Contrabridge is a new contra dance series in central Cambridge
When?
The dancing runs from 8pm – 11pm, with an intro lesson at 7.45pm. Calling will be gender-free. Depending on the caller's preference, this will either be positionally (no role terms), or with the role terms Larks and Robins.
Where?
The dances are held at the Stoneyard Centre, 43 St Andrew's St, Cambridge, CB2 3AR [Google maps, openstreetmap]. The venue is just off St Andrew's Street, down a short passage next to St Andrew’s Street Baptist Church. The hall is upstairs, at the back of the building. If you arrive late, you may need to ring the bell and wait for someone to come down and let you in.
How much?
Tickets are available on the door. The prices are £15 for supporters, £10 for standard and £7 for students or those who otherwise can't afford full price. Nobody turned away for lack of funds. You can pay with contactless or cash.
What's contra?
Contra dance is community folk dance similar to ceilidh or barn dance, and we will dance to live music! No partner is necessary, and new dancers are very welcome. As it is a community dance, you are welcome to ask anybody to dance, and everybody is supportive and friendly in enjoying the dance together.
A caller leads the dancers through a series of moves, they dance them with a partner and another pair of dancers, before progressing each time through the dance to meet the next people in the set. The caller teaches each dance before it is done with music, then leads the dances along with the music. Once the dancers have mastered a particular dance, the caller will stop calling, leaving the dancers to enjoy the movement with music alone.
What do I bring? What do I wear?
Bring a water bottle and wear comfy shoes (preferably not too grippy). Swirly skirts are also a lot of fun to wear for contra. You don't need to bring a partner.
Covid policy
Please:
- Do not come to our dances with unexplained respiratory symptoms or if you are feeling unwell for any unexplained reason.
- Do not come to our dances if you know or suspect you have COVID-19 (or any other illness that may be spread by folk dancing).
- Do not come to our dances if government guidelines say you should stay at home.
- Consider testing before dancing — LFTs are easily available for £2 from most supermarkets and pharmacies.
- Consider being fully vaccinated — COVID-19 vaccines and boosters reduce the risk of severe illness and may limit spread.