What Is Contra Dancing?

Contra dancing is a form of social American folk dancing similar to square dancing.

The contra dance is also known as English country dance, New England folk dance, a barn dance, or Appalachian folk dance.

In contra dancing, long lines of couples dance together, performing simple footwork patterns, walking steps, and twirls.

Dancers perform to folk music played by a live band featuring mandolins, banjos, and accordions, while a caller calls out the pattern for everyone to follow.

Dancers usually wear comfortable shoes and clothes, making contra dancing a casual, social dance form.