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Contra dances at the John C. Campbell Folk School provide just that feeling. Twice a month the community room at the Keith House on the Brasstown, N.C. campus burns with activity as dozens of dancers join together to have a good time and enjoy a break from monotony.
A kind of folk dancing, contra is actually a French take on English country dances, dating back to the end of the 17th century. Some would describe contra as a merger of swing and square dances.
"Addictive" might be the most proper word to summarize the experience. Some of the dancers present have been beating their heels into the dance floor for decades. Dr. Brian Mitchell, for instance, has been contra dancing at the folk school for 25 years.
"The dancing, listening to the music, getting into the rhythm, enjoying the company of other good people, just doing something different from the usual and getting to feel comfortable with movement and music.. That's always been the attraction for me," he said. "It's a pretty simple, enjoyable experience."
Hayesville High School graduate Sally Schreiber said she's been attending the dances since she moved into the region eleven years ago.
"When I was little it was just a new thing. Now a bunch of my friends come too, so it's kind of the cool thing to do, surprisingly," she said. "I think it has kind of spread. I guess that I was one of the first who started coming, but I'm not really sure how everyone found out. It's kind of crazy."
Kathy Dudek began dancing at the folk school in 1983. "They've been doing the dances since the folk school opened 82 years ago, I believe."
Dudek loves the social aspect of the dances, being able to spend time with friends and enjoy swinging with great dance partners.
"I think the hardest part is when people are hard on themselves," said Alice Russell, a contra dancer since 1998. She encouraged newcomers just to "relax and have fun."
"We all have to learn sometime, so we all should help," added Dudek. Newcomers prove to be abundant at dances. The folk school encourages all singles and couples to attend the events. North American "contradition" calls for dancers to change partners for every dance, though it is acceptable to keep the same partner all evening.
Sixteen campers from Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters, a high-adventure Christian camp in Andrews N.C., recently came to experience their first contra dance. Bill Timberlake, Christian Sarazen and Caroline Smith said that they felt as if people were helping them along. "It's easier to pick up than I thought it would be," Sarazen said.
"It's great!" Julie Bercu, a Tennessee resident, exclaimed regarding her first contra dance. "I can't believe how many people are here."
"Nobody makes you feel out of place," explained Karen Copelan. Copelan and her friend Gloria Nellis, newcomers to the contra scene, said they heard that the dances were the place to be.
"The nice thing is," said Nellis, "if you don't have a partner, you can come... It's very comfortable and it's such great fun."
"It's a good mixer," Russell said. "It's a good way to meet all kinds of people. And I like it because it's both young people and older people. You've got the whole cross-section….. You couldn't have a more wholesome activity, really."
Schreiber said that she didn't think there was anything necessarily difficult for new dancers. "Everyone always told me that if you mess up, if you just smile while you do it, then it's okay."
Some dancers enjoy encouraging and teaching the inexper ienced, while newcomers can be a hurdle to others.
"When a new person comes in and they don't know how to dance very well, that's probably the hardest part, trying to get them to learn it," Maddie Roberts, who has over a year of contra behind her, said.
But inviting others is part of the fun, according to Brasstown resident Inti Alvarado: "Back in 1998 my family from New York City came to visit and I told them, 'Guys you've got to come to the folk school and do the contra dance,' so my sister and a couple of nieces and my cousin came out here and everybody had a good time."
"Being willing to throw yourself out there and make a fool of yourself a few times until you learn the basic steps," is part of the experience Kate Jones, a studenthost at the folk school, has learned to accept. She said one of the reasons she enjoys contra dancing is for the physical activity and the exercise.
Most say it usually takes more than one encounter with the dance to become a master. Bonnie Kephart, an attendee for nearly two years now, said that she got the hang of it the second time she came.
Each dance is led by an announcer, or "caller," who trains those on the floor in the new dance before shouting out directions throughout the piece in a lyrical pattern. The folk school often features callers from all over America.
"I've been calling around the Southeast and now in the Midwest about eight years," caller Doug Singleton, an Atlanta resident, said. With an upbeat tone, Singleton described the music and moves as exciting. "It's very exuberant and very happy and it's very easy to learn."
Singleton said that each caller develops a collection of dances to teach and recite from "1500 different contra dances alone, not to mention squares and circles and all the other figures." He said many of his dances come from all over the country. After getting started in Atlanta he began taking workshops and going to dance weekends where he learned to hone his craft.
An average nine or ten varying dances occur at each event, usually with an intermission half way through. Occasionally a waltz breaks up the time as well. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for ages 12-18 and $1 for children under 12.
Beginners are encouraged to come at 8 p.m. for teaching and easier dances. However, free introductions to contra, square and circle dances are held nearly every Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. at the folk school. All regular dances conclude at 11 p.m.
Upcoming dances will take place June 2, 16 and 30 and July 14. Free dances will be held June 18-22 for Dance Callers' Week.
To comment on this article, email Harrison at hkeely@gmail.com.
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