Main Page | See live article | Alphabetical index

Contradance

A New England contradance (or contredanse) is an American traditional dance evolved from British and European folk dances, such as English Country Dance.

Most contradances consist of a sequence of about six to twelve individual figures. These figures are recited by a caller in time to the music as the figures are danced. Contradances often are arranged in long lines of facing or opposing partners; hence the contra of contradance. Three major arrangements or formations are proper, improper, and Beckett.

Proper:

F1 F2 F1 F2 F1 F2 F1 F2...
M1 M2 M1 M2 M1 M2 M1 M2...

Improper:
M1 F2 M1 F2 M1 F2 M1 F2...
F1 M2 F1 M2 F1 M2 F1 M2...

Beckett:
F1 M1 F1 M1 F1 M1 F1 M1...
M2 F2 M2 F2 M2 F2 M2 F2...

(key: band is to the left, F=female, M=Male, 1=1st couple, 2=2nd couple)

A figure is a short dance "step" or "move", sort of a choreographic building block. Most figures take eight counts of music, although figures with four or sixteen counts are also common.

Basic figures:

Balance
Swing Your Partner
Allemande
Star
Do-si-do
Ladies Chain
Long Lines Forward & Back
Right & Left Through
Hey For Four
Figure of Eight
Promenade
Hands Four
Petronella Turn
Courtesy Turn
Circle of Four
Turn as a Couple
Turn Alone
California Twirl
Down the Hall Four In Line
Box the Gnat
Roll Away with a Half Sashay
Turn Contra-Corners

As a dance progresses, so do the dancers: the arrangement of the figures causes each couple to move together toward or away from the band. When a couple reaches the end of the line, they simply turn around and join back in, going in the other direction.

Contradances are held all across the United States. See affiliated groups at [Country Dance and Song Society] and [Contra Links].

[Contra Links] is now [Contra Links]