What is Contra Dance?
Fun. Exhilarating. Social. Addictive, in the best kind of way.
Contra dance is uniquely American but traces its roots back to the 1600s “across the pond” to France, England, and Scotland. In fact, some of the contra dances from that earliest era survive and are still danced today! A typical contra dance is done in long lines with people grouped in pairs of two couples (“hands four”) with live music and a person referred to as a “caller” who teaches each dance, calling out the moves for the dancers. Contra is a family-friendly community dance and welcomes all people of any dance ability and all ages. Perhaps the best way to explain contra dance is simply to show it. Here is a video of a larger contra dance gathering in Atlanta. We have smaller snippets of our own dances on our Instagram.
What if I’ve never contra danced before? And do I need a partner?
No partner or experience is necessary, and all ages are welcome. Come by yourself, come with a friend, come with a group, come with your family! We love beginners; you are our future experienced dancers! There are always plenty of friendly people to dance with and we encourage everyone to change partners with every dance. If you are a beginner, it is best to seek out someone more experienced to help you get the hang of things more quickly and our experienced dancers tend to be on the lookout for you as well. Contra is a community dance and you become a part of our community when you walk in the door. Remember, the caller will walk everyone through each dance and then call it throughout. And if you mess up a step or two, no one cares, as long as you are having fun!
What do I wear?
The short answer is anything you want to. Here is the longer answer:
Shoes: It is helpful to avoid high heels, steel-toed boots, and any shoe that is made to grip the floor, as contra is a lively dance and it helps to have shoes that can slide a little. With regards to footwear, please use your own good judgment about what works for you and keeps you and your dance partners safe and comfortable.
Clothing: You will see some people wearing twirly skirts and kilts, while others are wearing jeans or shorts. Do what makes you happy and comfortable. If dancing is particularly athletic for you, you may want to bring an extra shirt.
When is the next contra dance?
Check out our Calendar here for a list of upcoming dates, bands, and callers.
