The Flurry Festival

[jwg]

This weekend we went to the Flurry Festival in Saratoga Springs (our 5th time). It is a huge event with lots of Contra dancing, some English Country dancing, and lots of other folkie activities - I noticed in the schedudle that there were sometimes as many as 15 parallel sessions

Comments

[mrdreamjeans]

WOW! Chip Prince has tried to get me to try Contra Dancing for some time. I'm not a square dancer or Morris dancer; I'm primarily a country western two-stepper. You've explained to some degree what Contra Dancing is, but I'm still a bit confused.

[jwg]

Beginners are always welcome. At some dances there is a formal beginners session at the beginning but it isn't necessary. I don't know about Tapestry in Minneapolis. But if you go and say you are a beginner, people will help you.

For each dance you line up with your partner - take hands four and then the caller teaches the dance with a walk through - sometimes twice. And then the music starts and the caller keeps calling for a while. And the parts of the dance fit well with the phrases of the music..

You should definitely try it.