Hudson Valley Community Dance

Elegant English Country dance grew in popularity in Britain during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in the 1500’s. The films Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility or Emma show this form of dance. English Country dancing came to North America with the colonists and was popular through the early 1800s. While Americans eagerly awaited new dance books from England, they also wrote their own dances and published their own dance books. At HVCD English Country dances, live music may be from ballads, classical music or operas dating back 500 years. Prompted by a caller, the dancers move in "figures", holding hands or by themselves. Dances are characterized by grace and elegance, eye contact, and the gliding steps of a bygone era.

Contra is the common folks’ free-wheeling alternative to its elegant cousin, English Country dance, set to fast fiddling and great lively music! Descended from stylized 17th-century English court dances, “contra” (contrary) dancing evolved. Everyone was allowed to contra dance; it was easy, fun, and allowed for embellishment and individual expression. Contra is danced to live music. In contra dance, everyone flows together – individual parts coming together for a joyful whole.

Swing dance originated in Harlem and developed to the moving rhythms of jazz, causing listeners to WANT to move! Swing is a style or group of dances with Afro-American Roots from the 1920s - 1940s. The syncopated rhythm of the music is lively. Like jazz, it is play and improvisation! Swing is a collection of dances that include the Lindy Hop, East Coast Swing, Charleston, Balboa, "Shag", Boogie Woogie, etc. A uniquely American dance form, Swing is now done all over the world.