Contradancing is fun!

Contra dancing is similar to square dancing except that the figures (swing your partner, allemande left, and so on) are done with dancers facing each other in long lines down the hall, rather than in squares.

You don't need experience or a partner. Just show up wearing soft-soled shoes and clothes that absorb sweat. Women usually wear a skirt that twirls. Men often wear shorts and bring an extra shirt to change into at the intermission, as dancing can be sweaty work. As soon as the music starts and people start moving, everyone is smiling!

Contradances are held in every large city (and many small ones) all around the country. To see the schedule of dances nearest you, go to:

National Contradance Home Page
http://www.io.com/~entropy/contradance/dance-home.html

California Contra/English Dance Schedule
http://www.ucolick.org/~sla/dance/CaConEng.html

To hire a band for contradance music in Mendocino or Sonoma county contact Calliope Creek (fiddle and guitar).

Five Steps to Great Contradancing or

Question: How is contradancing different from football?

Answer: It's how the game is played?

1. Enthusiasm

  • Of course, that's the easy part.

2. Sensitivity

  • Adjust to each dancer's needs and abilities continuously. If you dance with 60 people in line, big or little, older or younger, you'll need to dance 60 different ways. Aim to please every person (both genders) that you hold in your arms.

3. Consideration

  • Dance with newcomers like you were once danced with. You can help them learn quicker.
  • Dance in the side sets as well as the center set. And remember that no matter how far down the set you start, you'll soon be active.
  • Be mellow when others goof up, and help them with encouragement.
  • Listen. Callers give valuable pointers at the walk-thru. Heed them and the dance will go better.

4. Skills

  • Learn proper technique, posture, and footwork because your dancing could hurt someone, especially during the balance and swing. The graceful and group-oriented are not just for tradition's sake. They prevent injuries and are a source of immense pleasure.
  • Later you can develop you own style as long as it does not disrupt other people and as long as you remain a part of the group.
  • Give good "weighting" to each dancer, regardless of their size, without jerking or throwing them.
  • Be precise in your timing. But when you do blow it, blush, apologize, and keep dancing.

5. Appreciation

  • Make eye contact with every dancer. It's a pleasure almost unique to country dancing.
  • Applause is music to the ears of callers and musicians. They need to be reassured they are doing a good job after each dance. Whenever you feel so moved, give them a hand or a cheer. although bands do not generally like rhythmic clapping during the music - the exception is southern music - if these erupt during a dance because you are feeling so good, let them out!
  • A hug and a compliment for the caller and musicians at the end of the evening is as important as a last waltz. After all, the caller, the band, and the dancers are a single happy family.

Reprinted from Bob Henshaw's "Q: How is contradancing different from football? . . . A: It's how the game is played." For a copy send a SASE to Bob Henshaw, 91 Louis Drive, West Sand Lake, NY 12196; 518/283-0415; bobandnancy@worldnet.att.net

 

Contradancing on the Mendocino Coast

For information on the Second Sunday contradance at Crown Hall in Mendocino, contact Gypsy Spring.