Breaking up Thanksgiving 2026

Friday, November 27 Doors open at 6pm

ERIN BALLROOM on the 4th Floor
Contra dancing………………………………………………………….7pm – 11:00pm
7:00pm Dear Old Aubrey (Open Band opportunity)
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

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
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

MCGINTY ROOM – 3rd Floor Room 309
Musicians Jam……………………………………………………………..12:30pm- 11:00pm

Dinner Break………………………………………………………………..5:45pm – 6:45pm

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