Contra Dance Workshops

Contra Dance Workshops are held monthly on the third Thursday.

All levels of experience and abilities welcome! No partner necessary.

Contra dancing has been around since the 1700s. If you don't know it — it's kind of like square dancing but with long lines of dancers. A caller first explains the movements and then prompts you during the dance.

Contra dancing is a wonderful opportunity to socialize with others. It is easily accommodated for people with ASD or other social/sensory issues. So you can participate without needing to talk, touch or make eye contact, unless you want to. The dance is a repetition of various patterns that are walked. So no fancy moves are required. You dance with a partner, but that can be anybody in the dance! We are just getting started and everyone will have to learn what to do. Fortunately, we have a professional caller, Martha Tyner, who will help us.

Sponsored by the Normal Public Library Foundation.