User:DanBos/Contra Dance

Contra Dancing is a traditional country dance form that originated in the New England area of North America. It grew out of the traditional country dance forms of the settlers, mainly English and French. Contra Dancing has suffered some lean periods, but key influential individuals gave it new energy. Today, Contra Dancing has spread throughout the United States and certain parts of the world.

The Set
Contra Dancing is a social dance done for the enjoyment of the particpants. It is done in sets which takes the form of columns of couples, optimally at least 7 couples long and typically limited in length and number by the dimensions of the dance hall. The sets are oriented so that one end is closest to the band; this is the top of the set. As you face the band, the men's line is on the left, and the women's line is on the right.

The Music
Contra dances are almost always accompanied by a live band. In the US, the fiddle is the most common lead instrument. Other common instruments are accordion, mandolin, guitar, piano, string bass, flute, bodhran and pennywhistle. Less common instruments are hammered dulcimer, bouzouki, oboe, clarinet, drum kit, other percussion (such as clogging, jew's harp, tambourine), trombone and trumpet. Occasionally seen, mostly as a novelty, are bombarde, ocarina, tuba, bagpipe, and others limited by the imagination of the players.