Blechner
Raise the Roof: Mat Clark - fiddle; Bob Pasquarello- bass; Judi Stellar - hammered dulcimer; Kathy Talvitie – guitar
February 16: Paul Morris
Wry Bred: Julie Sorcek - flute, saxophone; Mickey Koth - fiddle; Robert Messore – guitar
March 2: FREE DOUBLE DANCE
Donna Hunt
Coracree: Jane Rothfield - fiddle; Bill Quern - tenor banjo, mandolin, melodeon; Sarah Gowan – guitar; Allan Carr – bass

Afternoon Advanced Contras 4-6pm / All-Level Evening Dance 8-11pm

Free dance sponsored by Doug Heacock & Brian Buckley to celebrate Doug's birthday and his 35 years with Swingin' Tern.

March 16: Desiree Halcomb
Jody Kruskal Band: Jody Kruskal – Anglo concertinas. Check back later for the rest of Jody’s band.