An introduction to American style Contra dancing with tutor Lisa Heywood. No dance experience or partner required - complete beginners welcome! Live music will be provided for the workshop by local musician extraordinaire Matt Quinn.

Schedule

• 1 - 2:30pm - workshop part 1
• 2:30 - 3pm - break
• 3 - 4:30pm - workshop part 2

Tickets

• £10 - workshop only
• £15 - workshop + contra dance on 7th July

Once you've learned the basics why not join us for an contra dance with live music! Book your ticket for the dance on 7th July with the workshop and save £5 on the standard price.

What is contra dancing?

Contra dancing is an American dance style - think square dance meets swing dance! The dances happen in long lines and you dance with each pair you meet in turn. Don't worry if you don't arrive with a partner - I'll be encouraging people to dance with different people so everyone has someone to dance with. 

I love contra because the moves all flow from one to another smoothly, with lots of turns where you can build up speed if you want to, There's not a lot of complicated footwork, but the "figures" that you dance with each pair can sometimes test your brain a bit!

Check out the video below for a taste of what contra dancing looks like...

About the tutor

Lisa Heywood is a folk dance teacher with over 10 years of experience in a variety of styles. She first learned to call (teach) for ceilidhs and barn dances at Sheffield University Ceilidh Society, and has since expanded to teach a range of folk dance styles. She co-founded a regular contra dance event in Bristol in 2016 and helped to run a regular contra dance in Edinburgh from 2018-2020. She has also danced and taught at Pinewoods, a folk dance camp in Massachusetts, USA. She is known for her creative and enthusiastic style, and aims to make every dance as inclusive as possible.

Inclusion and access

All the dancing will be taught with "positional" terminology - which means that we won't refer to the dance roles as the men or women's role. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community herself Lisa is committed to making sure that everyone feels comfortable to dance with whoever they like, in any dance role. She will be encouraging everyone to try both dance roles.

The workshops will be held in the main hall at Bradfield Village Hall. There is parking next to the hall.

Pictures and information about Bradfield Village Hall

Please let me know when booking or by emailing hello@lisaheywood.net if you have any access requirements or questions about access. I am happy to adapt or adjust the dancing to remove barriers for Deaf, Disabled and Neurodivergent participants.