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Difference between revisions of "Contradance"

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Modern Contra Dance is first documented in John Playford's 1651 text "The Dancing Master," in which he provided instructions and music for one hundred fifty dances <ref> Wilson, C. A. (n.d.). The Arrival of the Waltz in England, 1812. BRANCH. Retrieved May 9, 2017, from http://www.branchcollective.org/?ps_articles=cheryl-a-wilson-the-arrival-of-the-waltz-in-england-1812 </ref>. The name "Contra Dance" comes from the French "Contredanse," referring to the way in which lines of dancers face each other, and is sometimes translated as "Country Dance <ref> Wilson, C. A. (n.d.). The Arrival of the Waltz in England, 1812. BRANCH. Retrieved May 9, 2017, from http://www.branchcollective.org/?ps_articles=cheryl-a-wilson-the-arrival-of-the-waltz-in-england-1812 </ref>." Contra dance is an "open couple" dance. This means that dancers have limited physical contact with one another and interact with many different partners over the course of a single dance <ref> Wilson, C. A. (n.d.). The Arrival of the Waltz in England, 1812. BRANCH. Retrieved May 9, 2017, from http://www.branchcollective.org/?ps_articles=cheryl-a-wilson-the-arrival-of-the-waltz-in-england-1812 </ref>. Most typically, dancers come together, complete a figure, and then return to their place in the line.
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Modern Contra Dance is first documented in John Playford's 1651 text "The Dancing Master," in which he provided instructions and music for one hundred fifty dances <ref> Wilson, C. A. (n.d.). The Arrival of the Waltz in England, 1812. BRANCH. Retrieved May 9, 2017, from http://www.branchcollective.org/?ps_articles=cheryl-a-wilson-the-arrival-of-the-waltz-in-england-1812 </ref>. The name "Contra Dance" comes from the French "Contredanse," referring to the way in which lines of dancers face each other, and is sometimes translated as "Country Dance <ref> Wilson, C. A. (n.d.). The Arrival of the Waltz in England, 1812. BRANCH. Retrieved May 9, 2017, from http://www.branchcollective.org/?ps_articles=cheryl-a-wilson-the-arrival-of-the-waltz-in-england-1812 </ref>." Contra dance is an "open couple" dance. This means that dancers have limited physical contact with one another and interact with many different partners over the course of a single dance <ref> Wilson, C. A. (n.d.). The Arrival of the Waltz in England, 1812. BRANCH. Retrieved May 9, 2017, from http://www.branchcollective.org/?ps_articles=cheryl-a-wilson-the-arrival-of-the-waltz-in-england-1812 </ref>. Most typically, dancers come together, complete a figure, and then return to their place in the line <ref> Kelly-Bowditch, L. (2009, April 21). The Evolution of Contra Dancing. Retrieved May 10, 2017, from http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/lkelly-bowditch/evolution-contra-dancing
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</ref>. Though extremely popular in post-Renaissance Europe up through the early 19th century, Contra Dance is now regarded as an American dance <ref> Contra Dance - History of Contra Dancing. (n.d.). Retrieved May 10, 2017, from http://www.dancefacts.net/dance-list/contra-dance/ </ref>.
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=Overview of Modern American Style=
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In the United States, Contra Dance has been heavily influenced by African dance and musical styles, particularly in New England and Appalachia <ref> Contra Dance - History of Contra Dancing. (n.d.). Retrieved May 10, 2017, from http://www.dancefacts.net/dance-list/contra-dance/ </ref>. Contra Dance is led by a caller who starts by defining a number of short dance sequences called figures. The dance then starts, with the caller announcing which figure the dancers should be doing. One round lasts for sixty-four beats, during which time dancers change partners up and down the line and dance the called figures. The dancers then rejoin the line. The dance repeats after sixty-four beats without stopping <ref> Contra Dance - History of Contra Dancing. (n.d.). Retrieved May 10, 2017, from http://www.dancefacts.net/dance-list/contra-dance/ </ref>.
 
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Revision as of 07:36, 10 May 2017

Contra Dance

Contra Dance
Article Image
Contra Dance

Overview

Contra Dancing, also known as Country Dancing, is a style of social folk dance in which long lines of dancers come together, pair off, perform a series of prescribed movements, and separate again. Contra Dance was the most popular form of ballroom dance enjoyed in Europe from the 17th to 19th centuries [1].


Background

Example of Contra Dance Step
1Lead Down the Middle.jpg
Lead Down The Middle
Artist: Thomas Wilson
Date: Printed in 1808


Modern Contra Dance is first documented in John Playford's 1651 text "The Dancing Master," in which he provided instructions and music for one hundred fifty dances [2]. The name "Contra Dance" comes from the French "Contredanse," referring to the way in which lines of dancers face each other, and is sometimes translated as "Country Dance [3]." Contra dance is an "open couple" dance. This means that dancers have limited physical contact with one another and interact with many different partners over the course of a single dance [4]. Most typically, dancers come together, complete a figure, and then return to their place in the line [5]. Though extremely popular in post-Renaissance Europe up through the early 19th century, Contra Dance is now regarded as an American dance [6].

Overview of Modern American Style


In the United States, Contra Dance has been heavily influenced by African dance and musical styles, particularly in New England and Appalachia [7]. Contra Dance is led by a caller who starts by defining a number of short dance sequences called figures. The dance then starts, with the caller announcing which figure the dancers should be doing. One round lasts for sixty-four beats, during which time dancers change partners up and down the line and dance the called figures. The dancers then rejoin the line. The dance repeats after sixty-four beats without stopping [8].

References


  1. ↑ Contra Dance - History of Contra Dancing. (n.d.). Retrieved May 10, 2017, from http://www.dancefacts.net/dance-list/contra-dance/
  2. ↑ Wilson, C. A. (n.d.). The Arrival of the Waltz in England, 1812. BRANCH. Retrieved May 9, 2017, from http://www.branchcollective.org/?ps_articles=cheryl-a-wilson-the-arrival-of-the-waltz-in-england-1812
  3. ↑ Wilson, C. A. (n.d.). The Arrival of the Waltz in England, 1812. BRANCH. Retrieved May 9, 2017, from http://www.branchcollective.org/?ps_articles=cheryl-a-wilson-the-arrival-of-the-waltz-in-england-1812
  4. ↑ Wilson, C. A. (n.d.). The Arrival of the Waltz in England, 1812. BRANCH. Retrieved May 9, 2017, from http://www.branchcollective.org/?ps_articles=cheryl-a-wilson-the-arrival-of-the-waltz-in-england-1812
  5. ↑ Kelly-Bowditch, L. (2009, April 21). The Evolution of Contra Dancing. Retrieved May 10, 2017, from http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/lkelly-bowditch/evolution-contra-dancing
  6. ↑ Contra Dance - History of Contra Dancing. (n.d.). Retrieved May 10, 2017, from http://www.dancefacts.net/dance-list/contra-dance/
  7. ↑ Contra Dance - History of Contra Dancing. (n.d.). Retrieved May 10, 2017, from http://www.dancefacts.net/dance-list/contra-dance/
  8. ↑ Contra Dance - History of Contra Dancing. (n.d.). Retrieved May 10, 2017, from http://www.dancefacts.net/dance-list/contra-dance/



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