Las Vegas Contra Dance

Contra Dance is a North American form of folk dance, with its roots in the English Country Dance and Scottish Country Dance traditions brought over by settlers from those countries. 
It is a "grandparent" of the more widely recognized American Square Dance, but Contra Dance has older origins, and is much easier to learn. 

The dances are done in pairs, and are danced in long lines of couples extending down the length of the hall.  In the course of the dance, each couple progresses up or down the long lines, so that each couple dances in turn with every other couple, in sets of four.

Dancers new to Contra are ready to enjoy a full night of Contra dancing after only a half hour long introduction given at the beginning of the evening. Beginners are strongly encouraged to arrive in time for the introduction, as it will greatly increase their enjoyment of the evening. It's a very easy type of dance to learn, and once you go through the 30 minute introduction,  you are well set up to enjoy a lifetime of Contra dancing!  After the introductory lesson,  each individual dance is walked through without music, and then all of the movements are "called" during the actual dance. There is no emphasis on perfection or complicated footwork. If you can walk, you can Contra Dance.

 As you attend more dances over time you will learn many more Contra figures and skills, but the basics can all be learned at your first dance.