There is always live music and the dance is done with a partner in long lines of dancers. Before each dance, the caller will explain the moves for the dance. The caller then continues to call the dance steps as the dance progresses, so the dancers are always reminded of what they should do next. Before the dance is finished each dancer will have danced with everyone in the line. For lots more details, check out Gary Shapiro's extensive descriptions of contra dancing, or the Hamilton, Ont., Canada Country Dancers contra dance primer .
Beginner are welcome at almost all dances.
For your first 2 or 3 dances you should chose a dance that is described as good for beginners. At these dances more time will be spent in instruction and explaining the dances. There will be a number of other beginners there, too. Lots of different people go to contra dances. The bigger dances, like those in Peterborough can have hundreds of dancers lined up in many long lines.