CONTRALAB
Updated July 1, 2016
Definitions
Some Assorted Definitions
SET:
The overall arrangement of couples for a given dance, such as a big circle,
square formation, longways, etc.
LONGWAYS
SET: Two lines, usually made up of partners facing
each other in the opposite line. Used for contras and reels.
BIG
CIRCLE: One large circle made up of couples facing the middle.
SICILLIAN
CIRCLE (1): A formation consisting of one large circle made up of couples
alternately facing clockwise and counter-clockwise around the circle to form
pairs of couples. (2): A dance done in this formation.
UP: In
a longways set, toward the music.
DOWN:
In a longways set, away from the music.
TOP:
End of a longways set closest to the music.
BOTTOM:
End of a longways set farthest from the music.
MINOR
SETS: Within the set, the groups of two or three couples that do all the
figures of a dance together before separating in opposite directions to join
new groups.
PARTNER:
The person who agrees to be your prime collaborator through a given dance.
OPPOSITE
or NEIGHBOR: Person next to you or across from you in the minor set who is not
your partner.
TAKING
HANDS FOUR: After lining up to form a set, joining hands in circles of four
(two couples) to see which couples will be progressing away from the music
(referred to as the #1 couples or the "active" couples) and which
couples will be progressing toward the music (#2 or "inactive"
couples).
PROPER:
In sets with mostly mixed-gender couples, lining up before a contra dance so
all the men are in the left-hand line and all the women are in the right-hand
line from the dancer's point of view looking toward the top of the set. This is
the way that experienced dancers first line up when
they join a set.
IMPROPER:
In sets with mostly mixed-gender couples, lining up for a contra dance so that
in each couple the men are on the left and the women are on the right as they
face the other couple. Since the #1 couples are
looking toward the bottom of the set, the partners in those couples have to
swap places after lining up in a proper formation (see above). Whenever a
couple reaches the end, the partners must remember to swap places.
BECKET
FORMATION: A variation of the basic contra formation. After forming an improper
set, the groups of four rotate one place to the left (clockwise) so that the
starting positions for the figures is partners side-by-side in the same line
instead of across from each other in the opposite line. After doing the
figures, each couple progresses sideways up or down their own line.
FORWARD
& BACK: Two dancers or lines of dancers move toward each other, then away,
using 8 beats of the music.
LEFT
(RIGHT) HAND AROUND or ALLEMAND LEFT (RIGHT): Two dancers make a strong
connection with left (right) hands (usually at shoulder height) and rotate
counterclockwise around each other, using 8 beats of the music for a complete
rotation.
TWO
HANDS AROUND: two dancers join both hands with each other, either
right-to-right and left-to-left or straight across. Rotate clockwise,
using 8 beats of the music for a complete rotation.
DOSIDO:
Passing right shoulders to start, two dancers or couples follow a clockwise
path around each other without contact. Individual dancers may spin their
bodies counterclockwise as they travel around each other, in any case using 8
beats of the music for a complete rotation.
SEE-SAW:
Same as Dosido but passing left shoulders to start
and going counterclockwise.
GYPSY:
Same as Dosido but maintaining strong, usually
flirtatious, eye contact.
RIGHT-HAND
(Left-hand) STAR: 3 to 6 or more dancers walk clockwise (counterclockwise)
around their joined or touching right (left) hands.
RIGHT
(Left) HANDS ACROSS: Similar to right-hand (left-hand) star except that the
dancers take the hand of the person directly across from them in a handshake
grip.
BALANCE:
A dancer takes one more or less forceful step forward or to the side, putting
weight on it; lets the other foot swing through or across without shifting
weight off the first foot (though the second foot may touch); swinging or
stepping the second foot back to place, shifting the weight decisively onto it;
and bringing the first foot back to place. Takes only 4 beats and often leads
into a swing. A New England favorite, especially if you want to show off.
SWING:
Two dancers hold each other in any of a great variety of positions and spin
clockwise as rapidly and smoothly as they please. The classic footwork is the
buzz step: take a low, gliding step just past your partner's right heel with
your right foot, pivoting on it at the same time, then bring your left foot up
toward your right heel as you continue to pivot. Keep your left heel raised.
Usually 8 to 16 beats of music.
RIGHT
AND LEFT (over or back): A pair of dancers standing side-by-side exchange places
with a pair facing them like this: Each dancer passes the opposite person by
the right shoulder. Then both members of the pair, facing the same direction,
turn counter-clockwise as a unit to face back across. One way to turn is for
members of the pair to put their near arms around each other's back. As they
wheel around, the dancer on the left backs up and the dancer on the right steps
forward, both giving weight as in the swing. Also
popular is for the person on the left to give the person on the right a
modified courtesy turn. If this figure is done only once, it's sometimes called
"half right and left". Takes 8 beats.
HALF
PROMENADE: A dance action in which the designated dancers cross the set in
promenade position, each couple passing to the right of the other (men passing
left shoulders). After crossing, each couple wheels as a couple to face across
the set again.
SLOW
SQUARE THRU: A dance action in which the designated
dancers give a right hand to the person they're facing and pull by, turning to
face the next in their group with a left hand pull by, turning again with a
right hand, and again with a left hand - each time turning 1/4 except after the
last (left) hand. This takes 4 beats of music per hand; and is also known as
"jigtime" square thru.
CAST
OFF: From the center of the set, each active dancer dances forward 3/4 of a
turn to a position one notch down the set. The active dancer usually attaches
appropriately to the inactive dancer and they rotate as a pair, but in some
contexts the inactive dancer must instead play follow the leader, or
conceivably even reaming stationary.
HEY: A
recently revived weaving figure for 3 or 4 people. Pass alternate shoulders
until you run out of people. Loop in the direction of the last shoulder you
passed and reenter passing that same shoulder with a new person. Make loops
wide and distinct.
FIGURE
EIGHT: The designated couple or person will dance a figure eight pattern around
a dancer or dancers specified by the caller.
TURN
CONTRA CORNERS: A dance action in which the active dancers touch right hands
with partner in passing each other to turn their right opposite by the left
hand, and again touch right hands with partners in passing each other to turn
their left opposite by the left hand. Then returning to
starting places directly without touching hands again. It takes sixteen
beats of music.
Contra Moves & Timing
Allemande - 8 beats
Balance - 4 beats
Balance & Swing from 4 to 12 beats; Use
a tune with accents (or chords) at the point where a balance occurs, it's nice
to have a quarter note figure in a jig or a heavy
accent in a reel.
Circle right or left - 8 beats
Courtesy turn - 4 beats
Do-sa-do - 8
beats
Down the center - 16 beats to walk down,
turn around, and come back up; use smooth music or march-type music
Forward and back - 8 beats
Full hey - 16 beats; use smooth music
Gypsy - smooth music; a minor key works
well
Ladies chain across the set - 8 beats
Across and back - 16 beats
Pass through - 4 beats
Petronella turn - 4 beats; with a clap-clap
on beats 3.5 - 4
Promenade - usually 16 beats (half - 8
beats)
Right and left through - 16 beats (half - 8
beats)
Roll away with a half sashay - 4 beats
Star right or left - 8 beats to go around
once
Swing - 4 to 8 beats (or longer)
Wavy line balance - 4 beats; jigs work well