An Introduction
Out of New England, south into Georgia, west across Texas and into California, up the coast to Seattle, then back across the Midwest, arriving at last in Nelson, NH.
Over two hundred years ago, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson founded the United States of America. They also danced a hot new American dance form called contra dance. Now, there are contra dances in almost every state, but the tradition remains largely out of the spotlight.
We are Dave and Lisa, from New Hampshire and Vermont respectively. Putting aside the differences of our twin states, we are taking three and a half months to follow contra dance out of its birthplace of New England, where we have danced for nearly half a decade. We hope to learn what the dance is like all over: the similarities and differences, who does it and why, and how it has spread and flourished. At the very least, we’ll get to do a lot of dancing.
Visit us here to see what kind of progress we’ve made. The trip kicks off Friday, February 16th, 2007 with The Dance Flurry, a three day dance festival located in Saratoga Springs, NY featuring dance forms from around the world, with contra holding the center stage.
February 14th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
Wow, what a trip! I’m looking forward to following you guys on your journey.
February 20th, 2007 at 11:15 am
visit us in Floyd, Virginia if you can, second saturdays. Some of us have danced in Nelson eons ago. Got any travel pictures?
February 20th, 2007 at 10:21 pm
wishing this ol’ dance gypsy could be following in your dancing footsteps!
We’ll dance one for you in Grove City PA….
When you get to CA, look up Sierra Madre’s dance (outside of LA)…my daughter Aimee produces that dance….I produce the dance here in GC PA.
Maybe my daughter Emily will meet you at the Feb 25 dance in Greenwood VA.
February 24th, 2007 at 8:27 am
Hi Lisa and Dave;
It was great to meet you, and all the best on your trip - you sure have a great one lined up. Thanks, Dave, for doing such a good job calling Scout House Reel, as you got to see the Glenside dance all the way around. Take care, and we’ll be following you -
Bob
February 24th, 2007 at 6:22 pm
David and Lisa -
I’m a friend of Peter Eisenstadter from the days of Moshe Eskayo’s International and Israeli folk dancing. I’ve seen him the last 2 years at the “reunion camp” and we keep in touch by e-mail. I was excited when he wrote about your trek and that you’d be coming to southern cal. I live in “The O.C.” halfway between San Diego and L.A. I know of some contra dancing places near here but have never gone. I’d love to see it, since I have done virtually every other type of dancing. Peter gave me the date of 3/30 - 4/1 in San Diego and 4/1 - 4/3 in L.A. Could you let me know where? If possible I’ll come and watch (or participate).
February 27th, 2007 at 11:34 am
Dave and Lisa
Lisa S. told us about this blog. greetings from Nelson. its been kind of quiet here since you left. but interesting to read about the different dances and your experiences.
still waiting for the postcard (s)
stay safe.
February 28th, 2007 at 7:41 pm
Nice reading about your dance trip. Do you need places to stay?
March 18th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
I love this picture!
October 18th, 2007 at 7:45 am
It’s wonderful to be here in the great state of Chicago — Dan Quayle
October 19th, 2007 at 4:59 am
I would have made a good Pope — Richard Nixon
October 20th, 2007 at 10:31 am
It’s strange, isn’t it You stand in the middle of a library and go ‘aaaaagghhhh’ and everyone just stares at you But you do the same thing on an aeroplane, and everyone joins in — Tommy Cooper
October 21st, 2007 at 2:26 pm
Am I lightheaded because I’m not dead or because I’m still alive? — Heidi Sandige
October 22nd, 2007 at 1:20 am
I was playing poker the other night with Tarot cards I got a full house and 4 people died — Steven Wright
October 23rd, 2007 at 8:21 am
Pardon him, Theodotus; he is a barbarian, and thinks that the customs of his tribe and island are the laws of nature — George Bernard Shaw
October 23rd, 2007 at 9:21 am
The study of non-linear physics is like the study of non-elephant biology — Unknown
November 13th, 2007 at 1:05 pm
Dave,
What an amazing feat! My feet are sore just thinking of your trip.
Thanks for pointing me to your blog; I look forward to reading more. Thanks also for the great dance Sunday. I think the line we were in made it for one of the best dances yet.
Jan
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