[Callers] What is a contra?

The name of my local dance community, chosen >30 years ago, is Tallahassee Community Friends of Old-time Dance. Many dancers now prefer evenings made up entirely of contras, narrowly defined, but some still prefer our traditional mix of formations. When I advertise our dances on Facebook, I

Re: [Callers] What is a contra?

For my definition, key elements of a contra include: 1) repetition of a fairly short sequence of moves (typically 64 beats) 2) Whole and minor sets, couples progressing to a new minor set every repetition. 3) The concept of dancing as part of a set more than couples or individuals doing their own

Re: [Callers] What is a contra?

Colin, I realize this isn’t the kind of answer you are looking for, but I’ll muddy the waters a bit, and then draw a conclusion. In the 1980s and 1990s I lived in Switzerland and was very active in International, Swiss, and Scottish dance groups. (I eventually had two contra groups running,

Re: [Callers] What is a contra?

Hi Colin Interesting question. I have similar questions looking at this from Australia. I have started running workshops titled something like "Modern New England Contra Dance". (This is not to alienate folk from other parts of the US, but most of my exposure to contra has been in New England).

Re: [Callers] What is a contra?

On 6/27/2018 3:43 PM, Tom Hinds via Callers wrote: Since you need an answer quickly i’d say it’s a term in the folk dance world and it’s possible that different folks will define it differently. Personally I can see how a 4 X 4 could be a contra since it progresses in the same way but not

Re: [Callers] What is a contra?

Since you need an answer quickly i’d say it’s a term in the folk dance world and it’s possible that different folks will define it differently. Personally I can see how a 4 X 4 could be a contra since it progresses in the same way but not other formations like squares and circles. Sent from

Re: [Callers] What is a contra?

/www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent -Original Message----- From: Colin Hume Sent: 27 June 2018 21:47 To: Callers List Subject: [Callers] What is a contra? I'm in Germany, and I'm speaking for the next fe

Re: [Callers] What is a contra?

I'd differentiate between a singular contra dance - longways sets, duple minor (some triple minor chestnuts in special cases e.g. The Young Widow), jigs/reels typically (except exceptions as discussed). I would characterise them choreographically as ideally linked figure to figure in a continuous

[Callers] What is a contra?

I'm in Germany, and I'm speaking for the next few days at a Conference run by the European Callers and Teachers Association. Several of my sessions are about Contras, and speaking to the Contra Coordinator as we drove to the hotel I realised we had very different ideas about what a contra is.

Re: [Callers] What is flowing contra? (was: Flow & Glide Contras)

Thank you Aahz for the thread. My recollection is that "flow" has been used most often to refer to a quality of the dance that makes it more intuitive for learners because the figures leave the dancer in a position where the next figure is obvious or natural. This is exemplified in the

Re: [Callers] What is flowing contra? (was: Flow & Glide Contras)

On Wed, Feb 05, 2014, John Sweeney wrote: > > I am planning some workshops, for festivals here in the UK, with the title > "Flow & Glide Contras: Dances with beautiful flow, connectivity and a > smooth, satisfying glide." (Thanks to Sarah VanNorstrand and no doubt many > others for the title!)

Re: [Callers] What made you contra addicted?

I usually simply say "it's aerobic, it's social, and I usually love the music. Thanks, George Mercer On Tue, Sep 24, 2013 at 4:09 PM, Mary Collins wrote: > replying off list 'cause I can't get to there from here (work) sorry, > > addicted yes, I am. I have bilateral hip

Re: [Callers] What made you contra addicted?

replying off list 'cause I can't get to there from here (work) sorry, addicted yes, I am. I have bilateral hip replacements and even when I could not walk (pre-surgery) I could dance. the music and the rhythm of the dance(walk) made it possible for me to move and exercise. It also gives me the

Re: [Callers] What made you contra addicted?

On Mon, Sep 23, 2013, Mark Stowe wrote: > > Research suggests that we humans are happiest when we are succeeding at > something that we can just barely accomplish. There may be some truth to that, but it certainly isn't true for my relationship with contra dancing and square dancing. I'm far

Re: [Callers] What made you contra addicted?

Social circle of dancers extending past dance time, after dance hangouts, making friends. On Sep 23, 2013 6:07 PM, "Mark Stowe" wrote: > Research suggests that we humans are happiest when we are succeeding at > something that we can just barely accomplish. I have been

Re: [Callers] What made you contra addicted?

Research suggests that we humans are happiest when we are succeeding at something that we can just barely accomplish. I have been contradancing for 38 years and I keep inventing and learning new flourishes, dips/ swing move interjections, putting in extra spins, running between lines and

Re: [Callers] What made you contra addicted?

Jeanette asked: > I am designing workshop for a dance weekend here in Australia and would > like to crowd source some inspiration: > > Simply answer the question - what made you addicted to contra? > Interesting. I am not all that sure what you mean by "addicted." Here in the USA that word has

Re: [Callers] What made you contra addicted?

On Mon, Sep 23, 2013, Jeanette Mill wrote: > > I am designing workshop for a dance weekend here in Australia and > would like to crowd source some inspiration: > > Simply answer the question - what made you addicted to contra? "I'm not addicted, I can stop any time I want to. I just don't want

[Callers] What made you contra addicted?

Hi I am designing workshop for a dance weekend here in Australia and would like to crowd source some inspiration: Simply answer the question - what made you addicted to contra? Looking forward to your answers Cheers Jeanette   "The piano - 88 little mistakes waiting to happen." Peter Barnes.