Breaking up Thanksgiving 2026
Friday, November 27 Doors open at 6pm
ERIN BALLROOM on the 4th Floor
Contra dancing………………………………………………………….7pm – 11:00pm
7:00pm Grand Ole’ Aubrey Band (Open Band opportunity – musicians are welcome to bring an instrument to play with the band on stage)
8:00pm Rachel Kazez and friends
9:00pm Ravenswing
10:00pm Rare Privilege
MCGINTY ROOM – 3rd Floor Room 309
Musicians Jam…………………………………………………………….7pm- 11:00pm
Saturday, November 28 Doors open at Noon
ERIN BALLROOM on the 4th Floor
Challenging Contras…………………………….…..…………….….12:30pm – 1:45pm
Guinea Pig Dance with Elizabeth Bloom Albert….……….….………2:00pm – 3:15pm
Test driving newly composed dances.
Dance authors please report to Erin Ballrooom at 1:45 for lottery!
We will test drive some brand new (and hopefully fabulous) dances
If you have a newly written dance (or two) to test drive during this workshop, please contact the workshop leader, Elizabeth Bloom Albert, for more information
Dancers come try out some new dances and offer feedback
Dutch Crossing with Jo Mortland…………………..…………..………3:30pm – 4:45pm
Dutch Crossing requires sets of 16 people. Please sign up here so we can make sure to have multiples of 16
FAILTE ROOM – 3rd Floor Room 311
Exquisite Corpse Contra (A contra writing game)……………………..12:30pm – 1:45pm
With Moose Flores
Lab Rats Calling…………………………………………………………….2:00pm – 3:15pm
With Meg Dedolph. Callers – enjoy a friendly, low pressure opportunity to try something new. Get on the mic for the first time, teach a figure you haven’t called before, or experiment with a new formation. Positive feedback will be available. Dancers, want to help our community grow? Stop by for a little bit and lend your experienced feet and generous hearts.
Refine Your Contra…………………………………………………………3:30pm – 4:45pm
With Georges Augustin. A little tweak can make a big difference! We’ll go over ways to be a good neighbor/partner and being safe and timely in your flourishes.
MCGINTY ROOM – 3rd Floor Room 309
Musicians Jam……………………………………………………………..12:30pm- 11:00pm
Dinner Break………………………………………………………………..5pm – 7pm
ERIN BALLROOM on the 4th Floor
Contra dancing………………………..…………………………….…………7pm – 11:00pm
7:00pm Wabi Sabi
8:00pm Cosmic Otters
9:00pm Hillbilly Diaspora
10:00pm Rube Frolic Cotillion (Paul Tyler, Fred Campeau, Chirps Smith, Steve Rosen)
Sunday, November 29
Brunch and Waltzing at Rob & Amy’s………………………………………….10am – Noon
Info and maps will be available at the welcome table
After Party Old Time Night at Mrs. Murphy’s………………………………….5pm – 7pm
3905 N Lincoln, Chicago, IL 773-248-3905
Live band hosted by Rachel Kazez playing old time fiddle tunes. Free to attend, no tickets or reservations required. Food, ice cream, & drinks for purchase.
Questions – breakingupthanksgiving@gmail.com