Re: [Callers] What is a contra?

Hi Colin, I think there at least three definitions: 1) Average American understanding today: Many modern contra dances have these characteristics: longways for as many as will first couples improper, or Becket formation flowing choreography no-one stationary for more than 16 beats (e.g. First Couple Balance & Swing, finish facing down to make Lines of Four) containing at least one swing and normally both a partner swing and a neighbour swing the vast majority of the moves from a set of well-known moves that the dancers know already composed mostly of moves that keep you connected to the other dancers generally danced to 32 bar jigs or reels played at between 110 and 130 bpm danced with a smooth walk with lots of spins and twirls An event which consists primarily (or solely) of dances in this style is sometimes referred to as a Modern Urban Contra Dance. 2) Traditional American approach: 70 years ago an event which included squares, traditional contras (see Cracking Chestnuts - so, yes, "Young Widow" (which I danced at a DC ECD event last month!)) and other formations was known as a Square Dance; as modern contra choreography developed and contras became more popular, the same events came to be known as Contra Dances, with the mix focussing more on contras, but still a mix. Zesty Contras is a good example as it contains lots of formations, including Triple Minors like Alamo Triad. 3) Historical approach: "Contra Dance" used to just mean "Country Dance" and therefore included all of Playford, ECD, etc: "The term "Country Dance" is the one invariably used in all books on dancing that have been published in England during the last three centuries, while all works issued in France within the same period employ the term Contra Dance, or in French "Contre Danse". As the authority is equally good in both cases, either term is therefore correct. The Country or Contra Dance has been one of the most popular amusements in the British Isles, France, and other continental countries from time immemorial." Howe, 1858 Music: Yes, for modern contras any tune will do, including waltzes, as long as the dancers are open-minded - quite a few modern contras have been written specifically for waltz time. But, regardless of the type of tune, it is the speed which defines contra - generally not slower than 105 bpm, so an English step-hop hornpipe at 80 bpm is not part of the modern American culture. But still fits into definition 3 of course. Stepping: Yes, definition 1 is walking, but with lots of spinning and flourishes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZubTju7g_s is from 1965 and shows a walking step - but I would suggest that quite a lot of it is a lighter step than is used today. I believe there was a greater variety of footwork in Balances 50 years ago, now, in moves like that, the feet are used for simple percussion. I hope that helps.             Happy dancing,                    John John Sweeney, Dancer, England   john(a)modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574 http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & DVDs http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in Kent -----Original Message----- From: Colin Hume <colin(a)colinhume.com> Sent: 27 June 2018 21:47 To: Callers List <callers(a)sharedweight.net> Subject: [Callers] What is a contra? I'm in Germany, and I'm speaking for the next few days at a Conference run by the European Callers and Teachers Association. Several of my sessions are about Contras, and speaking to the Contra Coordinator as we drove to the hotel I realised we had very different ideas about what a contra is. I say it is an American (or American-style) dance, longways duple or triple. He classes three-couple dances (such as Ted's Triplets), four-couple dances and circles as contras. He even classes my dance "Sting in the Tail" as a contra. This is for two three-couple sets side-by-side and involves siding into line, set and turn single. I would regard this quite definitely as "Playford"-style, and I think Americans would categorise it as English. But what is a contra? I know the hot-shots would say that it's longways duple improper or Becket with a partner swing and preferably a neighbor swing, but is that your definition? What about an early American dance such as "The Young Widow" - is that a contra? Can a dance in waltz time be a contra? I think of a contra as mainly danced to reels or jigs, though I know there are a few to slip-jigs. Within reels I would include marches and American hornpipes, which are smooth, but not English hornpipes which I would dance to a step-hop. And not Strathspeys. I would say contras are done to a walking step, apart from the swing which is often a buzz step. But do you agree with me? Answers fairly quickly please! Colin Hume Email colin(a)colinhume.com Web site http://colinhume.com