Step simply, step lively
Contra dancing brings together a community of all ages
David Harris of Concord swings Erika Stillson of Derry
Dating back to French-Canadian, Scottish and English immigrants to New England, contra dancing has a history of bringing communities together.
The folk-dance style popular during the Colonial era saw a resurgence in the 1960s and continues to gather people together for an evening of music, dance and connection throughout New Hampshire.
“Contra dancing, as a social event, is as much a New England phenomenon as the town meeting, and it’s through the dancing that this music is best preserved,” Paul Lizotte wrote to the NH Arts Council.
“Balancing tradition and innovation, keeping the demands of the dance foremost even while meeting the expectations of a new generation of dancers is key. Contra dancing builds community,” Lizotte wrote. “Throughout New Hampshire, many small to medium-sized dances continue to thrive as community events, as people are exposed both to the traditions preserved in the music and to the spirit of social dancing.”
Lizotte has been fiddling for more than 25 years and learned the music from master fiddler Rodney Miller. He performs at contra dances in southern New Hampshire with the group JumpStart, which has been around for about 20 years in various formations.
Similar to square dancing, but with less complicated steps, dancers begin in lines and dance in pairs. The steps can be repetitive, so it doesn’t take long, even for beginners, to get comfortable with the movements.
It’s a low-barrier activity for someone to get involved with as a dancer or musician. While some conservatory-trained musicians are performing for contra dances, in the Granite State it’s largely led by amateur, self-taught fans. Throughout the sets, partners switch, allowing connection with others in the community.
Lizotte says that contra dancing in New Hampshire has become a community with this shared interest, and he’s got more than 120 friends from becoming involved with it.
A group of contra dancers having a good time.
“I really feel that I’m carrying on a tradition but also expanding it,” he says during an interview with 603 Diversity.
While contra dancing is a traditional dance style that’s been around for hundreds of years, there’s been an emergence of a younger generation looking to keep it alive and make it their own.
On Jan. 24, Milford’s contra dance had more than 90 participants, with 25 aged 20 or younger.
“It’s changed,” Lizotte says. “It’s great to see these young people picking up the tradition.”
Contra dances are held across the state, with most locations hosting monthly gatherings. On most Fridays and Saturdays, you can find an option for a dance, Lizotte says. There are some held Sundays and Mondays as well.
“I’ve had a great time playing fiddle,” Lizotte says. “I’ve had a great time dancing.”
This article was featured in 603 Diversity.
603 Diversity’s mission is to educate readers of all backgrounds about the exciting accomplishments and cultural contributions of the state’s diverse communities, as well as the challenges faced and support needed by those communities to continue to grow and thrive in the Granite State.
