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''You may also be looking for a style of classical music called contredanse.
Contra dance (also Contradance, Contra-dance and other variant spellings) refers to several folk dance styles in which couples dance in two facing lines. The name may derive from the name of a French dance very popular in the 18th century. Some authorities (including the Oxford English Dictionary) state that the name's origin is a corruption of the English country-dance, while others (including Merriam-Webster) contradict this. Whatever the origins of the term, this article is about an American folk dance style, contra dance, the dances, called contra dances that comprise that style, and the regularly-scheduled evening events, also called contra dances, where people get together to participate in the folk tradition.
Origins and History
At the end of the 17th century, English country dances were taken-up by French dancers — hybrid choreographies exist from this period using the steps from French court dance in English dances. The French called these dances contra-dance or contredanse. As time progressed, English country dances were spread and reinterpreted throughout the Western world, and eventually the French form of the name came to be associated with the American folk dances, especially in New England. As of 2005, there is a regularly scheduled contra dance in most North American cities or regions, as well as in Belgium, Denmark, England, Czech Republic and Australia). More on [ Contra dance ]
Great contradance tonight, even though the guest musicians forgot to come! Lots of really good dancers & near equal numbers of M & F.
jhnwssr (John Wasser) Tue, 01 Dec 2009 04:41:18 -0000
Great contradance tonight, even though the guest musicians forgot to come! Lots of really good dancers & near equal numbers of M & F.
Tonight's contradance was great fun. @Wolveyz brought really good cookies. Robin and I brought glow-stick bracelets.
jhnwssr (John Wasser) Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:33:11 -0000
Tonight's contradance was great fun. @Wolveyz brought really good cookies. Robin and I brought glow-stick bracelets.
Country Dancers - Group promoting modern and historical folk dancing among college students in the community. Dedicated to contra, salsa and swing dances.
Music Society - CLDMS puts on Traditional New England Country Dances, sometimes called Contra Dances. All dances are taught. Beginners are welcome and no partners are needed. Pittsfield, MA.
Meta Description: [ Country Life, Dance & Music Society of Pittsfield, MA ]
Arkansas Country Dance Society - Contra, old time square, English country, couple and American folk dance in North Little Rock.
Bear Hug Mountain Festival Contra Dance Camp - A weekend contra dance camp held in September on Flathead Lake, Montana.
Meta Description: [ contra dance camp, contra dancing, contra dance, weekend contra dance camp, dance camp, Bear Hug, Bear Hug Mountain Festival, Missoula Folklore Society ]
Bob's Contra Page - A list of contra dance web pages found throughout the United States and Canada
Meta Description: [ A list of contra dance web pages found throughout the United States and Canada ]
Boston Centre Country Dance Society - Information on CDS Boston area contra dances, English country dances, and CDS sponsored dance camps at Pinewoods.
Charlottesville Contra Dance - Includes dance schedule, links to dance indexes, links to dance weekends.
Meta Description: [ The Charlottesville Contra Dance site - dance schedule, links and more! ]
Chicago Barn Dance Company - Sponsoring contra dance, square dance and old-time music in the Chicago area.
Meta Description: [ The Chicago Barn Dance Company Home Page. We are a non-profit organization devoted to traditional (and not-so-traditional) Southern, Western and New England Contra, Circle and Square dances. ]
Colorado Friends Of Old Time Music And Dance - Promoting folk arts in the Front Range, Colorado area. Become a member group, or browse the calendar and dance and activities listings.
Contra Dance Links - Listings and calendars of contradances in the USA, Canada, and worldwide.
Meta Description: [ Contra dance / contradance links for United States, Canada, and the World ]
Contra Dance Primer - A concise description, including the social and musical aspects.
Contra Dances by Marilee Standifer - Grace in Madtown, and several other dance choreographies.
Contradance Web Pages - An index of Contradance webpages
Country Dance New York - English country and contra dancing. Includes information about upcoming events, articles, and profiles of callers. Also, terms and dance sheets for ECD.
Meta Description: [ CD*NY presents English Country and American Contra dances ]
Country Dancing in Kalamazoo - Schedule of Contra and Square Dances, English Country Dances, and other events sponsored by Country Dancing in Kalamazoo.
Dance Awakening at Harbin Hot Springs - Dance weekend in April near Calistoga, California.
