Program Information

Scope of Instructional Sessions

Session 1 (Saturday 9:20-10:35):
CONTRA 101: The Foundations
— Alan Winston leads
Basic structure of a contra dance, dance roles, progression, phrasing with the music; flow, how one move connects seamlessly with the next; dancing with the music, with the whole room, and with your partner.

Session 2 (Saturday 10:45-Noon):
CONTRA 102: Balance in All Things
— Alan Winston leads
Finding the position that feels just right, for hands, feet, center of balance; blending with different dancers and energies.

Session 3a (Saturday Noon - 1:30):
WORKSHOP: Callers’ Workshop
— Jacqui Grennan leads
The Callers’ workshop is open to new, aspiring, and experienced callers. Calling basics for newer callers, tips and tricks for clear and concise teaching, programming considerations, and strategies for dealing with the unforeseen will all be covered. Please bring two dances that you would like to work on. Whether new or experienced, you’ll have the opportunity to use new skills as you call during the Sunday afternoon public contra dance. The workshop is offered through, but independent of, the college.

Session 3b (Saturday 1:00 - 1:25):
CONTRA 203: Open Forum Chat
— Alan Winston leads
For those not participating in the Callers' Workshop, we will provide an opportunity to discuss topics not previously covered. Discussions can include topics such as safety, communication, volunteerism, dance weekends, etc.

Session 4 (Saturday 1:30 - 2:50):
MUSIC 101: How to Hear and Dance to Contra Music
— Jim Oakden and Alan Winston co-lead
Hear how the rhythm and phrasing of the music provides as much information for dancing as the instructions and calling.

Session 5 (Saturday 3:00 - 4:20):
CONTRA 204: Being There
— Jacqui Grennan leads
Learn how to be in the right place at the right time for the music, the flow of the dance, and other dancers. Session includes dances that go beyond your minor set and dances with interesting “end effects”.

Session 6 (Saturday 4:30 - 5:50):
CONTRA 205: Other Dance Formations (Triplets, Squares, 4-face-4s)
— Jacqui Grennan leads
Go beyond the predominantly used longways contra dance sets and play in the realm of alternative contra dance forms!

Session 7 (Sunday 11:30 - 12:50):
CONTRA 306: Beyond Choreography
— Jacqui Grennan leads
Delve deeper into contra dancing with exercises that help you to experiment with dance roles, learn to participate (or not) in flourishes, and add spice and variety to your dancing while still dancing together with everyone else.

Session 8 (Sunday 1:00 - 2:20):
WALTZ 101: Waltzing
— Alan Winston leads
Focus on the elements of basic rotary waltzing, along some easy promenade variations; feel confident when it’s time for a waltz during an evening of contra dancing.

Coordinated Teaching Program

Contra College will feature a coordinated teaching program, providing the following benefits:

Teaching sessions will focus on many elements of contra dancing in a highly interactive exchange between the instructors and attendees with easy and fun dances that will highlight the themes.
On Saturday evening, we will join the regular Palo Alto Contra Dance. The dance is included in the college registration, and 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.
During brunch on Sunday, we will de-brief Saturday sessions and Saturday night’s dance.
Sunday afternoon will be the Contra College Graduation Dance. This will be a regular dance and will be open to the general dance community. The dance will offer opportunities to integrate many of the lessons from the two days of college. Jacqui Grennan will be the lead caller with members of the Callers’ Workshop as guest callers. Music will be performed by Audrey Knuth and Christopher Jacoby.
The integrated curriculum will allow dancers to reinforce and practice skills learned during the sessions.
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.
The group’s small size will allow for lots of individualized attention.
The dances will be really fun and 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.
As is the tradition of contra dance, the teaching sessions will be supported by energetic live music chosen to emphasize themes.

Bay Area Country Dance Society

Promoting Traditional English and American Music and Dance

Program Information

Scope of Instructional Sessions

Coordinated Teaching Program