Contra dancing
| Address: |
Grant Goodyear |
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Dances I've written.
Dance programs.
In my somewhat less-than-copious spare time, I'm a contra dance caller. Contra dance is an American form of folk dance that is easy to learn (if you can walk, you can contra dance) and a lot of fun. For more information, see http://www.sbcds.org/contradance/whatis/.
I learned to contra dance in Rehoboth, MA, and I try to take a little bit of Rehoboth with me wherever I go. I have now contra danced in many parts of the U.S., but I have yet to find a dance crowd that is quite as enthusiastic and welcoming to newcomers as is the Rehoboth bunch. I started calling contra dances in Sacramento, CA in 1997, and became a regular caller (and dancer!) at the Houston, TX dances from 1999 to 2001. From 2001-2004 I regularly called for the Oconee Country Dancers in Walhalla, SC, with occasional calling around the Carolinas at River Falls and other venues, including a number of private parties. It seems that I'm moderately decent with large groups of people who have never danced before! In 2004 I returned to Houston, and I am once again a regular caller for HATDS.
I have a lot of fun both dancing and calling, occasionally, doing both at the same time! As a dancer, I'm generally recognized as that enthusiastic chap who chants "Men, Men, Men" during those rare men-only figures. As a dance choreographer I tend to write relatively simple dances that hopefully have a good storyline along with at least one special feature to keep the dance interesting. As a caller, my general strategy is to present a wide variety of dances -- dances that flow, high energy dances, traditional dances, goofy dances, non-contra dances such as triplets or squares, dance medleys, no-walk-through dances -- presented with enthusiasm and high-quality teaching.
Incidentally, while I was in California I also picked up English Country dancing (I danced with the Merri Pryanksters in Renaissance fairs around the state) and Irish dancing, so I occasionally write and call English Country and Irish dances as well. Let me know if you need a caller. Until then, happy dancing!