Where is it located?
The dance is held at the 7th Street Loft, which is on the 3rd floor of The Bridge Behavioral Health building at 504 S 7th St, Lincoln NE 68508. (Also listed as 721 K Street) From 7th Street, take the stairs up to the patio, then in through the glass doors. Turn right and take the elevator to the 3rd floor.
What’s the cost?
It does cost money to put on the contra dances, so we suggest donations of $8 for adults and $5 for students. Children under 12 are always FREE! (Adult supervision required.) Suggested special max family donation of $20. (Contra dancing is fun for kids too!)
What is Contra Dancing?
Contra dancing is one of the traditional North American dance forms. A contra dance is danced with couples in long parallel lines called “sets”. Each couple moves up and down the hall during the dance so that during the course of each dance you will get to dance with everyone in your set. Contra dancing originated in New England where it descended from English Country dancing and other Western European folk dancing. If you’ve ever done any folk dances from the British Isles, or Scandinavia, you’ll be comfortable with contra dancing straight away. Many of the figures in contra dancing are the same as those in square dancing, so if you’ve ever been square dancing you’ll recognize the calls immediately. (Additional definitions and explanations of contra dancing available at http://www.sbcds.org/contradance/whatis/)
What if I’ve never danced before?
Contra dancing is one of the easiest types of dancing. All you need is energy and enthusiasm! Almost everybody picks up contra dancing the very first dance they try. Your feet are never asked to do more than walk to the music. Children as young as six or seven can contra dance. Dances are always taught before hand from 7:15 pm to 7:30 pm and walked through at least once. During the dance the caller prompts you what to do next. During a dance the steps repeat many times so you soon learn what to do. If you’re new to contra dancing it is helpful to come at 7:15 for the free beginner’s class because all the basic figures will be carefully explained for the first few dances.
Do I need to bring a partner?
No. In fact, in contra dancing it is normal to dance with a new partner each dance. It is also definitely OK for women to ask men to dance. Since each couple dances with every other couple in their set each dance, by the end of the evening you will probably have danced with everyone in the hall! And, if you do bring friends, they’ll be grateful.
What is the music like?
We have live music played on fiddles, banjos, mandolins, guitars, and other instruments by members of Lincoln’s own contra dance band Hot Rosin. The music is from the Celtic/American folk tradition.