Contra
dancing is a spirited form of American traditional dance. It draws
from many other forms of dance including square, round, Scottish and
English country, Appalachian, and European dances of the 1800s.
Dancers come from
all age groups. Kids, 'tweens, teens, young adults, "grown-ups"
and seniors can all become skilled and experienced dancers.
The origin of the name "contra" is lost in history.
It may be a changed form of "country" dancing or it may have
come from the Latin for "across" or "opposite".
Dancers
line up facing their partner, forming long lines down the hall. The caller or dance leader teaches the dance before the
music starts. This walk-through helps everyone learn the figures to be
danced.
The
figures are danced
with the next couple in the line. The whole set of figures takes only 64
beats of music (about 30 seconds or so), and the last figure directs you and
your partner to the next couple
in the line. You begin the dance again with the new couple.
Part of the fun is that as a couple, you'll get to dance with everyone
in the line. When you get to the end of the long line, turn around, trade places
and get ready to dance your way back.
Most dances are best
performed at a brisk walk in time with the music -- generally 115 to 130 beats per
minute. The musicians will play a variety of jigs, reels, hornpipes and
marches
throughout the evening.
There is a
break in middle of the evening, usually with light refreshments and snacks. The last musical number of each half is often a waltz.
