Contra dance is a form of folk dancing made up of long lines of couples. It has mixed origins from English country dance, Scottish country dance, and French dance styles in the 17th century. Sometimes described as New England folk dance or Appalachian folk dance, contra dances can be found around the world, but are most common in the United States, Canada, and other Anglophone countries.
Musicians play for a contra dance at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina.
Caller and musician Dudley Laufman, a significant figure in the contra dance revival of the mid-20th century
Contra dancers swing at a Friday night dance at Glen Echo Park in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.
A folk dance is a dance that reflects the life of the people of a certain country or region. Not all ethnic dances are folk dances. For example, ritual dances or dances of ritual origin are not considered to be folk dances. Ritual dances are usually called "religious dances" because of their purpose.
Traditional Valencian dances
Rapper Sword Dancers - Sheffield Steel
Folk Dancing at Jack in the Green May Day festival in Hastings, UK.
Turkey folk dance