LIVE! Contra Dance Like the Founders with Joe Harrington and The Rafter Ringers

Join us for an exciting evening of social dancing to live music sponsored by the Orlando Contra Dance!

Tl;dr: Contra is an energetic dance for everyone! Beginners should come at 7pm for the lesson.

Contra was all the rage in the late 1700s! It was danced at Mt. Vernon and Monticello, and up and down the coast from Georgia to Maine and beyond in both directions. As Americans created our own dance out of English Country Dancing, contra musicians created new musical styles like the Appalachian Old Time, New England, Quebecois, and Cape Breton fiddle styles. Old Time later developed into Bluegrass, Jazz, Blues, and Rock. Come learn the modern version of the dance that started it all!

Theme: Wear red-white-blue or historical costumes. Prize (free future admission) for the best modern and historical outfits (1 prize each), by scientifically calibrated applauseometer. Costumes are optional and must be danceable. No swords or weapons, please!

What's contra dance? Check out the videos, FAQ, and links to all our social channels:
https://orlandocontra.org/

Contra is dancing for joy of movement to great music. It's not a dating scene, and it's fun for folks from about age 10 or even younger through our elder years. No partner? No problem! We encourage singles to join in the fun and meet fellow dance enthusiasts.

Dances start easy and get more challenging as the evening progresses. BEGINNERS SHOULD COME FOR THE LESSON at 7pm. All dances in the beginner session are taught.

Whether you are a seasoned contra expert or entirely new to dancing, our inclusive and welcoming atmosphere will have you twirling and swinging in no time. This event is open to everyone looking to make new friends and enjoy the vibrant community of Orlando. Our dance calling is gender-neutral.

Intermediate lesson topic: 2nd Timer Lesson
Is this your 2nd, 3rd, or 4th time? This lesson is for you! We'll hit the basics one more time, then answer your questions, work toward a really fun swing, and show you how to take it from walking to dancing with confidence!

6:45 Doors open
7:00 Beginner lesson (everyone can join)
7:00 Intermediate lesson (if you've come at least once)
7:30 Beginner/Intermediate dancing
9:00 Intermediate/Advanced dancing
10:30 Dessert at Jeremiah's Italian Ice

Caller (teacher): Joe Harrington (Orlando) - Calling is gender-neutral.

Music: The Rafter Ringers (Orlando)
Greg Baldwin - fiddle, accordion
Tony Wickner - bass, guitar

We use Facebook, Instagram, Meetup, and many other media to invite new dancers. Typical attendance is 25+, including 5+ new dancers. Don't worry if you only see a few people interested here. You'll be in good company.

Join us at the Winter Park Ballroom Dance Co., just 15 minutes from UCF and 100 yards east of Jeremiah's Italian Ice.

Admission is $15. Students and job seekers are FREE! If it's your second contra ever: FREE!

What to wear? Contra dance is great exercise and loads of fun besides, so bring a water bottle and dress for cardio. This is an alcohol-free event.

Starting at 9, expect the full catalog of contra moves, interaction along diagonals, and the occasional no-walkthrough dance. If these dances are a bit more than you're ready for, you're invited and very welcome to stay and enjoy the music and fellowship of the dance community, and to join us for ice cream afterwards. Don't worry, you'll be dancing in the second half soon enough! Our free Intermediate Lesson will help you get there.

Click GOING and we'll see you there!