For Newcomers

What is Contra Dance?

Contra dance is a form of partnered line dancing. It’s simple and easy; anyone can dance without experience and have fun all evening. Because dancers form the lines collaboratively, anyone can attend without a partner.

Is Contra Dance easy?

“If you can walk, hold hands, and know your right from your left, you can Contra Dance,” says long-time caller Ben Allbrandt.

How does it work? Dancers form “couples;” the couples form “sets” of two couples in succession to create long lines starting in front of the band and stretching the length of the dance hall. Throughout the course of a dance, couples progress up and down these lines by dancing with other couples in turn as they progress through the lines themselves.

What does a dance look like? The dance itself is a series of steps called “figures,” taught by the caller prior to each dance. The caller leads dancers through the dance by prompting or “calling” each figure as it appears in the dance. A dance may include anywhere from 6-12 figures within 64 beats of music, which repeat as couples progress up and down the lines. Music is typically provided by a live band.

What kind of music will I hear?

Music played for contra dances includes, but is not limited to Irish, Scottish, old-time American and French-Canadian folk tunes. The instruments that a band might have are fiddle, piano, guitar, banjo, bass, mandolin and percussion instruments are played as well. Once a year we host a “Open Band Experience” or OBeX where anyone can receive the sheet music to practice and then play in the band for a dance. It’s a good way to practice your instrument or prep yourself to someday play in a dance band.

What should I bring/wear?

To save on waste, bring a water bottle. We supply water and people bring snacks to share. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted.

Clean dry shoes of leather or hard rubber (tennis shoes are not recommended) that will let you move easily on our nice wooden floor.

Wear comfortable clothes. We recommend layer as you may get warm once the dancing starts.

Dress Recommendation: Considering the whole group when dressing is also important. The people you meet in the dance are sometimes strangers to you and as so they may not feel comfortable touching the bare skin of people they don’t know. We recommend garments with full back coverage and if your skirts are knee level or above to where shorts beneath the skirt.

Do I need to bring a partner?

There is no need to bring a partner; we change partners at the end of every dance (about every 12-15 minutes) and you will find many friendly people to dance with. But we would love it if you brought your friends!

How to be a good dance partner?

Good manners are first and foremost. There are good manners for all times and places… on the dance floor as much as anywhere else. The basic rule is to do and for other people what you would like them to do and for you. Contradancing is a group activity and as such involves other people besides yourself. Dancing as if you are alone in the room shows little regard for the comfort, pleasure, and safety of your partner, other guests, and for the hosting organization.

Our goal as a dance community is to have in mind the whole group enjoying themselves during the evening. Dancers acting in an unsafe and uncomfortable manner don’t fit that picture. People do not wish to dance with people with which they feel unsafe. They will avoid that person and even stop coming to the dance. We would encourage everyone to have the whole community in mind during the entire evening.

General dance partnering skills that help a dancer be a good partner:

• Your arms should be in a rounded shape, not straight out (stiff) and not drooping with elbows sharply bent and close to your body. Look up most (informal) ballroom dancing or Contradance pictures on this site.
• There will be a small space between you and your partner. You are not body to body but you are not at arms length away either. Take into consideration the comfort of your partner.
• Leaders (men, larks, left) have their right hand on their partner’s back near their shoulder blade, but no lower than just above their waist. Their left hand is holding the partners hand, the arm held up at shoulder level. Followers (women, robins, right) have their left hand on the partner’s shoulder or upper arm, depending on the height of the Leader and Follower. Their right hand is holding the partner’s hand, the arm held up at should level.
• Good posture is needed. Use the same posture you would use when taking a walk.
• Partnering: Your body should be held by you firm but moveable. If your partner “leads” by exerting pressure either on the hand position or the body hold you feel it and choose to move with it. The “leads” shouldn’t need to be a full push to get you moving. However, being limp/relaxed in your hand or body gives the “lead” nothing to work with. Consider that Contradance is a cooperative dance form. Everyone is being prompted to the action to be taken so there should be no need for strong “leading” as both partners will know where to go and what to do.
• Other touching: The partnering hand positions should be the only touching that should happen in the dance unless you have the other’s permission.

Contra dance is fun and for everyone. Let’s all help each other have a great dance.