IF YOU CAN SMILE, YOU CAN CONTRA DANCE

NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED

Never contra danced? Never danced? No worries! We got you! 🧡

Every dance at Portland Intown Contra Dance starts with a beginner’s lesson. It’s common to see 10-50 new dancers every week—you won’t be alone!

We’ll then dance a variety of contra dances, each one different. Every dance is taught with a brief lesson, then a caller (teacher) will prompt the figures as the music begins.

Contra is designed to be participatory and easy to learn. A set of figures is danced with neighbor dancers, then with the next neighbor dancers—on repeat! So it’s easy to catch on.

We dance to a walking step, with no fancy steps. Everybody in the room learns together and helps one another.

Every BODY IS WELCOME

You don’t need to look or be a certain way to contra dance. Come as you are and dance with who’s coming at’cha!

We’re serious about kindness so every body feels affirmed and included. With a scene that’s chem-free, all ages, and grounded in consent, you’ll walk away wondering how something so friggin’ wholesome can be so damn fun.

Tips for a Great Time

  • Attend the Lesson

    Every weekly dance starts with a lesson at 7 p.m. Beginners will get an overview of key dance moves and what to expect to have a fab time. Don’t miss it!

    Show up five minutes early to pay, change into your dance shoes, and fill your water bottle

  • Come Chem-Free

    Contra involves a lot of circling and spinning. To avoid dizziness and keep things safe for everybody, avoid drinking and drugs before and during a dance.

    Avoid smoking and vaping, too. The smell can bum out other dancers.

  • Dress for Light Exercise

    Wear comfortable clothing in which you can move and get a little sweaty.

    Avoid clothing or accessories that can drape or get caught on others, and clothing you’ll just be too darn warm in! 😜

  • Bring Indoor Shoes

    You’ll be asked to change into soft-soled indoor shoes for dancing. Clean, low-heeled or flat shoes with a soft sole are best!

    If you just have outdoor shoes, you’ll be asked to dance in socks or bare feet.

  • Bring a Water Bottle

    You’ll get thirsty! Bring a clean water bottle with your name on it to fill in the kitchen between dances.

    (We have cups in case you forget!)

  • Mind Your Smells

    Be kind: come smelling fresh and neutral! Strong scents like fragrances, soaps, alcohol, and smoke can trigger allergies in others.

  • Be Ready to Meet Lots of Cool People

    Contra dancers are super welcoming. You can come alone, with someone else, or a group. No matter what, you’ll be asked to dance! In contra, we generally mix around and dance with lots of different people. You’ll leave feeling like you have a bunch of new friends!

  • Stay Home If You're Sick

    Be kind to yourself and others: if you’re coming down with something or you’re ill, stay home and come another time! You’ll touch hands with lots of people and breathe hard as you exercise.

FAQs

What should I know About ATTENDING a Dance?

Come to a Dance has details on timing, price, parking, accessibility, and other logistics!

What should I wear AND bring?

Plan to wear:

  • Comfortable clothing in which you can move easily and get a little sweaty. Think aerobics class. Avoid loose clothing that drapes and can get caught (like scarves or purses with a shoulder strap) or wearing warm layers you cannot remove.

  • A hairstyle that keeps your hair off your shoulders and back. If you have long hair, a bun or braids close to the head are ideal.

Bring:

  • Comfortable indoor shoes with a soft, smooth sole. Lots of folks wear a canvas sneaker (like Converse or TOMS), broken-in dress shoes, or boots without treads. Avoid heels. Note that outdoor shoes may not be worn on the dance floor.

  • A water bottle to refill. You’ll get thirsty!

Do I need a Partner?

No partner is needed.

Contra dancers are warm, friendly, and welcoming. You’ll definitely be asked to dance and you can ask anybody you’d like to dance, too!

It’s normal for folks to dance with lots of different people during one event, so expect to meet new people!

Do I need to Learn Anything before I come dance?

No prior dance knowledge or experience is needed.

Plan to come to the beginner’s lesson that starts each event to get the basics!

Every dance will be taught with a brief walk-through lesson, then the caller (teacher) will prompt the figures as the live music starts. The figures repeat, so you’ll have plenty of time to catch on to each dance!

Should I just watch for a while first?

The best way to learn contra dancing is to participate, so you’re encouraged to jump in!

Because every dance is different and increases incrementally in difficulty during an event, watching won’t help you learn. Bonus: it’s way more fun to join in!

Folks will ask you to dance if you are sitting out—and the music is so good you’ll want to!

What if I mess up?

Awesome—you’re dancing!

We love mistakes and everybody will make them no matter how experienced they are. Dancers are so warm and encouraging, they’ll help you get back i the groove of things fast—with a smile.

Should I plan to lead or follow?

Neither… and both! Contra dancing has two roles that don’t track to a gender binary or to a lead/follow paradigm seen in other dance forms.

Dancers are encouraged to choose a role that feels good each dance; at an event you can stick to one role or dance either! The two roles work together.

We use gender-free language for dance roles so no gender nonsense gets in the way of a good time.

Who usually comes to a dance?

Dances are intergenerational and welcoming to all people. Dancers are kind, fun, friendly, and encouraging!

At Portland Intown Contra Dance, we see an average of over 100 dancers every event, with most dancers aged 20s-40s. You might see a child or two sometimes and you’ll definitely see some elder dancers tearing it up!

We have a mix of experience—generally one-third or so will be new dancers and two-thirds or so will be dancers who come regularly.

Will I dance to live music?

We always dance to live music!

Musicians from across Maine, New England, and North America come to Portland Intown Contra Dance to perform. You’re in for a treat every time!

Bands are different each event and are generally comprised of a fiddler, acoustic guitarist, and one or more other players—pianist, banjoist, mandolinist, or something else!

The music is syncretic, which means it’s a constantly evolving blend of lots of cultural traditions. Tunes are historic and modern, coming from various folk traditions (New England, Black, Irish, Québécois, French, etc.) and are often reimagined with modern jazz, pop, rock, or other elements!

In what language do you teach?

We teach in English.

That said, due to the participatory nature of contra, many folks with little to no English find it’s easy to learn and enjoy! If you’re not comfortable with English, bring a friend who is; they can answer your questions as you go along. Our dancers will help guide you with body language when you’re dancing.

Can I bring my kids or teen?

It depends on if you think it’s a fit for them!

Young folks over 12 will likely really enjoy this contra dance; they should be prepared to interact with lots of adults.

Babies under one year can often dance strapped to a parent’s chest or back. If you bring an infant, please do not leave them unattended.

Portland Intown Contra Dance may or may not be a good fit for kids between 2 and 12 due to the level of complexity and need to interact with lots of adults. If you do bring them, please always have someone watch anyone 12 and under. Portland does have occasional family contra dances that might be more fun for them—fire up your favorite search engine to find them!

Anything else I should know?

If we didn’t answer your question here, get in touch!

You can reach us anytime via our contact page or email.