Zesty: Swing dance meets Folk dance
So, I'm a huge fan of contra dancing
(what is it?),
and a regular at many UK contra dances.
I've been calling Contras for longer than pretty much anything
else, and I've called at many of the UK's contra series, as well
as doing contra at
Sidmouth
and IVFDF.
If you want a contra
dance caller for a group of people who have never contra danced
before, then try me: I am very good with people just learning, and
I have a repertoire of easy dances, as well as more challenging
ones.
There is something about contra dances that I find irrestistible:
- Firstly, you move along the line getting to dance with other couples, so you get the best of both worlds: a partner that you asked to dance and keep coming back to, and a new neighbour for each time through the dance.
- Secondly, in a good contra crowd, you get the eye contact; lots of people who are willing to look you in the eye and smile as you all enjoy the music together. There is something wonderful about the shared trust that makes me feel. It probably isn't wholly British.
- Then, there is the community - the idea of a shared culture, not a location based or class based culture, but a culture that you are creating and sharing with people right now, right here, on and off the dance floor.
- OK, I guess there is the music too - the blues meet fiddles - foot tapping and hip swinging all at once. But I'm picky about the music I like, a strong throbbing accompaniment to a soaring tune, and it doesn't come around that often.