NEW TO CONTRA DANCING?

What is it?

Contra dancing is social dancing, where communities of mixed ages and backgrounds can have fun together.

It's a great way to meet people. By the end of the evening you will probably have danced as a partner or neighbor with every dancer in the room.

Contra dancing originated in New England and in the last 60 years has spread across the continent. It's a living tradition that has roots and influences from many directions, including England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Appalachia, and Eastern Canada. Wikipedia explains more than you wanted to know: Wikipedia on contra dancing.

Before you come

• Come by yourself, with friends, or with a partner. You and your friends will be drawn into the dance by our friendly dancers.
• Arrive at 7:15! The first dances of the evening are designed to teach the basics. Give yourself time to check in, change your shoes, meet people, and be ready for your first dance!
• Wear layers of light, loose clothing. Contra dancing is aerobic! And you are in close contact with other dancers. Some people bring a change of shirts.
• Wear flat shoes that won't skid or grip on our wood floor.
• Note that contra dancing these days is a drug, alcohol, and fragrance free activity.

How does the dance work?

1. You find a partner (different for each dance) and decide who will dance which role.
2. Usually you will line up across from your partner in a long column called a "set."
3. "Take hands 4": Couples take hands with a neighboring couple. The "1s" are the couple with their backs to the band, "2s" are facing towards the band.
4. The caller has everyone walk the pattern of the dance, once or twice through.
5. The music starts, and the caller prompts dancers about what figure comes next.
6. You dance the pattern with your neighbor couple. At the end of the tune, you are "progressed" (=swapped places).
7. Then you and your partner dance the same pattern again with your new neighbors.
8. The pattern runs 10-14 times.
9. You thank your partner and the musicians, then look for a new partner.

Partnering

Our regular dancers will invite you to dance. It's easier to get the hang of things with an experienced partner. You can always turn down an invitation with a kindly "no thank-you" — no explanations necessary. And don't be shy about asking others to dance. We were all new dancers once and we enjoy helping new dancers have a good time.

Park Avenue mailing list

Don't miss a dance! To get on the Park Avenue Contra announcement list, email us at [email protected].

You can also find contra dances in Mt. Airy, Princeton, Wilmington (Arden), Birdsboro, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and a teens-only contra in Mt. Airy. For information about these and other related kinds of dancing in the Philly region go to PhillyDance.com.