Contra is a folk dance style from New England, in which couples dance facing each other in parallel lines. Contra dancing has a special community feel because you interact with everyone in your line. By the end of the evening, you’ll have smiled at or danced with everyone else in the hall. Our dance events are beginner-friendly, all-ages, spirited evenings that last about 4 hours. Foot-stomping Celtic, East Coast, and bluegrass-inspired jigs and reels by local bands will keep you hooting and hollering all night long! In our community, you don’t have to attend the dance with a partner, and nobody is shy to ask a stranger to dance. Our dances follow the "bird rule", with one partner being the Lark, and the other the Raven. No prior knowledge of contra dancing is required because the caller teaches each dance before it begins. Most figures in the dance are simple and are usually done with a walking step, although skipping may be used if you feel energetic! You may be familiar with some figures’ names: do-si-do, star right & left, allemande, sashay, promenade, turn your partner, swing your partner. Knowing where to go can be disorienting at first, but the caller and the experienced dancers will help guide you. Besides, making a mistake is a good opportunity to enjoy a giggle: Halifax Contra Dances promotes a light-hearted and accepting environment where all levels of dancers are celebrated! We strongly recommend beginners arrive at 7:15 p.m. for a quick beginner’s lesson. The dancing will start at 7:30 p.m. If you can’t afford to pay for admission, we offer several ways to get in for free, including volunteering at the dance or bringing some baked goods. Please contact us at [email protected] for more information.
