Who is PICD?
Portland Intown Contra Dance is a dynamic, growing community of people in Portland, Maine who really love to dance and really like spending time with each other. We're creative, zesty, welcoming, loving, respectful, and delightful. We're tons of volunteers, a handful of core organizers, and a whole network of people we impact by spreading our joy.
We take our values seriously and have fun with just about everything else. Here's what we're up to:
Our contra dance strives to be welcoming and affirming to all people.
We do our best to create a safe and respectful space together, encouraging healthy self-expression and high quality communication.
We cherish our local dance community and act in ways that nourish it.
As members of the broader Maine and North American contra dance communities, we honor our roles in preserving and evolving contra traditions.
And we have fun. Lots and lots of fun.
Troy Bennett of the Bangor Daily News dropped in on us in January 2017 and made a pretty video and article about the dance. Read it here.
Who’s ORGANIZING THIS?
Portland Intown Contra Dance is a nonprofit whose mission is to enrich lives and cultivate a vibrant community through dance.
We are a group affiliate of the Country Dance & Song Society (CDSS). CDSS is a national organization that promotes participatory music, song, and dance from England and North America by educating, marketing, and creating connections between participants who bring these traditions to life. Our dance is supported in part by the Outreach Fund of CDSS.
We've received support from the DownEast Friends of the Folk Arts (DEFFA) and the Maine Arts Commission.
BOARD, BUT NOT BORING.
We have a board who helps the trains run on time. Call us Triple D. And, hey!, connect with us if you want to know more about what our community is up to.
Dela Murphy, President
dela@portlandintowncontradance.com
Dugan Murphy, Secretary
dugan@portlandintowncontradance.com
David Chase, Treasurer
david@portlandintowncontradance.com
We also have a team of dance managers and volunteers who help lead events. Board members and dance managers are here to serve you, so reach out if you have comments, suggestions or needs!
join our bevy.
Bunches of really wonderful folks work together to make PICD happen. From booking talent to plugging in the fans, every role is important and appreciated. We have plenty of opportunities for volunteering and would love to have you join in! Oh, and did we mention you dance free the night you volunteer?
VOLUNTEER.
Volunteers are thanked with free dances and other considerations. If you're interested in volunteering with Portland Intown Contra Dance, send us a note at volunteer@portlandintowncontradance.com.
Host Performers.
Many of the musicians and callers who perform for us come a long way to get here and they need a place to stay after the dance. Do you have space in your home to accommodate traveling performers? Hosts are thanked with free dances and other considerations. If you're interested in hosting, get in touch at host@portlandintowncontradance.com.
Come perform.
We'd probably really like each other. Why not come call or play music at one of our dances? We welcome performers from inside and outside Maine.
What can you expect? We cherish you and want you to feel like you're a part of our local community. You'll have a really wonderful night having dinner at one of the awesome nearby restaurants, have an easy time setting up, have a rad evening performing for people who really appreciate you, and then end your evening with some snacks and drinks at our after-party, or simply settle into a cozy bed at a local host's place.
We can also help you plan a tour of Maine contra dance series. There are an abundance of weekday and weekend dances in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont, as well. Email us and we can tell you more about tour possibilities.
BOOK WITH US.
If you're interested in performing at PICD or planning a Maine tour, send us an email at booking@portlandintowncontradance.com.