Program Information

Contra College will feature a coordinated teaching program:

The integrated curriculum will allow dancers to reinforce and practice skills learned during the classes.
Careful pacing will allow dancers to build skills slowly over the course of the weekend and to internalize what they’ve learned as we go along.
There will be more explaining than at regular dances, along with plenty of question-and-answer time.
On Saturday evening, we will be joined by the regular Palo Alto Saturday night Contra Dance. This will give the Contra College students the opportunity to try out their new skills in a "regular" dance and bring back questions to the group Sunday morning.
The group’s small size will allow for lots of individualized attention.
The dances will also be really, really fun, selected to help everyone gain confidence and feel at ease. The carefully-crafted curriculum will emphasize dances that are simple while still being varied and well-choreographed. The energetic live music will be exhilarating!

Previous Contra College attendees said...

“One of many things that I like about contra dance is that the dance is about having fun versus getting it right. At the time I began contra dancing I was enrolling as a full time grad student and when I contra danced I was reminded of the flavor of freedom. Contra College 2010 was fun! It was a safe place to ask questions about the dance and explore various levels of comfort with the moves as well as with my dance partners. Contra College 2011 allowed me to practice both gender role (it's nice to be able to alternate). The overall Contra Collage experience enhances the sense of a fun and loving dance community.”

- Keren

"Through Contra College is where I’ve met all my “dance buddies” and people to carpool with. I learned more going to Contra College than in years of dancing—I feel like it improved everything from doing moves that aren’t called very often, like contra corners, to feeling comfortable asking new people to dance."

- Les

"Susan Petrick is so good. Actually, she is the best. Also sweet, kind, smart, forgiving, helpful... Susan is very clearly fabulous... She is the kindest, most patient caller, and her explanations really helped me stop worrying and learn how to dance."

- Various Contra College 2011 participants

"I enjoyed everything about the weekend. It is especially nice to meet other dancers whom you might see again at local events. When you are a single dancer, it is sometimes daunting to go to an event where you don't know anyone. You made everyone feel welcome and at home. The lessons were fun. Even though I had experience, I still learned some new things! Thank you again for a fun weekend!"

- Kathryn

"I'm so glad I attended Contra College! It was great to have the time and opportunity to learn different steps and moves without feeling like I was holding up the dance or missing a chance to find a partner for the next dance. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. It was exciting to see all of us improving together."

- Loretta

"I really like the idea of getting to know the dancers really well, their likes and dislikes will make for better contra dances."

- Mike

"A nice space, beautiful hall, and good, flexible musicians. The people who were more experienced dancers were a tremendous help!!"

- Paul

"The weekend was amazing! The small group made it feel very fun and there were no cliques. No one was left out by the whole group being too large. The friendliness of the people combined with the great dancing, friendly smiles and helpful dynamic to make a winning combination. The group really bonded and had a lot of fun together. There was a lot of laughter and silliness and a really positive attitude towards learning. What made the weekend special, more than anything, was that everyone came in ready to learn and grow as dancers together. We all knew that the focus was on building our skills and helping newer dancers, so everyone was really positive and not at all critical. Mistakes were made and handled and everyone just had fun."

- Joyce

Bay Area Country Dance Society

Promoting Traditional English and American Music and Dance

Program Information