11 Nov
2023
11 Nov
'23
3:17 a.m.
I started consistently attending international folk dancing in Austin after
graduating from UT. The group had a delightful tradition—not only did they
alternate line dances with couple dances, but after the break the first
dance was always a contra, called by Chuck Roth. I looked forward to that
contra at every AIFD dance.
When I moved to DFW I went to my first all-contra dance with the North
Texas Traditional Dance Society. It was at Winfrey Point on White Rock
Lake—there is a spectacular view of the jewel-like Dallas skyline. The
stage was overflowing with musicians, and the floor was full of dancers. I
already knew what to do, thanks to Austin folk dancing.
The romance of dancing in a beautiful location really helps with the
ambiance of a dance, with the mood of the dancers, and helps to create
special memories. I’ve been so lucky to experience some great venues, but
also been happy to dance in basements, large rooms with low ceilings,
uneven floors.
At our international folk dancing in San Antonio we sometimes do an
English dance but no contra because “there’s a contra group.” So nobody
here is getting the gentle introduction to contra that I did. I worry that
at our contra dances it can feel like “zero to sixty” and folks get
overwhelmed.
Lissa Bengtson
San Antonio
On Fri, Nov 10, 2023 at 8:28 PM Jerome Grisanti via Organizers <
organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
My first time, I attended at the invitation of a
friend and coworker. She
basically invited the entire staff at our workplace during our weekly
meeting. This was in Louisville.
I was recently separated, and I knew I needed some positive socialization,
so I showed up. I didn't see my friend, but I was swept into the dance, one
woman after another asking me for the next dance. It definitely made me
feel not only welcome, but actually wanted. I decided that night to attend
as often as possible (luckily, it was weekly).
Jerome Grisanti
On Fri, Nov 10, 2023, 7:52 PM Robert Matson via Organizers <
organizers(a)lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
You all, I'm curious to hear YOUR first
experiences at a contra, whether
when young or not.
As I think back, it took me three attempts over about 15 years, from
young to less young, to get over the threshold and really start enjoying
myself (not counting those grade school square dance classes). My first
experiences stunk. Once I got into contra, I was always concerned when I
brought friends who were new to contra whether they'd have fun. The most
perilous moments were 1) when they (or I) needed to find a partner and,
then, 2) absorbing the disapproval of hot shot dancers when one messed up.
Now, as an organizer, I'd like to stay aware of the confusion and concerns
of first-, second- and third-... timers.
Would anyone mind sharing?
Rob
Dancing in Arkansas
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