East Bay Contra dance

Contra dancing is social interaction, meeting people, and making new friends, set to music.
People of all ages and lifestyles, including children, are welcome. Contra dances are a place where people from many walks of life come together to dance and socialize.

The rest is just details.

Definition: an earnest attempt.
A caller, working with live musicians, guides new and experienced dancers alike through a variety of dances.

A dancer and partner dance a series of figures with each other and another couple for a short time. They then repeat the same figures with the next couple in line, and so on. The figures are similar to those of old-time square dancing. The figures are combined in different ways for each different dance.

The caller teaches each dance before it is actually done to the music. This gives everyone an idea of what to expect so the movements can be easily executed. The caller leads the dances while they are being done to music, so dancers are able to perform each movement to the music. Once the dancers appear to have mastered a particular dance, the caller may stop calling, leaving the dancers to enjoy the movement with music alone.

First-time dancers will likely find experienced dancers extremely friendly and helpful. If this does not seem to be the case, talk to the dance organizers. They need to know!

An evening that includes contra dancing might be called a Contra Dance, an Old-Time Contra Dance, an Old-Time Country Dance, a Barn Dance, or similar. Most contra dance events will include a few dances of other kinds: traditional squares, waltz, polka, swing and other types of couple dance.

At most dance events in North America, we dance with a different partner for each dance, although dates who attend together and significant others might dance with each other more than once.

Women can ask men to dance. At a contra dance this is certainly true and has been for some time. It might be just as common as men asking women. Women will sometimes dance with women, and men will sometimes dance with men.
It is a good idea, at some point, to dance the opposite role.

Be warned, however, that you'll need extra alertness and concentration.

Contra dancers make eye contact whenever possible.

This adds to the connectedness of the dance, and helps reduce dizziness, especially during the swing. If this is uncomfortable for you, look at something else to help you balance, like an earring, cheekbone or forehead. Remember: they're gazing into your eyes because they want to make the connection and keep from becoming dizzy.


So join our dance and begin something that could give you decades of joy.