Learn about Contra Dance

About Contra Dance

The best way to get a sense of what contra dancing is all about it to come to a dance! The next best way is to watch a few live videos. Here are some nice examples that show off the steps, the music and the fun that make up this easy, yet exhilarating, dance tradition!

After the Videos...

There are many websites that give helpful and entertaining descriptions of contra dance. Here are some of my favourites.

• What is Contra Dancing? - Syracuse Country Dancers

• Hands Four - Greg Rohde

• Contraculture: An Introduction to Contradancing - Steve Nagy

Here is a set of instruction videos, showing basic steps and concepts of contra dancing, from the Chattahoochee Country Dancers.

• Basic two-person steps

• Basic four-person steps

• Contra lines and progression

• Putting it all together

• Tips for good dancing

Once you know the basics, here are some additional articles well worth reading, for the info or just for a laugh.

• The Top Ten (plus) Things That Make a Good (Contra) Dancer - Jonathan Sivier

• Tips For Experienced Dancers Dancing With Beginners - Jonathan Sivier

• Good Contra and Square Dancing Defined - Paul Tyler

• More Ways to Swing than You Probably Want to Know - James Williams and Dana S. Nau

The more you search, the more you find. Here are even more fun and interesting contra related sites.

• History of Contra Dancing (video) - GreatMeadowMusic.com, edited by Steve Alves

• Use It or Lose It: Dancing Makes You Smarter - Richard Powers

• Contra Dance Etiquette for the Guys (funny video) - Andrew and Noah VanNorstrand, of the Great Bear Trio

• Contra Dance Flash Mob in Grand Central (video)

• Toronto Contra Dance YouTube channel (lots of videos)