How it works

After one short lesson, you’ll have the basic moves to keep dancing and learning throughout the evening. Many people say they’re hooked after just one dance! 
 

Always accompanied by live music, a “caller” guides the dancers through the moves of a dance (they’re all different!) a couple of times before the music starts, then prompts the moves through most or all of the dance. During each dance, typically danced in long sets (or “lines”), dancers remain with a partner while “progressing” to dance with other couples in the line. Once the song ends, you’ll thank your current partner, and may find a new partner, line up again and start a new dance. 

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History

Contra dance has a long history, first starting in rural England in 1591, it spread throughout Europe and later to the American colonies. Although it has been danced continuously in some areas, contra experienced a revival in the 1960s in the United States and has remained popular since.