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.

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  Entertainment

[Tokorai]

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

[Christof1887]

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.

[Mary Smith]

Looks like square dancing to me.

[Christof1887]

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]

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.

[nightshade010101]

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

[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.

[crazykev5]

This looks super complected. Is it that fun when you get it down?

[FulleaHis]

Looks like speed dating for cowboys. :)

[Will Loving]

Contra dance and square dance are cousins with the same historic roots. The Virginia Reel you may have done in school is a western contra dance. Contra is much less formal than square and requires no lessons. Contra dance also has "techno contra" with club lighting and electronic influences in the music - beats, loops and samples along with live instruments. Do a search on techno contra and you'll see.

[TheSecretPassword]

Oh, well now I want to learn!

[Brenda Butler]

Yes, you can do very well (and have fun) with no experience. Contra dances typically have a 1/2 hour lesson before the dance to get newbies up to speed. Also each dance is taught just before it is danced. You don't have to bring a partner to the dance - we encourage switching partners for every dance.

Contra dancers are very aware that a thriving community must continually renew itself, and so the old-timers are welcoming to new dancers. Dance with old-timers often - fastest way to learn.

[abarn2288]

Can one do this reasonably well with no experience?  (Although I do have rythym.)

Just wondering if "newbies" would be frustrating to experienced contra dancers.

[velveetaslingshot]

Looks like a bunch of creepy old dudes getting off on dancing with the chick in the white shirt?

[David Klausa]

Anti-nuclear power or weapons? (They're not the same.)