So, what is Contra Dancing anyway?
Well...... If it is the history of contra dancing you want, there are several informative websites out there, some of them more serious than others, such as http://www.sbcds.org/contradance/whatis/, and http://www.heinerfischle.de/history/c-history.htm.
It's a communal-style folk dance that is fun and easy to learn. No partner or experience is necessary. A caller leads the dancers through a series of moves and the sequence repeats itself. The patterns are very easy to learn and it's more like walking to music. An evening consists of 10-12 dances, each with a different combination of a few simple moves. At the break and the end of the night, there is usually a waltz. You can enjoy dancing in a friendly, fun, wholesome environment.
If you are looking for more definition, try this: http://www.sbcds.org/contradance/whatis/#Def0
There are so many videos out there! Here are a couple of my favorites:
This video really embodies the spirit of contra dancing; the music, the dancing, and the community spirit. http://vimeo.com/12222926
Contra Dance Kaleidoscope - This is shot from overhead so you can really see the patterns. Very cool! I highly recommend this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3fBPtrZ00s
A fabulous documentary video made by Grace Duval for her documentary studies class. Background music by the Chieftans. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DilTFu8ihAI
NPR's All Things Considered did a story on contra dancing. Listen now!
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128273050
Contra Dance at the Concord Scout House - 1/2/09 (Part 1 of 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6F_eNA8v4Q
After watching these videos, YOU TUBE will show numerous other contra videos on the right side of the page. Some are better quality than others. You could watch for hours!
It's a communal-style folk dance that is fun and easy to learn. No partner or experience is necessary. A caller leads the dancers through a series of moves and the sequence repeats itself. The patterns are very easy to learn and it's more like walking to music. An evening consists of 10-12 dances, each with a different combination of a few simple moves. At the break and the end of the night, there is usually a waltz. You can enjoy dancing in a friendly, fun, wholesome environment.
If you are looking for more definition, try this: http://www.sbcds.org/contradance/whatis/#Def0
There are so many videos out there! Here are a couple of my favorites:
This video really embodies the spirit of contra dancing; the music, the dancing, and the community spirit. http://vimeo.com/12222926
Contra Dance Kaleidoscope - This is shot from overhead so you can really see the patterns. Very cool! I highly recommend this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3fBPtrZ00s
A fabulous documentary video made by Grace Duval for her documentary studies class. Background music by the Chieftans. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DilTFu8ihAI
NPR's All Things Considered did a story on contra dancing. Listen now!
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128273050
Contra Dance at the Concord Scout House - 1/2/09 (Part 1 of 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6F_eNA8v4Q
After watching these videos, YOU TUBE will show numerous other contra videos on the right side of the page. Some are better quality than others. You could watch for hours!
