Your First Contra Dance!
Contra dancing and why we love it.
Contra dancing is a modern community dance, with roots in square and English country dance. Think barn dances and hoedowns with a contemporary twist. Each dance is a sequence of simple moves, danced with a partner within the context of lines of couples. A caller first teaches the sequence of moves and then calls them once the dance and live music begins.
Here’s an opportunity to disconnect from the phone and connect with others through movement, music, and of course smiles! All are welcome, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or age. Come alone, with a partner, or with friends. Contra dancing is easy to learn, with no required lessons or weeks mastering complex moves.
You will have fun at your first contra dance! We promise!
How do I learn to contra dance?
Come early to the dance and join other newcomers in a short review of dance figures, led by one of our fabulous callers. There is no fancy footwork to learn. No experience is necessary. Once the dance starts our community will help you dance. For each dance the caller first walks through the sequence of figures; and once the music begins, the caller calls each move making it easier to follow the dance. You are not alone. There is a whole community who helps you learn the dance by embracing and encouraging newcomers. There are no mistakes. It’s all in fun.
Whom do I dance with?
While contras are danced with partners, bringing one is not necessary, nor the norm. Lots of people come alone. It’s a great way to meet new friends! And even if you come with a partner, the tradition is to change partners after a dance. As a newcomer, you are encouraged to dance with more experienced dancers, so you can learn to dance more quickly. You are encouraged to ask others to dance; and in turn, others will ask you. (Always feel free to say no, too!). Contra dances are community events which focus on the group, and less on couples.
What should I wear and bring?
Contra dancing can be aerobic. You warm up quickly after two or three dances. There are no special costumes. Casual and informal dress are encouraged.
Because we dance on wood floors, consider changing shoes once you are in the hall. Wear comfortable shoes with soft smooth soles, in order to slide across wooden floors.
Of course, bring a water bottle to stay hydrated. And please, leave perfume and cologne at home as other dancers may be sensitive to it.
What does it cost?
Currently, the SFS charges $10 for non-members at our Wednesday night dances. If this is your first time, then make sure to let someone know at the gate, and you will receive a free admission card for the next time you come to dance. If you join the SFS, then you will receive a $3 discount for each dance you attend. Admission for our second Saturday dances is $12 for general admission and $10 for SFS members. Those ages 18 to 25 qualify to receive the same discount as SFS members.
Payment by cash, checks and credit cards.
Where are the dances held?
The SFS Wednesday night dances are held at the Woman’s Club Hall, 1428 W. 9th Ave, on the lower South Hill of Spokane. Dances begin at 7:15PM with a newcomer’s session, followed by a two-hour dance beginning at 7:30PM. Our second Saturday dances are held at the East Spokane Grange, 1621 N. Park Rd. in the Spokane Valley. These dances are three hours long, beginning at 7PM.
Dance Etiquette
Dance with Everyone
We are a stronger community when everyone who wants to dance is dancing. Experienced dancers will reach out newcomers to help introduce them to our community, and help them become better dancers. We all keep an eye out for those on the sidelines and help them keep involved by asking them to dance.
It is OK to Say No.
Our tradition is to change partners after each dance. We strive to create an environment where dancers feel safe and comfortable, both in asking for a dance and in declining one. Ask kindly and accept or decline graciously.
Feel Free to Dance Any Role
In contra dances, there are dance roles which dancers assume in order for the caller to better direct the movement of both couples and the lines. Historically these roles served as gender markers, ladies and gents. Today, dancers are encouraged to dance any role they wish. While some of our callers may at times refer to the dance roles as ladies and gents, most of our callers use gender free terms like larks and robins.
The Eyes Have It
While eye contact is very common in contra dancing, it can be uncomfortable for some, especially newcomers. Eye contact can help with dizziness, but if it makes you uncomfortable it is ok to look at your partner’s shoulder, or even ear.
