Normally I only have to see this creepy guy one day a week-but lately it seems I’m seeing him more often. While Chatter and Chitter are still loving the The Hyder Mountain Stomp, they’ve fallen in love with the famous Brasstown Forward and Back. Better known as Contra Dancing.
Contra Dancing is a community affair-with dancers of all ages. The music is live and there’s a caller who calls out the dance steps. They go through the steps before each dance starts so even beginners can catch on pretty fast-as beginners-we’ve found it’s much easier if you have an experienced partner.
Contra dancing is kinda like square dancing as in you have partners and do figures. You form long parallel lines with your partner across from you. Then 2 couples form a set together and switch partners while doing the figure called out and then the couple moves on down the line to another couple and so on. I think the constant change in partners makes it exciting, fast paced, and fun.
Contra dancing is derived from The English Country style of dancing which came over with the first English colonists. During the 1800’s Contra dancing was very popular but soon fell out of fashion, surviving mostly in New England and Appalachia.
Chatter and Chitter have had no problem catching on to the concept of Contra Dancing. For me-it’s a little different. Near the end of each dance I think I’ve almost got it-then the dance ends-and it’s time to start a brand new dance.
My biggest problem is getting dizzy when my partner swings me. More than one person shared the secret to prevent dizziness with me- You have to look into your partners eyes each time they swing you. I’m a shy person by nature and find it very difficult to look into someone’s eyes I’ve never met before! When I sit on the sidelines and watch the dancers, I think the girls look so graceful while they’re gazing into their parters eyes and simultaneously spinning-but once it’s me that’s required to do the gazing-I just can’t seem to manage it.
J.D., a great contra dancer and musician, summed it up best for me. He said “if you look into my eyes it really will help with the dizziness. You might feel aggrieved but you won’t feel dizzy.”
Have you ever been Contra Dancing?
Tipper
Never done Contra dancing, but it sure looks like fun.
I like making eye contact, it really is the window to the soul and I happen to know that you have a beautiful soul!!!
It’s so fun how these kids show us up..isn’t it. My guys are just so outgoing.
Nope! But I did square dance in elementary school – why do they make kids do that stuff anyway!?
Tipper,
I square danced a lot in my youth but have never been contra dancing. It sounds like a lot of fun.
I wish that I could still dance but had to give it up after my accident because my hip and back just wouldn’t keep up with the rest of me. LOL
Take care. I’ve enjoyed visiting with you, as always.
Blessings,
Mary
I used to go contra dancing every month in college. It was at this little rambling barn in the foothills in SC. There were college students, mountain folk, hippies from Asheville, and some professors. It was apparently the best contra dance in the area, according to the folks who traveled around to dances. I had so much fun on those nights! Such a great mix of people all enjoying old-fashioned fun.
I have never heard of Contra Dancing but it sounds like a lot of fun.
That guy would give me nightmares!
You get involved with such fun unique activities!
Hey Tipper. That looks like so much fun. I haven’t ever went Contra Dancing but I sure would like to. I wonder how much gas and time will take to get me up there to the next one? lol…
Have a good day!
Pam
that sounds like so much fun!!
I’ve never been but it sure looks fun!
That sounds like a fun dance. I couldn’t gaze into someone else’s eyes either. I remember my grandmother taking me to square dances, but I was never any good at it. LOL
That looks like a lot of fun. I would have trouble gazing into someone else’s eyes. LOL I remember my grandmother taking me to square dances. I was never any good at it. LOL
Awesome! How great that you have this community place where folks can gather for good old time fun!! Really, what a blessing!
I loved JD’s comment –“You may be aggrieved, but at least you won’t be dizzy.” what a hoot!
Looks like some of those guys worked up quite a sweat, I hope there was good ventilation in the place. 😉
On your post below, I couldn’t get comments to open, but I loved your photography/art work, and I like “I’m so lonesome I could cry.” That photo of the girls in boots is excellent.
Morning Tipper! Contra dancing sounds like much fun! And what a great way for the neighbors to enjoy each other, or for the young ones to meet their peers! I’m wondering if contra is available around here? Would make a great night out! Petra p.s. Understand the feeling when you think you’ve got it down, and still scratching one’s head!
This post inspires me to give dancing a try! I love it. I remember the patterns of Irish dancing, which I loved because it was everybody together. It’s a wonderful thing.
Dancing is a spectator sport for me… I have two very large left feet.
Tipper: Never even heard of contra dancing, but the girls look like they are having a fun time.
So interesting
And SO love that I always learn something new at BP& the A!
Oh my goodness! That looks like the best kind of fun!
BTW that rubber band guy is SCARY!! eek!
How fun! We have no real entertainment around here! Movie theater,that’s about it! We went to a couple places while I was in Texas that played live music, it was great! I wish we had fun things to do around here.
I know what you mean about “twirling” My fella can half time like no other! Me? I do ok as long as I have at least one drink in me (with acholol!) It help relax me! You should try it! he! he! Don’t drink so many you end up ON the bar though!! LOL!
A friend of mine used to go contra dancing all the time but I never had the nerve. It always sounded like a great time though!
i’ve never heard of this before , it sounds like a blast! and that dude is so creepy!! i’d close my eyes going past him! LOL
I’ve square danced, not very well, but have never heard of Contra dancing…I’ll have to check it out!
I’ve never been contra dancing but it sure looks fun! If it’s being done around here I don’t know about it. Blessings, marlene
Wow! I’ve never even heard of Contra dancing! I suppose it doesn’t help that I come from the desert where the only dancing you do is in a club or along the hot sidewalk when you go out to get mail!
I have never heard of this. Is this common in your area? I don’t think I’ve ever heard of this in Kentucky.
Been square dancing, even learned it in gym at school. Ours was mostly “Swing your partner, dosy-do. Then promenade.” We didn’t get into too much fancy footwork, or Miss Stumblefoot here would end up in a heap with everyone falling over her. 🙂
Chitter and Chatter must have had a ball there. Keep at it, Tipper, as long as you don’t have two left feet like me it’ll get easier. I promise. xxoo
That looks like so much fun! Never heard of it, probably couldn’t do it but I would love to give it a try.
How fun that you have somewhere to do all that dancing. I bet the girls just love. You all live such a beautiful life there!
Never been to a Contra Dance. Sounds like a lot of fun. It’s a good self-confidence builder. I used to dance a lot in my younger days.
Indeed I have been to a Contra Dance! We have them
here and there and at the Grange Halls up in rural Northern NY State! (And we also see an English Country dance or two each season for the more sedate, LOL) Those are usually held outside.
No, but it sounds like fun. Pappy
I’ve never done Contra Dancing, but in a local parade once there was a group of Contra Dancers. I loved it. Every year I hope they return, but they never have.
I would be the same about the eyes! I’m dizzy thinking about it!
I’d never heard of contra dancing and it sounds fun– to watch. Maybe after watching for a long, long time I’d try it out. I’ve never done well in those line dances– I’m usually the one turned the wrong direction.
I never have Tipper; but you make it sound like fun!
Very cool…that guy was kinda creepy! 🙂
I’ve not heard of Contra dancing but am going to check out the link you provided. You are too shy to look into your partner’s eyes … I doubt I’d have even gotten to the dance floor! :oD