Harvest Moon Dance Festival

Stomp Rocket is a New England-based trio that delivers high-energy foot-stomping music for contra dancing! The band consists of fiddler extraordinaire Dave Langford (The Latter Day Lizards, Supertrad), DADGAD guitar monster and pianist Bethany Waickman (Anadama, Eloise & Co.), and mandolin and tenor banjo wild man Glen Loper (Frigate, Riptide). They’ve played for contras throughout New England, and at dance weekends from Alaska to California, and Quebec to Florida.

Syncopaths From dance floors to concert halls, the Syncopaths bring a fresh, contemporary spin to tunes and songs rooted in the Scottish, Irish, and American folk traditions. Evolving through their contradance origins, they are creating a “chamber folk” sound, characterized by the compelling rhythmic interplay of fiddle and mandolin, rich vocals, and unexpected colors and rhythms of the piano and bodhrán. The exuberant joy they derive from the music and each other is palpable and contagious.
Each member of the band is also an accomplished tunesmith, with recordings of original compositions on each of the band’s CDs. All in all, the Syncopaths are equally at home with pulsing, high-energy dance tunes, and beautiful, contemplative songs. They ably stretch melodic boundaries while keeping a steady, compelling, danceable beat.

Jacqui Grennan started contra dancing in Los Angeles, CA, in 2009. Since then, she’s taken a deep dive into folk dancing, first as a contra caller, then choreographer, then English Country Dance caller and choreographer, and now taking on the challenge of learning modern western square dancing. These experiences of trying new things at different skill levels has enhanced her ability to consider different ways of teaching and learning. She is known for her clear and caring teaching with a stage presence that is a blend of calmness and dynamism. She knows what dancers want, and knows how to make it happen, seeing herself as the host of a party who wants to help everyone have a good time. When Jacqui calling or dancing at contra dances and English Country dances, she likes to travel the world by planes, trains, automobiles and ferries, and visit with friends.

Frannie Marr is a caller, dance organizer, and dance gypsy residing in Southern California. Frannie draws on her experience as a dance gypsy to call dances that people like. Her hallmark is quick walkthroughs, efficient calling, and letting the dance and music flow whenever possible. Whether it’s a crowd of enthusiastic beginners or hard core “dancing fools”, Frannie’s calling delights with fun, flowy dances filled with a variety of moves.

On-line Registration starts on June 1. Please check back or contact Marisa below to be added to our email list and receive reminder emails.

Cost: $195 Friday evening through Sunday evening! Under 35 $75, or free for 5 hours of work trade. Under 18 free. All cancellations subject to a $20 administrative fee. If you cancel after September 3, refund is contingent on us locating a replacement. Registration is nontransferable. A limited number of half-off work trade scholarships are available. The open Sunday night dance is included. $20 at door for non-Harvest Moon participants.

Meals: Enjoy an ongoing snack table with lots of goodies throughout the weekend, plus a light lunch on Saturday and Sunday. (We will do our best with a variety of food; however, please be aware that not all diets will be accommodated.) Dinners are on your own. Many restaurants and a large supermarket are within walking distance.

Facility: Harvest Moon is held entirely at the Carrillo Recreation Center located at 100 E. Carrillo St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101. The Historic Carrillo Ballroom is located in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. This ballroom has a spring-loaded, maple floor, and it is one of the finest in the country for dancing. There is also a landscaped front and rear courtyard, a wonderful balcony in the dance hall, a large snack room, and the Moon Lounge, which will have fun raffle items, a place to get a massage, and an area for music jams.

Accommodations: There are many hotels and airbnb’s around Santa Barbara. Campgrounds are available at El Capitán, Refugio, and in Carpinteria. If housing is requested, every attempt will be made to house or tent participants from out of town with local dancers.

