[Grizzly]

<p>Spent most of this blustery snowy day indoors working out next week's contra dance.  Great day to be indoors, they shut down all the roads in and out of Calgary due to whiteouts.</p>
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<p>At any rate, since we took on the organization we've set up a website and I have a newsletter that goes out announcing the upcoming dances.  I usually put some links in to internet stuff, whether it be Youtube vids or other things.  These ones are too good to keep in our group.</p>
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<p>If you've ever seen me mention contra and wondered wtf I was talking about, here's a great vid, and here's a <a href="http://www.pbase.com/bobbennett/image/66531611" target="_blank">link</a> to some fantastic photos.</p>
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<p>We usually have more than one caller a night, but this is my first solo venture.  Shoulder is not up to the dances just yet, although it is healing and I'm out of pain for the first time since August. </p>

 

[willrun4chocolate]

<p>Thanks Grizz, this actually helps a lot.  Though it looks like you need to have co-ordination, so count me out!  I have a cousin who has called square dancing for more than 50 years, he's met a lot of people, travelled all over North America, yours looks more fun.</p>

 

[Grizzly]

<p>You need 3 things:  To be able to walk.  To be able to count at least to 8.  To be able to tell your left from your right.  What you saw there was a bit of showmanship by more experienced dancers.  For example the "claps" are added touches, there's quite a few people who dislike them and there's a dance called "A cure for the claps..."</p>
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<p>All dances are at walking speed, sometimes people add flourishes and twirls, but they are nice-to-haves.</p>
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