Contra Dancing: Connecting Music, Movement & People -> Magical!
Video/photo collage with optimum tempo, typical instruments:
https://vimeo.com/67428955
Full video from the collage:
https://vimeo.com/53908291
An Ottawa dance with a slower tempo and horns:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDTVgvQPiT4

As it is difficult to identify others from meetup at the dance, I propose gathering prior to the dance at the Starbucks at 421 Richmond Rd (@ Roosevelt) at 6:30pm Saturday. Saturday morning, please confirm your continued interest in gathering for the Sat. 6:30pm coffee social by posting in the chat or messaging me directly.
https://goo.gl/maps/hj48qNNwZPQqR4gR6

The 30 minute contra dance lesson at 7:30pm is a good introduction to the dance. Also, for each dance the caller will walk everyone through the dance and during the dance call the interactions as long as the dancers require prompting. The key to the dance is listening for the caller and starting each new interaction when prompted by the caller. This is where dancing experienced dancers are helpful as they can help guide people to the new interactions if calls are missed, or misunderstood.

Ottawa Contra welcomes you to a dance to live music from musicians Grace, Jonathan and a friend with the caller Emily Addison.

6:30PM to 7:10PM - Coffee Social? - Confirm your attendance Sat. AM.
7:30PM to 8:00PM - Contra basics lesson
8:00PM to 10:30PM - Contra dance

A contra dance involves forming up in a line of couples and 'walking' through a pattern to the time of the music. A pattern involves a series of interactions primarily with one of the couples next to you in the line, though can include other neighbouring couples. As part of the pattern you will progress up or down the line and then repeat the pattern with the next couple.

Contra dancing is a forgiving dance. An interaction typically takes four, eight, twelve or sixteen steps. The caller provides prompts for each interaction in the pattern. The first few times through the pattern people will still be working out the flow of the interactions and there may be some confusion, though after everyone has had a little practice the pattern should flow smoothly through the interactions. The key is to listen for the caller and proceed with the next interaction when prompted.

Common interactions include forming a line and stepping forward then stepping back; holding hands in a circle or star with an adjacent couple and turning the formation left or right; or interacting with only one other person in the foursome by walking around each other back-to-back (do-si-do), turning by the right or left hand or going into a ballroom like closed position called a 'swing' and turning on the spot with them.

There are other interactions beyond those I have described here. Some of them are easier to demonstrate than to describe and a few that are a little more intricate, though you probably won't see any of the more intricate interactions until later in the evening. There are also others that are rarely called and the occasional new interaction. Those interactions that I have described above should give you a basic idea of what is involved in the dance. Look for them in the video links I have provided.

Newcomers should try to dance their first few dancers with experienced dancers to become more comfortable with the interactions. This is also when the tempo of the dances is slowest to allow newcomers to find their feet and become comfortable with the dance. The tempo will increase slightly through the dance as the dancers become more comfortable with the pattern and also through the evening with subsequent dances.

Experienced dancers will often embellish interactions or transitions between interactions. This makes their dance both more interesting and playful. The key to embellishments is to only use those that compliment the flow of the dance and with dancers who are receptive to them.

What makes contra dancing feel truly magical is the flow of the dance through the interactions. It may take dancers a few runs through the pattern to work out this flow, though then you really start to feel the connection to the music and the other dancers as the dance flows through interaction to interaction to interaction. Once they have worked out the flow you will see the other dancers illuminated with this joy of the dance by their smiles, their eyes, the playfulness of their dance and through their exuberance in common appreciation of the dance and the music.

$15 Regular Price
$10 Other (16 and under / student / low income)

Bring a water bottle, indoor shoes that can slide on wooden floors so that you can turn easily, and clothing for aerobic dancing with that allows you to move. Also bring an extra layer to wear while warming up in case you get easily chilled.

There are no scent and no gum policies at their dances.

For additional details on this dance, their other dances and other events:
http://www.ottawacontra.ca/

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Type SB if you intend to participate in the pre-dance meetup at Starbucks at 6:30pm? Saturday morning, please confirm your attendance through private message or chat if you intend on meeting at Startbucks at 6:30pm.

Contra Dance to Live Music - Coffee Social @ 6:30pm? or 7:20pm for the Lesson

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Contra Dance to Live Music - Coffee Social @ 6:30pm? or 7:20pm for the Lesson

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