Zydeco and Contra Dancing

[Spitfire]

Zydeco and Contra Dancing.

I hear a lot about these, but I'm not familiar with what they actually are.

For those of you who are into either or both how much fun is it and would you recommend it?

[mellody43]

I was a zydeco-holic for just over a year ... I really enjoyed it but found that the lack of live music in the Seattle area and the imbalance of men to women (I was sitting out too often for my tastes) finally drew me away from it. I find there is more variety in the Latin music that now fuels my fire =)

However, it is very fun -- no spinning, really, but very "in the knees" -- there is a lot of slow blues too which can be SUPER-hot with the right partner. And a little waltz too!

Very casual -- jeans and boots are the norm.

Hallmarks of zydeco music are the frattoir (rub board) and accordion (or "squeezebox" :-) ) --

Download some tunes from Keith Frank, Geno Delafose, and Clifton Chenier and you will get a great idea for what zydeco is!

If I can help you further, let me know!
Melissa

[Spitfire]

I was a zydeco-holic for just over a year ... I really enjoyed it but found that the lack of live music in the Seattle area and the imbalance of men to women (I was sitting out too often for my tastes) finally drew me away from it. I find there is more variety in the Latin music that now fuels my fire =)

However, it is very fun -- no spinning, really, but very "in the knees" -- there is a lot of slow blues too which can be SUPER-hot with the right partner. And a little waltz too!

Very casual -- jeans and boots are the norm.

Hallmarks of zydeco music are the frattoir (rub board) and accordion (or "squeezebox" :-) ) --

Download some tunes from Keith Frank, Geno Delafose, and Clifton Chenier and you will get a great idea for what zydeco is!

If I can help you further, let me know!
Melissa

Thanks Mellody. If I think of something I will.

I have often related my appreciation for Seattle's dancing on this forum, I spent much of my time doing just that during the three trips I made there which was to visit a cousin of mine in Bellevue. Did you see my pm?

[jon]

Contra dancing (http://www.sbcds.org/contradance/whatis/) is much fun if you have the right mindset, but has very little in common with partner dances like ballroom, salsa, and swing. If you like live traditional music and like high-energy sweaty dancing, give it a try.

[mellody43]

Yes, I did -- sorry I haven't replied -- it's sitting in my "in box!" *shame*

I haven't been dancing on the East side much (except for one excursion to Misty's at the Bellevue Doubletree, which has since gone extinct) -- but yes, Seattle has a little bit of all kinds of dancing. Contra, swing, salsa, zydeco, tango ... If you want it, you'll likely find a group that's doing it!

=)
Melissa

[Spitfire]

Yes, I did -- sorry I haven't replied -- it's sitting in my "in box!" *shame*

I haven't been dancing on the East side much (except for one excursion to Misty's at the Bellevue Doubletree, which has since gone extinct) -- but yes, Seattle has a little bit of all kinds of dancing. Contra, swing, salsa, zydeco, tango ... If you want it, you'll likely find a group that's doing it!

=)
Melissa

Most of the dancing I've done there is on the east side. The exception being the Century. The next time I visit I would like to try the Washington Dance Club; that's one place I haven't been to yet. Have you been there?

[mellody43]

I believe I have -- for a swing dance and a zydeco dance. Sort of an upstairs studio with mirrors. I don't like dancing in front of mirrors ;-) I'd rather be under the illusion that I'm fabulous! hehe!

[Spitfire]

I believe I have -- for a swing dance and a zydeco dance. Sort of an upstairs studio with mirrors. I don't like dancing in front of mirrors ;-) I'd rather be under the illusion that I'm fabulous! hehe!

I think I've yet to see a studio that doesn't have mirrors. I know what you mean though; don't care for mirrors myself other then for when you're taking a lesson.

[alk3fan4life]

i've been contra dancing for almost 7 years, and i'm almost literally addicted to it. it's somewhat related to square dancing, but is done to new england/irish traditional music, and done in lines. it's insanely fun, and swinging can reach very high speeds. check it out. you really can't get the intensity of it until you actually immerce yourself in the atmosphere.

[kayak]

I loved this quote "Contra dance groups receive absolutely no funding from Oliver North.":)

The one place that contra dancing works great at is weddings. After the traditional brides dances, DJs usually need some fun mixer dances to get everyone dancing. This is when the weird 80's mix stuff comes out so the girls can dance without guys. However, a good caller can get almost everyone at a wedding out on the floor with a contra style dance and create a great mixer. Once everyone gets used to dancing with a bunch of partners, the dancing lasts a lot longer when they switch back to traditional partner dances.