About Us

Friends of the Concordia Ballroom is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to fundraising and programming initiatives that will ensure the Concordia Ballroom remains a dance and exercise venue everyone in the community can enjoy for generations to come.

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• Historic Preservation:  Formed to support, maintain, and sustain La Crosse's over-130-year-old historic live event and dance landmark.

• Community Support:  Functions alongside the Concordia Aid Society to raise funds, handle capital improvements, and preserve the affordable cultural venue for future generations.

• Public Events:  Helps back traditional community programming, including live Sunday social dances featuring polka, swing, waltz, and foxtrot music.

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The Heart of the Ballroom

The crown jewel of the historic Concordia Ballroom in La Crosse, Wisconsin, is its 40-by-70-foot, 3/4-inch sprung maple dance floor. Built in 1891 by a German singing society, the hall features the area's last remaining sprung wood floor, designed to absorb shock and give dancers extra bounce and ease on their joints.

 

Community Connection & Romance

During the school year, the ballroom is fully booked for dance and exercise classes most weekdays, and Sunday afternoons the floor is filled with polka dancers. People renting the hall for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and fund-raisers also include dancing in their celebrations. As the only venue of its kind left in the La Crosse area, the Concordia Ballroom provides the beautiful floor that supports these movement-centered events.

 

Dancing brings people together to have fun, build community, and get some exercise. Many people in the La Crosse area met their partners at the Concordia, as did their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. The value of meeting a life partner cannot be overestimated! 

 

How can you help?

Supported through community donations, volunteer efforts, and fundraising campaigns designated for building upgrades, maintenance, and historical upkeep.

 

We're now accepting tax-exempt donations, including distributions from retirement funds. If you’re age 70½ or older, you can make a tax-exempt Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA to the Friends of the Concordia Ballroom. 

• Make Check out to:  Friends of the Concordia Ballroom

• Mailing Address: 1129 La Crosse Street, La Crosse, WI 54601

• In the future, we'll have ways of accepting electronic transfers. Call Dave at 608.769.6731 with questions or more information.