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User:DanBos/Contra Dance

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Contra Dancing is a traditional country dance form that originated in the New England area of North America. It grew out of the traditional country dance forms of the settlers, mainly English and French. Contra Dancing has suffered some lean periods, but key influential individuals gave it new energy. Today, Contra Dancing has spread throughout the United States and certain parts of the world.

How to Contra Dance

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The Set

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Contra Dancing is a social dance done for the enjoyment of the particpants. It is done in sets which takes the form of columns of couples, optimally at least 7 couples long and typically limited in length and number by the dimensions of the dance hall. The sets are oriented so that one end is closest to the band; this is the top of the set. As you face the band, the men's line is on the left, and the women's line is on the right.

The Figures

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History

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What to Expect At a Contra Dance Event

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The Music

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Contra dances are almost always accompanied by a live band. In the US, the fiddle is the most common lead instrument. Other common instruments are accordion, mandolin, guitar, piano, string bass, flute, bodhran and pennywhistle. Less common instruments are hammered dulcimer, bouzouki, oboe, clarinet, drum kit, other percussion (such as clogging, jew's harp, tambourine), trombone and trumpet. Occasionally seen, mostly as a novelty, are bombarde, ocarina, tuba, bagpipe, and others limited by the imagination of the players.

The Caller

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Getting Partners

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The Walk-Through

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The Dances

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Special Formats or Features

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Gender-Free

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Experienced Only

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Beginner Instruction

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Family Dances

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Where To Contra Dance

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Web Resources

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Newspaper Listings

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Relationship to Other Dance Forms

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Colonial Dance

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English Country Dance

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Traditional Square Dancing

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Modern Western Square Dancing

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Bush Dancing

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Whole-set Dances

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What People Enjoy about Contra Dancing

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Important Organizations

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