Contra dance is primarily a form of folk dance adopted and enriched by many cultures throughout the world. With influences from English country dance, Scottish, French dance styles in the 17th century, contra dance is much loved in United States, United Kingdom and Australia where Contra Dance in Melbourne is a phenomenon. This social dance is perfect for social gatherings and functions. Mentioned below are some popular contra dance instructions, for you to practice before your next contra dance function. Along with the Garyth King Dances, these dances mentioned below are preferred by many dance callers.
A1
• Circle left three quarters
• Top two swing (first man and second lady)
A2
• Circle left half
• Top two swing (other two -- first lady and second man)
B1
• Circle left three quarters
• First couple swing at the bottom, end facing down
B2
• Circle left half with the next, pass thru up or down
• Circle left half with originals, pass thru up or down
o When it collapses you try to circle with a couple that isn't there; ignore them and just do a California twirl and go back to the reliable couple you have just left.
A1
• Lead down in line of four, 1s in the centre, turn alone, come back and bend the line
A2
• Circle left
• Star left back
B1
• Balance and swing next neighbor
B2
• Lines go forward and back
• 1s swing in the middle
A1
• Men allemande left (in four steps), give right hands to partners and all balance in line
• Swing partner
A2
• Circle left
• Star right
B1
• Full ladies chain, ending with a quarter turn more
B2
• Promenade up or down the set (neutral couples joining in here), turn as couples
• Promenade back past the couple you were with to progress on to the next.
A1
• Do si do on the side
• Swing on the side and end facing down
A2
• Lead down in a line of four, turn as couples, back, bend the line
B1
• Circle left; circle right
B2
• Full ladies chain
Dance #1: Attack of the Killer Tomatoes By Bill Sudkamp
Improper contraA1
• Circle left three quarters
• Top two swing (first man and second lady)
A2
• Circle left half
• Top two swing (other two -- first lady and second man)
B1
• Circle left three quarters
• First couple swing at the bottom, end facing down
B2
• Circle left half with the next, pass thru up or down
• Circle left half with originals, pass thru up or down
o When it collapses you try to circle with a couple that isn't there; ignore them and just do a California twirl and go back to the reliable couple you have just left.
Dance #2: Awesome Double Progression Dance By Donna Calhoun
Improper contra, double progressionA1
• Lead down in line of four, 1s in the centre, turn alone, come back and bend the line
A2
• Circle left
• Star left back
B1
• Balance and swing next neighbor
B2
• Lines go forward and back
• 1s swing in the middle
Dance #3: Be my Valentine By Ted Sannella
Becket formation; anticlockwise progressionA1
• Men allemande left (in four steps), give right hands to partners and all balance in line
• Swing partner
A2
• Circle left
• Star right
B1
• Full ladies chain, ending with a quarter turn more
B2
• Promenade up or down the set (neutral couples joining in here), turn as couples
• Promenade back past the couple you were with to progress on to the next.
Dance #4: Blackthorn Reel By Roger Knox
Improper contraA1
• Do si do on the side
• Swing on the side and end facing down
A2
• Lead down in a line of four, turn as couples, back, bend the line
B1
• Circle left; circle right
B2
• Full ladies chain
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