Search results
contra dance: [noun] a folk dance in which couples face each other in two lines or a square.
We dance on the second and fourth Saturdays (usually), September through June. Check the EFS calendar to see when the next dance is scheduled and who will be performing. Time: Contra dance lesson is always at 7:00 pm . The dance starts at 7:30 pm and ends at 10:30 pm. Potluck before the dance: We often have potlucks at 5:30 before dances.
Contra dance music features fantastic fiddle tunes, driving Celtic rhythms, Cajun, old-timey and sometimes dashes of Eastern-European and swing. Contra dance is moderate exercise. Wear low, smooth-soled shoes, and loose, comfortable clothes. Bring water. There will be snacks to tempt you at the break. It is interesting to watch and listen to ...
In New England, the contra dance was an integral part of life from the beginning of colonization. English country dances brought by settlers evolved into the longways sets of the contra; in the villages, callers and musicians were recognized for their contributions to the dance, as were those considered to be the best dancers.
Contra Dance Music is very lively and is often an Irish jig, reel or old time tune. Jigs are in 6/8 time (somewhat "bouncy" -- think of someone dancing a jig) and reels are in 4/4 time (think of someone walking briskly.) Some of the tunes are driving fiddle tunes and others are a bit slower and more elegant. All are fun to dance to.
Contra Dance was created by the union of English Country Dance and evolving musical styles and instruments. As English Country Dances moved indoors, the violin, the dulcimer, the guitar, and the tabor (a snare drum) gradually replaced the Scottish bagpipes, the sound of which carried far enough to provide accompaniment at outdoor dances.
The Contra Dance Tradition. The contra dance uses figures similar to those used in square dance, but it is danced in opposing lines rather than in a square formation. The "Virginia Reel" is perhaps the dance most familiar to the general public that uses the contra dance formation. Dancers stand opposite their partners in a long line, with the ...
