Whats the difference between contra dancing and old-time square dancing?
The two styles of dance are pretty similar and there is a lot of overlap in the crowds that attend each. There are a few differences, however: Square dance callers tend to focus on traditional southern dances that can often be traced back through the centuries. Most contras are modern dances composed within the last 15 years that have been optimized to keep dancers walking through figures continuously, up and down a big line. In old-time square dancing it is common for the caller to improvise calls on the fly, allowing for a dynamic interaction between the caller and the dancers. Contra dances are highly repetitive, which some people like because they can trance out as they move and up down the line. Old-time squares also have more “space” in the figures for dancers to express themselves with freestyle footwork. At a typical square dance there will be more variety in dances, often including squares, half-sets, round dances, reels, waltzes, two-steps, and other regional dances that defy
