Second Saturday Contra Dances

Dances are typically 8-11pm second Saturdays at the wood-floored, air-conditioned American Legion Post, 275 Main Street, Wethersfield, CT [map].  There's a free beginners' workshop at 7:30pm. 

Dance Admission for "normal" second Saturday contras (as stated in grid for special events)

• HCD members:  $10
  
• Non-members:  $12
  
• Students (teens & college):  $5
  
• Kids 12 and under:  Free

What's Contra Dance?

Contra is a traditional form of New England social dance, with roots dating back 200+ years. It's a cousin of English country dance and American square dance, with a caller and figures like "do-si-do" and "swing your partner." It's a huge amount of fun and not at all corny. In contra dance, couples form two lines, partners facing each other. Prompted by the caller, they perform a sequence of figures that causes them to progress up or down the line, meeting other couples with whom they repeat the sequence. Eventually every couple dances with every other couple. The music is performed live. The music consists mainly of Irish, New England, and Quebecois jigs and reels, with an occasional waltz or Scandinavian dance tossed in. The band's structure is wildly variable, typically including fiddle, piano, and guitar/mandolin, but sometimes including flute, penny whistle, concertina, accordion, dulcimer, bass, clarinet, or whatever else a musician happens to play. We typically provide refreshments (e.g., iced tea and cookies). The dances are smoke- and alcohol free.

No Experience Necessary: We welcome and encourage beginners. The dances are fun and easy to learn. The dances don't require fancy footwork - if you can walk, you can contra. A workshop 30 minutes before the dance will teach you what you need to know to get started.

Dress: Dress is very casual (e.g., shorts and t-shirts are not out of place). Wear cool comfortable clothing and clean soft-soled shoes - NOT square dance outfits, hats, boots, high heels, or footwear that will mark the floor. Contra is aerobic exercise, so be prepared to work up a sweat. Experienced dancers often bring a towel and a couple spare dry shirts.

No Partner Needed: Contra dancers are of all ages. You can come alone or with a friend, and you'll meet a lot of new people. Our convention is to switch partners for each new set, although you can stick with the same partner if you both really want to do so. You'll find contra dancers to be very helpful and friendly, and our Hartford area dancers particularly so.

All Dances Taught: The caller walks everyone through the moves of the dance before the music starts. Once the music starts, he/she prompts the moves until everyone has them down.

For more info, please see Gary Shapiro's excellent What is Contra Dance?