Harvest Moon is a Zero-Waste Event

For more info: contact Marisa Pasquini at:

For housing questions, please contact Donnalyn at:

or call 805-682-1877

The Thirty-Ninth Annual

	Santa Barbara’s Harvest Moon Dance Festival October 9–11, 2026 ~ One incredible venue ~ Join us in Santa Barbara on our legendary sprung floor at the Carrillo Ballroom. This is one of the best contra weekends on the West Coast! You will have an amazing contra time... Featuring two fantastic bands! Two fantastic callers! Stomp Rocket, and the Syncopaths Jacqui Grennan, and Frannie Marr Stomp Rocket is a New England-based trio that delivers high-energy foot-stomping music for contra dancing! The band consists of fiddler extraordinaire Dave Langford (The Latter Day Lizards, Supertrad), DADGAD guitar monster and pianist Bethany Waickman (Anadama, Eloise & Co.), and mandolin and tenor banjo wild man Glen Loper (Frigate, Riptide). They’ve played for contras throughout New England, and at dance weekends from Alaska to California, and Quebec to Florida. Syncopaths From dance floors to concert halls, the Syncopaths bring a fresh, contemporary spin to tunes and songs rooted in the Scottish, Irish, and American folk traditions. Evolving through their contradance origins, they are creating a “chamber folk” sound, characterized by the compelling rhythmic interplay of fiddle and mandolin, rich vocals, and unexpected colors and rhythms of the piano and bodhrán. The exuberant joy they derive from the music and each other is palpable and contagious. Each member of the band is also an accomplished tunesmith, with recordings of original compositions on each of the band’s CDs. All in all, the Syncopaths are equally at home with pulsing, high-energy dance tunes, and beautiful, contemplative songs. They ably stretch melodic boundaries while keeping a steady, compelling, danceable beat. Jacqui Grennan started contra dancing in Los Angeles, CA, in 2009. Since then, she’s taken a deep dive into folk dancing, first as a contra caller, then choreographer, then English Country Dance caller and choreographer, and now taking on the challenge of learning modern western square dancing. These experiences of trying new things at different skill levels has enhanced her ability to consider different ways of teaching and learning. She is known for her clear and caring teaching with a stage presence that is a blend of calmness and dynamism. She knows what dancers want, and knows how to make it happen, seeing herself as the host of a party who wants to help everyone have a good time. When Jacqui calling or dancing at contra dances and English Country dances, she likes to travel the world by planes, trains, automobiles and ferries, and visit with friends. Frannie Marr is a caller, dance organizer, and dance gypsy residing in Southern California. Frannie draws on her experience as a dance gypsy to call dances that people like. Her hallmark is quick walkthroughs, efficient calling, and letting the dance and music flow whenever possible. Whether it’s a crowd of enthusiastic beginners or hard core “dancing fools”, Frannie’s calling delights with fun, flowy dances filled with a variety of moves. On-line Registration starts on June 1. Please check back or contact Marisa below to be added to our email list and receive reminder emails. Cost: $195 Friday evening through Sunday evening! Under 35 $75, or free for 5 hours of work trade. Under 18 free. All cancellations subject to a $20 administrative fee. If you cancel after September 3, refund is contingent on us locating a replacement. Registration is nontransferable. A limited number of half-off work trade scholarships are available. The open Sunday night dance is included. $20 at door for non-Harvest Moon participants. Meals: Enjoy an ongoing snack table with lots of goodies throughout the weekend, plus a light lunch on Saturday and Sunday. (We will do our best with a variety of food; however, please be aware that not all diets will be accommodated.) Dinners are on your own. Many restaurants and a large supermarket are within walking distance. Facility: Harvest Moon is held entirely at the Carrillo Recreation Center located at 100 E. Carrillo St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101. The Historic Carrillo Ballroom is located in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. This ballroom has a spring-loaded, maple floor, and it is one of the finest in the country for dancing. There is also a landscaped front and rear courtyard, a wonderful balcony in the dance hall, a large snack room, and the Moon Lounge, which will have fun raffle items, a place to get a massage, and an area for music jams. Accommodations: There are many hotels and airbnb’s around Santa Barbara. Campgrounds are available at El Capitán, Refugio, and in Carpinteria. If housing is requested, every attempt will be made to house or tent participants from out of town with local dancers. Harvest Moon is a Zero-Waste Event For more info: contact Marisa Pasquini at: For housing questions, please contact Donnalyn at: or call 805-682-1877 CREDITS The Harvest Moon Dance Festival is brought to you by the Santa Barbara Country Dance Society. [ Previous year's page ] [ Last modified September 15 2024 12.58.36 PT ]

Santa Barbara’s Harvest Moon Dance Festival