Since I have become involved in learning how to dance, I have been learning all types of dances. Besides the ballroom classes I am taking, I am also learning Square Dancing and 19th Century social dances (Contra dances, and Quadrilles). I am looking into taking Folk dance classes. I find that my ballroom friends only do ballroom and my Square Dance friends do a "little" ballroom. Are there others out there who do "it all" (Ballroom, Square Dancing, and Folk dancing)?

Folks seem to specialize in one kind of dance, but I like the variety that you describe. Square and contra seem to me to be a great way to start (it certainly was for me) for experiencing quick success and the enjoyment of dancing.

And, in this area (Washington, D.C.) it's easy to add to contra the experience of other dances, e.g., swing, cajun, waltz, salsa.

Thanks for replying. A couple of weeks ago, here on Long Island we had a Contra/Swing night. It helped introduced Contra to the Swing crowd. We had a positive response. Contra is my favorite dance because for me it is pure fun. I don't have to make a dozen decision that have to be made while leading. I do find that when the Ballroom and Swing crowd try it, they either love it or hate it. There's no in between.
Variety in dancing keeps me going. There is always something new to learn. I just started taking country line dances (it takes years of lessons to learn it all--which is impossible because for every new song there's a new dance!!). I am up to A1 in Square Dancing and plan to take A2 classes this summer. If I really want to go further, there are the Challange levels. I went to a workshop on Irish Set and Ceilli dances. I thought it was fun and would consider taking classes in the future. You can never be bored learning different dances.

Are you still here? I am an A2 square dancer, just returning to C1 after many years away. Do you do round dancing? I have been up to phase 5 three times till I lost my partners.

Also do English & Scottish country, international folk, part wayin to ballroom/swing/latin and also looking into County/western (avoiding line as much as possible). In the past I did American contra, Irish caeli & sets, clogging, ballet, argentine tango, jazz, even took belly dancing for a while.

Carey