About
Contra Dancing
Beginners are
welcome and encouraged! Usually the early part of an
event will feature easier dances, and there is often a
beginner's workshop before the start of an event.
Contra is a fast and high-spirited folk dance. It was
initially (and is still) danced to fast Irish music, but
modern contra bands now mix in lively tunes from Klezmer,
French Canadian, swing, rock, and anything else that moves
the spirit and the feet! Each dance is taught by a caller.
Usually there is a walk-through before the music starts and
the calls continue through the first few cycles of a dance.
Each cycle puts you and your partner together with another
couple for about a minute. You dance together and then you
and your partner move on. People generally switch partners
between dances. Come alone or with a friend! Before the
intermission and again before the end, there's often a
waltz, hambo, schottish, polka, swing, or other couple
dance thrown in just for fun.
Here's a more philosophical treatment
of the question
"What Is Contra Dance?"
Dancing is vigorous activity! It's a good idea to dress
lightly and to bring a water bottle. If the weather calls
for it, you may want a sweatshirt for when you're not
dancing. Also...
Please Bring A Separate Set Of Clean Shoes
We ask people not to dance in street shoes because sand and
grit under 400 fast-moving feet can badly damage a nice
wooden dance floor. You will be most comfortable in regular
dancing shoes, but a clean set of sneakers works great too.
Some dancers like bowling shoes, which have similar soles
to dancing shoes but give more support.