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Leonard Ellis
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A Little Bit More About
Contra Dancing

Contra Choreographies Contra Links

The word "contra" comes from the French word meaning opposing as contra dances are literally danced in the formation of two opposing lines of dancers. At the beginning of the dance the couples line up, face to face, women on one side, men on the other, forming long opposing lines that run the length of the hall.

American contra dances have their roots in the British Isles. They were preserved and developed mainly in the New England area by the settlers of English, Scottish and Irish descent. They have since spread throughout the United States and the world because they are easy to learn and they are so deliriously FUN to dance.


From Don Armstrong's "The Caller/Teacher Manual for Contras"