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

Carey,

I am still here. Still learning. I am slowly learning A2 in Square Dancing. The Square Dance group I belong to is made up mostly of older people. I am one of the youngest and I'm 52 yrs old!! I don't do the Round Dancing. I just don't have enough time. I am taking line dance lessons at least once a week. Different teachers teach different dances. My partner and I go to one class where they teach mostly beginner dances. I go to another class where they teach beginner-intermediate level dances early in the evening and then intermediate to advanced dances later. I stay as long as there are a few dances I can do. It always amazes me how many people know all the different line dances (there's only 48,000 listed on kick-it). I don't know anyone who teaches the Country Partner dances. When we go to the country dances, we try to pick up the Partner dances. We will do the line and partner dances we know. We do a fairly good Country Two Step. And we'll do the Ballroom stuff when it fits (usually Swing, and Cha Cha's).

Line Dancing is a real challange because there are so many different dances. Line dancing is done to all types of music besides Country. There are line dances to oldies, latin, Irish, and even Hip Hop. The complexity ranges from "Ober-beginner" to advanced. I been doing Line Dancing for over 3 years and I still consider myself a beginner. It is fun when you want to dance and you don't have a partner.

I still think it is great to diversify your dancing. Most dancers like to stay in their little circle (which is fine for their comfort zone but they are missing out on new dance experiences
and meeting new people).

Carey, if you're ever on Long Island, look me up. We'll take you Sqare Dancing, Country Dancing, Contra Dancing, English Country Dancing, or Ballroom Danicing.

Steve