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Contra Dances

Contra dancing, as we know it, was an outgrowth of English Country Dancing, which grew its own American style - especially in the period 1970-1990, when it morphed into the "zesty" style that we dance in these days.

For a wonderful discussion of the Chestnut dances, and a fabulous list of videos, see http://www.cdss.org/cracking-chestnuts.html.

Subcategories

Modern Contras 211

Chestnuts 9

Some of the older contra dances are still danced in some communities. The most beloved of them got the appelation "Chestnuts" because they were danced so often.  For a wonderful discussion of these dances, see  https://www.cdss.org/programs/cdss-news-publications/cdss-online-library/cracking-chestnuts.

 Links to some wonderful videos of chestnuts can be found at https://www.cdss.org/programs/cdss-news-publications/cdss-online-library/cracking-chestnuts/cracking-chestnuts-videos?highlight=WyJjaGVzdG51dHMiLCJjaGVzdG51dCIsIidjaGVzdG51dCciLCInY2hlc3RudXRzJyJd

MO Dances, Volume I 16

These are the CONTRA dances from MO Dances, Volume I. For the English dances, see MO Dances, Volume I under English.

MO Dances, Volume II 38

St. Louis Dances 1

These are dances held by the Childgrove Country Dancers in St. Louis


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