Re: [Callers] What is a contra?

Hi Colin Interesting question. I have similar questions looking at this from Australia. I have started running workshops titled something like "Modern New England Contra Dance". (This is not to alienate folk from other parts of the US, but most of my exposure to contra has been in New England). Then I can focus on what the elements of such a dance are, which is what makes the modern contra dance scene what it is.  Then there is the historical stuff, ie what led up to contra's current distinctive style, without which the current dance style would not have evolved. And the innovation (eg techno contra - see comments below about music), without which it will stagnate. But I don't talk about this in a dance workshop - this is nerdy caller stuff. Then there is the music. Is dancing to anything other than what I would call contra dance music strictly contra dancing? We have related forms of music in Australia which have evolved from the same roots, but have a different feel. I would argue that the pure New England Contra style needs to be accompanied by pure contra dance music. A reel played in Irish style can have a completely different feel to the same tune played in contra style. I can hear the difference but can't currently describe it in words  - something for somebody's PhD I suspect. I think the package of the right dance and the right music is incredibly important. And of course, there's the innovation ie techno contra. I visit the US contra scene as often as possible, and can see and hear changes in the style between visits. So it is constantly evolving. Eg on  my first visit in 2003 a square was often included in what I would call "an evening of contra dance" as distinct from a "contra dance" (to get around the terminology of a contra dance referring to both a whole program and a single dance). On my last visit I don't recall a single square being included on a program. And the formations were almost exclusively duple improper and becket.  As with anything in life, as soon as we try to classify something (especially something that is evolving), the list of exceptions is usually longer than the list of inclusions. Ask any taxonomist :-) Long may the discussion and debate continue! CheersJeanette Jeanette Mill Contra dance caller, musician, workshop facilitator Canberra, Australia Phone: +61 (0)449 686 077 Email: jeanette_mill(a)yahoo.com.au Skype: jeanette.mill   "The piano - 88 little mistakes waiting to happen"Kate Barnes   On Thursday, 28 June 2018, 5:48:01 am AEST, Colin Hume via Callers <callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote: 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 _______________________________________________ List Name:  Callers mailing list List Address:  Callers(a)lists.sharedweight.net Archives:  https://www.mail-archive.com/callers@lists.sharedweight.net/