Contra Borealis Dancers (and the predecessor organization University Contradancers until 1998) have presented winter special events for some years in the Fairbanks, Alaska area. Of late, we have successfully maintained the Winter Dance Weekend, an opportunity to enjoy a winter dance event in Fairbanks, Alaska. This provides dancers opportunities to explore winter activities beyond dance, such as an ice art festival, Aurora Borealis viewing (no guarantees) and more.

Past special events:

Sept. 21, 1996 – Penn Fix, guest caller

Special Event at Alaskaland, Dance Hall, University Park, Wood Center Ballroom
Oct 3-7, 1996 Bettie Anderson, Steve Zakon caller and clogging
with local bands Rosie Creek String Band, Freezing Gaels

Winter Dance Camp
Jan 30-Feb. 3, 1997 – in Fairbanks
Reckless Abandon (Larry Unger, Nat Hewitt, Carol Hamm, Lise Brown)

Winter Break Dance Weekend
Jan 31-Feb 1, 1998 – at Chena Hot Springs Resort
Hillbillies from Mars (Kevin Carr, Daniel Steinberg, Ray Bierl, Paul Kotapish)

Fall Dance Weekend at Chena Hot Springs Resort coordinator: Kathy Gingrich
Oct. 16-19, 1999 – Rex Blazer and Anita Anderson, with caller Lara Mè Smith

And then a break in events or history

The first Winter Dance Weekend 2013
Feb. 1-3, 2013 – at Pioneer Park Dance Hall, Wood Center Ballroom, and College Coffeehouse
Noreaster, with caller Rebecca Lay

Winter Dance Weekend 2014
Feb. 23-25, 2014 – Pioneer Park Dance Hall
Midnight in Montague (David Kaynor, Betsy Branch and Max Newman). David plays and calls.

Winter Dance Weekend 2015
Feb. 20-22, 2015 – Pioneer Park Dance Hall
Karina Wilson and Jeff Spero (of Syncopaths), with caller Susie Kendig

Winter Dance Weekend 2016
Feb 18-21, 2016 – Pioneer Park Dance Hall and College Coffeehouse
Karina Wilson and Larry Unger, with caller Wendy Graham-Settle

Winter Dance Weekend 2017
Feb 23-26, 2017 – Pioneer Park Dance Hall
Uncle Farmer, with caller Wendy Graham-Settle

Winter Dance Weekend 2018
Feb. 16-18, 2018 – Pioneer Park Dance Hall
Julie Metcalf and Max Newman, with caller Mary Wesley

Winter Dance Weekend 2019
Feb. 15-17, 2019 – Pioneer Park Dance Hall
Sassafras Stomp (Adam Nordell and Johanna Davis), with caller Lindsey Dono

Winter Dance Weekend 2020
Feb. 14-16, 2020 – Pioneer Park Dance Hall
Amy Englesberg and Audrey Knuth, with caller Luke Donforth
This was the last contra dance and event pre-pandemic