Contra dancing is having a cultural moment. Since 2011, average attendance at events held by the Boston Intergenerational Dance Advocates organization has grown to more than 150 last year. Attendance at dances this year is even higher, with multiple record-breaking dances taking place already. Its large dance hall in Porter Square is routinely wall-to-wall with dancers, and the energy is exciting and sometimes even chaotic.
Contra dancing has been a staple of New England folklife for three centuries. How has Cambridge come to host one of the largest contra Dances in New England?
Above all, the community is warm and welcoming, especially for queer and gender non-conforming folks. It’s common to see dancers in rainbow pants, Celtic kilts and gowns that would fit in at the Renaissance Faire. The dance also offers a break from the digital world, fostering genuine, heartfelt connections. It’s a place to unwind, enjoy good music and dance, but also a place to make friends and, for some, even meet future spouses. As dating apps lose popularity and the pandemic recedes, many young people are exploring real-life activities such as contra dancing to meet romantic partners. In an era marked by isolation, social dances serve as a vibrant avenue for building community and fostering togetherness.
“My parents met dancing, so I sort have been involved for a long time,” said Jeff Kaufman, a longtime Bida board member who also met his wife at a dance.
Kaufman performs for dances as part of the bands The Free Raisins and Kingfisher. On Saturday he played in Northborough with his new band Dandelion alongside Lily, his 10-year-old daughter, and his father, both on violin. Stories like this are common in the contra dancing community.
Stepping into the basement of the Cambridge Masonic Temple on a Sunday night, there will be 150 to 200 colorfully dressed people of all ages moving to the lively tunes of fiddle music. On stage, a caller guides the dancers, prompting moves such as “Do-si-do” and “Swing your partner!”
Contra dancing is a deeply rooted New England Tradition originating in the 17th century as a blend of English, Celtic and French dance styles. The dance today maintains these traditions through its music, primarily acoustic and fiddle-driven, and the caller’s role, guiding dancers of all skill levels through the steps.
A 1970s folk revival spread contra dancing from New England across the United States and globally. Now, nearly every U.S. state hosts the dances, with many adopting “gender-free” calling, replacing “gents” and “ladies” with “larks” and “robins” to create a more inclusive community.
Dances in Cambridge take place the first and third Sunday each month at the Masonic Lodge, 1950 Massachusetts Ave., Porter Square. Information is at bidadance.org.
This post was updated to remove a reference to growth that suggested a surge in attendance at dances just in the past year.
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