Contra dancing crazy
February 21, 2008It's documented here in this blog that I've made an attempt to salsa. Let me be clear.
I haven't given up on learning to salsa dance. I've just recognized that it will take a greater committment of time, energy and embarrassment than I am perhaps capable of now.
However, I have stumbled upon -- quite literally -- another form of dance.
Contra dancing -- or country dancing -- is so easy that even I, three-left-feet Choate, can do it.
I went to a church contra dance in D.C., and, in a single night, learned enough basics that I could get down and boogie or "hey" or "chain" or whatever.
For the uninitiated, contra dancing is social dancing that involves dancing in long lines although there was a dance or two that involved forming circles, stepping forward, kicking one leg and yelling "hoo!" or something like that.
Even better, contra dancing is like aerobics with a series of partners. I sweated to a band called Contra Mantra and followed the movements as spelled out by the caller.
So, yes, it's a lot like square dancing in Texas, but it's not.
The only drawback was a shortage of males. But I did learn to lead.
It's hard to switch back to following, but not impossible.
Like many pursuits in the D.C. area, contra dancing has its own culture, organizations, etc.
But the best thing about it: It's fun.
The next best thing. It's known to draw an "older crowd." In a city of twentysomethings and thirtysomethings, that's not so bad for a ---tysomething.
I may even have found my next contra dancing destination.
Posted by Trish Choate at 11:04 AM | Permalink
