What Is Contra Dance?
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Calling a Contra Dance
To see a video of Robbin calling with The Contrarians at the SoleFest Dance Weekend in 2011, visit YouTube.
Here is Robbin calling with Honeysuckle Rose at Glen Echo Park in Washington DC on Friday, 5/2/12 Robbin is available for booking for your local dance or dance weekend! Send her an email to set up a date. |
Contra dance (also contradance, contra-dance and other variant spellings) refers to several partnered folk dance styles in which couples dance in two facing lines. Sometimes described as New England folk dance, contra dances can be found around the world, though they are especially popular in North America.
Contra dance dates back to the 19th century in America. The dances fell out of favor to squares and quadrilles later in that century, but continued in pockets throughout the United States. In the 1970s, there was a great revival of this style of dancing, and modern dance callers began writing dances of greater interest which featured new moves and symmetrical dancing by all couples. This trend continues through today, and the contra dance style continues to grow and evolve. Quoting from Wikipedia’s excellent article on contra dance: Contra dance events are open to all, regardless of experience. They are family-friendly, and alcohol consumption is not part of the culture. Many events offer beginner-level instructions for up to half an hour before the dance. A typical evening of contra dance is three hours long, including an intermission. The event consists of a number of individual contra dances, divided by a scattering of other partner dances, perhaps one or more waltzes, schottisches, polkas, or Swedish hambos. In some places, square dances are thrown into the mix. Music for the evening is typically performed by a live band, playing jigs and reels from Ireland, Scotland, Canada, or the USA. The tunes are traditional and more than a century old, or modern compositions which follow the same form as the traditional pieces. Generally, a leader, known as a caller, will teach each individual dance just before the music for that dance begins. During this introductory "walk-through" period, participants learn the dance by walking through the steps and formations, following the caller's instructions. The caller gives the instructions orally, and sometimes augments them with demonstrations of steps by experienced dancers in the group. The walk-through usually proceeds in the order of the moves as they will be done with the music; in some dances, the caller may vary the order of moves during the dance, a fact that is usually explained as part of the caller's instructions. After the walk-through, the music begins and the dancers repeat that sequence some number of times before that dance ends, often 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the length of the contra lines. Calls are normally given at least the first few times through, and often for the last. At the end of each dance, the dancers thank their partners. The contra dance tradition in North America is to change partners for every dance. One who attends an evening of contra dances in North America does not need to bring his or her own partner. In the short break between individual dances, women and men invite each other to dance. At most dances, no special outfits are worn, but "peasant skirts" or other full, lightweight skirts are popular, as these have a very pretty effect when swinging or twirling and some dancers —including some men— find them more comfortable to dance in than pants. Low, broken-in, soft-soled, non-marking shoes, such as dance shoes, sneakers, or sandals, are recommended and, in some places, required. However, dancing barefoot is also common. As in any social dance, cooperation is vital to contra dancing. Since over the course of any single dance, individuals interact with not just their partners but everyone else in the set, contra dancing might be considered a group activity. As will necessarily be the case when beginners are welcomed in by more practiced dancers, mistakes are made; most dancers are very willing to help beginners, and will often go out of their way to give extra instructions to help them learn the steps. The national organization The Country Dance and Song Society (CDSS) helps to promote contra, square and other forms of couple dance throughout the United States. Their web site has links to dance groups and dance weekends all over the US. Recommendations for Robbin:
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The Chattahoochee Country Dancers, Atlanta Georgia
In Atlanta, we have a strong affiliate organization of CDSS, the Chattahoochee Country Dancers (CCD). CCD sponsors a contra dance every Friday night at the Clarkston Community Center, on Indian Creek Road in Clarkston, GA. Every Friday night dance is preceded by a beginners workshop, from 7:15 – 7:45 PM. The regular dance begins at 8 PM, and ends at 11 PM. An active social group go out every Friday night after the dance to socialize (and eat!) at the Corner Pub in Decatur GA.
CCD also sponsors a Fall Dance Weekend (generally held in November of each year) and occasional special events and advanced dances. Robbin Marcus serves on the local caller rotation for CCD with about 8 other excellent dance callers. With several nationally known callers living and working regularly here in Atlanta, dancers are very fortunate at their weekly dance! CCD is blessed to have Jim Crawford as its resident videographer. To see videos of Robbin and other talented microphone magicians calling at regular CCD dances, click the link to You Tube (found on the local caller page). Robbin...we made a quick exit, but I hope you know we really enjoyed the weekend, and it had much to do with your great calling and easy, flexible manner.
- Paul Epstein, fiddler, The Contrarians |
“I have hired dozens of dance callers over the years. What makes Robbin really stand out is her sensitivity to the situation on the ground -- the skills and mood of the dancers -- and her ability to respond by adjusting her teaching and her dance program accordingly. Even in very challenging circumstances she is unfailingly positive, and she brings out the best in people. In my opinion, this quality stands her head and shoulders above some better-known callers. I wish everyone were so easy to work with!” Betsy Platt, FSGW July 2, 2011
“Robbin has always been one of my favorite dance callers to work with . I have always looked forward to a good time at our gigs together . Whether local dances , large groups such as the Friday night dance at Glen Echo , or private events such as weddings and family gatherings , I have always looked forward to working with Robbin because it always seems to go smoothly with the dancers AND with the band. She has always been sensitive to the needs and concerns of the musicians AS WELL AS the dancers needs . Wholeheartedly recommended. Alexander Mitchell Sole Proprietor of Alexander Music
“Robbin has always been one of my favorite dance callers to work with . I have always looked forward to a good time at our gigs together . Whether local dances , large groups such as the Friday night dance at Glen Echo , or private events such as weddings and family gatherings , I have always looked forward to working with Robbin because it always seems to go smoothly with the dancers AND with the band. She has always been sensitive to the needs and concerns of the musicians AS WELL AS the dancers needs . Wholeheartedly recommended. Alexander Mitchell Sole Proprietor of Alexander Music