Contra Dance Basics

[@radawson1018]

Really appreciate this! Watched it twice. The title of each movement placed before it’s done is a great learning aid! 👣

[@beshines5253]

This video is very clear and well done. I've been looking all over TH-cam for contra dance help, and am happy that I came across your lesson here. I hope that you make more videos (such as, what to do with my feet in a basic swing.) Either way, thank you for this one!

[@jamieslate]

This is so much more helpful than the majority of tutorials out there! Thanks for taking the time to share.

[@wesnerdan]

Looks like fun. I'd probably end up in the hospital the first try tho! lol Well done, you guys. 🔥👏😆

[@michellepatterson3573]

Thank you so much for this. I have been trying to figure out how to call contra dances and I'm clueless. This is a good start. It is so difficult to find info/people who teach.

[@ecoastgail]

I keep watching this video over & over again. It is so informative and much easier to watch than the others. Thank you for posting this.

[@evoblade2000]

0:43 Do-Si-Do & See-Saw
1:45 Allemande
2:09 Balance & Swing
3:53 Gypsy & Swing
4:24 Promenade
5:00 Partners & Neighbors (section)

[@ruthmarwitz4393]

Excellent instructions. Everything explained very clearly. Thanks for making this.

[@auntpurl5325]

Super helpful for a total newbie. Thank you.

[@dianeohare9387]

Wow! Very good details and instruction given. Never have done this but now might like to try! Thanks for the video!

[@nbo8644]

hands down the best contra intro video on youtube, much appreciated

[@brandonjanes6464]

All of you are GREAT dancers! Thank you so much for this amazing video. Very instructive and fun and has everything we need to get started CONTRA DANCING!!!

[@hollysafronoff6235]

This is the best introductory video I’ve come across!! Thanks.

[@johngreenler1269]

that was terrific... great teaching !! Only thing I'd do different is that during a swing, the lady keeps her right elbow up and off the gents right arm. It makes the swing so much more enjoyable.

[@everaudart]

I haven’t even took a class yet and I’m over here smiling 😂 I’m starting tomorrow for sure! 🥰

[@barbararickman8543]

I kept hearing the music and saw a title on a song called "Contra" music and got curious. Well...I may just suggest this kind of dance for our church so that young people can interact in a fun and respectful and secure way. No worries. No fearful misunderstandings. Defined rules as to what to do or not do. Guys will feel safe and girls will know what is expected. Contra dance could be the answer to some of the "boredom" that happens in a youth group.

[@armorsmith43]

Barbara Rickman if you want to find an existing contra dance group in the US, go to trycontra.com and put in your zip code.

[@ZarahBee]

This was lovely and well explained! Thank you.

[@MrShivam5]

I recently started contro dancing and this video was a great tutorial!! 👍

[@Seetiyan]

I'm a caller and I sometimes look for introductory video links to send people. I appreciate the overhead views in this one! Thanks.

[@TyLkAn26]

Thank you so much for this video, it's really helpful!

[@tummeti]

Thank you for putting together this video. I love contra dance even though I don't get to it as often as I would like ❤

[@piggiesgosqueal8066]

Great video! Thank you. :)

[@Girackle]

Clear instructions and Lovely dancers.

[@cb5834]

In nearly 60 years of contra dancing I have never heard of a pet turn, but instead it is always called a petronella turn, named after the dance which includes the figure.

[@yolisolano4999]

Excellent video!!

[@anneodonnell102]

Great tutorial video - thank you. Just fyi, some expressions are actually from the French e.g. dosy doh is from dos á dos/back to back, and not Allemande but á la main/by hand

[@irishka_zolotse]

Девочка, держи спину!!! Love the explanation, all the moves and the pairs, thanks 4 sharing, exactly what i needed!!! Please add some music in the background at the end

[@karennovak493]

Wish I had seen this years ago!

[@joannehack7588]

🐸

[@WVgrl59]

❤

[@kineticallyme]

This is very helpful, thank you!

[@vivianesparza6296]

Thanks for the help!

[@themoonxchilde]

this is great!

[@anna-katehowell9852]

In the context of contra calling, what does "swing above/below" or "swing high/low" mean? does that have to do with the top/bottom of the hall?

[@Seetiyan]

Yep - to swing the person above means the person towards the top of the hall from you. To swing the person below you means the person towards the bottom from you. Usually, unless the shape of your dance space forces otherwise, above is towards the music and the caller, and below is away from them.
I believe the high/low is just said for fun.

[@blairfrodelius1759]

I finally understand the "Hey"!

[@johnboycrawford7]

Brandon Janes,you are so right

[@EvokeHaze]

I feel so white 🤍