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Modern Contra Dance was 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>. Contra Dance is considered to be a single style, but was always being adapted into new variations. These variations included new arrangements of steps, and were often assembled to commemorate a special occasion. For instance, the dances "The Duchess of York's Slipper," "Flowers of Edinburgh," and "The Downfall of Paris" were all featured in a 1816 dance manuel<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," even though its original meaning had nothing to do with "Country<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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Modern Contra Dance was 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>. Contra Dance is considered to be a single style, but was always being adapted into new variations. These variations included new arrangements of steps, and were often assembled to commemorate a special occasion. For instance, the dances "The Duchess of York's Slipper," "Flowers of Edinburgh," and "The Downfall of Paris" were all featured in a 1816 dance manuel<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," even though its original meaning had nothing to do with "Country<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</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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</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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Revision as of 07:26, 14 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 was first documented in John Playford's 1651 text "The Dancing Master," in which he provided instructions and music for one hundred fifty dances[2]. Contra Dance is considered to be a single style, but was always being adapted into new variations. These variations included new arrangements of steps, and were often assembled to commemorate a special occasion. For instance, the dances "The Duchess of York's Slipper," "Flowers of Edinburgh," and "The Downfall of Paris" were all featured in a 1816 dance manuel[3].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," even though its original meaning had nothing to do with "Country[4]." 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[5]. Most typically, dancers come together, complete a figure, and then return to their place in the line [6]. Though extremely popular in post-Renaissance Europe up through the early 19th century, Contra Dance is now regarded as an American dance[7].

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 [8]. 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 [9].

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. ↑ 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
  6. ↑ 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
  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/
  9. ↑ 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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