TALLAHASSEE COMMUNITY FRIENDS OF |
Contra Dancing is a
modern version of what people used to do at Barn
Dances across America. It comes from English
Country Dancing and similar dances in France,
Scotland and elsewhere, that go back at least to
the 1500s in Europe. The dances are to live
music, typically old-time Appalachian, Irish or New England string
music, and to modern cousins of those
styles. Each dance is usually
taught by a caller, who then calls the moves
during the dance. Comfortable shoes with
smooth rubber soles are a good choice for
footwear, but others wear a variety of shoes or
just bare feet. Lightweight and comfortable
clothes are recommended. An Introduction to Contra
Dancing (from
the Atlanta Contra Dance group) NPR News piece on the youth movement in contra dancing A Blog
by a local writer about her experience at a contra
dance
Instructional Videos: Videos of the Contra Dance in Tallahassee on December 14, 2011: Videos
of other Contra Dances, mostly in
Tallahassee An answer to the
question "Can you Contra Dance to almost any kind
of music?" These conduct guidelines are intended to promote a fun, safe and comfortable atmosphere for our events. Be respectful of other dancers, the band and caller. Ask the person you are dancing with before dancing too close, swinging fast, adding extra turns or spins, doing a dip or lift, or using a lot of strength while dancing. If the other person seems to not be cooperating with what you want to do, don’t make them. Be considerate of the dancers around you, when doing a dip or lift, or adding extra turns or spins. Apologize as needed, if accidental inappropriate touching occurs. Physical or verbal harassment is not OK. Accept when someone says ‘no’ to a dance. You can say ‘no’ to a dance too. Inappropriate behavior will be addressed if it arises. We reserve the right to refuse admittance, or ask an individual to leave, if needed. If there are any concerns that you may not be comfortable addressing on your own, please speak with a Dance Board member. Several of them will be wearing yellow name tags during the dance. (Adapted with
permission from
The Old Sod Folk Music Society (Ottawa))
Gainesville Contra
Dances In
addition, there are dances at the Dancing Fish
near Gainesville, check their website here. Jacksonville Contra
Dances Dances in Jacksonville are
back! Bay St. Louis Contra Dances Dances have started in coastal
Mississippi! Contra Dances in the
Southeast
Georgy-Alabam
Square Dance Weekend near Birmingham, AL,
mid-January -- has not yet resumed after Covid Florida Snowball in St. Petersburg, FL, late January Dancing with
the GODS in Gainesville, late February Fall Ball in Tampa-St. Pete, FL, late October Atlanta Dance Weekend in Atlanta, GA, mid-November Tallahassee Old-Time Jam
at Blue
Tavern - 2nd and/or 4th Saturday of each
month, 4:00 -6:00 pm, 1206 N. Monroe St. See
the Facebook page, or contact Mary at maryallgire
"at" yahoo "dot" com FSU
Old Time Ensemble - A music course at FSU
open to the community as well as regular FSU
students, with public performances Friends of Florida Folk organization of musicians and other folk artists in Florida
Hot Pepper Steppers Appalachian Clogging Mountain Dew Cloggers Contemporary Clogging Tallahassee Irish Step Dancers Last revised 10/05/24
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