An Introduction to Contra Dance

Have you seen the movie “Little Women”? Have you noticed what kind of dancing they do at the party? In amongst the partygoers in fancy clothes, we’re shown a side room and find Jo and Laurie hopping across the room hand in hand.

While this may look strange, it’s really fun! How do I know this? It is a move in the “Virginia Reel,” a dance I learned at the last Contra Dance.

Yes you read that right. Contra, not Country. Here, I'll prove it to you;

(From Dictionary.com) Contra Dance- "1803, from Fr. contre-danse, altered from English country dance by folk etymology from Fr. Contra "against," suggested by the arrangement of the partners in the dance. The dances and the name were taken up in France c. 1720s and from there passed toSpain and Italy (Sp., It. contra danza) then passed back to English."

Ok, well, that made no sense, and I already know what a Contra Dance is. How about this;

(From Annie) Contra Dance- "A style of folk dancing. A sort of hybrid of couples dancing and square dancing."

Does that make more sense,  I hope?

I went to my first ever dance (other than a single ballet and tap recital when I was 6) this summer.  I went with two of my sisters and my 8 year old brother. It was really awesome to see people of all ages coming together and having fun.  Everyone was really patient with the beginners, which was good, because there were quite a few of us there.

Here’s the set up for most of the dances.

Lots of people in a room with a string band. The caller tells everyone to circle up. Everyone stands in two circles, one inside the other, partners facing each other, men on the inside ladies on the out. The couples are numbered of, 1, 2, 1,2, etcetera, ones switching (lady goes to the inside and man to the out),so that each ring looks like man, lady, man, lady etcetera.  Ones and twos face each other, ones facing counter clockwise, twos facing clockwise.

From here the dances progress differently, moving in groups of four, couples, individually, just men, just ladies. It seems that this would all get super confusing and you would never know where to go, but don’t forget our dear friend the caller.

Now hold on a sec. I never really explained what a caller was did I?

The caller is the leader of the dance. He or she calls out the moves to the dancers while the music plays. Say you hear “Do Si Do” or “Promenade”. At first it sounds like some sort of alien language, and in a sense it is. These are two examples of calls.  Before the dance begins, the caller explains the progression of the dance, and someone may demonstrate. This is when you will find out what “Do Si Do” means, and when to do it.

It all sounds really complicated, but once you get in rhythm with the music, all you have to do is have fun! I hope you’ll try this new (old) kind of dancing next time you get a chance.  Come have some fun with me, Jo and Laurie!

P.S. Visit “Harrisonville Civil War Contra Dancing” on Facebook for the date of the next dance.

Annie Hall, Teen Blogger