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What is Contra Dancing?

Contra is danced to Celtic, Quebecois, Old Time, New England, Southern Appalachian, Jazz, Blues, and all sorts of other music played by live bands. In a contra dance, parallel lines of dancers stand opposite -- or "contra to" -- their partners. A dancer and his/her partner form a couple.

Over the course of the dance, in response to the Caller's instructions, each couple interacts with the couple next to them to form a four person "set" and each set interacts with the sets on either side of them. Over the course of a dance each couple moves up and down the hall, interacting with every other couple in their multi-set "line."

There is no fancy footwork involved (that is the other sort of line dancing) but the instructions given by the Caller do form a series of repeating figures that dancers memorize over the course of a dance. As this happens, the Caller provides fewer and fewer prompts until s/he drops out entirely; leaving you, your partner, and the others in your line to finish the dance, accompanyed only by the exciting, lilting, haunting, and/or pulse pounding music provided by that night's band. Dance nirvana, Contra style!

New At This?

You are in good company -- we were ALL new to Contra at one time. Beginners are always welcome at CCD dances. Neither prior experience nor bringing a partner to the dance with you is expected.

New dancer orientation is on Fridays from 7:15-7:45pm at Clarkston Community Center. Orientation includes a teaching session for the basic figures and courtesies and, for first time attendees, a copy of the instructional DVD described below and a free ticket to next (not current) contra dance you attend.

During the main event (8:00 - 11:00pm) all dances are walked through in advance so you'll keep learning all evening.

Finally, oodles of experience has taught us all that new dancers get the hang of things much more quickly if they dance with experienced dancers instead of other beginners. So if you came with another new dancer, don't be shy ... divide and conquer!

Contra Dance Videos

We have produced a series of videos that teach contra dancing. The YouTube versions are listed below:

  1. Introduction - Watch this first
  2. Two Dancers
  3. Four Dancers
  4. A Contra Line
  5. Come Dance With Us
  6. A Called Dance #1
  7. A Called Dance #2
  8. The Basics
  9. Contra Video Credits

We also offer a higher resolution DVD version of these videos.

What Do I Wear?

There is no such things as a contra dance "costume" (except on Saturday night of our annual November Dance Festival weekend) but many dancers, both men and women, prefer to wear kilts or skirts. They look nice when you swing and, more importantly, they are not hot. Dancing is a very active form of exercise so dressing to stay cool is highly recommended.

We don't have a dress code but we do have a shoe policy. BEFORE COMING TO DANCE please read our shoe policy.

Read More About It...

Then grab your dance shoes and come on over for some FUN!

 

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