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About Summer Soirée

June 12-14, 2026, Asheville, NC

We try to cater to both the out-of-town dancers as well as local Asheville dancers. All events, housing, and meals are a short walk from each other, and you can purchase the options that work best for you. Scroll down to Dance Registration and Cost, Housing and Meals, T-shirt, and Location for further information.

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Here is a link to our 2025 schedule if you want to see the kind of fun we had.

Don't hesitate to e-mail questions to us at soiree@ashevillecontra.com or use the "Contact" link in the menu above.

Registration Opens
Saturday, March 14th at 12:00 pm EDT.

Dance Registration and Cost

Dance registration includes all dance events, workshops, and snack breaks. Registration is on a first come first, first served basis. Each dancer must register individually. Payment is either by Venmo, ApplePay, GooglePay or by a credit card entered directly on the registration site. Sorry, but we are not accepting checks. You will receive a confirmation e-mail when your registration is complete. The college requires all dancers to provide the name and phone number of an emergency contact. Please provide that information on the registration form.

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This dance SOLD OUT in a matter of WEEKS in both 2024 and 2025! Don't delay!!

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No transaction fees.

Wait List: Once registration is full, you will automatically be placed on a wait list. No payment is required unless a space becomes available. We will contact you via e-mail and/or text to confirm your attendance prior to processing your payment. Please reply promptly. Otherwise, we will move on to the next dancer on the wait list.

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Cancellation Policy: Tickets are NOT transferable! If you need to cancel, please contact soiree@ashevillecontra.com as soon as possible. If your registration has been processed and confirmed, your ticket will be refunded up until Sunday, May 31st less a $35 administrative fee. There will be no refunds starting on June 1st.

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Volunteering: Throughout the weekend, we will need your help with various tasks (setup, registration, sweeping, clean up, etc). If you are interested in volunteering, please indicate your willingness during registration. You'll be contacted a week or so before the event with tasks and a schedule.

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Bryson Gym is not air conditioned: Dance events and workshops will be held both in Bryson Gym and the outdoor Morris Pavilion on the campus of Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC about 10 miles east of Asheville (See Location information below for exact details). Please bring your own re-usable water bottle.

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The general schedule for the weekend is:

  • Friday, June 12th

    • 4:30 pm - Check in opens. Dancers can start arriving.

    • 5:30 pm - Dinner in Gladfelter Dining Hall (for those who purchase the full meal plan).

    • 7:30 pm - First contra dance

  • Saturday, June 13th

    • All day - Dance until you drop

  • Sunday, June 14th

    • 3:00 pm - Last contra dance ends, say good-byes, and head for home

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A detailed 2026 schedule will be published when available. Here is a link to our 2025 schedule

Housing

Meals

For out of town dancers, a housing option is available in the dorms at Warren Wilson. You can choose either a private room by yourself or a 2-person shared room. If you choose a shared room, you can indicate either your preferred roommate or be paired with a roommate. If you have special circumstances that should be considered when assigning rooms or roommates, please leave a message for our housing coordinator when you register.

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Note to Friends / Couples: You should each specify a shared room and then specify each other as roommates. You will then share the same room together.

 

Other Items:

  • Linens and towels are NOT provided. Bring your own!

    • Bath towel, washcloth, 2 sheets (twin size, long), light blanket, pillow, and pillowcase.

  • There is absolutely NO CAMPING and NO SWIMMING on the Warren Wilson campus.

We provide six meals during Summer Soirée.

 

Most meals are in Gladfelter Dining Hall which is a short walk from Bryson Gym. The staff is accustomed to supporting all kinds of diets and, thus, provide vegetarian and gluten free options. You'll always find something to eat.

 

Saturday dinner will again be catered by 12 Bones Smokehouse in the Cow Pie Café on the lower level of Gladfelter Dining Hall. On the menu will be:

  •  New in 2026!  We are offering your choice from two main entrées:

    • Ribs and/or Pulled Chicken 

    • Portobello Mushroom Sandwich

  • Vegetarian Sides: Green Beans (GF), Slaw (GF), Potato Salad (GF), Mac and Cheese

  • Cobbler and Key Lime pie.

  • Sweet and Unsweet Tea

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If you wish to purchase meals at Summer Soirée, you have two options.

Meal Plan:

  • Friday cafeteria dinner

  • Saturday cafeteria breakfast and lunch

  • Saturday BBQ dinner

  • Sunday cafeteria breakfast and lunch

Just Saturday dinner ONLY: if you choose, you may purchase just the Saturday catered dinner and be on your own for all other meals.

T-shirt Pre-Order

T-Shirts will be available for pre-order on the registration form up until May 1st, 2026. If you want to be guaranteed a T-shirt, please order before then. There will be limited availability (if any) at the dance.

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Men's shirt size ranging from Small to 3X-large.

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Location

Warren Wilson College is located about 10 miles east of Asheville, NC. If you are driving, set your GPS to:

  • 102 Upper College Rd, Swannanoa, NC 28778

If you are flying, the most convenient airports are

  • Asheville, NC (AVL) - 30 minute drive

  • Greenville-Spartansburg, SC (GSP) - 90 minute drive

  • Kingsport, TN (TRI) - 90 minute drive

  • Charlotte, NC (CLT) - 2 hour drive

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You can view a full campus map here. All activities, housing, and meals are within a short walk of each other.​

Registration Opens
Saturday, March 14th at 12:00 pm EDT.

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