Oct 30th to Nov 1st, 2026!
Hey Fever! is a weekend of wonderful contra dancing from Friday night to Sunday afternoon. Lots of dancing, some fun workshops, shared meals and we always celebrate Halloween with our costume dance! We love that so many out of town dancers join us for this total blast of a weekend in Canada’s capital.
The bands are
The Engine Room
Calico
The callers are
Liz Nelson
Adina Gordon
Registration for Hey Fever! 2026 will open on May 1st, 2026.
The Engine Room brings a powerhouse contra dance groove from both coasts and places in between. Since forming in 2022, they’ve been driving dancers to their feet with unstoppable energy. Twin fiddles blaze, guitar and banjo push the rhythm with effortless drive, and button accordion weaves in rich, melodic layers. Blending tradition with bold invention, the Engine Room creates a nonstop, heart-pounding sound that keeps dancers moving, grinning, and eager for more—long after the final chord fades.
The Engine Room is Noah VanNorstrand (fiddle, mandolin, foot percussion), Kelsey Wells (fiddle, banjo), and Alex Sturbaum (guitar, button accordion). See The Engine Room on Facebook.
Calico, with an irresistible groove of cello, foot percussion, fiddle, and 12-string guitar, puts a powerful new twist on the fiddle music of Québec and New England. The three musicians came together by chance in 2016 for two impromptu gigs. Jesse Ball had long been immersed in the contra dance scene of Western Mass., becoming one of its most sought-after rhythm players. Casey Murray was studying at Berklee, playing old-time and Scottish tunes and chopping up a storm. Eric Boodman had just moved to Boston, having grown up in Montreal with an obsession for Québécois traditional music. They had so much fun playing together they couldn’t stop. Whether they’re delving into archival crooked reels or new compositions of their own, whether they’re playing contra dance weekends, house concerts, or festival sets, their sound is immediately recognizable: a tidal, joyous force you can’t help but be drawn into! See Calico on Facebook.
Liz Nelson is a dance caller residing in Western Massachusetts. She is well-known for her clear, concise teaching and warm, welcoming presence. She knows that everyone can dance, and firmly believes “if you’re having fun, and being safe, you’re doing it right!” Nothing delights her more than working with a group of enthusiastic, joyful dancers (no matter what age or experience level). See Liz Nelson on Facebook.
Adina Gordon calls dances throughout the US and Canada, creating joy and minor chaos wherever she goes. Combining a voice that makes you want to do what she says with a commitment to using that power for good and not evil, Adina calls contra, squares and English country dances old and new that cause spontaneous eruptions of joy on dance floors throughout North America.
More info…
Hey Fever! 2026 schedule will be posted closer to the dance weekend. It will be somewhat similar to the 2025 Hey Fever! Schedule.
Last year the registration price was $135 early bird, then $155 regular. The 2026 rates are not finalized yet but will likely be somewhat similar.
The popular Saturday shawarma lunch option will be offered again.
Masks will be optional at this dance weekend.
For more info on the Hey Fever! dance location check out our Location, getting there, food page.
Here we are at Hey Fever! 2025, with River Road playing
and Will Mentor calling. This was a costume dance!
Past Hey Fevers! talent and what some dancers said
2025: Good Company and River Road with Will Mentor and Mary Wesley calling
“First-time at Hey Fever and I’m a convert!”, “Great weekend. Period.”, “It was just PERFECT!” “Overall: wow!”
2024: Elixir and Peach Jam with Nils Ferdland and Alexandra Deis-Lauby calling
“Incredible weekend.” “Great memories.” “I have already started promoting it to other dancers.” “It was ….. FANTASTIC!!!” “It was really really really incredible. I had more fun than at Flurry!” “I can’t remember a more enjoyable festival. Hey Fever was the bee’s knees.”
2019: The Gaslight Tinkers and Max Newman & Julie Metcalf with Will Mentor and Angela DeCarlis calling
“It was the epitome of fun.” “We had a 7 hour drive to and from the dance but it was totally worth it.” “I HAD SO MUCH FUN AT HEY FEVER!!! You changed my life.” “I finished the weekend feeling like I’d been away on vacation.” “I never once felt like an outsider.” “very community minded.”
2018: Genticorum and Seaglass with Lisa Greenleaf and Dugan Murphy calling
“Amazing bands, wicked callers, awesome crowd, smooth organization” “superb event.” “Great dance! This was my first year and I’ll definitely be back!!” “This was such a spectacular Hey Fever!” “some of the highest quality talent at an event;” “already looking forward to the next one.”
2017: The O’Schraves and Julie Vallimont & Friends with David Eisenstadter and Mary Wesley calling
“Was fabulous from start to finish.” “Everyone had a blast.” “I cried a little when it was over.” “My first full weekend dancing, I couldn’t imagine better.” “Hey Fever is becoming one of our favorite dance weekends. It’s a long way from central New Hampshire to Ottawa, but well worth the trip.”
2016: Great Bear Trio and The Free Raisins with Sarah VanNorstrand and Rick Mohr calling
“Hey Fever is one of my favourite dance weekends.” “I can’t imagine a better time.” “Your community in Ottawa is so incredibly wonderful!” “I *love* Hey Fever.” “Totally worth traveling 3000 miles!” “It just gets better every year!” “It was perfect.”
2015: Tidal Wave and Nor’easter with David Smukler and Will Mentor calling
2014: Stringrays and Crowfoot with Sarah VanNorstrand and Nils Fredland calling
2013: (called Capital Contra) Great Bear Trio and Perpetual E-Motion with Sarah VanNorstrand and Will Mentor calling
