Contra is a formation dance, where you dance with a partner and with other couples. People partner up before each dance and are encouraged to choose different partners throughout the evening. Dancing with an experienced partner can often help new dancers learn more quickly and have more fun. Partners form long lines down the hall. The caller teaches a dance pattern which is then danced with the neighboring couple and repeated with other couples down the line. If something goes wrong, you get many more chances to get it right! We dance for fun, not perfection. Partners were traditionally a man and a woman, so callers used terms like \\"gents” and “ladies” when teaching. These days, partners may be the opposite or same gender depending on their mood or who was available when the dance formed. Sometimes there is a couple of the opposite gender who want to try the other role, so they switch roles. \\"Gents\\" and \\"ladies\\" refer to a dance role, not the person's gender. Increasingly callers are using alternative terms such as \\"Larks\\" and \\"Robins\\" because Larks dance on the Left and Robins are on the Right. Before every dance we have a half-hour \\"basics\\" lesson. We invite dancers who have not done much contra dancing before to attend this, and invite experienced dancers to attend as well to help them. Many people find that this is adequate for having a good time for the evening. Check out the practice videos below