Have you ever been enchanted by the way people used to sing and dance while watching a movie based on Jane Austen’s novel or other classics? If your answer is yes then do not stop reading it because those dances are not fiction, they are very much real and fun as mentioned in the books.
What is Contra Dance
Contra dancing is just like those dances that enchant us and make us dream at the same time. It is a community dance in which you do not need to have a particular partner. If you wish to bring one you can but it is not necessary because you will not feel alone in the event. Contra dance is consists of very simple steps that do not require you have knowledge of it in advance before performing it. This dance is a community dance can also be called a group dance which uses attractive body movements instead of complex steps. Country dances are usually performed in a formation such as square, circle, opposite lines, etc.
Contra dance is a social dance and not a performance dance which means you will not get to see it on stage.
Definition of Contra Dance according to Merriam Webster
- a folk dance in which couples face each other in two lines or a square
- a piece of music for a contra dance
Contra Dance Performance
Contra dance is done in long lines where partners stand facing each other. It is referred to as line dance, string dance, or long dance. The most interesting term is “longways for as many as will”, because in this dance any number of people can join as long as there is enough space in the room.
There is a leader of the dance also called a caller who initiates the dance. The caller asks dancers to come in position for the dance. After the position has been taken caller takes dancers through some dance steps to make it clear for them. After the caller is one with the rehearsal band get a signal to start the music and then the performance begins. The dance continues for some minutes then there is a signal for dancers to change partners. This signal can be a pause in the music or something else. The process of partner changing is called partner swing”.
Dancers thank their first partner and go on to the next partner to begin the dance again.
The history of Contra dance goes as far back as the existence of the USA itself. Chorus Jig a part of Contra dance is mentioned in the dancing books that go back to revolutionary times.
Contra Dance Music
Contra dancing involves Irish, Scottish, and French Canadian tunes. It is performed on live band too. The main instruments used while playing contra dance tunes are accordion, mandolin, flute, piano, guitar sometimes brass instruments are played too.
Contra Dance Steps
In contra dancing, the focus stays on footwork and hands. A dancer can add some of their steps too while dancing if they wish to. The caller shows some of the steps at the beginning such as butterfly whirl; the partners turn around while holding each other’s waist, the gypsy: in this turn partners look at each other and walk around each other while holding each other.
Do not hold yourself back if you ever get a chance of doing contra dance. You will be amazed to know how happy this dance makes you. The lightness of this dance fills the room with the joy and laughter of everyone.