Meta Description: [ The most physically stimulating, spiritually soothing contra dance camp of the year... ]
Dance Camps and Special Events (Mostly California) - Contra dance camps, English country dance camps, and special contra dance and English country dance events in California.
Meta Description: [ 2003 contra dance camps, English country dance camps, and special contra dance and English country dance events in California. ]
DanceDB - Database of dance organizations, where they dance, the performers at the dances, and the dance event schedules. It covers mostly Contra Dance, with some English Country, Scottish, Square, and Swing dance.
Meta Description: [ DanceDB contains descriptive and schedule information
about contra/english dances and performers.
Provided by Ted Crane. ]
Dances in western Massachusetts - Schedule of events. Local contradancing history.
Meta Description: [ Contra dance schedules for western Massachusetts and Along the River musicians ]
Down East Country Dance Festival - Official website containing full details and registration information for this annual region-wide weekend participatory dance festival.
Impossible Feet - Contradance Band - Lively music at your local New England dance hall, featuring Susan Conger, fiddle; Susie Secco, piano; and Bob Mills, banjo-mandolin, bouzouki, and guitar. With discography, sound samples and contact information.
Meta Description: [ Impossible Feet is a three-piece band, available to play for contradances,
weddings, concerts, and any other event that would be made more festive with
the addition of great live music. We are: Susan Conger, fiddle; Susie Secco,
piano; and Bob Mills, banjo-mandolin, bouzouki, and guitar. The mu... ]
Karl's Contra Corner - A gallery of photographs of contra dances and dancers.
Lexington Traditional Dance Association - Contra dance schedule for Lexington KY
Meta Description: [ Lexington Traditional Dance Association's home page. ]
Michael Dyck's Contradance Index - Contradance publication directory, searchable by title, author or formation.
NEFFA: New England Folk Festival Association - Contradances in Cambridge and the Greater Boston area, plus folk events and information on the Association.
New England (Southeast) Contradances - Contradances in eastern Connecticut (including New Haven), all of Rhode Island, southeastern Mass., Cape Cod, and Martha's Vineyard, but not Hartford.
New Hampshire Contra Dances - Provides information about contra dances in New Hampshire, USA. It covers schedules, special events, dance locations, callers and musicians.
North Bay Country Dance Society - Contra dances and English Country dances in the San Francisco North Bay (Marin and Sonoma counties).
Meta Description: [ Calendar of contra dance, square dance, and English country dance in the San Francisco North Bay Area, plus articles, links, and music. ]
North Texas Traditional Dance Society - Dallas based group, dedicated mainly to contradancing. With calendar of events and pictures.
Ohio (Northeast) Community Dance Schedule - Contradances plus English country, ceili, and swing dances in Cleveland, Lakewood, Bath, Oberlin, and other northeast Ohio cities.
Old Farmer's Ball - Information on upcoming dances, mountain musical groups and contact information for group devoted to traditional mountain music and dance.
Portland Megaband - Contradance band from Portland, Oregon formed by over 75 musicians. Presents contradances, and encourages musicians to join.
Meta Description: [ The Portland Megaband - The largest contra dance band in the world ]
Sacramento Contradance Schedules and Information - Contra dances in the Sacramento area.
Santa Barbara Country Dance Society - Contra dances in Santa Barbara, California.
Seattle Contra Dancing - Contradances in Seattle and nearby cities.
SF Bay Area Contradances and English Country Dances - Contra dances and English Country dances in the San Francisco bay area.
Some Contradance Stuff - A list of links incorporated into a dialogue about contradance.
Syracuse Country Dancers - Information about contradancing, schedule, area dances and directions provided. (Syracuse, NY)
The Fiddleheads Home Page - New Haven contradance band, offering contact information, calendar of upcoming dances and pictures.
Meta Description: [ New Haven's venerable contradance band ]
Triangle Country Dancers - Contradance group in the Piedmont area including up-to-date details about our classes and events. Also provides links to other dance activities in the area. (Chapel Hill, NC)
Tunescape Contradance Band - An innovative contradance band from Western PA, combining traditional music and modern groove. With contact information, calendar of events and sound samples.
Upper Susquehanna Contradance - Lists schedules and other information on contradances in Milford and Cooperstown, NY. It also includes links, bits of humor, and dance sequences.
Urbana Country Dancers - Contra dancing schedules, information, and online registration.
Washington D.C. Area Folk Dances - A guide to contra and other dances in the D.C. area for the current month, with links to complete schedules for area dances.
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