Meeting the community at a contra dance

Feb 16, 2012

Photo: Contra Dance Caller Emily Addison of Ottawa with Sheesham and Lotus at the Maberly Hall on Feb. 11

Emily Addison of Ottawa tested out her calling for calling at the first Quarterly Contra dance of 2012, which was held at the Maberly hall on Feb. 11. The Maberly Contra's house band, Sheesham and Lotus, played their usual magic as dancers twirled across the wooden floor boards, heating up the hall to the point where one could see billowing condensation escaping through the hall's open front doors.

As usual a beginner's lesson started off the evening and newbies were taught all of the necessary moves for each dance prior to the dance's formal start at 8 pm. There's no better way to introduce yourself into the community than taking part in a Contra dance. Contras are similar to square dances; however, the squares and partners are constantly changing, so by the end of each dance, everyone has do-si-doed and promenaded with half the people in the room, and by the end of two or three dances, everyone has met everyone else. There are no wallflowers at Contra dances; it's an old fashioned dancing meet and greet for all ages, where everyone has a chance to cut the rug with their fellow community members.

People come from far and wide to Contra dances and at Saturday's dance there were several people from Ottawa and even farther afield. Three more dances will take place this year so keep an eye out for the next scheduled event.