Vive la difference!

In answer to the age-old question "is contra dancing like square dancing?"...I'd have to say yes and no. The calls are similar--allemande, balance & swing, do-si-do, etc.--the patterns are not. There is a caller for contras, but he or she is usually calling a specific dance, whereas many square dance callers wing it, making the dance pattern up as they go. And, a huge difference is that lady contra dancers don't dress in extreme versions of what I call a twirling skirt, there are no ruffled petticoats or poufy sleeves; and the gents don't wear those string ties. I do sometimes wear my cowboy boots, they are just the best for an occasional stomp or two. To muddy the waters a bit, contra groups will throw in a square dance now and then. Here's an example of what was done at Chicago Barn Dance last fall. The goofy turkey hats? Don't ask...please just try to ignore them.



I forgot to mention that the groups that meet regularly in the Chicago area always feature live music and some folks come just for that (entry fee is $6/person). The type of music varies from Old-Time-y, jazzy folk, Celtic, good ol' American country, you name it. Most times there are fiddle, banjo, and guitar players, sometimes base and keyboard.

Hope some of the ELL learners would like to give this a try. It's good for the body, brain, and soul.

Ciao. Barb