Guide to Dance Etiquette

Basics    Social interaction    Sensitive issues    Children

Contradancing is a lively form of traditional dance from New England. It is social, easy to learn, aerobic, done to wonderful live music. Many of you may not be familiar with the conventions of contradancing. We have prepared this guide to the basics both for beginners and experienced dancers to help create a welcoming and friendly atmosphere, to encourage safe dancing, and to promote an enjoyable evening for all.

Guide to Dance Etiquette For the Perplexed

Beginners should come to as many of our predance beginners' classes as possible, or at least until comfort sets in with basic dance moves. Experienced dancers are encouraged to come, too, to welcome the newcomers into our dance community and help them make speedy progress.

Basics

Holding one person after another in our arms all evening is certainly not something most of us experience anywhere else but at a contradance. Smiling, eye contact, and flirtation is part of the fun of contradancing. Many contradancers like to gaze into their partners' eyes, which can at first prove unnerving. Experienced dancers should remember that newcomers may find flirting unexpected or even disconcerting.

1. Hands four: Each dance begins with the caller asking for "hands four." This joining of hands in a two-couple ring establishes the immediate group of people you will be dancing with. Couple #1 faces down the hall, away from the music, while couple #2 faces up the hall, toward the music.
2. Swinging: It is important to dance with your body's frame essentially parallel to your partner's, and to support your partner firmly. This is called giving weight.
   Men: your right hand should be on your partner's left shoulder blade for a safe hold. Please be aware that some women do not like to swing too vigorously; respect any request to be more gentle - and definitely do not pick your partner up while swinging.
   Women: unlike ballroom dance, turn your face toward your partner. Use a solid hold to connect with your partner, and to avoid feeling like a rag doll.
3. Eye contact: This is an integral part of contradancing and is many a time used to prevent dizziness during swings or allemandes. If eye contact discomforts you, focussing on your partner's ear, chin, collar, etc., is acceptable.
4. Improvising: Many experienced contradancers improvise or "style" during a dance.
   1. Dancing in time to the music and helping your partner to be on time is always more important than embellishments.
   2. Do your best to maintain a sense of "place" within your line. Be attentive to the safety of those around you.
5. As with all personal interactions, respect, discretion, and common sense are your best guide to what is or is not appropriate.
6. Mistakes: Smile. We all make them. We were all beginners once (even if we sometimes hate to admit it). Forgive and forget, but keep dancing!

Social interaction

Contradancing is highly social by nature and provides an opportunity for friendly interaction with an entire room full of people. We share a common love of dancing, and there are many wonderful, friendly people with whom to socialize during and after a dance.

1. Anyone may ask anyone else to dance the next contra. (Yes, women can ask men!)
2. Same-sex dance partners are not uncommon, especially if there is an unequal number of each sex.
3. It is customary to change partners after every dance.
4. Improvement comes more quickly by dancing with more experienced partners. We recommend that two beginners should not dance together for more than a dance or two.

Sensitive issues

Contradancing promotes close physical contact with many other people. Most of us are uncomfortable or unwilling to confront another person about their behavior or hygiene, regardless of how well we know them. It is, understandably, rather a sensitive issue. We hope these guidelines will prevent embarrassing or confrontational situations.

1. Wear comfortable clothes and appropriate clean-soled shoes. Some folks bring extra tee shirts for a quick change during the break.
2. Please avoid wearing perfume, aftershave, or cologne to a dance. (Dancing, being aerobic, magnifies their scent!) Some dancers are sensitive or allergic to such products.
3. Onions, garlic, spicy food - before swinging...think about it.

Children

Contradances are family environments, and many dancers sometimes bring their children along. In order to maintain a safe environment for both children and adults, we request that parents prevent non-participating children from coming on the dance floor during the dance, for this may be very dangerous for everyone. Interested children are welcome to learn the dance by attending our beginners' classes. Please check our calendars for our schedule of family dances and family-friendly dances.

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Country Dance * New York welcomes anyone who wishes to become a part of this dance family.

CD*NY works hard to promote a safe, friendly environment for everyone's enjoyment. We also welcome feedback on these guidelines. The evening's coordinator or any board member will be happy to hear from you and, in particular, to address any specific concerns (whether or not described above) that might arise at a dance.