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.
They are energetic dances, and the
tempo is usually a moderate to fast walking
pace. At a contra dance, in addition to
contras, you may encounter a variety of dances
such as squares, circles, waltzes, and others.
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
A newspaper article on Contra DancingNPR News piece on the youth movement in contra dancing
A Blog
by a local writer about her experience at a contra
dance
Instructional Videos:
Contra
Dance Moves I
Contra Dance
Moves II
Videos of the Contra Dance in Tallahassee on December 14, 2011:
1) A
Contra
2) A
Square
3) Another
Contra
Videos
of other Contra Dances, mostly in
Tallahassee
An answer to the
question "Can you Contra Dance to almost any kind
of music?"
Contra Dancing
to Swedish techno hiphop, video from the Youth Dance Weekend 2008.
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.
Contra Dances Elsewhere
Gainesville Contra
Dances
The Gainesville group currently does not have
dances due to renovation of their venue. But
the Dancing Fish near Gainesville
does! Check their website here.
Contra Dances in the
Southeast
Georgy-Alabam
Square Dance Weekend near Birmingham, AL,
mid-January
Florida Snowball in St. Petersburg, FL, late January
Dancing with
the GODS in Gainesville, late February
Palmetto
Bug Stomp in Charleston, SC, mid-April
Gamble
Rogers Folk Festival in St. Augustine, FL,
late April-early May
Florida
Folk Festival near Lake City, FL, Memorial Day
weekend in May
with contra and other kinds of dancing every night,
and a smorgasbord of music
Mentone
Dance
Weekend north of Birmingham, AL, third weekend
in August
Florida
State Fiddlers Convention near Brooksville,
FL, early October
with music the whole weekend long
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
Irish Music Sessions at Blue
Tavern - 3rd Saturday of each month, 4:00
-6:00 pm, 1206 N. Monroe St.
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
Other Dancing
around Tallahassee
Hot Pepper Steppers Appalachian Clogging
Mountain Dew Cloggers Contemporary Clogging
Tallahassee Irish Step Dancers
Last revised 3/14/22