43
Liberty woman revives historic contra dance craze
By BRUCE WALTON
bwalton@vindy.com
CANFIELD
Video
Inside the Dublin Grange Theatre, the warm and upbeat folk music and lively chatter were in contrast to the unseasonably cold weather outside.
People gathering from every corner of Northeast Ohio dressed up and danced in small groups, clapping and stomping their feet to the rhythm of the music.
The guests turned in circles hand-in-hand and switched partners, all directed by the caller who stood with the live band.
Since March, Laura Tellman of Liberty has set up the Western Reserve Contra Dance with dozens in attendance the second Saturday of every month.
Tellman said she fell in love with contra dance in 2014 at the Civil War Ball hosted by the Mahoning Valley Historical Society. The ball encouraged guests to wear beautiful costumes and dance elegantly like the belles and beaus of a bygone era popularized in works such as “Pride and Prejudice” and “Gone with the Wind.”
“It was just fun because everybody was learning it at the same time, and the whole room dances with the whole room, so if you didn’t come with somebody you wouldn’t feel left out, and it was just really good exercise because you didn’t feel like you we’re going to the gym,” Tellman said. “It was just a really pleasant experience.”
Tellman said after the ball, she traveled to other places hosting contra dances for a while until she decided to host her own. To do this, Tellman found help from the local acoustic string folk band One String Short and its leader, Dennis Kempthorne. With the band’s connection with the folk music and contra-dance community and Tellman’s promotional and organizational skills, they created the event series, including a website – http://www.westernreservecontradance.com/.
Contra dance, described as a form of 17th-century folk dance originating from English, Scottish and French dance styles, was performed at social gatherings in many parts of Western Europe and the United States until the turn of the 20th century.
Contra dance may seem intimidating, but even beginners can keep up with the best so long as they have a pep in their step and can take directions.
Daria Barnes, 52, of Louisville said she contra-danced for the first time at Saturday’s event and said she heard about the event through Facebook.
“It’s fun because you’re learning so much so fast and you want to do it right,” Barnes said. “But there are other people involved, so there’s going to be mistakes, and it’s all just in fun so you don’t have to be perfect at it.”
Even if some can’t dance, guests can enjoy the live band and lighthearted atmosphere. Though its popularity has grown, the event may have only one last dance left in May because of the summer heat and because the Dublin Grange Theatre, 6571 Fairground Blvd., has no air conditioning.
Tellman hopes they can find a more-suitable place in the summer.