Hi Chrissy et al :)
Chrissy - Thanks so much for sharing Larry's words and your reflections on them! It's interesting as I've been thinking about related ideas over the last number of months but I hadn't stopped to sort them out. Your post slowed me down and gave space. :)
What I've been lamenting is that, from my perception, there is a general push for contra dance to move towards an athletic and intense dance form. I was at the Dance Flurry last weekend and that's a perfect example ---> very intense music, people always moving at a fast speed, intimate connections, ways of moving bodies...etc. It seems as though the mindset of many dance gypsies is that this form of contra is the ultimate experience. (AGAIN - noting that this is my perception.)
I do love this form of contra dance but I also find it overwhelming at times. Alternately - I take such great joy in a local dance with dances that are moving at a slightly slower speed, not such 'sexy' dancing (for lack of a better word), and more uplifting and joyous rather than trance-like music. And I also love the open band type scenario and chestnuts etc. Yes, I'm comparing a massive dance weekend to a little local dance but I think the point is valid... ... many folks who think of themselves as invested heavily in contra dance may gravitate to the intense experience and might forget that the local-community feel with lots of beginners and more straightforward music is a really beautiful thing.
My hope is that as contra dance continues to evolve, there's is not only space but also admiration and support for the wide range of communities and enactments of the dance form.
