SMC hosting Contradance on Saturday, October 19th

Spartanburg Methodist College will host a Contradance on Saturday, October 19th from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. in the college’s “Old Gym.” From 7:30 to 8 there will be a lesson teaching basic steps for newcomers. Contradance is for anyone, seasoned pro or newbie just learning to walk to music, who loves to dance.

Contradancing is social interaction, meeting people of all ages from all walks of life, and making new friends, set to music. It  is not the same as country line dancing – you do not wear costumes or any particular style of clothes. Tennis shoes or comfortable soft-soled (non-scuffing) shoes to protect the dance floor are quite adequate.  Very little footwork is required; the most common type of movement is a smooth walking step.

An earnest attempt at a formal definition for contradancing would be, a caller (in our case, Tamara McGovern), usually working with a group of live musicians (in our case, Hey for Four, composed of Lucy Allen on guitar, Marshall Goers on banjo and mandolin, Pam Stroll on bass and fiddle, and Fred Stoll on fiddle), guides new and experienced dancers alike through each dance.

Our caller, Tamara McGovern, will teach each dance before it is actually done to the music. This gives everyone an idea of what to expect so the movements can be easily executed. A dancer and his or her partner dance a series of figures, or moves, with each other and with another couple for a short time. They then repeat the same figures with another couple, and so on.  Contradance is one of the few dance forms where by the end of the evening you are likely to have danced with everyone!

Contradance is Real People in Real Time with Real Music. It is Real Life. In other words, it is impossible to record the incredible synergy and spirit that occurs when you combine enthusiastic, connected, happy dancers, hot musicians and swell choreography. Ultimately, the only way to learn contradancing is to do it!

So make plans to come to Spartanburg Methodist on Saturday, October 19th  at 7:30 and experience contradancing for yourself.  Admission is $7 for ages 18+; $5 for ages 13-17; children under 12 with parental supervision are admitted for FREE, as are all SMC students, faculty and staff.  For more information, please contact Yvonne Harper, at hapery@smcsc.edu, (864)587-4278 or 266-7409.