There are several types of ways the caller can arrange the dancers. Usually, we begin with an improper dance. Sorry, still no Patrick Swayze. That just means every other couple in the line changes places, so we have
long lines of man/woman/man/woman. Let's just start with that arrangement, since it's the most common (in my experience.) The caller will explain the dance from there. (Hint: if you come a half an hour early, most callers have a "beginner's workshop" where the moves are practiced. There's very few confusing ones. Here are some of the easier movements. Everybody on your side holds hands and steps in for two (little kick- whoo!) and steps back for two. All join hands in your group of 4, circle in an easy step to your left or right. Each person takes the right forearm of the person to your left in your group of four and walks clockwise. Easy. Make an oval, or a spinning orbit, around the person you are to do-si-do with. Almost touch right (or left) shoulders with the target person, lean in and circle them in a seductive way. Eye contact is essential! Usually done in circle dances, but sometimes when beginners are losing their sense of direction because it brings them together again! Join hands with the person next to you, walk to the center for 4 or 8, (whoo!) and back out. Now a bit harder: This is the meat and potatoes of contra dance, so you might as well learn it. Unlike other kinds of dancing, contra demands that you dance with lots of partners. It's a bit like Brave New World, with fiddle music. Anyway, balancing and swinging comes naturally to some, but others may need practice. Take both hands of your partner, step in for two beats, out for two beats, (here it's the men who get fancy) and then hold your partner like any close dance and walk around them clockwise. Some women put their left hands on the man's shoulder, some on his waist. Notice! A few partners, and it's not just men, are quite athletic! You may become dizzy. Experiment with looking them in the face, which helps me, or tell them quietly, "not so fast, please." Another way to do this move is planting your right feet next to each other and pushing off with the other foot like you're on a scooter. Don't worry if some people have different styles. You'll get lots of practice with this move. 4 people, ladies on right, all face in. Ladies give their right hands to each other, pull by, and end up on the right sides of the men who are diligently waiting for this. The man puts his right arm behind her back and his other hand in her closer hand, and swings her around to face the other couple again. The end result is the two couples have changed ladies. This last "barn door swing" is called a COURTESY TURN. Usually, this means taking the left forearm of the person in question with yours, so your hands are in the air between you (some people do it with their forearms parallel to the floor) and walking around that person counterclockwise. Facing her male partner, the woman puts her left palm to the right palm of the man, crosses under his arm and twirls to his right side. That's about it!Sure, there's a few more, but they're so easy, I'll explain them when you get here. (Hint, hint!) Next: FAQ about Contra Dance| Main Page| Crab Contra schedule |Other contra links |