Anyone who reads my blog avidly knows that about six months ago I started swing dancing. I really enjoy swing, I dance every Wednesday night with a group in Memphis called the Redhotlindyhop, the webpage link is on my links section.
Last night I went to try Contra Dancing. I know what you are thinking:up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, b, a, b, a, select, start; but no not the video game the dance. I was cool, there was this band playing Celtic Music, and everyone got into two lines, and we danced. The style of the dance involves a caller, so there are do-si-do's, Promenade's, and swing's, I heard it once describes as barn dancing on crack. I think I agree, though I don't really know barn dancing nor have I ever done crack. After swing dancing my body is physically tired and sore, but after and during contra I am out of breath, so I figure that the contra dancing is more of an aerobic workout where the swing dancing works the muscles more, regardless it is one of those things where you have to accept that you are going to be covered in sweat and dancing with other people covered in sweat.
As I do more research I will post more on the history of contra, but if you are interested check out the memphis contra dancer's page.