Dance Safely
Contra dancing brings dancers into close contact with each other. Besides the close physical interaction, smiling, flirting, and eye contact are all part of the fun. Yet, we all have different comfort and experience levels, and physical limitations. Always be respectful of your fellow dancers’ safety and comfort, whether physical or emotional. Here are some points to keep in mind:
- Remember that your partner’s comfort zone may be different from yours. Be sensitive to non-verbal cues and always err on the side of being considerate and respectful.
- If you think your partner may be uncomfortable with the way you are doing a move, please ask them.
- If you are uncomfortable with the way your partner dances with you, ask them to stop and explain to them what you need.
- Never force a partner to twirl. Avoid jerking a partner’s hand, arm or shoulder, such as at the end of a courtesy turn or swing.
- Be aware of how tightly you are holding peoples’ hands; a tight grip can be uncomfortable, especially if dancers are wearing rings.
- Energetic dancing is lots of fun, but please be mindful of your arms and legs, and keep them out of your neighbors’ dance space.
- If you make a mistake, or miss a figure, don’t worry about it; instead of rushing through the missed figure, skip it and go on to the next.
Predatory conduct, intimidating behavior, and harassment are not allowed, and may lead to dismissal from the dance and potential future dances. If you feel uneasy about something and are not sure how to communicate an issue, please find a board member or the dance producer, and ask them. We are here to help.
Culture of Consent
Code of Conduct
- Dancers should ask and receive verbal consent before doing anything with a partner or neighbor beyond the moves of the dance dictated by the caller (e.g., “Do you like twirling?” “Can we swing like this?”)
- We encourage you to tell your partner about your preferences before the dance begins and to ask about theirs (e.g., “Which role would you like?” “Slow swing, please. I get dizzy easily.”)
- You may refuse any invitation to dance for any reason. If someone refuses your invitation to dance, just say “okay!” Then find another partner.
- If someone is doing something you don’t like, it’s okay to say “Stop!” or “I don’t like twirls,” or
“Please move your hand towards the center of my back,” or “You’re swinging too close.” - If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, you can leave the line. Your safety takes priority.
- A culture of consent includes not engaging in sexual harassment. Do not engage in sexual banter or innuendo, or comment on other dancers’ appearances.
- If anyone asks you to stop doing something, apologize and stop doing it.
If anyone makes you feel unsafe, uncomfortable, or embarrassed, you can address it with them during or after the dance. If you’re not comfortable addressing it with them, we encourage you to approach one of the people who sit at the ticket table, who will work with you to resolve the situation in a way that helps you feel safe and comfortable. This will typically involve the board members reminding the dancer of our community standards, and asking them to change their behavior. For rare cases of serious or repeated breaches of standards, we reserve the right to suspend or ban a dancer.
Discipline Policy
Failure to follow the SFS Code of Conduct may result in, but is not limited to the following actions:
1. Talk to the offended person and witness if available.
- acknowledge that the concern has been received;
- indicate how the board proposes to deal with the matter; and
- give an estimate of how long the envisioned process might take
- establish contact person(s) for follow-up
- Enter Incident Report
2. Counsel the offending person by two Board members with reference to the SFS Code of Conduct.
- If direct observation occurs, a single Board member may address an offending individual at the time of the action.
3. Send official warning by certified mail to offender if no improvement is noticed after counsel session.
4. If no improvement is seen after 1st letter is sent, send 2nd certified letter with warning and notification of Probation status for 1year duration.
- If the subject has no further occurrences after 1 year, the Probationary term will be lifted.
- In the event that there are new occurrences at any point in time after the Probationary term is lifted, the Board may move to eliminate policy steps at their discretion.
5. If no improvement is seen or further violations of Code of Conduct occur while on Probation, the Board will send a final certified letter banning the offender from any further SFS dances.
6. In cases of especially egregious disregard for the adopted Codes of Conduct, such as nonconsensual or inappropriate touch or intimidation, the Board may vote to eliminate certain steps and move to place the offender immediately on Probation OR ban them from future events