Contra Dancing

Contra dancing is a type of old folk dance which is hard to explain... as such, I've uploaded a video to give a general idea.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• contra
• dance
• folk
• music

[Tokorai]

So the separation is based off gender? What if you have more gals than guys, or vice versa?

[Christof1887]

@Tokorai At least back when I was dancing, it was rare to have more gals than guys. Oftentimes, there would be a basket with ties up front. "Extra" girls would put a tie on and dance the man's role. Of course, in any given dance, several people are probably dancing the "other" role just to mix things up a little bit.

[NottaVictim]

Looks like square dancing to me.

[Christof1887]

@NottaVictim The two are pretty similar from what I've seen. Contra is usually compared to line and square dancing.

[theweakwillwalk]

guy with the striped polo shirt... he doesn't live in ruckersville, VA by any chance?

[Christof1887]

@theweakwillwalk I don't know about now. He was a regular in Cincinnati at the time (4 years ago). First name was Roger, not sure about a last, if that helps at all.

[IJethrobot]

Then go watch videos that look like video games and not like people dancing.

Oh, and for the record, contra dancing is awesome.

~ Jethro.

[nightshade010101]

I wouldn't mind dancing with that girl in the white shirt and jeans.

[RetroReactive1038]

Looks like a good way to meet chix

[Dancin9lady]

@musicmyfriend007 Don't worry, the caller usually explains things very well and experienced dancers are always willing to help you through. Hope you have/had fun :)

[Dancin9lady]

@hahadada Why? because they're smiling and having fun?

[jkkhalaf]

For the first time, i danced contra dance last Saturday. I had tons of funning, and there was a lot of spinning. I look forward to going again :D

[peachplum12]

This looks just like the place I contra dance at in Chattanooga, TN! I love contra dancing! :D

[musicmyfriend007]

I am supposed to go to a dance like this and now i am just utterly confuddled. What the heck am i gonna do?!?!?! I don't know how to do this!

[wmloving4]

@Tokorai Most dances are called as men/women or ladies/gents, but the only real difference is who ends the swing. At least where I dance in New England, It's very common for people to dance with someone of the same gender or to dance reverse roles. Some experienced dancers will even switch roles continuously through the dance just for the extra challenge/fun of it. There are also regular contra dance series that are advertised as "gender-free" where arm bands are used to designate the roles.

[twirlyskirts]

@Tokorai the younger generation is definitely focusing more on the lead/follow dynamic and less on gender. Most places I've danced people engage in the game "pass the penis" where the two dancers of any gender switch off leading and following down the line.

[MTJLT]

@Pianoluvr3 I thought that myself. I love the variety of people.

[Pianoluvr3]

Brown shirt guy is pretty good!