I was thinking about square dancing with my husband, but I cannot imagine the outfit I would have to wear. This looks fun too and more casual. I had my husband practicing with me this morning on the back porch! Can't wait to give it a go. Thanks to Seths teaching and Jim for uploading.
Until a week ago, I had never heard of Contra Dancing! I now realise, as a "modified" square dance caller, that the dance nights we run are more like contra dancing--- dances in lines, squares and circles--- which I call Australian Bush Hoedown as distinct from normal square dancing. I call to my own music (guitar),with drummer following along, which makes it very easy to teach dances without walking them through first. (Look on You tube). The dancing may not be perfect but they're into it straight away! Thank you for the video! I'm relieved to discover others in this world do easy fun dances like we do, in contrast to the way square dancing has gone!... and without the frilly skirts!!! I wish I could come and dance!
Thank you!!! Haven't been to a contra dance in years and with one coming up thought better check out RUclips.Yours stood out so watched both parts.Very helpfull ! But here's the kicker.Went to the dance lastnight.Still nervous.Saw the caller wearing same headgear as Seth.Thought,hmmm,must be standard calling attire.When he said his name was Seth I about fell over.Thought was in the Twilight Zone here in Pahoa Hawaii ! BIG crowd and a GREAT time had by all thanks to Seth,the band,and orgainisers.
I have not contra danced in many years, but I remember the swing differently. The swing in this video doesn't seem much different from a swing in square dancing, but I remember a style of swing much more energetic than a square dance swing where the two partners actually lean back and feel the centrifugal force. It was the funnest part of contra dancing and much funner than square dancing. Do I remember it wrongly or was I exposed to some local variation? Or?
+Jim Crawford thanks. The good news is that, a few weeks ago, I went to a contra dance lesson (for review) and a contra dance and with a few experienced partners it all came back to me very quickly including the fun way of swinging. I'm going back for more. ;-)
It's a hybrid of many western Europe folk dances. Components of square dancing from France, components of line dancing from Scotland, components of English Country Dance from England etc..
Seth lets folks feel the music with a small amount of instruction/talk. He does a lot of doing with less telling. The new dancers are moving and dancing without as much mental processing. New dancers seem to 'feel' the music and their feet seem to know the way. Dancing not so much in their heads and their feet do the leading.
Really dislike that allemande grip with fingers wrapped around thumb -- had a woman dang near dislocate my thumb when she refused to let go. I now keep my thumb tight against my hand. Works just as well that way.
This is a good resource! Seth's a great teacher.
Thankyou so much for posting. I'm teaching a group of kids to do this, this summer, and this comes in handy.
I was thinking about square dancing with my husband, but I cannot imagine the outfit I would have to wear. This looks fun too and more casual. I had my husband practicing with me this morning on the back porch! Can't wait to give it a go. Thanks to Seths teaching and Jim for uploading.
Until a week ago, I had never heard of Contra Dancing! I now realise, as a "modified" square dance caller, that the dance nights we run are more like contra dancing--- dances in lines, squares and circles--- which I call Australian Bush Hoedown as distinct from normal square dancing. I call to my own music (guitar),with drummer following along, which makes it very easy to teach dances without walking them through first. (Look on You tube). The dancing may not be perfect but they're into it straight away!
Thank you for the video! I'm relieved to discover others in this world do easy fun dances like we do, in contrast to the way square dancing has gone!... and without the frilly skirts!!! I wish I could come and dance!
Great video to send to first time dancers! Really lets them see what the dance moves are like, without the stress of jumping in feet first.
Thank you!!! Haven't been to a contra dance in years and with one coming up thought better check out RUclips.Yours stood out so watched both parts.Very helpfull ! But here's the kicker.Went to the dance lastnight.Still nervous.Saw the caller wearing same headgear as Seth.Thought,hmmm,must be standard calling attire.When he said his name was Seth I about fell over.Thought was in the Twilight Zone here in Pahoa Hawaii ! BIG crowd and a GREAT time had by all thanks to Seth,the band,and orgainisers.
This is great Seth! Thanks!
SETH!!! Hey, dude!! I greatly enjoyed the weekend with you calling at MoonDance!
Good refresher!
bless you honey
I have not contra danced in many years, but I remember the swing differently. The swing in this video doesn't seem much different from a swing in square dancing, but I remember a style of swing much more energetic than a square dance swing where the two partners actually lean back and feel the centrifugal force. It was the funnest part of contra dancing and much funner than square dancing. Do I remember it wrongly or was I exposed to some local variation? Or?
+Ron Gutman Lots of variations of the 'Swing' in Contra Dancing. To see some of the variety watch: ruclips.net/video/TfB_nX8l3Uo/видео.html
+Jim Crawford thanks. The good news is that, a few weeks ago, I went to a contra dance lesson (for review) and a contra dance and with a few experienced partners it all came back to me very quickly including the fun way of swinging. I'm going back for more. ;-)
Swing your partner.
I have never done this dance but I thought it looked just like when I was in school and they would have square dancing
It's a hybrid of many western Europe folk dances. Components of square dancing from France, components of line dancing from Scotland, components of English Country Dance from England etc..
Seth lets folks feel the music with a small amount of instruction/talk. He does a lot of doing with less telling. The new dancers are moving and dancing without as much mental processing. New dancers seem to 'feel' the music and their feet seem to know the way. Dancing not so much in their heads and their feet do the leading.
Really dislike that allemande grip with fingers wrapped around thumb -- had a woman dang near dislocate my thumb when she refused to let go. I now keep my thumb tight against my hand. Works just as well that way.
That guy needs a mic to attach to his shirt
Agreed, it would have been helpful. CCD callers have not used wireless lavs at the dance hall.