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A New England contradance (or contredanse) is an American traditional dance evolved from British and European folk dances, such as English Country Dance. |
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A New England contradance (or contredanse) is an American traditional dance evolved from British and European folk dances, such as English Country Dance. |
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Most contradances consist of a sequence of about six to twelve individual figures. These figures are called by a caller as the figures are danced. Most contra dances are performed in long lines of couples, but some are done in square sets of four couples. |
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Most contradances consist of a sequence of about six to twelve individual figures. These figures are recited by a caller in time to the music as the figures are danced. Contradances often are arranged in long lines of facing or opposing partners; hence the contra of contradance. Three major arrangements or formations are proper, improper, and Beckett. |
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A figure is a short dance "step" or "move", sort of a choreographic building block. Most figures take eight counts of music. |
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Proper: F1 F2 F1 F2 F1 F2 F1 F2... M1 M2 M1 M2 M1 M2 M1 M2... Improper: M1 F2 M1 F2 M1 F2 M1 F2... F1 M2 F1 M2 F1 M2 F1 M2... Beckett: F1 M1 F1 M1 F1 M1 F1 M1... M2 F2 M2 F2 M2 F2 M2 F2... (key: band is to the left, F=female, M=Male, 1=1st couple, 2=2nd couple) A figure is a short dance "step" or "move", sort of a choreographic building block. Most figures take eight counts of music, although figures with four or sixteen counts are also common. |
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