contra dance
Line dance form
Contra dance is a form of folk dancing in which two lines of dancers face each other and execute figures with partners and neighbors, progressing down the line.
The caller announces moves while live music plays, typically fiddle tunes.
Popular in New England and Appalachia, contra dances are social events emphasizing community over technical skill: We go contra dancing every Friday night.
One who phones
- fiddleAdjust restlessly; folk violin
- reelWinding cylinder or dance
- jigSpirited folk dance
- quadrilleSquare dance for eight
hoedown · ceilidh · longways · set · old-time · Appalachian · New England · folk festival
Suspended recreational seat
- allemandeYolk-thickened mother sauce
- do-si-doBack-to-back dancing figure
- promenadeLeisurely public stroll
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
chain · hey · gypsy · cast off · ladies chain · star · circle · progression
Along the longest dimension
- improperLacking in propriety
- properSocially appropriate
- progressionSequential forward movement
- neighborPerson living nearby
Collective of connected people
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
- potluckCommunal meal, shared contributions
- all agesNo minimum or maximum
- gender-freeNot distinguished by sex
inclusive · local · weekly · open floor · intergenerational · welcoming
caller
One who phones
quadrille · hoedown · ceilidh · longways · set · old-time · Appalachian · New England · folk festival
swing
Suspended recreational seat
- allemandeYolk-thickened mother sauce
- do-si-doBack-to-back dancing figure
- promenadeLeisurely public stroll
balance · chain · hey · gypsy · cast off · ladies chain · star · circle · progression
longways
Along the longest dimension
- improperLacking in propriety
- properSocially appropriate
- progressionSequential forward movement
community
Collective of connected people
- gatheringCollection of people meeting
- potluckCommunal meal, shared contributions
- all agesNo minimum or maximum
gender-free · inclusive · local · weekly · open floor · intergenerational · welcoming
live band
Musicians performing in person
- fiddleAdjust restlessly; folk violin
- pianoKeyed percussion instrument
- accordionBellows-driven reed instrument
guitar · mandolin · banjo · jigs · reels · hornpipes · waltzes · tune · melody · phrasing
- danceballet, breaking, b-boying, ballroom, waltz
- dancesballet, waltz, tango, salsa, hula
- American dancebreakdancing, hip hop, hustle, Charleston, lindy hop
- American dancesCharleston, twist, jitterbug, cakewalk, lindy hop
- dance stylesballet, tango, salsa, waltz, hip hop
- group dancesconga line, hora, ceilidh, cha-cha slide, cupid shuffle
contra danceballroom dance
Formal coupled movement style
circle dance · square dancing · square dance · line dance · pas de deux
contra dancetango
Latin ballroom with sharp stops
waltz · slow dance · grinding