What is Contra Dance?
Contra dance is a vibrant social dance form with deep historical roots. More than just a series of steps, it's a community-building event designed for social interaction. Dancers form lines of couples and progress up and down the hall, dancing with a new couple for each cycle of the dance. It's known for its welcoming atmosphere, live music, and the fact that you don't need to bring a partner to participate.
A Rich History
Contra dance's lineage traces back to 17th-century English, Scottish, and French country dances. It became popular in the American colonies in the late 18th century. While its popularity waned in cities, it was preserved in rural New England. A major revival in the 1960s and 70s infused the form with new energy, leading to the flowing, energetic style we see today. This history shows a tradition that is always evolving while staying true to its social roots.
The Language of Contra: Core Figures
Contra choreography is built from a vocabulary of core figures. This makes it easy for newcomers to learn. Below is a searchable glossary of some of the most common moves.
| Figure Name | Beat Count | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Allemande | 8 | Two dancers take a hand (left or right) and walk around each other. |
| Balance | 4 | A four-count step, usually forward and back, often before a swing. |
| Becket Formation | N/A | Dancers start in a circle of four, partners side-by-side facing another couple. |
| Box the Gnat | 4 | Dancers take right hands; one ducks under the other's arm to trade places. |
| Butterfly Whirl | 8 | Partners face, take both hands, and spin clockwise in place. |
| Chain Thru | 8 | Two dancers cross the set, giving right hands, and are turned by the person on the other side. |
| Circle Left/Right | 8 | Four dancers join hands and walk in a circle. |
| Courtesy Turn | 4 | One dancer, with their left hand, turns another dancer who is on their right. |
| Do-Si-Do | 8 | Dancers pass right shoulders, move back-to-back, and back up passing left shoulders. |
| Hey for Four | 16 | Four dancers weave in a figure-eight pattern without taking hands. |
| Mad Robin | 8 | Dancers cross the set and circle around another dancer. |
| Pass Thru | 4 | Two couples walk forward, passing through each other without giving hands. |
| Petronella Turn | 8 | Dancers move one position clockwise, often with a clap or stamp. |
| Promenade | 8 or 16 | Partners walk side-by-side to a new position. |
| Pull By | 4 | Dancers take a wrist grip and pull past each other to change places. |
| Right and Left Through | 8 | Two couples pass through each other, taking right hands, and do a courtesy turn. |
| Right Shoulder Round | 8 | Dancers circle each other while maintaining eye contact, without touching. |
| Star Left/Right | 8 | Four dancers put a hand in the center and walk in a circle. |
| Swing | 12 or 16 | Partners take a ballroom-style hold and rotate clockwise together. |
The Heartbeat: Contra Music
The music is the soul of contra dance. Most tunes are reels or jigs from Anglo-Celtic traditions. They have a specific structure called AABB. A tune consists of two 8-bar parts (A and B), and each is played twice. This creates a 64-beat cycle that perfectly matches one cycle of the dance choreography. This perfect sync between music and movement is fundamental to the contra experience.
Choreography in Action: Two Examples
"The Carousel" by Tom Hinds
A modern classic known for its incredible flow. The transitions are designed to feel seamless and inevitable, with a brilliant B2 part where a Circle Left ¾ flows perfectly into a neighbor swing, accomplishing the progression in a smooth, carousel-like motion.
"Dela Says Yippee" by Dugan Murphy
An energetic Becket formation dance. Its signature is a high-energy A1 part with two quick pull-bys across the set, often accompanied by a joyful "Yippee!". This dance's character comes from the contrast between these sharp, linear moves and two long, rotational partner swings.
Resources & Further Learning
The contra community is vast and welcoming. Here are some excellent resources to find dances, learn more, and explore choreography.
Community & Event Finders
- Country Dance and Song Society (CDSS): A central hub for traditional dance, music, and song in North America.
- Try Contra: A site specifically designed to welcome new dancers to the community.
- The Dance Gypsy: A comprehensive calendar of contra dances and other folk events across the country.
Dance & Calling Databases
- The Caller's Box: A massive, searchable database of contra dance choreography.
- ContraDB: A modern, collaborative database of contra dances and choreographers.
- Callerlab: An international association of square dance callers, with resources often relevant to contra callers.
The Living Tradition: Modern Trends
- Gender-Free Calling: A major shift from traditional role terms to inclusive ones like "Larks" (person on the left) and "Robins" (person on the right) to create a more welcoming space for all dancers.
- "Zesty" Dancing: The modern style emphasizes continuous motion and high energy, with all dancers active for most of the 64 beats.
- Techno Contra: An exciting fusion where the traditional band is replaced by a DJ playing electronic dance music, attracting a younger crowd with a high-energy, club-like atmosphere.